Looking to trade my old Ruger 44 Flat-top for small auto

[baxter007]

I would like to trade my old (1957, SN 1804) Ruger 44 Blackhawk Flat-top for a new Bersa CC .380 or very similar. You may remember me talking about this gun that my grandfather engraved his SSN in and then I ground out with the Dremel. I know that it has lost most of it's value but it should still be worth a Bersa as a project gun or just a shooter. Here's a few pics.

 

[MCgunner]

Youre serious? I wouldn't do it. Not me. I'd just buy a Bersa, good guns, but not expensive.

Is the catch that small autos are illegal in San Fransisco?

 

[csmkersh]

Gawd, I wish you were with in 50 miles of San Antonio. I'd deliver the Bersa to your door.
​

 

[Majic]

Surely you jest? Trade a Flat-top for a Bersa?

 

[harmonic]

If it were me, I'd get on the phone to a refinishing gunsmith and ask how to get as much of the engraving/dremeling out as possible.

In other words, I'd do the hand work myself (if I were you). Like, polishing with 100 grit emory cloth, or something like that. Hand polish! Stay away with that dremel tool!

I'd get it as smooth as I possibly could, then I'd send it in for refinishing.

I can't tell from the pictures, but it doesn't look too terribly deep.

But no way would I ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever, let that go.

Edited to add: I withdraw my offer because you obviously need to hang onto the gun.

 

[baxter007]

I just can't believe that it's worth that much with the damage. Maybe I should rethink this.

 

[harmonic]

You not only need to rethink the idea. You need to abandon it altogether.

Your grandfather's gun? Man, what are you thinking?

Buds gun shop sells new Bersas for $277. Skip a meal and buy a gun.

Meanwhile, fix the Ruger. The damage isn't that great. The pure collector's value has already been destroyed, so refinishing it won't matter.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Even with the grinding, a .44 Magnum Flat Top is surely worth a lot more than $277. Sell it, use some of the proceeds to buy the other gun if you want it that much, and laugh all the way to the bank with the rest.

 

[baxter007]

I may just do that! I may just list it on gunbroker. Thanks for the input and by the way, I have quite a few of my granfather's guns including a 38 Fitz-Special!

 

[danjet500]

Please check GunBroker for prices and then list it here http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=8 instead. Also you may wish to post some pictures in the revolver section and ask these Ruger experts for their advice. A Flattop is pretty much the holy grail as far as Ruger revolvers go. Listen to all the advice given here. Your grandpa is watching.

 

[Kman]

ANY functioning .44 mag is worth $300- A flat-top ruger is a rare piece, I would look into repairing/refinishing it.

 

[Floppy_D]

Keep it. I keep very few guns for any amount of time, but my Ruger will not leave my hands. If my kids want a Bersa for it, that's fine, but I'd better be dead first, so I don't hear about it.

 

[baxter007]

I hear ya Foppy D. I'm 49 and have two girls and no grandkids (yet) and they could care less about my grandfather's guns. I figure that I might as well get the guns that interest me and let these guns go to someone like you that will treasure them.

 

[SASS#23149]

even a 'shooter grade' flattop in .44 is worth waaaaaaay more than a Bersa.
Heck,the lockwork would prolly be worth 150.00 if it's original,so the whole gun in decent shape should bring ..hmmmm. 400.00 ?

maybe more

 

[harmonic]

So, Baxter, I noticed you got about $335 for the Ruger. Is that what you expected?