rldowns3 1911 question, Part II

Well---glad you fellas, Neal, Kimber, and mballai are so sharp on value and math, and that you had a good laugh. Always a pleasure to rub elbows with experts and mathematicians. I don't know about you guys, but I can only answer these questions based on the information given. (1) Poor finish. Around here we'll give you a choice of reblue or parkerization for $85 and do a good job; but maybe you're used to being gouged. (2) Barrel has wear, but has life left; replace or not at the option of the purchaser. Page 87 of the Aug. 10 issue of the Shotgun New, SARCO ad, about dead center of the page, stainless steel National Match spec. barrel for $63.50. (3) rldowns3 stated it was otherwise mechanically good in his original post; nothing said about hidden damage. Since he's a high poster and owns other 1911s, I have to assume he knows what he's talking about. (4) 2004 Gun Digest gives the current retail value of a new Auto Ordnance 1911, parkerized, as being $511. Now, let's cruch the numbers. Half of $511 is right around $255, so $255 minus $85 for a refinish leaves $170, which is probably a fair price for a pistol described in fair or less conditon. Now, I guess I could leave it there and say I proved my point, but let's go on just a little. Let's buy a new stainless N.M. barrel from SARCO which drops the "right purchase price" down to $108.50, which is unlikely since he found it for sale in a gun shop, and most of us in that business like to make a profit. Suppose he has to pay $200 for it and the refinish and barrel add $148.50 to the price for a total of $348.50. Still seems like a great bargain to me when compared to $511 for a new specimen. Heck, I'd buy it myself for $200, being of the opinion that no good .45 auto should be left behind. Then I'd do all of the above work to it and put it in my display case for $450 and let you guys chisel me down to $425. So, glad you had a good laugh; but glad I didn't have the same math teacher you had.[:D]