[Splitear]

About a month ago I bought my first 1911, a LNIB Ruger Commander. I found it at a LGS, and being something that I lusted after when it was released, I bought it pretty much right on value. I shot it a couple of times, and liked it, but found that I’ve been shooting my .22 more since it’s so much cheaper.

Last week I was in another shop looking at (and purchasing) a S&W Victory, and this gun was sitting on the used shelf. I’m a sucker for an old blued gun, and as lame as it sounds, it just kind of spoke to me. Long story short, I purchased my new Victory, and went back the next day with my Ruger and traded for the Colt. It’s a ‘71 LW Commander, and in the end, I figured with what I lost in the trade, I overpaid by around $100. I left thinking I’d regret it the next day, but I’m happy to say that I’m almost a week out, and am still super excited to pick it up when I get it added to my license.

I guess it’s just not in my blood to overpay for something like this, but I’m surprised with how little buyers remorse I have. Have you ever knowingly overpaid for a gun because it’s what you wanted?

 

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Nice pistol, and if you like it, shoot it and have fun.

 

[mdell49]

You did well grasshopper. I would gladly trade a Ruger and give $100 boot for the Commander.

 

[keith44spl]

Good trade !
I’d say you came out ahead

///
One time I was at a show, along came
a young man with his wife and baby in tow.
He had a purty nice S&W pre-27 five inch blued, he was looking to sell it.
I asked what he wanted for it.
It was a tad bit higher than the current market.
But, I said I take it, I could see the relief on his wife’s face as I counted out the bills.

As the young couple made their way toward the door,
my table partner says, you paid about a
hundred to much there don’t you know.

Yeah I do. It won’t hurt me and maybe help them out of a jam.

///

 

[tex ohfive]

Not overpaid, but perhaps underpaid in 1984 when I bought a NIB Colt Combat Commander .45 acp ( satin nickel finish ) for $205. I later wished I had bought 2 at that price. I tuned and polished that 1911 until it would feed absolutely anything I loaded into it. I reloaded and fired .45 ammo in it until the headstamps on the brass were too flattened to read. Regrettably, I had to sell it ( along with a lot of other prized possessions ) during my "starving era".

Tim Smith-lyon of Classic Checkering had a gunstore at that time. I bought it at his store. He is elderly now ( so am I ) but still advertises custom stockwork in Rifle magazine.

 

[sechott]

I paid $900 for a refinished Colt Diamondback. Probably worth $600ish, but I can enjoy without worry. It has the original grips.

 

[ether]

Have you ever knowingly overpaid for a gun because it’s what you wanted?

Yes, I have. And at the time, it seemed like too much, but inflation and demand have more than caught up since then.

Waiting has also paid off for me. But if you find your unicorn, I'd say jump on it

 

[ratwhacker]

Your Colt Commander is exactly like my first 1911. I wish I still had it, it shot better than my Gold Cup ever did, and was just a nice pistol all around. I later bought an '80 Series LW Commander, and while a nice pistol, too, it wasn't as nice as the older gun. I eventually sold that one, too.
Having regretted that decision, I've since bought two SA Ronin Commanders, and I think I'm finally done buying LW Commanders. These will be around until I am NOT.

 

[dsk]

Yes I've overpaid lots of times. The guns I overpaid for have all been keepers. At the same time I've gotten good deals on guns that turned out to be stinkers.

 

[Hawg1]

I've overpaid but they were guns I wanted. I've gotten really good deals on some too. I figure it all evens out.

 

[iammonster]

Does buying a gun I regret buying count? I bought a SIG P250 and a P229 that I overpaid because they both sit in drawers. Bought the P250 thinking it would conceal well. Made the mistake of having my 1911 get a trigger job so no other non-1911 handgun ever felt right again.

 

[Mr Z]

Let me get this straight... you traded a Ruger Commander + $100 for a Colt Commander? And you think you overpaid??? I think you got a bargain! The Colt is of higher quality with better resale value if you choose; mostly all steel small parts and no MIM. Ruger has a cast frame and cast and MIM small parts, although better sights. I would have made this deal in a heartbeat and given more cash if I had to. Enjoy it without remorse.

 

[Mr Z]

Addendum:- this is how my mind works... You could always rationalize to yourself that you traded even for the Colt and apply the $100 to the S&W Victory model.

 

[Splitear]

Let me get this straight... you traded a Ruger Commander + $100 for a Colt Commander? And you think you overpaid??? I think you got a bargain! The Colt is of higher quality with better resale value if you choose; mostly all steel small parts and no MIM. Ruger has a cast frame and cast and MIM small parts, although better sights. I would have made this deal in a heartbeat and given more cash if I had to. Enjoy it without remorse.

No, I got $100 less on my trade than I paid a month ago, and bought the Colt about right. Regardless, you guys are making me feel better about something I didn’t feel too bad about to begin with

 

[1saxman]

If you did 'overpay', did you take into the consideration the hassle and enormous amount of time it takes to sell a gun on Gunbroker along with the GB fees, shipping hassles and involvement with at least one FFL who is usually a jerk? A measley $100? That's a win compared to selling it.

 

[E.Fudd]

Every time I have purchased one.

 

[EricVB]

Guns are like golf. Both are hobbies, you don’t expect to come out ahead playing golf but with guns you have a fair shot of breaking even or better. That’s how I rationalize all the guns that I don’t actually need anyway. Regardless of how much I pay.

 

[caddy2507]

Yes, I have over the years done that a number of times. However, these were cases where
the gun in question was fairly rare, in excellent condition and something that I'd been seeking
for long time. One example was a S&W 5 screw pre model 29 in 99% condition, with the box
and tools. It was an auction about 10 years ago. I paid almost a 50% premium over the average
going price. However, with inflation and the steady rise in gun prices, I'm very glad I did. You
rarely see these for sale anymore and I'm glad it's in my safe.

 

[GWarden]

Very nice. If it’s what you want and you’re happy, it’s a good deal. Enjoy!😄😎

 

[GOLDWINGS]

I paid retail price for my DW Vigil and it was three years old. The pistol shows almost zero wear and shoots flawlessly.
It is a Commander in .45 ACP.
They don't mske 'em anymore. No regrets.