dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
I noticed but am a little taken back since I have a 1964 P1 and I thought it was worth more. Course I only paid $110 for mine when I got it decades ago.
Recommended C&R handguns
- Thread starter dreadpirate
- Start date
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I noticed but am a little taken back since I have a 1964 P1 and I thought it was worth more. Course I only paid $110 for mine when I got it decades ago.
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
I almost bought one but am put off by the 6 round mag 9X18. Guess I would rather have a snub nose S&W 38.
Last edited:
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
Thanks for the info; now my problem is I am going broke going after all of the "reasonably priced" C&R firearms.
falconguy
Active Member
CZ-52
CZ-82
Enfield No 2 Mk I, Mk I* or Mk I**
Mauser C96
TT33 - Russian, Yugoslav, Romanian or Polish
P64
Nambu Type 14
Nambu type 94
Luger P08
Walther P38
All are great to own and shoot.
CZ-82
Enfield No 2 Mk I, Mk I* or Mk I**
Mauser C96
TT33 - Russian, Yugoslav, Romanian or Polish
P64
Nambu Type 14
Nambu type 94
Luger P08
Walther P38
All are great to own and shoot.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,133
I haven't followed this thread for a while, but Tallon702 certainly laid things out back in post #10 .
The big point he made was prioritizing between pure collecting and shooting . The top of the heap is dictated by condition, with the pinnacle being 98% up to NIB . At this level, you don't shoot them .
If your priorities instead are somthing to shoot, somewhat accessable to purchase, that also has collector interest, that is a different thing. ( And closer to my ideas.) This would typically involve guns with either midlevel intrest, or newly emerging intrest, in upper Shooter condition . Say 75-90% . With reasonable care, and not using as a 24/7 carry gun , you can generally do a goodly bit of shooting with them, with minimal deprecatory effect. 90-95% to many people are shootable, but you'll *usually* pay a premimum entry price.
I will disagree with the allegation of non-existance of S&W Collectors, we certianly do exist . It is true that S&W's haven't yet gone insane across the board on prices, but certain models are spiking .
Good opportunities are still out there for .38 and .32 Hand Ejectors . The trick is you have to avoid other collectors trading amongst them selves ,or specialist dealers, and find them amongst the general shooting public, and general purpose, non-specialized FFL. There is a whole generation of Dealers and shooters who came of age during ir since the Wondernine Era, and are simply clueless about anything older.
Likewise with older Rugers . 3 Screw Blackhawks and 3 Screw Single Sixes , are very slowly in transitional stage . Prices vary widely , but plenty of Shooter grade bargins still . Not as frequently, but bargin priced Security Sixes still turn up . Don't recall the dealer, but there was one at the recent HoCo show.
Added - One further niche on the Collect/ Shoot continuum is S&W inherently collectable models with aftermarket refinish . Lets me own and shoot desireable guns that I couldn't afford in origional condition.
The big point he made was prioritizing between pure collecting and shooting . The top of the heap is dictated by condition, with the pinnacle being 98% up to NIB . At this level, you don't shoot them .
If your priorities instead are somthing to shoot, somewhat accessable to purchase, that also has collector interest, that is a different thing. ( And closer to my ideas.) This would typically involve guns with either midlevel intrest, or newly emerging intrest, in upper Shooter condition . Say 75-90% . With reasonable care, and not using as a 24/7 carry gun , you can generally do a goodly bit of shooting with them, with minimal deprecatory effect. 90-95% to many people are shootable, but you'll *usually* pay a premimum entry price.
I will disagree with the allegation of non-existance of S&W Collectors, we certianly do exist . It is true that S&W's haven't yet gone insane across the board on prices, but certain models are spiking .
Good opportunities are still out there for .38 and .32 Hand Ejectors . The trick is you have to avoid other collectors trading amongst them selves ,or specialist dealers, and find them amongst the general shooting public, and general purpose, non-specialized FFL. There is a whole generation of Dealers and shooters who came of age during ir since the Wondernine Era, and are simply clueless about anything older.
Likewise with older Rugers . 3 Screw Blackhawks and 3 Screw Single Sixes , are very slowly in transitional stage . Prices vary widely , but plenty of Shooter grade bargins still . Not as frequently, but bargin priced Security Sixes still turn up . Don't recall the dealer, but there was one at the recent HoCo show.
Added - One further niche on the Collect/ Shoot continuum is S&W inherently collectable models with aftermarket refinish . Lets me own and shoot desireable guns that I couldn't afford in origional condition.
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
Awesome information. Thanks.
Tungsten
Ultimate Member
CZ-52 is a lot of fun.
Personally, I would go after the following as they aren't too expensive but still somewhat common to fairly uncommon. You can find good examples for all of the below, except for the Walther and the Ballester Molina for under $600. Specifically, I picked up a nice Webley, FN 1910, FN 1922, and a Tokarev for much less than that each.
S&W M&P
Colt Police Positive
Colt Official Police
Walther/Manurhin PP
Webley Mk. IV
FN 1910
FN 1922
Star Model B
Ballester Molina .45
Walther P1
Ruger Blackhawk 3-screw (pre-1967)
Tokarev
S&W M&P
Colt Police Positive
Colt Official Police
Walther/Manurhin PP
Webley Mk. IV
FN 1910
FN 1922
Star Model B
Ballester Molina .45
Walther P1
Ruger Blackhawk 3-screw (pre-1967)
Tokarev
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,133
Good list from Chooks.
I would expand the S&Ws to include the various .32 Long and .38S&W ( not Special). The .32 Hand Ejector became the M30 , the Square butt version was also known as Regulation Police, became known as M31 .
The Roung Butt .38s&w was known as Terrier, later became M32 . Square Butt .38s&w small frame was also known as Regulation Police, have to double check eventual model number .
I would expand the S&Ws to include the various .32 Long and .38S&W ( not Special). The .32 Hand Ejector became the M30 , the Square butt version was also known as Regulation Police, became known as M31 .
The Roung Butt .38s&w was known as Terrier, later became M32 . Square Butt .38s&w small frame was also known as Regulation Police, have to double check eventual model number .
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
Terriers are cool.
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
Man - I came this close to getting a CZ-24. It is is decent shape and (what I thought to be) a fair price. I need to pace myself 
They will break loose sooner or later but the post ware P38s and P1s have always stayed sort of flat. Think they are overshadowed by WWII P38s which have doubled or tripled in the last 5 years.
I still say buy whats cheap and available now and radiate out.
Waffenamt is what makes the difference. It's the same with other WWII arms that continued production into post-war years. The WWII collector segment wants arms that were in use during the war, not something made under occupation afterwards.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,133
Yet .
Once authentic WWII era pistols hit Python- like price levels, post war pistol price will reflect increase for people looking for semi-feasable entry point, or occasional actual firing.
Buy now, avoid the spring rush .
Once authentic WWII era pistols hit Python- like price levels, post war pistol price will reflect increase for people looking for semi-feasable entry point, or occasional actual firing.
Buy now, avoid the spring rush .
somd_mustangs
-----
- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,733
Condition and originality play into it as well, many of the post-war P1/P38 are reworked, import-marked (some horridly so) etc. and thus less desirable to collectors.
A nice clean original post-war, unmarked commands a premium nowadays, esp with box, target etc.
By the same token, a mis-matched, refinished, and/or import-marked WW2 P38 can (should) be found in the $450-550 range, roughly where a decent post-war would be.
There are quite a few WW2 variants that are in the Python range already (police, early stuff like Zero series, 480, no-date etc) and have been for a while.
If all WW2 P38's hit that level I'll be both sad and happy
But I don't see that ever happening.
Regardless, always buy the best condition you can afford at the time !
A nice clean original post-war, unmarked commands a premium nowadays, esp with box, target etc.
By the same token, a mis-matched, refinished, and/or import-marked WW2 P38 can (should) be found in the $450-550 range, roughly where a decent post-war would be.
There are quite a few WW2 variants that are in the Python range already (police, early stuff like Zero series, 480, no-date etc) and have been for a while.
If all WW2 P38's hit that level I'll be both sad and happy
But I don't see that ever happening.
Regardless, always buy the best condition you can afford at the time !
Don't limit yourself. I've bought many of my C & R guns at PA. gun shows.
dreadpirate
Ultimate Member
Yes - and at least I don't have a mag capacity issue in PA.
