Whats dang deal with the Blue Book of guns

[superdave65]

How can the Blue book place an accurate value on a firearm that is rare and seldom comes up for sale. For modern firearms, values are easy. There is retail and then you subtract dollars based on condition. I have used the book many times as a guide for values, but it is no "bible". I have a firearm that has only come up for sales on-line 28 times in the last 10 years. Ten years ago it sold for almost double what the book says it is worth today. And continues to go up more recently. So..... how can you have a book listing values when there is so little information to compare it to? When I sell an antique or rare gun, I do a ton of research, not only on gunbroker but private auctions and other sites. That seems to be a more modern accurate estimation of value to me. What do you guys think?

 

[338Shooter]

Depends on if you're buying or selling. When you show a guy their 5" model 27 is only worth $400 he might let it go for 5 bills.

 

[saddlebum]

The blue book is total fantasy and has no basis in real gun prices

 

[superdave65]

The blue book is total fantasy and has no basis in real gun prices

My point exactly

 

[ripnbst]

I was laughed at when I sold my M1 carbine by a guy "they don't go for that". I laughed back and walked away.

The books are only useful if you can get the other party to buy into it.

 

[gaseous maximus]

The blue book is total fantasy and has no basis in real gun prices

IMO, that pretty much sums it up.

 

[nemesis]

The Blue Book is a very valuable gun tool. If you're a dealer and someone wants to sell a gun, you go to the BB and get the absolute rock bottom flea market price for their gun. The guy trying to sell sees it in print, so it must be true.

However, if you're the dealer, and the customer says the BB has such and such a price, you say, "Man, everybody knows that book is a joke."

 

[AKguy1985]

The blue book is a joke. Swiss 1911 rifles dont go for $1,200 they go for around $300ish