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How does one know if they are getting a good deal on a handgun? I have looked at every handgun at the local shops (Bass Pro Shop, Academy, etc.) but is there a "Kelley's Blue Book" of handguns? I have been looking at a Taurus PT1911 but is $579.00 a good price? Earlier this year I purchased a gun for the wife at a Pasadena gun shop and saw the same gun two weeks later at the gun show for 100 less .

There is a "Blue Book of Gun Values." My book is several years old and it does not list the Taurus PT1911. Sorry, but maybe someone will come along and have an updated book. You can always check GunBroker; GunsAmerica; GlockTalk; The High Road; and look at prices to compare. I had an elderly man tell me one time "if you wanted it you didn't pay too much!"

Right now, the latest version, 29th ed Blue Book of Gun Values is on sale at Midway for $24.99.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=344457

However, it is just a reference and sometimes doesn't reflect street price. Unless you're planning on buying enough guns to need it regularly, it probably isn't justified.

Personally, I spend hours walking gun shows and searching online just to build the kind of mental reference that you're talking about.

You mention the Taurus PT1911. Local gun show prices typically are about $475 for the basic blued model, about $550-$575 for either the night sight or laser equipped blued, or about $625-$650 for the plain sighted stainless steel.

You get this information by checking prices everywhere. I typically expect Carter's to be about $100-$150 high on a handgun, but sometimes they have competitive sale prices. There is not one perfect answer to your question.

But since you're here, feel free to ask away. We can tell you when/where shows are and typical prices.

There is another High Caliber gun show at George R. Brown this weekend and the prices at some of the handgun dealers will be very competitive. Schramm's, AJC, Bachmann's will all have a good selection.

For the record, the only local dealer than I can expect a good deal from is Tomball Pawn. I bought my three Taurus PT1911's from them, back when they were $439.

At the gun show look at the AJC booth, I have found them to be the cheapest on nearly everything I have looked for. We also purchased a gun from the Gun Zone a vendor from Dallas that is usually George R Brown shows.

Everything I price at Bass Pro, Gander Mnt. and Academy seems a good bit higher that the same piece at the gun shows. The prices do seem better at the Houston shows than the Pasadena shows.

At least that is my perspective.

Like the others said, you just have to visit a lot of shops and shows, and do a lot of online searching to develop an idea of what the price ranges are for different types of guns.

I do a lot of window shopping just for this reason. Here's another couple data points for your PT 1911 search: my local favorite gun shop guy told me he could get a blued Taurus PT1911 for $540 (+Tax, which made it about $580), I ordered it. Another gun shop in my area has one in their display case -- for $635 before tax.

Good luck.

FWIW, I noticed at the Fort Worth gun show a few weeks ago that the big price reductions were on guns that often sell for much lower than MSRP in the stores; whereas guns that sell at a premium price in the stores tend not to be marked down much at the gun show. There were some good prices on Glocks, for instance, but not on Kimbers.

As an FYI, you can get *rough* estimates from a slightly outdated Blue Book (27th Edition) on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1886768 ... eader-link

Using the "Search Inside" feature you're able to search the 27th edition and can find a lot of items.

At Saturday's High Caliber show at GRB, I found:

Basic blue PT1911 from $475-$499

Basic blue PT1911 with rail at $515

Blue PT1911 with night sights $540

I saw no stainless PT1911's.

Mike1951 wrote:At Saturday's High Caliber show at GRB, I found:

Basic blue PT1911 from $475-$499

Basic blue PT1911 with rail at $515

Blue PT1911 with night sights $540

I saw no stainless PT1911's.

Hey Mike thanks for the info. Unfortunately I was out of town this weekend and was unable to make it to the show. It looks like the gun shows are the best place to buy. Got any idea when the next one will be at the GRB?

The big HGCA show at Reliant is in two weeks. It is at least as large as the GRB shows and is your best bet for awhile.

It typically is a little more competitive and prices MAY be a little lower.

Here's the upcoming schedule:

May 17-18 Reliant Houston Gun Collectors Assoc (I think there's an outdoor show in an adjacent hall if you're a glutton for punishment)
May 31-June 1 Pasadena High Caliber
June 7-8 George R. Brown High Caliber
Jun 14-15 Pasadena Real

Just about every dealer I saw LAST YEAR, had the PT1911 for under $500. Not anymore. Now you're lucky to see one under $600.
I'd spend the extra money and get thte stainless one. The blue/black ones that I've seen people use in competition look like hell. The finish is very soft and wears easily.

Mike1951 wrote:At Saturday's High Caliber show at GRB, I found:

Basic blue PT1911 from $475-$499

Basic blue PT1911 with rail at $515

Blue PT1911 with night sights $540

I saw no stainless PT1911's.

HighVelocity wrote:Just about every dealer I saw LAST YEAR, had the PT1911 for under $500. Not anymore. Now you're lucky to see one under $600.

So, you're saying I didn't see what I reported after Saturday's show?

Actually, the basic PT1911 hasn't increased more than $50 since its introduction. But there are several variations on that model that increase the cost, if you don't look closely. There are models with the accessory rail, models with night sights, and models with Laser Grips. If you saw any of these, they are priced higher, but still no where near $600. Not more than two months ago, I actually saw the stainless model selling for $595.

Local dealers will likely charge more than $500 and it isn't fair to compare their prices with gun show prices. However, we were talking about gun show pricing. Still, I would bet a cup of coffee that I could still buy a PT1911 from Tomball Pawn for less than $500.

So, you're saying I didn't see what I reported after Saturday's show?

Hardly... I didn't even read your post. I simply responded to the original post based on what I have seen in my area. Sounds like deals are better in your area.

Gee, I'm used to being 'tuned out' in person.

Now it's happening with written as well?