Ruger rifle; opinions wanted

[Smokey Joe]

Well, I've done it. Got the hots for a "new" .243, and found a used Ruger Target Gray Model M77 Mark II Target Rifle at what seems to be a reasonable price. The gun comes with bases, rings, and a Leupold Vari-X III 2-8x38 'scope. They want $699 for it. My wife (bless her) didn't really say "no" loud & clear.

Gun seems to be in very nice condition. Any opinions? Am I making a fool of myself? (Well, moreso than usual I mean.)

 

[sumpnz]

Just as a snif test, I checked my FFL's Davidsons account. It lists the gun, brand spanking new, at $611 + shipping + tax. They all come with bases and rings, though no scope. Now, I know with him, if you pre-pay for the rifle you get a discount that means shipping is essentially free. Closest I could find on SWFA was a VX-III 2.5-8x36 scope for $400, but used optics, especially when sold with a rifle don't fetch anywhere near what they go for new. So, assume that scope adds about $100 to the deal.

So, basically, I would say that price sounds a tad high unless both the gun and scope are NIB. But you did say it was used. If in fact it's in excellent condition, I'd try to get them down to no more than $650, maybe even $600. Obviously the more worn, scuffed, etc the finish is, the less you should pay.

Edit: On their sample list SWFA has the VX-III 2.5-8x36 for $380, or a 3-9x40 VX-I for $185.

 

[rbernie]

I dunno if that's such a bad deal. A $600 rifle + $400 scope = $700 used? That sounds OK (not stellar, but not a blatent rip-off) if the use was pretty light.

Used 77MkII's in good condition seem to retail at around 70% of new cost in the shops I frequent. And heck - it's not likely that you can expect to see half-off list price EVER for a used Leupold *anything*.

If I really liked the rifle and wanted that combination, I'd not be put off by the deal. It's a very nice rifle with an very nice optic at something in the vicinity of fair-market price.

 

[bcbr]

Empire pawn on summer ave had a heavy barrell.243 ruger laminate stock and scope [donot know the scope] for 899$ for a while ,last time I saw it it was down to 599$ . Memphis,Tn It may be less now but I think it is still overpriced.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Thanx!

Well, Sumpnz, Rbernie, & Bcbr, thanx for the opinions. Mebbe I'll hold off on that Ruger. Mebbe. Sure is a sweet-lookin' gun. And I'd save the mounting & boresighting fee. Guns in my area tend to run on the high side pricewise, at least nice ones.

We'll see what I can do on a trade-in.

Anybody else?

 

[sumpnz]

It is used so there's a good chance you can bargin for the rifle. Whenever buying anything used I always assume the price is negotioable until informed otherwise. I'd make the dealer an offer of, say, $625 and see what he says. If he says he can't go under $650, then you know you can offer him that much and he'll take it. If he says that it's a firm price, wait a couple months and see if he lowers the asking price. The longer it takes him to sell it the more likely he will be to come down on price.

 

[rbernie]

Just remember the old saw about 'opportunity cost' - having the opportunity to buy it now (presuming that it's what you want and it's already all put togther in a 'package' that reasonably approximates what you'd want to do anyway) has an intrinsic value.....

At this stage in my life, I'll pay a bit of a premium if it really tickes my fancy *and* doesn't represent a compromise position. But that's just me - I've historically tended to pass by good deals 'to find a better one', and usually wound up with nada in the end because I couldn't find anything better but the original deal was long gone....

 

[KarbineKrazy]

I went into a gunshop last one year ago last september. Two guns caught my eye. A pre Ban mini 14 and Marlin Camp 9 with a 3x9 Bushnell and a factory 14 rounder.

I bought the mini 14 the next day for $390 out the door(not a bargain, but it came with a good stainless Scherer 30 round mag, a 20 round mag with buttstock mag pouch and a factory 5. Also came with a sling and swivels.

I really wanted the camp nine sitting next to it too, but couldn't afford $325 for a 9mm. Everytime I went into that gunshop, it was still there. I bought it last summer, 8 months after I first laid eyes on it. Asking price was $295, got it for $225.

But, like the mini 14, I didn't want to sit around and play patsy, you want that .243, go offer him $650 for it and I think you got a pretty good deal.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Yeah, me too...

Rbernie--I too have sat on my hands while a deal I wanted disappeared, just because of my failure to "strike while the iron is hot." Then I waste emotional gas kicking myself. Jeez, it's only money! Isn't that why there are credit cards? Tomorrow I'll go in and dry-fire it again. And I have a trade-in gun to bargain with, too. Will pretty that up as much as possible before taking it in.

My, the Ruger action is pretty much a Mauser rip-off. And I dry-fired a new one at another location--Niiiiice trigger!

Karbine Krazy, will see what he says looking at 6 1/2 C-notes.

 

[Smokey Joe]

OK, I did it.

Took 'em up on it. Talked 'em down a whopping $25, which almost covered the sales tax.

Condition seems to be next to NIB; couldn't find anynicks or dings; bore seems perfect, mechanicals just fine. Dry-fired the weapon; has as nice a trigger as any stock trigger I've ever handled. (Can always replace with a Timney or something if need be.) 'Scope is just what the rifle wants, except for the esthetic of being matte black on a matte gray SS bbl/action.

They didn't want to give me a realistic amount on my trade-in, so now that is sitting in a different shop, on consignment. It can just wait there.

Got the Ruger home and tried a fired .243 case from my old Winchester .243. The Ruger wouldn't even let it all the way into its chamber--NICE tight chamber. It chambers a resized case fine, of course.

I'm grateful for all your good words; don't feel I quite got ripped off. It wasn't the deal of the century, but I do have what seems to be a really nice rifle. Can't wait to get it out and go bang with it.

As unscratched as it is, I'll treat it like a new gun as to break-in.

Will post a range report.

Thanx again guys.

 

[valkyrie.rider]

If you got what you want, it is a good deal. You are gonna love it!

 

[Coltdriver]

When I sell rifles I never sell them with the scope because the scope simply won't add to the price anything near what it is worth.

I think you got a good deal because if you bought the rifle alone you are not going to get a great discount off of retail and then go find yourself a VX-III of any config to put on it.

The VX III is a fine piece of work.

Enjoy, I have been shooting .243 out of a #1 this year and it is a great cartridge.

 

[sumpnz]

Good on ya! I might have held out for a few more bucks, but I like to haggle some times. Sounds like a really nice rifle.