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I'm not posting this in the "for sale/trade" forum, because I haven't decided yet whether or not to divest myself of the following pistol (pictures below), and I would very much like some advice about it.

I own a Colt Government .380 in pretty much perfect condition. It is a 150th anniversary edition, manufactured in 1986, which I bought 2nd hand in November of 1993 from a mom & pop gun store in Pasadena, California. It had the appearance of never having been fired when I bought it, and I had to wipe some cosmoline type grease off of it to shoot it the first time. I have probably put a total of 200 rounds through it since then, but I haven't actually fired it in several years. I have the original cardboard box that it came in, and the sales receipt. It comes with 2 magazines.

This one just like it (except that it is not the 150th Anniversary edition) is selling on gunbroker.com for a price in the upper $800 range. Others I've seen there, which are not quite as nice, are selling for upwards of $700. This pistol has pretty much doubled in value from its original price.

I want to buy a 5" 1911, with certain prerequisites like an ambidextrous safety (I am left handed) and a beavertail grip safety, and I am pretty certain that I can find one in the $800-$900 price range. Unfortunately, I can't just buy one outright at this time, and so I have to sell something to be able to buy something. Given the current market value of my .380 relative to its original cost, its value as a collectible, and its value as a small and easily concealable .380 pistol, if this was your pistol, and you had my want, would you sell this gun or keep it?

Here are the pics of my gun (and yes, the muzzle view was shot with gun empty, chamber visually and physically inspected, and me standing slightly off to the side!):








Compared to my hand size (and yes, I'm wearing Crocs this morning. Stop laughing!):

Compared to size of my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II 3" 1911:



So what do you all think?

The Annoyed Man wrote:
So what do you all think?

Never point a gun at anything you wouldn't want to destroy.

KC5AV wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:
So what do you all think?

Never point a gun at anything you wouldn't want to destroy.

maybe hes looking for an excuse to buy a new camera.

KC5AV wrote:Never point a gun at anything you wouldn't want to destroy.

Wildscar wrote:maybe hes looking for an excuse to buy a new camera.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Here are the pics of my gun (and yes, the muzzle view was shot with gun empty, chamber visually and physically inspected, and me standing slightly off to the side!)...

I should have written "and me and the camera standing slightly off to the side." Can you say "zoom lense?" I'm just grateful that you guys didn't laugh at my Crocs.

Now, what would you do if this was your gun and you were contemplating selling it... ...and I don't want to hear "shoot myself."

If you can get the amount of money you think, I would sell it. The gun isn't an heirloom, at least not in your family. At your age I would want a gun that you can and will shoot rather than a pristine gun that's going to sit in the safe until some body inherits it from you.

WildBill wrote:If you can the amount of money you think, I would sell it. The gun isn't an heirloom, at least not in your family. At your age I would want a gun that you can and will shoot rather than a pristine gun that's going to sit in the safe until some body inherits it from you.

Ouch!....

Seriously, if I had a handgun that I hardly use and I am wanting one that I will use - I would sell it....

longhorn_92 wrote:Ouch!....
Seriously, if I had a handgun that I hardly use and I am wanting one that I will use - I would sell it....

I like to rib the TAOM [The Annoyed Old Man]. We are both from California and about the same age.

WildBill wrote:If you can get the amount of money you think, I would sell it.

I honestly don't know if it is worth that much. If anybody has a "blue book" and can give me an idea of its actual value, I would be appreciative.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

WildBill wrote:If you can get the amount of money you think, I would sell it.

I honestly don't know if it is worth that much. If anybody has a "blue book" and can give me an idea of its actual value, I would be appreciative.

Keep an eye on the gunbroker sale to see the final sale price. "Bluebook" prices are only guidelines, the true value of the gun is what somebody will pay for it. As long as you are not desperate to sell, you should be able to get what you want. Since you know what you want you should be able to make a good trade. If I were in the market for a 380 Colt and had an "extra" 1911 I would gladly trade you for it. Be patient. Remember with the Colts that you have the advantage - they aren't making any more of them. They are still churning out plenty of Kimbers.

WildBill wrote: Be patient. Remember with the Colts that you have the advantage - they aren't making any more of them. They are still churning out plenty of Kimbers.

That gun will only appreciate in value. I'd only sell it as a last resort.
Put back a little money every paycheck until you can afford a 1911 like you want.

That's just my opinion, but then I've regretted selling almost every gun I've ever sold.

WildBill wrote:We are both from California and about the same age.

Ssssshhhhhh! We don't want anybody to find out, do we?

The Colt is too pretty to get rid of.

The Crocs on the other hand...

I have three large safes full of guns. Why? Because I was given my first gun at the age of 5 in 1953 and since that time I have only sold two guns. One that I and no gunsmith could get to run and the other because it was extremely difficult of disassemble (field strip) and clean.

I believe it is extremely foolish to sell guns that will appreciate in value and have appreciated in value. As one previous post stated, "Save your money".
I know how it is to want a new gun, sometimes I've had to save over several years to buy what I wanted.
I've watched my fellow police officers buy and sell guns everytime the new "Gun of the Month" hit the market. Foolish is as foolish does.
Good luck and I hope you make the right decision.

Jungle Work

My favorite and most prized gun in my humble collection is a 1937 Remington 22 single-shot bolt action. Bought from Monkey Wards. The blueing is gone and the forestock has been broken/repaired. It belonged to my grandmother who died before I was born. It still shoots sweet and I enjoy it every time I take it out.

The 380 is a keeper. Shoot it, have fun with it, enjoy it (I'm not too fond of safe queens). Someday you will be able to leave it to an heir that will cherish it and be proud to pass it down to their kids.

My $0.02.

Never sell a gun! Just buy more! With this philosophy you will never say have that story about the one that got away!