What's Going On???

[bigedd]

I have been "collecting" Old Model Blackhawks for over 20 years. I have built collections, sold them, and built them again several times.
The one thing I have noticed is that each rebuild costs more money. I have .44 flattops that I paid $300 for, but now they are $5-700. The same holds true for just plain old 3 screws. I used to be able to buy them for $200, now everybody wants $400 plus. Old Rugers are getting as bad as Colt SAAs. I know the current administration has caused the market in "black" guns to go crazy, but is that what is happening to the SA market, or is something else going on? Opinions?

 

[rugerguy]

between the rate of inflation and the internet making MORE folks aware, the prices do go up,BUT on the other hand, the current economy is hedging this 'rate", as we are finding LOTS of stuff just is NOT selling, of course the "fad" stuff, self/home defense, high capacity stuff and black plastic is staying up there....wish I could get anywhere NEAR "book price" for some of the collectible stuff we've been trying to sell for some folks from time to time. And yes, when "they" come to sell, "they" are asking "book prices" for JUNK....................ah, the joys of marketing :roll:

 

[J Miller]

Yeah, flatgate and the other collectors are hoarding them. :lol: :lol:

On the serious side, the 3 screws haven't been made since 72? or so. I think the plentiful supply of them is just about gone. I've got three shooters, one of which I brought here from AZ. One I got from a gun show here and one I got from a forum member. I've been in IL for 10 years now and have seen two or three on dealers shelves in all that time.

I think their numbers are just dwindling away now.

Joe

 

[jpickar]

I saw prices jump a lot when Carter was President and then steady inflation over the years but with the same "print more money" again attitude the Rugers with other guns will jump again.

The "black rifle" market has really gone soft this year as last year was a over spend year because of Obama-dinajad. This summer you could buy a genaric AR for almost half of what they went for last year.

John

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Interesting point.

As far as the "supply" being exhausted, I'll just offer that I'm pretty sure the REPORTED members of the Old Model category is probably less than 1% of the production totals. I have no numbers immediately at hand to back this up, but I know that Bob's List only contains about that percentage of the OM .357 Blackhawks that were supposedly made.

Chet15 can likely give us better documentation on that.

For those of us with a bunch of OM toys, the recent "values" are encouraging. For those trying to fill out a collection, not so much.

Rugerguy has pointed out before that the vast majority of the OM's that are still actually extant are likely locked up in somebody's sock drawer or gun cabinet and will never again see the light of day until the owner "passes over" if then, even.

There's a great possibility that the actually active Ruger collectors number less than might be expected, even though we certainly don't see all of them here.

JMHO

 

[rugerguy]

between the rate of inflation and the internet making MORE folks aware, the prices do go up,BUT on the other hand, the current economy is hedging this 'rate", as we are finding LOTS of stuff just is NOT selling, of course the "fad" stuff, self/home defense, high capacity stuff and black plastic is staying up there....wish I could get anywhere NEAR "book price" for some of the collectible stuff we've been trying to sell for some folks from time to time. And yes, when "they" come to sell, "they" are asking "book prices" for JUNK....................ah, the joys of marketing :roll:

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I think it is simply a collector cycle, or more people recognizing them as desirable or collectible now, especially with some of the perceived negative changes over the last few years. And with the economic reality, people may be going for what they perceive to be quality over volume, thus the competition for the few out there is stiffer. A lot of them have been going to the CAS market too.

The same thing happened with S&W revolvers. During the wondernine and "Block" period 10-15 years ago you could pick them up for a song. I got a lot of them in great shape for under $200, most around $150. And I can sell them for double that or more easily today. Same with S&W 3rd Gen autos, which just seem to be coming into their own.

You can still pick up used Vaqs and BHs reasonably if you look. And I recently got a 3-screw Single Six in about 98% condition for $225, not bad for any SS. It's good, in a way, to see Rugers finally recognized.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

I have two..... in my sock drawer...
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.
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And yes............... I'm taking them with me..............


reuben...

 

[Dave T]

Since 3-screw Flat-tops are my only Rugers and one of my passions I feel compelled to respond to this. A disclaimer first: this is just my opinion, worth exactly what you are paying for it. (smile)

My first center fire handgun was an OM 357 Blackhawk. My second center fire hand gun was a used, Flat-top 44 Blackhawk. Both of these were purchased in 1971 when I came home from Vietnam. Over the next 20 years I bought and sold or traded any number of other OM and FT Ruger SAs. These were always cheeper than Smith & Wesson or Colt Revolvers of a similar age. I should add that when the NM was introduced I was completely under whelmed.

I got out of SA shooting until about 18 months ago when the sight of a NM 44 Special Blackhawk brought back all the interest and enthusiasm of those by-gone years. Unfortunately the handling qualities of the NM (loading, cocking the hammer and trigger pull) were an extreme disappointment. Yes, I know fixes are available...almost a cottage industry has built up around parts and tune ups. But they still aren't right, just better than fresh from the factory.

My point here is that the interest and consequent price increases for OM FTs is rarity, the economy and...the fact more people are learning just how much better they are made and more pleasant to shoot.

Whew, feel better now. (LOL)

Dave

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I guess I'm a minority because I don't really care for a old model 3 screw ruger. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with them and I will probably own one some day. I have had many in the past but prefer a new model over the old model for use. I like being able to load all 6 chambers safely and also to open the gate to unload instead of having to 1/2 cock the gun and open the gate. Also I like the quite cocking hammer without the 4 clicks. The old models bring more money but I would be hard pressed for use to buy a old model over a new model for the same money. I don't hardly ever resale a gun. I had much rather trade for something than sell a gun to buy another.

 

[resident]

I saw prices jump a lot when Carter was President and then steady inflation over the years but with the same "print more money" again attitude the Rugers with other guns will jump again.

The "black rifle" market has really gone soft this year as last year was a over spend year because of Obama-dinajad. This summer you could buy a genaric AR for almost half of what they went for last year.

John

Yep. Gundealers should love Democrats because they are good for sales. (Why is it that we don't remember it's Reagan and Bush-One that killed an entire genre of gun-making, yet all the finger-pointing is at Dems?) :roll:

The reason SOME guns have shot up in price is simple. More people are desireous of items no-longer manufactured. It's called supply-and-demand.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Honestly I think much of it is because the shooting public is finally starting to accord Ruger the same respect they do to other iconic American gunmakers like S&W, Colt, and Remington. As recently as when I was a kid Ruger was seen as second tier to older makers. It seemed like most people thought "yeah, their guns are rugged and well designed but they haven't quite arrived yet".

Well, thats changing rapidly. Discontinued Rugers such as the three screw, Six series, and #3 are being accorded classic status and it seems like lots of folks are collecting them. Bill Ruger has now joined the ranks of other great gun designers of the past such as Sam Colt and John Browning. Finally, we have lots of folks bitchin' about the quality of new Rugers compared to older ones-just like they do about other established gunmakers.

 

[maxpress]

I think it is just that they are harder to find.
Example would be the M1903. they could be had for the longest time for cheap. Almost give ya one for buying a case of ammo. Then 2yrs later I waltz down to the store with 300 asking if they had any and about got laughed out of the store with the guy saying "yeah right, Ill sell ya a b grade for $800 in original condition"
Just all the sudden not many around and alot of demand.

 

[M'BOGO]

Plus younger generations, brought up on collectables, that's where the prices go up. We've grown up reading about OM Rugers, now we've got some income, and more buyers for the same amount of product. Like all the '03's too, every one that gets sporterized, raises the price of the originals.

 

[bennettfam]

Both my OMs are shooters. I can understand NIB collectors going way up, but the shooters I wouldn't think so much, what with all the anniversary and new models out there people can shoot. Or am I not the only one who favores OMs for shooting too?

 

[maxpress]

I forgot to mention the "saftey upgrade" probably didnt help make them any more plentifull.
Wonder how many new shooters thought "wow theres a good idea"

 

[Dave T]

Both my OMs are shooters. I can understand NIB collectors going way up, but the shooters I wouldn't think so much, what with all the anniversary and new models out there people can shoot. Or am I not the only one who favores OMs for shooting too?

Every old model I have (and they're the only Rugers I have) is a shooter. Never owned a safe queen.

Dave

 

[Yosemite Sam]

"What's Going On?" Inflation! And no supply of "new" OMs.

-- Sam