Good deal?

[dannyfro]

I stopped by my local Gun Shop a few days ago and up on the shelf was a NEF 500 S&W for $199. The gun is in really good shape no rust real clean just a few little scratches on the pallet wood stock. The bore had some powder in it but nothing that a bore snake won't fix. After a lil talking they said I could have it for $200 out the door including tax. I have been sitting here debating it for the last few days and while it sounds like a good deal It just cost so much to shoot and even to get started reloading for it would run me $150 hands down. What do you all think?

Dan

[keith44]

A rule of thumb I use for buying ANY used gun is if it is functional and a center fire caliber it's value starts at about $125.  Adding to what I will pay are: is it something I want if so add up to $50, is it something I can reload for add $25, Rare find in high demand add up to $100.  Now check the blue book, is it priced within the listed value of the gun? If yes grab it, if no is it within my willing to pay price range? and do I really want it?  Lastly how do I justify it? (this is my out if I need to walk away)


Personally if I wanted it at the price offered I'd buy it, the justification? It's a .500, and I can use it for anything on this continent.

[petemi]

I bought my 500 on impulse.  I don't "need" it, but I do like it.  Yes, it's a little pricy to get into, but you need dies, brass, bullets, primers and powder etc. for any caliber you want to reload.  It's not a can and jug shooter to be sure. The price seems good on the rifle.  If you didn't like it you could probably part it out and make a buck on it.  For some reason I haven't yet defined, I prefer my .45-70 and .445SM.

Pete

[kevinsmith5]

Seems like at that price you could keep the frame and stock and sell the barrel in the classifieds. And that's genuine advice since I don't want it

[dannyfro]

Sounds like I damn near can't go wrong....I've wanted one but kept talking myself out of it cause its so damn spendy to shoot. But as Pete said as with anything new there will be the startup cost you can't really escape....Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated.

[tobster]

While you're debating it or running the numbers through a "formula"  to see if you can justify the purchase someone else is liable to snatch it up! Once it's gone you might decide you can't live without one and the search will begin.

[keith44]

While you're debating it or running the numbers through a "formula"  to see if you can justify the purchase someone else is liable to snatch it up! Once it's gone you might decide you can't live without one and the search will begin.

True, but I have never had buyers remorse since I started slowing down and thinking a purchase through.  In my area the Handi would sit there a while, and will usually come down in price.  By being patient and running numbers I purchased a stainless (or nickle ) synthetic stocked K-Hornet Handi wearing a satin silvery colored 3-9x32 Simmons scope and a canvas sling for $125 out the door.

[dannyfro]

Thats kinda my thought. Around here gun sales have slowed to a crawl and actually my local Gun Shop has actually stopped taking rifles in on trade as they said they are not moving enough of them and there backing up on the shelves even in the back they are running out of room. So i'm up in the air cause I have a feeling if I jump on it I am gonna be hurting my chances of getting it for an absolute steal. I'm still milling it over.

Dan

[tobster]

There's buyer's remorse for Handi-Holics? Is that something like the morning after?

[keith44]

tobster, I was actually meaning all guns, just used the handi as an example.  and yes its like the morning after 

dannyfro, you could offer say $150 cash and see if they will deal at all.  If they won't budge they aren't hungry enough

[dannyfro]

That was what i was thinking...but I figure if its meant to be it will happen. I'm gonna give it a week or two and then try and counter with $150.

Dan

[ratdog]

buy it then trade it for a 45-70.

[dannyfro]

Definite thought as it is far cheaper to load for though it does use a lot more powder.

Dan

[kevinsmith5]

buy it then trade it for a 45-70.

I wouldn't trade my 45-70's for a .500. They're more versatile. I suppose some might though....

[dannyfro]

If it wasn't so damn expensive to load for I'm sure everyone would have one just for fun. Its amazing how much cheaper even 460 S&W is to shoot.

Dan

[keith44]

Just the price of bullets between the .44 Mag (240 gr cast) and the .45-70 (405 gr cast) is enough to give preference to the smaller .44.  ( a box of 250 of the .405 grain bullets costs the same as 500 of the 240 grain bullets) (about $69 for either) and a box of 50 .501 diameter 370 grain bullets costs about $24 that means 250 would cost $120, or $240 for 500.  Again these are all cast bullets from Oregon trail, listed on the Midwayusa.com site. 


Since the heavier .45-70 bullet is cheaper the cost has to be due to lack of popularity.

[tobster]

I think keith44 has the right strategy on this one. Wait him out a couple of weeks and when you go back to shoot him an offer casually metion what an oddball caliber this is, your not sure where to get expensive ammo or components,etc.This is providing you'll be able to sleep nights until then!

[dannyfro]

Ya I was aware of the fact of popularity hence supply and demand but its just absolutely ridiculous in comparison. Thats why I'm not to worried about it. Had it been chambered in 45-70 it would have hardly been a thought and it would have found its way home.