Hidden classics flying under the radar

[bushmaster1313]

What are the great classic guns that many are not aware of?
(not limited to shotguns)
To me it is the High Standard 18-7 Riot Gun.
Most everyone knows about the Model 12, the Model 31 and the Model 37, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover the existence, quality and affordability of the 18-7:

 

[Blackrock]

I own a JC Higgins made by Hi Standard. Just a real nice classic riot gun.

 

[yeti]

Like new with out the box.

 

[Packman]

I have the 3913NL, which is the same gun, it just doesn't say "Lady Smith" on the side. (I couldn't care less if it did, except that finding one marked "Lady Smith" is more expensive.)

In my, and many others opinion, this is one of the most underrated guns for concealed carry.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Store Brand Firearms Sears, Western Auto, Wards etc.

 

[Cosmoline]

Good thread idea!

Quality flintlocks in general. They're more reliable and accurate than people think.

I'd say Finnish Mosin-Nagants are still under the radar for most, or more exactly they're lost amidst the fog of 91/30's.

A few years back i would have added Security Sixes and the CZ 452, but those cats are well out of the bag now.

 

[heeler]

The Winchester 1200 shotgun can usually be found in great condition for very little money.I bought one in 90 plus percent condtion this year on GB that came with the 22 inch smoothbore deer barrel and rifle sights for $150.00.
And could have snagged several others in that price range if I had been so inclined.
Also what Deltaboy mentioned about the store brands.
Some truely great deals out there on name brand firearms with a department store names.

 

[samurai]

Another fan of the 3913NL-great carry gun

 

[candr44]

Also what Deltaboy mentioned about the store brands.
Some truely great deals out there on name brand firearms with a department store names.

I have to agree with the store brands being under appreciated. I often find them selling for a lot less than the equivalent name brand gun. Another under appreciated maker is Star. Some of their later models like the 30M, 31P, and Megastar pistols were well made.

Also, any military firearm you can buy with a C&R license seems to always go up in value in just a few years. Especially when the supply dries up or they get banned from import.

Under appreciated means a bargain for us. As soon as collectors take an interest in something the price gouging starts.

 

[Deanimator]

Dan Wesson revolvers, even the pistol packs, are usually very reasonably priced at gun shows.

Likewise S&W Model 23s.

About 7-8 years ago, I was looking for a 6" S&W Model 27-2. At both the OGCA show at the IX Center and the Medina show, I came across DWs and 23s after DWs and 23s over and over.

The 23s are probably much more expensive now, but probably not nearly as much in demand as 27s.

From what I hear, DWs are still very reasonably priced.

 

[ol' scratch]

Star pistols. My grandfather owns a 9mm that came back from WWII. Really nice pistol.

Model 37 Ithacas. Very under valued in my opinion.

Remington Wingmasters

 

[gun addict]

mosin nagant, espacially the Finnish models such as the M39. People just refuses to believe that a $200 can be so damn accurate. I constantly outshoot others at the range with the M39+ironsight versus scoped out hunting/tactical rifles at 100 yard

 

[ol' scratch]

I have to agree with the store brands being under appreciated. I often find them selling for a lot less than the equivalent name brand gun. Another under appreciated maker is Star. Some of their later models like the 30M, 31P, and Megastar pistols were well made.

Also, any military firearm you can buy with a C&R license seems to always go up in value in just a few years. Especially when the supply dries up or they get banned from import.

Under appreciated means a bargain for us. As soon as collectors take an interest in something the price gouging starts.

+1 on that. Have you checked the price of Turkish Mausers? I bought one with a nice barrel about 10 years ago for $79.

SKS's were another one. You could get a Romanian SKS in about 2000 for $99. There were some real dogs at that price range, but some were never fired. They are much higher now...

I think that Garands are still one of the best deals going in semi auto firearms. A field grade will cost you only $495. Not bad when you consider it is a full-size rifle that shoots a full-size round. Rackers were cheaper, but I haven't seen them in a while. If the barrel is too shot out, you can spin a modern barrel on them. Lots of people work on them and parts ABOUND, or at least for the moment.

 

[ol' scratch]

mosin nagant, espacially the Finnish models such as the M39. People just refuses to believe that a $200 can be so damn accurate. I constantly outshoot others at the range with the M39+ironsight versus scoped out hunting/tactical rifles at 100 yard

I paid $59 for mine, but that was 10 years ago.

Sometimes you can really find a great deal from someone cleaning out an attic. I have been shooting a $129 1903 Springfield with a barrel that gauges a '1' at the muzzle. I picked it up 2 years ago.

 

[Tom Fury]

forgotten classics

ANY metal framed S&W 2-3 gen auto...
cheers, TF

 

[cmat]

Nagant M1895 revolver, just for kicks.

 

[Joe Demko]

Ditto on the S&W 2nd and 3rd generation autos. In their own day, these were already under appreciated. Glocks and Sigs were the kewl guy guns, especially after the then new world wide web started getting involved. They are still reasonably priced on most models, though prices are climbing on .45's and 10mm's are getting scarce.
IMPE, the 3rd gen guns were accurate, reliable, durable pieces. The slide mounted safety wasn't sufficiently tactical, though, and they weren't made from high speed, low drag polymer; so right there the 1911 guys and the Glock guys disdained them. Nor did they have the cachet of German Engineering, so the HK and Sig guys turned their noses up as well.
Lastly, they never saw much use in movies, though "Resevoir Dogs" was loaded with them. Like it or not, movies do sell guns. If Tommy Lee Jones had gritted out something kewl about a S&W 4506, they'd probably still be making them today.

 

[InkEd]

I find it interesting how many people are becoming fans of older S&W autos lately. A few years ago, alot of people didn't care for them and thought the were average at best. Now the M&P is available (held in higher regard by most) and those old surplus guns are gaining a following of fans. I'm sure the lowered prices have alot to do with it BUT it is interesting how people become huge fans of older "kinda average" guns once they are cheap and out of production. I wonder if it's more a "nostalgia" or "good bargain" thing
or people just actually started liking them because of the guns themselves? (Kind of like the Makarov is considered a good "cheap gun" but not really brought up too often as a favorite, unless things like price and cheap ammo are being mentioned too.)

Getting back on topic, one can still come across some decent S&W .38 revolvers like the Model 10 for pretty reasonable prices. A gun which was considered a good weapon even before they were sold cheaply on the used market.

 

[snorky18]

Is that S&W 3913 a DAO or a DA/SA?

 

[CajunBass]

The Smith & Wesson 39, and 39-2. Even in their day they were overlooked. About the same time, or not long after, Smith & Wesson bought out the Model 59 with it's fourteen round magazine, and everyone stampeeded right over the old 39 with it's "only" eight round magazines (+1).

Store Brand Firearms Sears, Western Auto, Wards etc.

This is the truth. Again, even back in the day, people, myself included would say "It's just Sears gun" like that was something bad. Actually most of my shotguns have been "Sears guns." Of course they were just as good as the same model gun with a brand name on it.

My Sears pump 12. More than a few deer have hit the ground in front of this one.



My Dad's 12 ga Sears pump. He didn't hunt, but did like to go to turkey shoots. He won a bunch with it. So many that people would rent his gun to shoot instead of their own.