Colt Diamondback .22lr w/ 2.5" Barrel
Hello all, I have learned a LOT since being around here. One thing of which, is that my little Diamondback pictured, has been refinished:
Well, after deciding to possibly keep it, I thought I would go and shoot it. Well, it didnt fire, the gun guy at the range/shop said somebody probably tried to do an action job on it and messed up the hammer spring, so they gently tried to bend it a bit to get some more tension, well it HELPED but didnt Totally solve the problem.
My thing Is, I decided to go ahead and try and get rid of it, sell it to a collector, or somebody that could fix it for cheap and maybe even get it bead blasted and re-blued.
Well, I did my research on this little pistol, and after being told by many, I know what to believe. The shop owner proceeded to tell me they would give me $175 for it. Low book value on it was $475. the barrel/cylinder/ EVERYTHING except the spring and exterior, is outstanding.
They told me that the .22lr 2.5" isnt the RARE and expensive one, that they way the blue book is worded that its the .22 mag thats rare. [:(!] OH NO...I said....
They are having an so called "appraiser" out today to look at it. we will see.
Those that have the blue book, check it real quick, I know, and you know that the .22lr is the rare one. So, point is I wanted to get at least $300-400 maybe for it? Is that fair for its non working condition?? or could I get more if I sell it some other way? I am doing this to put these funds towards 2 new pistols, one for myself and one for the wife
I know enough to know when I may be taken for a ride.....
Well, after deciding to possibly keep it, I thought I would go and shoot it. Well, it didnt fire, the gun guy at the range/shop said somebody probably tried to do an action job on it and messed up the hammer spring, so they gently tried to bend it a bit to get some more tension, well it HELPED but didnt Totally solve the problem.
My thing Is, I decided to go ahead and try and get rid of it, sell it to a collector, or somebody that could fix it for cheap and maybe even get it bead blasted and re-blued.
Well, I did my research on this little pistol, and after being told by many, I know what to believe. The shop owner proceeded to tell me they would give me $175 for it. Low book value on it was $475. the barrel/cylinder/ EVERYTHING except the spring and exterior, is outstanding.
They told me that the .22lr 2.5" isnt the RARE and expensive one, that they way the blue book is worded that its the .22 mag thats rare. [:(!] OH NO...I said....
They are having an so called "appraiser" out today to look at it. we will see.
Those that have the blue book, check it real quick, I know, and you know that the .22lr is the rare one. So, point is I wanted to get at least $300-400 maybe for it? Is that fair for its non working condition?? or could I get more if I sell it some other way? I am doing this to put these funds towards 2 new pistols, one for myself and one for the wife
I know enough to know when I may be taken for a ride.....
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I don't know if it is the "rare or expensive one" but I'll happily give you $300 for it today. . . via the auction side of course. 0 -
Since Diamondbacks are no longer produced & pretty highly sought after, they are still increasing in value.
The 2? inch .22 is one of the more scarce versions.
There wasn't a .22Mag version. Just a .38 Special.
Even refinished, it is worth considerably more than $175.
Unless the refinish was very poorly done, it is probably worth considerably more than $475.
If you decide to sell it, put it in the auction side. Be brave & start it at 1? and you'll do fine. Probably be surprised what it ends at!
Let us know if you list it.0 -
The .22 LR with 2 1/2" barrel IS rare, accord to the BB. But, the .22 mag version is extremely rare. When a gun has been refinished, the original finish becomes 0%, & the BB doesn't usually go down that far. All the "collector" value is gone. It is now just a "shooter".
Parts for Colts no longer in production are often difficult, or impossible, to find. I can't tell what the problem with your gun is, so anyone buying it would be taking a gamble. After thinking about what you said, something just doesn't sound right to me: The guy at the shop can't fix the gun for you, but he can fix it for the customer he plans to sell it to? Sounds to me like he knows what is wrong with it. But, this is the hazard of mixing "repairs" with "buying/selling". If it were me, I'd go see someone local who just does gunsmithing & have it repaired before trying to sell it.
As with most guns, it will bring the most if you list it on GB. But, the buyer will have to pay you to ship Fedex/UPS Next Day Air, which will probably cost $50-70, so that might reduce the amount folks are willing to pay you for it.
Neal0 -
I have an older Blue Book but low book was $140 and high was $475 with a 30% premium for .22LR with the 2 1/2" barrel-which are prices for original finish guns. Of COURSE your gun dealer is trying to get the gun away from you as cheap as he can-as quite a few dealers will--after all he probably feels after fixing it he won't have as much profit. Your little Diamondback isn't some POS RG-22--I think I would get it fixed by a reputable gunsmith and keep it. Fixed you could probably get $275-$325 to the right buyer(someone who really wants a Diamondback no matter the finish). The problem is how much will it cost you to fix and then make enough profit for yourself-same as your dealer is trying.
Your gun might be worth a tad more if you had the original stocks too. If you REALLY want to go whole hog-get it fixed and then send it to Fords and have them put THIS type of finish on it. http://www.fordsguns.com/index-gun38.htm
granted you will never get back what you put into it since it has already been refinished but you would have a gorgeous Colt that you can enjoy for years.0 -
send it to colt they can fix it and have it re-blued at the same time,don't know what it will cost but it will BE WORTH IT contact COLT they can direct you on how to ship it to them. then if you decide to list it on G B you can state that it is reblued by colt and you can get an honest price for it which i think will be up there. hope this helps,[8D][8D] 0 -
They are trying to rip you off, they will give you $175 for it, replace the spring and then sell it for $600! If you want to sell it, list it on the auction side for 14 days, with a penny start, make sure you mention the problem with the mainspring and that it has been reblued, you will net alot more than any dealer will pay you for it! BTW, you really can't go by Blue Book pricing on out of production Colts..they normally sell for much higher than blue book value. 0 -
Im just not sure what to do now. This all started as some extra $$$ towards a new pistol!! Sell outright for a fixed price to somebody or put on auction and take the chances. I been looking at getting fixed and refinished and it would just cost too much for my interest in it. 0 -
Put it on GB.
You will be very surprised at what it will bring on here.
And I mean PLEASED!
CP0 -
quote:Originally posted by tomh.
The 2? inch .22 is one of the more scarce versions.
There wasn't a .22Mag version. Just a .38 Special.
Actually there was a .22 Mag version, they are just rare.
CamoCustom, Just list it on GB with a $300 start bid. As mentioned, make sure you state that it has been refinished and the spring problem. As cpermd said, you will be plesantly surprised. The guy at the range was trying to rip you off. Whoever refinished the gun did a very nice job.0 -
I would be interested in this gun for the 300-400- prices mentioned above. If you decide to list it on the auction side please let us know on the forum so we can bid.. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.. $175.00????? I would find a new dealer!!!! 0 -
Good Idea Noah! Send that puppy back to Colt, get it fixed and refinished and you have a "new" gun you can't buy anywhere. Diamondbacks are one of the finest Colts ever made in my opinion. My wife loves 'em too! 0 -
this problem can probably be fixed by replacing the hammer spring. this is not hard to do or expensive. I would definitely repair the gun before selling it. i would not think the repair parts and labor would be over $50.00 0 -
Repair from colt would be around $150 range, I checked into it a bit.....so...I dont know.
FYI--
Somebody I think sent me a message or an email, but it was sent to my junk email, and I accidentally deleted it, could you resend it please?0 -
I would still send it to Colt for repair. Colts of mine have been abused by supposed "smiths" in the past. Colt has always (DID I SAY ALLWAYS) done a superb job repairing and refinishing my arms! 0
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