Opportunity to purchase another Ruger SBH

[gamestalker]

A friend of my Son has what he says is a NIB 44 mag, SBH that was left to him by his Dad who passed away a year ago. From what I understand, it's some where around 5 or 6 years old, and supposedly never fired. I haven't had an opportunity to see it yet, as i just learned that it was for sale tonight.

It's blue, has a 6 something inch barrel, and standard Ruger wood grips. I looked at some of the going prices for a basic SBH, previously owned NIB, and they range from around $375 to about $600, he started the bargaining at $600.

For me it's tough though, cause the last SBH I purchased was in the early 80's, bought it new from an FFL, like $200 OTD I believe. So I have no real clue what I should pay for this one. I mean, even though it's said to be New and never fired, it has obviously been previously owned.

GS

 

[zerobarrier]

SBH usually run in my area from 495-650 depending on finish, barrel length, talo edition, bisley, etc. I actually just traded a perfect condition SBH Bisley Talo edition SS 3.75" barrel in and got $450 for it, which was probably a good price. He put it in the case for $549.

In my opinion I would not pay more then $400 for a blued 6" SBH, its probably the same or better then he would get trading it in.

 

[gamestalker]

Thanks for the input Zerobarrier. I was thinking probably no more than $400, considering it's a bare bone stock SBH, and has stock grips.

We'll see how it goes though. I don't want to insult him, being that he's a friend of my Son and all. But I'm not going to let myself get raked over the coals either though.

GS

 

[CraigC]

You could buy a brand new one from a dealer for less than $600. Assuming it's actually a 5½" or 7½" and hasn't been cut, I'd say somewhere closer to $450 to a maximum of $500.

 

[funklord12]

The last SBH I bought was a used 7.5" blued model for about $420 in 2013. It didn't have a turn line on the cylinder and looked brand new.

I would only pay $400 - 450 for used SBH in the condition you described. A new one runs about $600.

 

[Rule3]

Never be offended when offering a reasonable price. Many items for sale by owner are over priced. They are attached to the item and think it's worth more than it really is. You are doing you homework. So you will know what they cost.

Look at the SOLD items on Gunbroker not the listed amounts.

Heck here is a new one from Buds delivered for $578.00

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...182/Ruger+0811+Super+Blackhawk+6RD+44MAG+5.5"

So why is your friends USED one worth more?. It is used.even if it never was shot.

I also would start at $400 and max out at $450 assuming it is all perfect.

 

[il.bill]

I paid $485 for a used .44 magnum Ruger SBH in excellent condition and am happy with my purchase. I would be much happier if I had paid $450 for it, and that seems to be an appropriate upper limit for the one your son's friend is selling.

I too, would start with eight fifty dollar bills fanned out in hand as a cash offer and see what he says. $400 to $450 is NOT an insult, it would simply be what that revolver is worth to ME. With patience and effort he may well end up finding a buyer at $600, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that.

 

[gamestalker]

That's what I'm saying Rule3, once it's been purchased, it's used, whether it's been fired or not. I think it's sentimental to him, as it belonged to his Dad who passed away. So while I'm not going to spend more for it than it's worth, I still don't want to offend him.

I think I'll just show him around Gun broker and let him see what they have sold for in that condition, and with same or similar features.

GS

 

[CraigC]

That's what I'm saying Rule3, once it's been purchased, it's used, whether it's been fired or not.

That's not true at all, we ain't talking about cars here. A new firearm that's sat on YOUR shelf for six months is no more used than one that sits on a dealer, manufacturer or distributor's shelf. A firearm doesn't lose $100 in value just because you walk out the door with it. A dealer ain't gonna give you what you paid for it because he can order another one for less but an individual can be expected to pay whatever you paid for it. Sans background checks and sales tax. A gun that is ordered brand new from Ruger, never unwrapped other than to check the serial number, taken home and placed in a safe for 5 years is a hell of a lot newer than one that a dealer has had on the gun show circuit for a year.

Take an older S&W for example. If I pay fair market value of $800 for a 30yr old but still NIB S&W, it certainly ain't worth $500 just because I walk out the door with it and it ain't worth less a year later if kept in the same condition.

The question is, is it "really" NIB. Or has somebody spent 5yrs fanning it, spinning it on their finger and traipsing around the house with it practicing their fast draw technique, without actually firing it?

 

[il.bill]

CraigC -

Good points!

 

[Rule3]

That's not true at all, we ain't talking about cars here. A new firearm that's sat on YOUR shelf for six months is no more used than one that sits on a dealer, manufacturer or distributor's shelf. A firearm doesn't lose $100 in value just because you walk out the door with it. A dealer ain't gonna give you what you paid for it because he can order another one for less but an individual can be expected to pay whatever you paid for it. Sans background checks and sales tax. A gun that is ordered brand new from Ruger, never unwrapped other than to check the serial number, taken home and placed in a safe for 5 years is a hell of a lot newer than one that a dealer has had on the gun show circuit for a year.

Take an older S&W for example. If I pay fair market value of $800 for a 30yr old but still NIB S&W, it certainly ain't worth $500 just because I walk out the door with it and it ain't worth less a year later if kept in the same condition.

The question is, is it "really" NIB. Or has somebody spent 5yrs fanning it, spinning it on their finger and traipsing around the house with it practicing their fast draw technique, without actually firing it?

Once a gun is sold. It is used.
Granted if it as new in box than no it will not loose much value but why should it be priced higher than a brand new never sold one of the exact same gun??. Not like it is rare or has some special features.

Comparing it to a 30 year old SW is not apples to apples.

 

[CraigC]

Once a gun is sold. It is used.

That is pure nonsense. A car is used once it's driven off the lot because it has to be used to be driven off the lot. Even if trailered home and rolled off into a garage, vehicles age in storage. You do not have to use a firearm to take it home. Firearms do not age in storage. Like I said, if you pay fair market value for a new firearm, it's not worth $100 less when you walk out the door with it. If a NIB firearm is kept NIB for 100yrs, it is still NIB.

It has already been sold by the manufacturer to a distributor, then to a dealer, perhaps multiple dealers.

Granted if it as new in box than no it will not loose much value but why should it be priced higher than a brand new never sold one of the exact same gun??.

If you paid fair market value, it doesn't lose ANY value. No, it shouldn't be higher, who said that???

Comparing it to a 30 year old SW is not apples to apples.

You guys said once a "gun" is purchased, it is used. It is absolutely a valid comparison. Same for my 25yr old Ruger Buckeye .38-40 convertible. Had I kept it NIB with its shipping sleeve, it is still NIB and it is still worth at least what I paid for it. Period.

 

[doubleh]

I agree with CraigC. In fact I have seen my local dealer take back unfired guns he sold and and give back the purchase price.

 

[gamestalker]

Well it's appears I may have offended him with my first mention of $400, being that he hasn't responded? Bummer, I was trying not to do that. But I explained to him that I really need to look at it anyway, as there are quite a few variations of the SBH, one needs to know which one it is, how old, ect, ect..

GS

 

[J-Bar]

Geez!

If you like it and want it, buy it.

Life is short, enjoy it. Nobody gives a hoot much you paid for it. As far as NIB, I hope you shoot it so much that it's worn out by the time you die.

EDIT:

Please understand, I am on your side. I feel sorry for those guys who always have to pay the absolute minimum for anything. I will spend $50 to $100 every Sunday taking my family out for a meal. If I find a gun I want, I will buy it and enjoy it, even if someone else bought the same gun for less, sometime, somewhere. If you can pay the price and want the merchandise, go for it.

I dodged a "bullet" a few weeks ago; spent some time in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism. It didn't kill me, just gave me some perspective. No one knows how much time we have left. Spend and enjoy.

 

[hvychev77]

Not by any means am I trying to stir the pot here but, have you tried to encourage the fella to keep it? I know that if it was my pop's gun, and he had passed, you couldn't buy it from me for any amount of money. I hope that he doesn't regret selling it one day....sometimes sentimental value is priceless...I know we all look for a good buy from time to time but, I would at least entertain the conversation before buying it....just my 2 cents

 

[murf]

be patient. six hundred dollars is out of line for a sbh. when he doesn't get any more bites, he should come back with a counteroffer.

luck,

murf

 

[JeeperCreeper]

That's not true at all, we ain't talking about cars here. A new firearm that's sat on YOUR shelf for six months is no more used than one that sits on a dealer, manufacturer or distributor's shelf. A firearm doesn't lose $100 in value just because you walk out the door with it. A dealer ain't gonna give you what you paid for it because he can order another one for less but an individual can be expected to pay whatever you paid for it. Sans background checks and sales tax. A gun that is ordered brand new from Ruger, never unwrapped other than to check the serial number, taken home and placed in a safe for 5 years is a hell of a lot newer than one that a dealer has had on the gun show circuit for a year.

Take an older S&W for example. If I pay fair market value of $800 for a 30yr old but still NIB S&W, it certainly ain't worth $500 just because I walk out the door with it and it ain't worth less a year later if kept in the same condition.

The question is, is it "really" NIB. Or has somebody spent 5yrs fanning it, spinning it on their finger and traipsing around the house with it practicing their fast draw technique, without actually firing it?

I see what your saying, and it all depends on the buyer, I guess.

For me, if you aren't an FFL, then the gun is always USED!!! Cars have odometers to track mileage. Guns don't have "round-ometers" to count the rounds. So I'd have to take the word of the seller that it is NIB. I have some guns that have quite a few boxes through them and they look brand new when I clean them up. But I am also not a forensic scientist that can pick apart every detail to show if a gun is NIB or LNIB or just excellent condition. I will never pay NEW price for a "second hand" gun if I can just go to the gun store and get a guaranteed NEW gun.

Sorry for the derail, OP, if he knows you own or colelct guns, he might be hoping you just drop big mone on it so he can make a quick payday. With it being connected to his deceased father, it can also be a sensitive issue. The gun is worth $600 new, so if it is seemingly "brand new", I'd probably go no more than $500-550 considering transfers... if you actually want it.

I'd probably say something like, "well, thats a nice revolver, but right now I can only do about $450 the way bills are, but if you still want to sell it and need more for it, I can help you in the right direction of where to go"

 

[Master Blaster]

He can take to to a gun store or a pawn shop and they will offer him $250-$300 max for it.

The gun store if they are following the law will sell it as used, at a $125 discount over a new one, so they will ask $475 and take $425-$450. They have to make 40% to make a 20% profit and cover their 20% overhead. The max they can pay is $300. Since it will be a slow mover they will offer less.