Trading in 3 guns for 1; which one?

[blue86buick]

Tonight I took 2 of my guns to my favorite gunshop, in the hopes of trading them in for something more useful to me. I traded a Marlin 336C 30-30 lever rifle, and a Remington 597 .22LR. The 597 was the first gun I bought, about 2 1/2 months ago, and was shot a lot when I first got it. However, lately, I haven't shot it at all...almost not at all since I got my .22 pistol, and even less after that. Not that there was anything wrong with the gun, it just didn't "do it" for me anymore...and, I have 2 other .22's to plink with.

The other gun is a Marlin 336C 30-30 that I got from WalMart 40 days ago. In that time, I have put maybe 50 rounds through it, none of which had anything to do with SD or hunting. I got the rifle for the wrong reason...I saw a potentially great deal, ended up with a good deal, and added another item to the list of "really didn't need it, really couldn't afford it, but can't resist it" things.

Also, I have a .380 Bersa Thunder duo-tone. There'd be nothing wrong with this gun...IF I had a CCW, (don't yet) I'm sure it would be serving me well. Well, I don't, so it doesn't. It's a fun gun...everyone that shoots it says they love it. It's cute. I quite like it...but it's not the best tool for MY needs at this time. Plus, I like the looks of the black one better.

Sooo...tonight, I took the two rifles to my favorite gunshop, and said "Will you take these, and help me get something that'll fit my needs better?" They said, "Sure! What do you want/need? We'll give you 290 for the 2 (plus some for the Bersa)" Basically, I want a gun that's fun to shoot, relatively inexpensive to shoot (w/o reloading, no more than .45ACP w/ factory), easy to shoot well for a not-very-experienced shooter (80 points @ 25y without struggling), and not too expensive (no more than $500).

What they can do for me:

• Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec - all 3 guns trade, not sure if I could get anything else (extra mag, ammo, etc) I have shot a 1911...not sure of details. Quite liked it and SA actions are nice. .45 ACP, booyeah. 7+1 means the fun is over that much quicker, and costs that much more.
  
• Ruger P95DC - Just the rifles, straight trade I think. Slight scratch on slide, (I've seen, not that bad) so he wants to get rid of it and will deal. Hi-cap mags available cheap.
  
• Steyr M9/40 - Said they could help me get one, but didn't discuss price. Shop fella said he likes the gun, it has a great grip angle, but after extended range sessions the grip gets a bit tiring. I would really like to shoot it myself before buying though.
  
• Used Beretta 92FS? - I'm pretty sure it was a 92FS...comes with at least 1 hi-cap mag, not sure what else. Got to shoot one a week ago...quite large, DA rather hard...would like to shoot it (friend's) again before I choose it.

Or, I can put 290 credit + whatever I'd get on the Bersa towards something else in that price range, or down towards something else that's more expensive, example:

• Glock - Liked the consistent trigger pull. Grip didn't fit hand well (finger ridges), ugly , and they seem "loose" when cycling the slide.
  
• Walther P99 - My "holy grail" until proven wrong. Fits hand well, love how they look, available hi-cap mags. Available in DAO and QA for consistent trigger pull. Want to shoot one first though, so I don't make a $600 mistake.

Or, I might just get a .17HMR Savage rifle w/ scope for 229, and take cash for the difference. That would be more useful to ME, in Iowa, that either of those other two...though I would prefer a new, decent, pistol, and that .17 will come easier later than anything else would. What do y'all think? Any other suggestions?

~~~

BTW mods, I primarly want suggestions on an auto pistol, so please leave this in Handguns:Auto. The .17 is a slim to none chance, and slim's on vacation (though he may come back early).

 

[PCRCCW]

Well for a new shooter youre starting off like me...trading things off and such....warning, be careful....Ive done some good ones and a hmm, er...couple of not so good ones.

In regard to your request....If you like the P99 and it fits you Id say go for it..they are a great gun. Hi caps, ergonomically adjustable, great trigger and accuracy....Id love one someday.

Either the 99 or the Mil Spec would do you well....I think everyone should have at least 1 solid 1911....

Shoot well

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Of those guns and with you still being a new shooter, I suggest the Ruger P95.

-- It should be extremely reliable.
-- It should be accurate enough.
-- 9mm ammo is cheap, so you can afford a lot of practice.

 

[uglymofo]

NEVER NEVER NEVER trade your guns with a gunstore. Would you trade in your used car for a credit towards a new one? They'll take you to the hoop, for the minor inconvenience you'd avoid by selling it yourself. You'll not get a lower bid any place else than from a gun dealer.

A quick tally on Gunbroker.com values your guns (NIB) at ~$880. That's just $20 shy of 9 bills. The Springfield 1911-A1 Mil-Spec they're offering is up for a "Buy Now" price of between $420-500. Seems just about the right offer (from a gun dealer) to me, but you can do much better if you just place ads on the forums. List your guns here, and at every other gun forum that'll allow it. Allow for a reasonable discount and they'll go quickly. As a last resort, you can list them for at least the 50% you're being offered.

In reality, though, I'd suggest keeping them and deliberately taking each one out in turn (separately) several times over the next 2-3 months and see if they grow 'back' on you. You've only had them for (what'd you say?) 2 months on the Marlin and 30 days on the Remington. It seems that you're new to the game, and don't really know what you want. Experimenting this way can be very expensive as you're finding out. How well do you shoot? What are your expectations from the guns you choose? You said you don't shoot the 22 rifle since you've picked up the 22 pistol. They quite different animals, mechanically, and the physical technique required to shoot them well is quite different. A lot can be learned cheaply by practicing with these two guns. When you're sure you've shot them to the point that you can't get better groups out of them, then reflect again whether trading is still appealing. (How will you know the groups you get are as good as can be expected? Have an experienced shooter shoot a group for you. Grab up one of those old geezers you see at the range all the time, with their gear spread out all over the place. They'll be glad to help.)

I really like all the guns I have; all but two are large caliber rifles or pistols (.308's and .45ACP or larger). The two guns I like the least are my Ruger 10/22 and the Mark II, but for practicing technique, nothing's more revealing or cheaper to use. They're a great way to periodically test my technique, and that's why I keep 'em. (If you ever get into long range rifle shooting, you'll appreciate how cheaply you can learn about technique, ballistics, and wind using a .22)

Go slow.

 

[10-Ring]

Well if you have to do a 3 for 1 trade, go for your "Holy Grail!" in 9mm. THen you'll have an inexpensive caliber you can shoot often at a good caliber

 

[blue86buick]

Yeah, it's not the best way to do it...or even a good way to do it. I'm sure somebody smart once said, "Get what you really want, or you'll never be happy with what you get. Otherwise, when you finally do get what you want, you'll have spent more than you should have on things you don't want". I don't want to feel the same about this purchase, as I did about the 30-30 and the Bersa. However, that doesn't mean I'd be best off with the P99 right now...especially as I haven't shot it, and would really prefer shooting the SA/DA, DAO, and QA versions to make sure I get the one I'll like. Heck, call me crazy, but I might not like the platform after I shoot it.

The 1911 sentiment I agree with. Everyone with a complete collection should have at least 7.62x39 and/or .223 battle rifle, 12 and/or 20ga shotty, 1911, wondernine/.40, a wheelgun of some flavor, a .22 pistol and/or a .22 rifle.

The ruger isn't a bad suggestion for a range gun, however, I plan to carry this once I get a CCW. Though a 1911 is big and heavy, it's very commonly carried...the ruger not so much. Plus, the ruger is almost as fugly as a glock. And, I DO have 225 rounds of 9mm stocked up...but that's not a big deal.

 

[uglymofo]

Well, hell, if you've got some 9mm ammo, and you're predisposed to the 1911, get a BHP. You'll never come back from the dark side then. You want light, like Glock, CCW, but packs a bigger punch than a .380, ain't fuglier than a Mateba, get a KZ45. Ah, down the primrose path he goes...

 

[BHPshooter]

As many have said, be careful trading guns. I haven't ever traded any (only have two), but almost everyone I've talked to says they wished they hadn't. And you could get a heck of a lot more for those guns.

I would second the suggestion to look at a BHP, they're really nice. Also, don't let the gunshop push you. Only do what YOU want.

Good luck.

Wes

 

[jercamp45]

The Gun Tradin' Blues!!!!

Yeah, been there, done that. But I have few regrets. Most of my purchases were experiments to see if I could find a better general purpose all around do just about everything for me handgun that beat my original Colt Series 70 MK IV .45 Auto!
I still have the Colt purchased in 1976( and a few other 1911's), but other than a jay frame 38 for the pocket, they are all I own, so you can see where that quarter of a century experiment left me!
You do loose your shirt trading', that is a fact. You can get more selling them privately, yes indeed...but I consider it a 'rental fee', I got to play with, experiment, carry and use the 'new and improved fascination' for a while, then off loaded it when it did not quite measure up to what I percieved that I needed.
My suggestion is to invest that opportunity in a 1911...Colt M1991A1(I have had three of these and they all worked extremely well...two were given as gifts, only one traded for a ParaOrd LDA Companion that I needed for work...no 'cocked and locked' allowed at the time! BooHoo) or Springfield, then add too the investment later with a good .22 conversion unit, and good quality leather(check out Raftersgunleather.com), wilson mags, and ammo. Maybe a Dillon reloading press?
Yes it is more expensive to shoot, heavy to carry; but it is a Classic design which leaves most other designs in the dust!! Thin platform,large projectile!
You can get video to learn detailed stripping and general parts replacement(DO NOT try your own gunsmithing unless you REALLY know what you are doing! There are alot of fine .45 auto's out there that have been turned into non functioning abortions by a weekend gunsmith!).
My 27 year old Colt has been well used....parts changed, springs replaced but it has been a good, solid, dependable lifelong friend. From Alaska, California(the old republic where HK94's were $399), Florida, Colorado, the midwest, and on duty chasing crack dealers in Las Vegas...the old Colt has served me well! As have its brother's, a lightly tuned Commander, LW Officer's, All steel Officer's, another Government tuned with all the late 70's IPSC mods, etc.
Actually I wish I was not so curious at times(and gullible of the gun rag hype) and stuck with the Colt...more money for quality training and AMMO!!

Whatever you pick, have fun!
Jercamp45
'Anything less than a .45....is simply that!'

 

[hillbilly]

You get $290 credit for the two plus a little more for the Bersa?

Uh, that's referred to in technical terms as a "screw job."

Put an ad in your local newspaper and sell those babies.

If it makes you feel better, require any buyers to show you picture ID and record the information.


hillbilly

 

[Majic]

Before you do trade think of a little Economics 101. You have basically 2 brand new guns (the oldest only 2.5 months old) and you are willing to just get $290 for them. How much did you pay for them total? Is that much in a lost unimportant to you? To be honest, how much shooting could you have done in just less than 3 months to say you just don't shoot it anymore? A couple of weeks at the most.
Advertise your guns for sale, or use the internet aution sites. You will get a far greater price and more to their worth than trading to a dealer. Slow down a little and don't be in such a hurry. The guns you want are not going anywhere anytime soon. Learn this now when it's early in your gun ownership years and you will saved literally thousands of dollars on purchases that seem like a good idea once that don't pan out.
If you do make the trade, which I personaly advise against, go back to that dealer in a few days and look to see what price he has on the guns you traded him. Don't be shocked to see a price just under the brand new models.
Everyone likes a good deal, but just don't give your guns away like that. The only one making the good deal this way is the dealer, you are taking a significant lost.

 

[redpath]

blue86buick,

Remember that there is a Gun Show coming up at Hawkeye Downs 9/12-14.

You might be able to do better there, perhaps even private sale(s) for more than you could trade for at your "favorite gun shop".

Selling long guns through the Gazette has also worked well for me in the past.


red

 

[blue86buick]

....grrr...all I shall say; grrr!... (posting problems)

I'm heading over to the shop now...maybe I'll walk out with a 1911, maybe with my guns, maybe with something else...I'll see. I know, I really should give this thread "evening exposure" for more opinions before I do anything...so we'll see...I want to fondle the guns I'm thinking of a bit though.

I knew there was one coming up, wasn't sure when. I'll use that to get a case of ammo for whatever I do (now, or if I sell at the show).