IMI Timberwolf in .44 - Good Deal?

[nwilliams]

My local shop just got in an IMI Timberwolf chambered in .44 mag and they want $995 for it but I might be able to negotiate a bit since I'm a very good customer.

Is this a good price? I know that Timberwolf rifles in this caliber are pretty hard to find and this one they have is in excellent condition. The wood has some scratches and dings in it but the metal is extremely clean.

I did some research and I can't seem to find a conclusive answer as to how much a Timberwolf in .44 is is really worth. The shop manager seems to think the price was very reasonable but that really doesn't help me out because he's trying to sell the gun and of course he thinks it's a good deal.

I want to negotiate with the shop on the price of this gun but I want to know what is a fair price first.

 

[bfoosh006]

I've always wanted a Timberwolf in .44 mag..... but not for 1k. Parts would/could be difficult to find, and for that price I could have bought a 1895 and a Winc. 1894.

Soooo... I think that price is to high for me. I'd probably be willing to pay Max $600

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=87905

 

[Dr.Rob]

That is a lot of money. Think carefully. Numrich has a very limited supply of parts available, you might want to pick up a spare firing pin while you can if you decide to buy it.

 

[mainmech48]

My own Timberwolf is in .357 and while I treasure it for its sweet handling qualities and amazing accuracy, the prices I see being asked for them on the various auction sites quite often strike me as bordering on the absurd.

I realize that IMI/Action Arms sold relatively few of them here, IMHO mostly due to the fact that their MSRP was (at the time) considerably above what a Marlin 1894 could be had for at your local Wally World. I was fortunate enough to run across mine at a local dealer at a close-out price ($245 plus tax, IIRC) shortly after importation had been halted.

I know that only a very small number of the .44 Mag. versions made it here before production ceased, but even if an example had the ultra-rare hard chromed finish and was absolutely pristine I'd have to have some sort of terminally-serious collector "jones" for just that item to even consider laying out nearly a grand for it.

Especially when there are so many Marlin 1894s and Rossi/Puma carbines out there that'll do everything (but pump) that it can for about half the money.

As a southpaw, I've been in love with pump actions since my dad helped me fire my first "real" rifle (a Winchester 62) at a Santa Cruz shooting gallery when I was about five. But not enough to pay twice as much just to have one when it comes down to it, I guess.

 

[CraigC]

You can buy a really nice late model Winchester 92 for that much and have a much better rifle.