No bargains in used airguns I guess

[thom]

I just realized, or decided, after attending a local show, that there are no good deals to be had by buying non-working air guns and making them work. I saw several guns of different descriptions at the show for $20 and less. But seal kits and parts are so expensive that they are not worth rebuilding. Often a seal kit costs two or three times the price of the gun. I'm disappointed.
I guess I can quit watching eBay for fixer-uppers.

 

[corny]

Must be really cheap guns ur looking at

 

[Septicdeath]

I just realized, or decided, after attending a local show, that there are no good deals to be had by buying non-working air guns and making them work. I saw several guns of different descriptions at the show for $20 and less. But seal kits and parts are so expensive that they are not worth rebuilding. Often a seal kit costs two or three times the price of the gun. I'm disappointed.
I guess I can quit watching eBay for fixer-uppers.

What guns are $20 or less????

 

[Richely]

“Often a seal kit costs two or three times the price of the gun.”

Not valid to value repair by comparing needed parts against purchase price of fixer-upper gun. Yes, you may well spend more to repair than the gun cost you. Need to compare total expenditure against value of repaired gun. If $20 for gun and $50 in parts yields a gun that would cost $120 to buy you’re ahead.

 

[Scotty1]

I just realized, or decided, after attending a local show, that there are no good deals to be had by buying non-working air guns and making them work. I saw several guns of different descriptions at the show for $20 and less. But seal kits and parts are so expensive that they are not worth rebuilding. Often a seal kit costs two or three times the price of the gun. I'm disappointed.
I guess I can quit watching eBay for fixer-uppers.

It doesn’t always have to make sense, or be profitable to be a worthy endeavor.

 

[marflow 777]

that problem has been around for a long time
i bought a Diana 48 for 110.00 and thought i would repair it but after all the problem would have solved it was not worth it and still is in parts after 10+ years
i mark it up as part of the hobby you have wins and loses
now on a 20 gun it is worth more in parts then repair and that is always the case and if you have the time you can get your 20 bucks back and make a few bucks
now on the thought that repairable guns are hard to find at good prices i agree completely, it is much harder these days to find that duck you want but there can be a deal found from time to time
and finding parts, now that is an ongoing problem, prices are high and availability is not great here in the states whereas you find yourself buying from the UK or Germany and even Spain
so, i feel your pain

 

[Septicdeath]

Recent good buys I've made. None for $20

Crosman 622 $120 parts $35

Crosman model 99 $130 parts $35

Crosman model 99/ Montgomery Ward $147 parts $35

All in 90% condition or better.

And several others

 

[beerthief]

You also have to figure in what it is worth to you when it is finished maybe a childhood memory brought back to life as an example .

OR SIMPLY PUT " how can you put a price on fun ."

 

[marflow 777]

Beerthief some of us do not what our childhood memory brought back but i get your point

and Mr SD that 622 price is a steal and the 99's also but those are in you wheel house

 

[JDR]

Yeah you get caught up in those childhood memories and like me, pay way more than you should. However the smile on my face when I shoot something I wanted or had as a kid is priceless. Can't take your money with you. An airgun will last far longer than cash in your casket especially if in your will you specify to lube it well.

 

[rcarlisle]

At $20, buy a few and see if you can make one from the parts!
Edited to add: There aren't many things cooler than restoring vintage items, and saving money over something new usually isn't the objective.

 

[willy]

Well i guess good deal of the day ,bought is a Webley Patriot air rifle off Craigslist for $200 brough a seal for $22 dollars fixed that.Sold it on e-bay for $850 and $50 shipping. They take 13% still did alright"

 

[thom]

What I saw at last weeks show and would have bought,had I not checked parts prices was a Crosman 600 pistol, non working, for $20, a Daisy Model 77 Target, non working, also $20, and a couple others for $15-20. Also saw a couple of the Shilo Remington pistols and at least one Daisy rifle but passed on them.