Mods please delete

[pharmuse]

.

 

[Bob Wright]

My opinion, and mine only, is that reblueing would be preferable to Black Chromex.

Bob Wright

 

[WIL TERRY]

IT can cut the value to a serious gunny by 50% in comparison to the same model in excellent condition. Condition condition condition is everything IF it is original.
And so it goes...

 

[Kevin]

Bob, I'm of the same opinion, so it isn't just you.

 

[pharmuse]

.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I would leave those old girls as is unless they were going to be color cased and reblued by Turnbull.

 

[CraigC]

Not for those guns and black chromex IS bluing.

The only person you have to please is yourself.

 

[VonFatman]

Go for it....send in the most worn.

Bob

 

[rugerguy]

sorry boys and girls, but 'Chromex' is NOT a "bluing" it is a coating...........
plating and coatings are NOT a "proper restoration", and YES, even a GOOD , proper retoration is NOT the original finish, so not considered "original " in value either...yes rarity ,low numbers can add to a guns value but all the methods of placing a "value" whether the NRA guide to value or the Blue Book is based on "original finish'

any and ALL coatings , or platings are a pseudo customizing, UNLESS offered as an option from the factory as to the original build...............you plate or coat and it is YOUR option, YOUR calling and what YOU may want done ,for or on ,YOUR gun, and the intrinsic value is to YOU, not the next guy or to a sale or auction on down the road, it's "custom"
NOT "original"..................
me and most folks I know, want it original ,or as close to what original may have looked like, and to most people a "
proper" restoration" one cannot tell if it original or not, and so it goes..................
the guns pictured above are decent,some nice ,some rough, but they are what they are, and the "values" noted as to each one for its OWN properties........your guns , do what YOU want, like and prefer............


so bottom line to YOUR question is "yes", the values will be diminished or hurt, and be less........

 

[hittman]

The guns are well traveled. Dont think I can hurt the value any more....??

Maybe or maybe not.

One thing you do accomplish is to maybe limit the number of potential buyers if you decide to sell. Show me an old 3, 4 or 5 digit gun that someone has "painted" and it's worth PENNIES on the dollar but ...... that's only my opinion. Others will surely disagree.

Seeing an old gun with lipstick makes me wonder how bad it was before, what's wrong with it now, will it shoot, is it safe, etc. Just a huge red flag.

Regardless, they're yours to do what you want!

 

[contender]

The 3 digit gun gun is likely the most "collectible" of the bunch. Anytime you get a low serial number like that,,, it has collector value. Low numbers are desirable to many.
I would opt for a re-blue over the chromex you are considering if you do anything. Personally, as a collector I'd not pay much for a chromex 3 digit,, but if it was a re-blue,,, I'd consider paying more,,! Original condition is better in most cases.
My PERSONAL opinion is to leave them all alone. You have some nice OM's there.

 

[pharmuse]

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[contender]

Not necessarily. The 40 prefix guns, are in 41 mag, and while they also have non-prefix 41 OM's,, low numbered prefix guns have a bit of value as well. But, if you use the serial number as a guide, then, yes, of the 4 you mentioned your desires to be chromexed, then, yes, the 41 mag is the higher production numbered gun of the 4, with less collector desirability.

I want to share something that an old gentleman taught me many years ago.
He said that we are never true owners of anything. We are merely custodians for a time, before someone else gets to care for such items.
You say you'll never sell them, yet, times, life, hardships, etc can alter those thoughts. Plus, even if they stay with you all your life, your heirs will either decide to be custodians, OR sell them. As such, any such coating like chromex will severely deduct from the value.
OM Rugers are getting harder & harder to find, and as such, the values keep going upwards. As it sits, an OM 41 mag shooter like that is still worth around $500 unconverted. If I were to see one for sale with any form of aftermarket coating, no matter what kind, I'd not pay more than $300. When you add the cost of having the coating done, plus the value loss, can make a difference in sale prices.

Now, it is YOUR gun, and you can do as you wish. PLEASE know that I can fully appreciate your point of view. But as I age, I see the wisdom more & more of my old gentleman friend. I have a bunch of guns. I have no current plans of selling. But, I have a granddaughter, two sons, etc. If one of them fell ill, or needed anything requiring a lot of money, I'd sell all of them in a heartbeat to help them. I'd want to get as much as I can for each & every one of them to help my family. So, in a case like you describe, IN MY COLLECTION, I'd look at it like this.
A $500 gun, spent $150 (maybe) on a coating, & I have $650 in it. If I sell it, & only get $300,,, I've wasted $350 that could easily help my family.
I share this as I know it to be fact. I was at a gun show many years ago, at my table, & was known as a "Ruger guy!" A guy wanted to sell a Flattop 44 mag. It had the g/f stripped of finish, and had been bead blasted & had some form of spray on coating. It looked ok, and was mechanically sound. His first trip by, he was asking $600 for it. Later, he wanted $500 for it. Even later, he wanted $400 for it. As the day was ending, (it was Sunday) he came back by and asked me again to buy it. I had previously told him the same kind of stuff I've said above. He practically begged me to buy it. He said, "Will you please buy it for $200?" I did & sold it to a buddy for $200 who wanted a beater Flattop 44.
So, stop & think a lot about the future, and the unthinkable issues that can possibly arise. Even a worn, shooter grade with proper patina will still garner good money if in good working order.

All of this is said to give you something to consider & NOT deride your decisions.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

If he's talking about Gary Reeder's "black chromex" it is, in fact, bluing. It's a really dark and considerably durable bluing, at that.

And once it has been refinished in any manner it is no longer "original" and this matters to serious collectors. How much it matters depends on the collector involved.

 

[22/45 Fan]

One thing to keep in mind is what is the potential value of these guns if they were in absolutely pristine condition, say NIB with the boxes and all original paper work? Are we talking a few hundred dollars or many thousands? I don't think any of us are going to retire or buy a new car based on the sale of these even in like new condition.

Also, what are they worth today in their current condition? So, if refinishing diminishes the value, how much of a financial sacrifice are we talking about? I think people lose sight of the fact that we are talking relatively small loss numbers even if the value is 50% of what it might be.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Please advise the caliber on these.

 

[CraigC]

sorry boys and girls, but 'Chromex' is NOT a "bluing" it is a coating........

Since the only shop I've ever heard of offering "black chromex" is Gary Reeder's, I assumed that's what was intended. And Reeder's "black chromex" is bluing.

I paid $400 for this gun back in 2001. Is it only worth $300 now?

One thing to keep in mind is what is the potential value of these guns if they were in absolutely pristine condition, say NIB with the boxes and all original paper work? Are we talking a few hundred dollars or many thousands? I don't think any of us are going to retire or buy a new car based on the sale of these even in like new condition.

Also, what are they worth today in their current condition? So, if refinishing diminishes the value, how much of a financial sacrifice are we talking about? I think people lose sight of the fact that we are talking relatively small loss numbers even if the value is 50% of what it might be.

Exactly! Bellyaching of the collectors aside, these guns are not pristine and highly collectible. If we were talking about an unfired 7½" .44 flat-top in the box with all paperwork, I'd agree with the collectors. If the guns were pristine, I would agree that refinishing would detract from their value. They are not. Some are a long way from pristine and you'll never convince me that professionally refinishing a $300 beater makes it worth less. This is outdated nonsense from the age when old Colt's were disassembled and polished by an angry 800lb gorilla by the thousands. Well, we're not talking about 100yr old pitted Colt's or 800lb gorillas.

It's also worthy of note that refinishing a beater versus a nicer example is not always financially sound. Sometimes you can run into more expense prepping them for refinishing than the difference in what you would've paid for a nicer gun to start with. Nicks, scratches and gouges take time to properly remove and that can get expensive. If the difference is $200-$300, you can easily eat that up in metalwork.

I also agree about the values involved. Firearms are unique in the world in that people expect to own and use them for 50yrs and never lose money on them. If I wanted to save money, I wouldn't spend it in the first place. Firearms may be an investment to some and only worth what one would pay for it but to most of us, we buy, shoot, carry and customize them for the enjoyment we get from it. To me, obsessing over the potential loss of $200 in value over a lifetime of use tells me your priorities are out of order. I'll forget about that $200 the first time I'm sitting there in the woods and I slide it out of its holster to admire the fine sixgun it has become. But then, I'm more concerned with the quality and enjoyment of my life than the value collectors place on my possessions after I'm gone. I'll oblige the self righteous collectors to find their own.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Nah . . . I'd probably offer you the full $400. Fair is fair.

 

[CraigC]

Drop a check in the mail, I'll have it packed up and ready to go.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Guess I should have prefaced my statement with "If I wanted something like that . . ."

:mrgreen:

 

[pharmuse]

.

 

[street]

sorry boys and girls, but 'Chromex' is NOT a "bluing" it is a coating........

Since the only shop I've ever heard of offering "black chromex" is Gary Reeder's, I assumed that's what was intended. And Reeder's "black chromex" is bluing.

I paid $400 for this gun back in 2001. Is it only worth $300 now?

One thing to keep in mind is what is the potential value of these guns if they were in absolutely pristine condition, say NIB with the boxes and all original paper work? Are we talking a few hundred dollars or many thousands? I don't think any of us are going to retire or buy a new car based on the sale of these even in like new condition.

Also, what are they worth today in their current condition? So, if refinishing diminishes the value, how much of a financial sacrifice are we talking about? I think people lose sight of the fact that we are talking relatively small loss numbers even if the value is 50% of what it might be.

Exactly! Bellyaching of the collectors aside, these guns are not pristine and highly collectible. If we were talking about an unfired 7½" .44 flat-top in the box with all paperwork, I'd agree with the collectors. If the guns were pristine, I would agree that refinishing would detract from their value. They are not. Some are a long way from pristine and you'll never convince me that professionally refinishing a $300 beater makes it worth less. This is outdated nonsense from the age when old Colt's were disassembled and polished by an angry 800lb gorilla by the thousands. Well, we're not talking about 100yr old pitted Colt's or 800lb gorillas.

It's also worthy of note that refinishing a beater versus a nicer example is not always financially sound. Sometimes you can run into more expense prepping them for refinishing than the difference in what you would've paid for a nicer gun to start with. Nicks, scratches and gouges take time to properly remove and that can get expensive. If the difference is $200-$300, you can easily eat that up in metalwork.

I also agree about the values involved. Firearms are unique in the world in that people expect to own and use them for 50yrs and never lose money on them. If I wanted to save money, I wouldn't spend it in the first place. Firearms may be an investment to some and only worth what one would pay for it but to most of us, we buy, shoot, carry and customize them for the enjoyment we get from it. To me, obsessing over the potential loss of $200 in value over a lifetime of use tells me your priorities are out of order. I'll forget about that $200 the first time I'm sitting there in the woods and I slide it out of its holster to admire the fine sixgun it has become. But then, I'm more concerned with the quality and enjoyment of my life than the value collectors place on my possessions after I'm gone. I'll oblige the self righteous collectors to find their own.

Craig! What is the total that you have in this gun. I know that you didn't buy this gun and get all of that done to it for only $400.00!!!!!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

One way of looking at it is to say that the buyer determines the "value" of a gun . . . it's only worth what someone will pay for it.

On the other hand, the owner establishes his version of "worth" by how much he will accept for it in a sale.

The differences here can be considerable.

Then we have the Blue Book and, perhaps of more importance to the Rugerphile, the RENE Price Guide which sorta establishes a "base value" for Rugers as an average of a survey of the collectors themselves. There is nothing that says either of these "guides" establishes cast-in-concrete values. We either play the game by those rules or we don't, as our goals and bankrolls dictate.

Bottom line . . . do you like it and will you pay the asking price? If so, then we assume that both buyer and seller are happy campers, regardless of scarcity, condition, and originality. To me, originality plays a big part in my decision-making. To others, it may not matter at all. Personally, I'd likely pay more for a slightly used/worn original gun than a beautifully-restored identical example of the same gun. It's all good.

And all JMHO. Play nice.

:mrgreen: :wink: :mrgreen:

 

[CraigC]

I know that you didn't buy this gun and get all of that done to it for only $400.00!!!!!

No, pay attention. I paid $400 for a brand new bone stock Bisley .44Mag and then wasted a bunch of money having it refinished (tune-up, new sights, grips, etc.), which actually caused its value to decrease below the original value. According to the logic of 'some'.

In the real world (where folks actually "use" guns, not the world of collecting(dust)), it's probably actually worth more than I invested because not only are the base guns selling for higher prices but so is the custom work.

Craig! What is the total that you have in this gun.

Isn't that a personal question? I know you're my official RugerForum stalker but we don't 'really' have that kind of relationship.

 

[street]

I know that you didn't buy this gun and get all of that done to it for only $400.00!!!!!

No, pay attention. I paid $400 for a brand new bone stock Bisley .44Mag and then wasted a bunch of money having it refinished (tune-up, new sights, grips, etc.), which actually caused its value to decrease below the original value. According to the logic of 'some'.

In the real world (where folks actually "use" guns, not the world of collecting(dust)), it's probably actually worth more than I invested because not only are the base guns selling for higher prices but so is the custom work.

Craig! What is the total that you have in this gun.

Isn't that a personal question? I know you're my official RugerForum stalker but we don't 'really' have that kind of relationship.

Oh my gosh!!! I'm sorry that I ask a question that upset you. Yes the price that you paid to get all of that done is a personal question. But the fact that you included the price of the gun to start out with and bestowed all of your personal wisdom on us, that I just didn't think that it would be such a problem admitting what you had in your gun. Please! As it obvious I hit a nerve just forget that I ask the total that you have in your gun, for as you stated it's a personal question and nobody's business. Again. Sorry I hurt your feelings. For I too have spent way to much money on a particular gun, and I also was to ashamed to say what I paid for it.

As for staking??? I realize you think that you are head and shoulders above everyone else and you think everyone stands at attention when you write, and everyone wants to be around you to the point of stalking. But believe me. If you could stand in other peoples shoes then you would see what a drag it is to be you. No one would waste their time to stalk you. :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[CraigC]

Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh!!! You even take a flippant, tongue-in-cheek comment seriously. :mrgreen:

It's not really a personal question. I share that information all the time. I buy guns to spend money, not save it or obsess over a few bucks. I consider it an investment in the quality of my life. I just have no desire to play nice with the likes of you is all. If I used the ignore list, you'd be on it, cupcake. :roll:

 

[street]

Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh!!! You even take a flippant, tongue-in-cheek comment seriously. :mrgreen:

It's not really a personal question. I share that information all the time. I buy guns to spend money, not save it or obsess over a few bucks. I consider it an investment in the quality of my life. I just have no desire to play nice with the likes of you is all. If I used the ignore list, you'd be on it, cupcake. :roll:

Calling me cupcake only shows your gender preference! Sorry but I swing the other way! :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[pharmuse]

Moderators please delete this post. We can do without the drama.

 

[Tip]

I kinda' feel like the kid poking a dead dog with a stick... :shock:

But, I have to say I learn a lot from many forum members here, including members in this thread. All egos aside, good info. here. Let's move on... make peace with your brother (lesson for all of us).

It's a new day.