Torn..

[Firespecialist]

Hey, sorry to bother you all with a potentially stupid question from a newbie, but I am at a cross-road in my hunting life. Today I had come across what seems to be a really good deal to me but I am just not sure. I have not been able to find the answer to this so any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Anyways, I found a Beretta al391 Urika at a local pawn shop today. It is a 12 gauge in the Hardwoods HD pattern. No scratches could be found on it anywhere. It had looked like it was barely even shot or it was very well taken care of. The guy told me that he would let me have it for $450. If I don't take it, he is taking it home with him. The only problem is that it didn't come with the case or any of the accessories they come with from the factory. I do believe it was the first model and not the Urika 2. Do you all think it would still be worth getting this gun? What do you think the resale value of it would be if I get the gun case and whatever accessories I can find that would have come with it? Like I said, any help is greatly appreciated. I just don't know too much on the value of these guns as I typically hunt with the typical Winchester, Remington, or closer to turkey season I am getting the new Mossberg 835. Oh, BTW, I read someone hunted turkey with one. I have trouble seeing the 3" being useful while turkey hunting when I can get the 3 1/2"....but hopefully you will be able to prove me wrong. Thanks again and sorry for making this so long winded.

 

[jrfoxx]

Take a look here: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchResults.asp
It's an internet gun auction site.It is a pretty good resource to get a general idea of the going rate on things.

 

[MachIVshooter]

It's an internet gun auction site.It is a pretty good resource to get a general idea of the going rate on things

GB and Gunsamerica prices are typically inflated by ~20% in my experience. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that seems to be the average amount of gouging.

 

[jrfoxx]

GB and Gunsamerica prices are typically inflated by ~20% in my experience. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that seems to be the average amount of gouging.

In most parts of the country, that is certainly true, in others, it can be the same as the going rate or even under.It also seems to vary alot from one gun type/model to the next also.Just figured it was still a price referance worth mentioning. I have looked in the various "gun value" guides, and dont feel they are generaly any better as an indicator, really, and at least Gunbroker is free...

 

[Pete409]

If the gun is in very good condition, and the barrel is at least 26" and preferably 28" long, then it's well worth the $450 asking price. Don't worry about a plastic carrying case or a couple of choke tubes. They're cheap.

Oh, by the way, the 12 gauge 3.5" magnum is perhaps the most overrated shell in existence today. Don't worry about the fact that it will shoot ONLY a 3" magnum (or shorter). That's all you'll need 99% of the time.

 

[ArmedBear]

You can buy the factory plastic case from Beretta for 60 bucks. But a Kolpin soft case for $19.95 will protect it, too. Not a concern, given the price of $450, which I'd pay willingly for the gun in like-new condition. The 391 is considered by many to be the world's best production autoloader -- I'm not saying it is or it isn't "the best", since that's kind of a silly blanket assertion anyway, but it's certainly an excellent gun.

http://www.shopberetta.com/e2wItemM...tLink=012000100:008000173:008000227:008000154

 

[Firespecialist]

Hey, thanks for your input. I went ahead and got it. After talking to some people around here, they claimed it would be a sound investment, even if I wanted to resell it. Got it home and took it completely apart. Even on the slides and hidden moving parts there were hardly any marks. I can't see more than a hundred shells going through it, IMO. However, I did notice a very small ding on the barrel of the gun where some of the paint had scraped off. It is no bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. Oh well... I will post some pics of it up as soon as I can. I think I am gonna go shoot it now. Thanks!