New here, have a couple of questions...
This is my first post here...just found the site today and impressed with the amount of knowledge.
My first question is how much devaluation does a gun incur when a restoration is performed on it? I have several old guns that my grandfather restored. He's a great gunsmith and does an outstanding job but how much less is the gun worth when compared to one that looks the same but is original?
Second question: I have a Mossberg 500A Tactical Shotgun. I looked it up in this years gun book and not sure which one I have. By description, it most closely matches the 500A Cruiser Mil-Spec. There isnt anything on the gun that says "Mil-Spec" but there is some writing under the heat shield (I've been afraid to disassemble it myself) but I cant tell what it is. The reason I'm curious about this is because I've wanted to trade it and have had tons of interest at gun shows but everyone's trying to low-ball me since Mossberg released the Persuader...they're trying to say that its the same gun but it isnt. The Persuader is cheap looking, shiny, and costs just over $200. This Mil-Spec is parkerized, and by the book worth nearly $400. An obvious gap in perceived worth. Here's a description of my gun: Parkerized, 18in barrel, 9 shot capacity, bead site, pump, synthetic forearm, swing out synthetic stock, and a vented barrel heat shield. Any advice on this gun would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Shane
My first question is how much devaluation does a gun incur when a restoration is performed on it? I have several old guns that my grandfather restored. He's a great gunsmith and does an outstanding job but how much less is the gun worth when compared to one that looks the same but is original?
Second question: I have a Mossberg 500A Tactical Shotgun. I looked it up in this years gun book and not sure which one I have. By description, it most closely matches the 500A Cruiser Mil-Spec. There isnt anything on the gun that says "Mil-Spec" but there is some writing under the heat shield (I've been afraid to disassemble it myself) but I cant tell what it is. The reason I'm curious about this is because I've wanted to trade it and have had tons of interest at gun shows but everyone's trying to low-ball me since Mossberg released the Persuader...they're trying to say that its the same gun but it isnt. The Persuader is cheap looking, shiny, and costs just over $200. This Mil-Spec is parkerized, and by the book worth nearly $400. An obvious gap in perceived worth. Here's a description of my gun: Parkerized, 18in barrel, 9 shot capacity, bead site, pump, synthetic forearm, swing out synthetic stock, and a vented barrel heat shield. Any advice on this gun would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Shane
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I can give a flat answer on the first question ,Mossberg experts should be by soon
It all depends on the type of gun {and you will get varied answers on this},there is no real set value on what it will loose ,some modern guns are ok to redo ,and depending on the age and type of fire arm ,from personal observation it appears the older the gun the more value it can loose ,sometime it is better to leave a bit of rust ,or worn off plating on a gun as it becomes part of the guns character ,now with that being said I have seen one thousand dollar pistols be redone and not be able to sell them for three hundred ,remember original can only be done once ,no matter what you do to it the gun will not be original ,if you can post a description of the guns you have in mind
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Hello Shane...
On a "collectable" firearm, refinishing will generally cut the value by 40% - 60% (depending on what make and model). For a rare model/variant it will be closer to the 40%, but for a common firearm (like a Winchester Model 1894) it will be at least a 60% hit on the value.
I don't know anything about Mossbergs... if it doesn't have Winchester stamped on it somewhere, I don't have much interest.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Hello refinish/restore can cut the value as much as 75% or increase the value . a fire arm restored by people like DOUG TURNBULL bring more money that a worn finish gun But a firearm that is refinished with soft buffing wheels with a very high gloss finish and washed out lettering,. rounded corners ETC then the gun is a shooter but only worth about 25% of a worn but ORG. gun without looking at yours There is no way to give a good answer 0 -
Hi and Welcome to the forum!
You don't say if your grandfather is still living, but hopefully he is and if that is the case he should have no problem with the heat shield.
If, sadly, your grandfather is deceased then take your 500 to a gunsmith and they should only charge you a couple bucks to remove the shield/verify the model. And since the value difference is a couple hundred bucks that would be money well spent.
As for refinishing a gun ... the preceding replies pretty much cover the bases. Depends on the model and to a lesser extent the person that did the work. However, the bigger the name (like Turnbull) the reputation for restoration work is better known and therefore serves to minimize the devaluation of the work done by a lesser known smith, even if their work is on a par of the "known" smith. Lastly, from my obsevations, guns refinished by the factory seem to carry better value than those done by all but the "big names". Of course there are probably other members that have different experiences/opinions on the matter.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Also remember that any gun you buy, will be a one-of-a-kind like new museum peice worth a fortune, but a good deal for you at only... and any gun you sell, is a worthless peice of broken junk, and they are doing you a favor by offering a dollar. Get a good handle on the real world value (as in NOT the Blue Book value), and hold out. Remember no dealer can give you retail for the gun, so to get top dollar my may need to sell to a collector or shooter. 0
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