need value on a used Colt 1911 WWI repro

[colubrid]

I have seen a used Colt 1911 WWI repro with 250 rounds through it and i was wondering if anyone can help me with what the value (what the gun would sell for here) is .

[cliff731]

Just my opinion, but you might not expect this one to sell for much less than a NIB M1911 reproduction. These are allocated guns. Your dealer is no doubt aware of this fact!

[mo' guns]

I have seen a used Colt 1911 WWI repro with 250 rounds through it and i was wondering if anyone can help me with what the value (what the gun would sell for here) is .

I'd guess it would all depend on where you are located and how bad you wanted it. I've seen NIB WWI repros from $900 to upwards of $1200 at local gun stores and gun shows in S.E. Michigan. The ability to haggle would also be good to have in this instance. I, for one, have no skills in that area! :( Good luck, I hope you get it! :)

[Hawkmoon]

The WW1 is still available new through normal distribution channels. List price is $999 and in my part of the country they are typically selling for around $950. I don't know what Cliff means about "allocated" ... Colt builds them, they go to the distributors, and the distributors sell them to whatever dealer orders one. Is that "allocated"? Dunno.

I can't imagine anyone paying $1200 for a $950 pistol. Maybe once Colt reaches 4,000 and stops production, but now? That's just nuts.

[OD*]

As was mentioned, some may depend on location, I'd say $950.

[Hawkmoon]

I wouldn't pay $950 for it. Used is used. According to the guidelines in The Blue Book, once it walks out the door as a retail sale, it is automatically no better than 98% even if it remains unfired. Fire one round through it and it drops to 95%, at best.

$950 is the street price for a brand new, unfired, never-sold-at-retail example. If I can buy a new one for $950, why would I pay the same for a used one?

[OD*]

You won't find a used one around here for less than $950, Hawk. As Paul and I were discussing in another thread along these lines, Blue Book pricing is nearly a joke when applied to Colt's and Winchesters. YMMV

[Hawkmoon]

I agree that Blue Book pricing isn't very accurate. I wasn't citing their price, only the grading criteria. Around here, $950 is the going price for a new WW1 replica, unfired, to the first retail customer. I haven't seen any used ones but, as I wrote, I wouldn't pay $950 for a used one when the same dollars will buy me a new one. Certainly not when they are currently in production and I can find new ones. I don't have to settle for a used one.

Of course, the original poster hasn't mentioned the asking price for the one he found. Maybe it's low enough to be a fair price. (Or ... maybe not.)

In fact, the original poster asked what one should sell for "here" ... and didn't tell us where "here" is.

[swampthang]

AJC sportshop had them for 899
http://www.ajcsportshop.com/wwone1911.html

[OD*]

In fact, the original poster asked what one should sell for "here" ... and didn't tell us where "here" is.
That's a good point.

[OD*]

AJC sportshop had them for 899
http://www.ajcsportshop.com/wwone1911.html
That's not bad, even with the additional $50-60 for shipping and transfer fee.

[swampthang]

I got mine from them back around sept., the price is still the same

[TattooPaul]

I think you would expect to pay pretty much what a new one goes for - $900- $950.

[swampthang]

I think you would expect to pay pretty much what a new one goes for - $900- $950.

I would agree Paul, unless mabe it was abused and shot a ton!

[TattooPaul]

True, but due to the limited run folks may not negotiate too much. Some folks are already asking well over a grand for NIB's which is a sad reality of limited runs. I know where they possibly still have some NIB's so I wouldn't pay more than $935 without looking around. NIB's can still be had. They are almost done with the run but not quite yet. Last I saw they are around 600 away from finishing up the 4000.

[swampthang]

Now the question is should he shell out a little more $ for a NIB if available,or a used one? If it were me Id pay a little more for the NIB, but thats just my opinion

[TattooPaul]

I'd personally go NIB for sure - since the price will be close or the same and NIB's can still be had . If that one is sitting there, in PERFECT shape, and below NIB price I could look past the 250 rounds. At the same price, maybe... since it IS sitting there ready to be had vs. looking around for one that's harder to find but I do have a lead that can be had with a PM... More than $935 -$975 I'd go NIB for sure - they are out there.

[colubrid]

I meant here as here on this forums classifieds.

I found two used ones for $875. each and thats why I was asking what they are worth.

Thanks for all the replies. I am new here and this is a really great site with good people. I hope to stick around for a while.

[TattooPaul]

If they can be verified to be in fine shape that sounds very fair. No gouging with that kind of price if they are in basically new but lightly shot condition.

[cliff731]

...I don't know what Cliff means about "allocated" ... Colt builds them, they go to the distributors, and the distributors sell them to whatever dealer orders one. Is that "allocated"? Dunno.

Hawkmoon, I'm using Davidson's as an example here- they list this Colt pistol as "allocated" on their "Gallery of Guns" website.

While Davidson's is just one distributor, I would not be surprised if other distributors followed this practice, which might be best explained this way-

The distributor holds back highly desirable and limited firearms (like the Colt M1911... and even the SA 1911A1 G.I. is allocated) and parcels them out to the dealers who are buying the bulk of those not so highly desirable or limited firearms from them.

From Davidsons... "What Is An Allocated Gun"? (http://www.galleryofguns.com/gungallery/Allocated.htm)

So, a smaller "mom & pop" locally owned gunstore, that might be using a distributor who allocates guns, isn't going to get too many Colt WWI M1911 reproductions or any other "allocated" gun. This might be why I have not seen a single Colt WWI repro at my local gunstore... and sightings of a SA G.I. is rare. The bottom line is that not every dealer can just pick up the phone and order one of these Colts from Davidsons.

[deadmarsh]

I talked with Colt yesterday about the WWI repos -- we have six on order for our shop and the distributors say we might not see any since all are back ordered and the back orders might be exceeding production...

Colt said they would be finished with the run this summer or might extend it a bit more...

I wanted one and didn't want to wait for the shop to get our back orders, so I bought one from Harris Sports in MO -- he had a few...

Good luck, and if you plan to shoot the M1911, a slightly used version at near NIB prices might be the way to go when you consider tax and shipping...


Dead

[cliff731]

I talked with Colt yesterday about the WWI repos -- we have six on order for our shop and the distributors say we might not see any since all are back ordered and the back orders might be exceeding production...

Apparently, and sadly, the distributors are the "gate keepers".

Colt has little control over whether or not you can walk into any FFL dealer's store and order one of these pistols.

[JustinTime]

As others have said due to what the pistol is and the number being produced and the big factor of the back order issue one can probably expect to pay near nib price. No matter what any book says a value is or should be your going to be competeing with others whom have had an order in for months and aren't any closer to getting one. I canceled my order with my local ffl and bought mine from the exchange on gunsamerica shipped for $895. I'd say if you can't find one at any of the places listed in this thread you should jump on the used one if it is in like new shape. Really depends on how bad you want it. This is of course my opinion and is worth every penny you paid for it.