How to value a firearm. Browning Hi-Power 40 cal.

[CaseyJ955]

I have a pristine blued Browing Hi-Power 40 cal in the original plastic case. Had it since new, gave a tired Yamaha Maxum for it straight across back in the early 90s. The guy giving it up was quite reluctant but oh how he wanted the bike! By new I mean un-fired and in the original case.

 

I have a few guns, but I'm no collector. Guns are tools, like screwdrivers and trucks. So I fired it maybe 100 times and put it away cleaned and oiled, 20-ish years ago. It really is like brand new.

 

It saw daylight yesterday as I've been getting some offers on it that seem pretty high. Would love to hear some opinions of value from those in the know before I sell it and buy a 1911 and slip the rest in my IRA. Offers up to $4k, is that high or has this thing picked up some value in the last couple decades?

 

Thanks for the opinions and wisdom.

[Condor]

I have a pristine blued Browing Hi-Power 40 cal in the original plastic case. Had it since new, gave a tired Yamaha Maxum for it straight across back in the early 90s. The guy giving it up was quite reluctant but oh how he wanted the bike! By new I mean un-fired and in the original case.

 

I have a few guns, but I'm no collector. Guns are tools, like screwdrivers and trucks. So I fired it maybe 100 times and put it away cleaned and oiled, 20-ish years ago. It really is like brand new.

 

It saw daylight yesterday as I've been getting some offers on it that seem pretty high. Would love to hear some opinions of value from those in the know before I sell it and buy a 1911 and slip the rest in my IRA. Offers up to $4k, is that high or has this thing picked up some value in the last couple decades?

 

Thanks for the opinions and wisdom.

 

There are several different Hi-Power Models. One. The Hi-Power Mark III, in 40 S&W, was produced between 1994-2000, and in 100% condition is worth $850-$950. They also list a 'practical' ca. 1993-model for about $100 less. In the middle of the S/N there are two letters that designate the year is was built. Seems like the N series were built the 90's. Post the letters and I'll get back to you with the exact year... Another place to get values...or at least what sellers are asking to be taken with a grain of salt... is GunBroker. Actually because you fired it it lost a little of it's value, but there are a lot of collectors out there who would love to add it to their collection... Hope this helps...

[cecdoo]

Sorry hate to hijack a thread, but while we are on the subject. I recently inherited a 222 Ruger Rifle, Cartech Annv. special. never fired in all original packaging. From what I understand Cartech produced the SS alloy used to make Ruger firearms. Cartech commisioned them to make this anniv. edition rifle. It has beautiful engraving in the SS. Any info/value on this rifle Jack? you seem to know your guns.

 

Thanks, Craig

[CaseyJ955]

There are several different Hi-Power Models. One. The Hi-Power Mark III, in 40 S&W, was produced between 1994-2000, and in 100% condition is worth $850-$950. They also list a 'practical' ca. 1993-model for about $100 less. In the middle of the S/N there are two letters that designate the year is was built. Seems like the N series were built the 90's. Post the letters and I'll get back to you with the exact year... Another place to get values...or at least what sellers are asking to be taken with a grain of salt... is GunBroker. Actually because you fired it it lost a little of it's value, but there are a lot of collectors out there who would love to add it to their collection... Hope this helps...

 

2W05P24 is the model, 4 21/32" barrel, NW51 are the four digits in the center of the #. She is stamped "Cal 40 S & W" on the barrel, visible through the action. I'm holding her now. The balance is insane, the feel, I forgot how much I love it. This is the first time in ~18-20 years it's been in my hand. I've never fired a pistol that felt better or had better balance than this one (subjective I know). Since it holds 13 rounds the handle is a bit bulky, which is perfect for my hand. Unless there is something special about this particular piece to make it more valuable then I will not ignore an offer that far over actual value.

 

I tried googling to see which of the above it might be based on the numbers and I came up dry. Maybe not looking in the right place.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I guess if I do have a good offer I need to wonder why someone would pay so much more than fair market value.

[WildBill1]

Blue Book of Gun Values great publication of guns every collector needs one.

[Condor]

Sorry hate to hijack a thread, but while we are on the subject. I recently inherited a 222 Ruger Rifle, Cartech Annv. special. never fired in all original packaging. From what I understand Cartech produced the SS alloy used to make Ruger firearms. Cartech commisioned them to make this anniv. edition rifle. It has beautiful engraving in the SS. Any info/value on this rifle Jack? you seem to know your guns.

 

Thanks, Craig

 

Not much info on the Ruger Craig, but I did find this on Gun Auction... Seems a bit low, but with the advent of the 5.56/223 the popularity of the 222 Rem has faded. I have a 222 Rem in a Remington Model 7 that generally sells in the $600-$650 range... I don't think there's much merit in a Cartech Anniversary unless you work for the company?? However... Ruger is a caliber whore. Collecting Rugers will drive you nutz! I went thru 6 or 7 pages of different 77 models and couldn't find any listing for one in 222R.. 223..yep. 222..nada..... I did see a few older models in 22 Hornet?? Hope this helps...

[Condor]

2W05P24 is the model, 4 21/32" barrel, NW51 are the four digits in the center of the #. She is stamped "Cal 40 S & W" on the barrel, visible through the action. I'm holding her now. The balance is insane, the feel, I forgot how much I love it. This is the first time in ~18-20 years it's been in my hand. I've never fired a pistol that felt better or had better balance than this one (subjective I know). Since it holds 13 rounds the handle is a bit bulky, which is perfect for my hand. Unless there is something special about this particular piece to make it more valuable then I will not ignore an offer that far over actual value.

 

I tried googling to see which of the above it might be based on the numbers and I came up dry. Maybe not looking in the right place.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I guess if I do have a good offer I need to wonder why someone would pay so much more than fair market value.

 

The NW shows it was made in 2004...

[CaseyJ955]

The NW shows it was made in 2004...

 

Im lousy with dates so I have to think back, I got it from a neighbor while living in South Seattle. I sold home and fled Seattle to rural Snohomish Co in arond 97. I put my acquisition of his piece no later han 96-97, probably closer to. I fled back to SD in about 04 but had already owned this for several years prior to that fleeing.

 

I think what happened is my highly dyslexic brain got the number wrong. I got the number off the box, not he gun, but that was with me too. I looked again and had my wife double check. NW51 is correct but on the box. Maybe I need to find the actual number on the piece, but this box was with the gun the whole time I have owned it. Im trying to just snap a pic of.the # and box.

[Condor]

Im lousy with dates so I have to think back, I got it from a neighbor while living in South Seattle. I sold home and fled Seattle to rural Snohomish Co in arond 97. I put my acquisition of his piece no later han 96-97, probably closer to. I fled back to SD in about 04 but had already owned this for several years prior to that fleeing.

 

I think what happened is my highly dyslexic brain got the number wrong. I got the number off the box, not he gun, but that was with me too. I looked again and had my wife double check. NW51 is correct but on the box. Maybe I need to find the actual number on the piece, but this box was with the gun the whole time I have owned it. Im trying to just snap a pic of.the # and box.

 

Boxes can be mixed up. Get the SN off the Hi-Power....

[cecdoo]

Not much info on the Ruger Craig, but I did find this on Gun Auction... Seems a bit low, but with the advent of the 5.56/223 the popularity of the 222 Rem has faded. I have a 222 Rem in a Remington Model 7 that generally sells in the $600-$650 range... I don't think there's much merit in a Cartech Anniversary unless you work for the company?? However... Ruger is a caliber whore. Collecting Rugers will drive you nutz! I went thru 6 or 7 pages of different 77 models and couldn't find any listing for one in 222R.. 223..yep. 222..nada..... I did see a few older models in 22 Hornet?? Hope this helps...

 

Thanks for the info Jack, I doubt I will ever sell the rifle, will probably leave it to my Grandson. Ruger also produced a 357 Mag. revolver for Cartech, mite have to see if I can find one of those to complete the set.

 

Thanks again, Craig

[CaseyJ955]

Boxes can be mixed up. Get the SN off the Hi-Power....

 

I thought I posted this earlier, I'll bet I put it in the wrong place.

 

The SN does match the box, 2W5NW510xx

[CaseyJ955]

Not much info on the Ruger Craig, but I did find this on Gun Auction... Seems a bit low, but with the advent of the 5.56/223 the popularity of the 222 Rem has faded. I have a 222 Rem in a Remington Model 7 that generally sells in the $600-$650 range... I don't think there's much merit in a Cartech Anniversary unless you work for the company?? However... Ruger is a caliber whore. Collecting Rugers will drive you nutz! I went thru 6 or 7 pages of different 77 models and couldn't find any listing for one in 222R.. 223..yep. 222..nada..... I did see a few older models in 22 Hornet?? Hope this helps...

 

I ended up looking at some of the Ruger lines when I was after a hunting rifle. I recall all these beautiful but very similar Rugers lining the wall in FAR to many caliber choices for a mortal. I did settle on the MKII 7mm mag/Leupold VXII 3x9, all that stuff just to discover I'm no hunter. As per protocol I still have the gun just in case hunting becomes the only way to eat.

 

IIRC there were at least 6 different calibers for the MKII platform alone.

[Kretz]

Have a look here:

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=browning%20hi%20power%20.40

follow some of the sales & you'll see what they are actually selling for. Opening bids seem to be around $1000 but a number are well in excess of that. $4k seems a good price but what do I know. Just watch for scammers!

[Condor]

I thought I posted this earlier, I'll bet I put it in the wrong place.

 

The SN does match the box, 2W5NW510xx

 

NW is 1994. That makes more sense.... My bad....

Edited January 9, 2019 by Condor

[CaseyJ955]

Have a look here:

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=browning%20hi%20power%20.40

follow some of the sales & you'll see what they are actually selling for. Opening bids seem to be around $1000 but a number are well in excess of that. $4k seems a good price but what do I know. Just watch for scammers!

 

The buyer is a local collector with cash, and is acquainted with my son. I've sent word to him that I'm ready to show it around that offer. Regardless of it's fair market value I'm not sure I could hand it over for a whole lot less. I'm no collector but I have no problem with hanging onto it. Still 4k would go a long ways to paying for septic and well for a project I have coming up.

NW is 1994. That makes more sense.... My bad....

 

That does make sense. Seller was quite proud of it, he handed it over like a new mother would hand her baby over to a furious circus guerilla. Good times, I guess at that moment the bike was more enticing than the gun.

 

Thanks all for the great info. Once again this forum is about as good as they get. I'll update if and what I get for it with a pic.

[Sylvester]

I hope you get a bunch for that pistol. I bought a Hi-power twenty years ago and they are very well made. I bought it on impulse and it was my first and only .40 caliber. Just never got used to the feel in my hands. To me feel and balance is utmost importance all else can be adjusted. If you get a ton for your pistol let me know, I may fish mine out of storage and look for a buyer.

 

 

[Condor]

The buyer is a local collector with cash, and is acquainted with my son. I've sent word to him that I'm ready to show it around that offer. Regardless of it's fair market value I'm not sure I could hand it over for a whole lot less. I'm no collector but I have no problem with hanging onto it. Still 4k would go a long ways to paying for septic and well for a project I have coming up.

 

 

That does make sense. Seller was quite proud of it, he handed it over like a new mother would hand her baby over to a furious circus guerilla. Good times, I guess at that moment the bike was more enticing than the gun.

 

Thanks all for the great info. Once again this forum is about as good as they get. I'll update if and what I get for it with a pic.

 

Just ran across this ONE last night. Might be worth watching to see where it ends up....

[CaseyJ955]

Just ran across this ONE last night. Might be worth watching to see where it ends up....

 

Seller was asking my son about the grips, apparently the grip is important for some reason. the Blued finish is a plus I'm told. I'm also told the older versions are worth more. I think the buyer was throwing out numbers when he should have been throwing out questions.

 

From what I've seen through the links posted here is that maybe it's worth $1500-2500 optimistically and to the right buyer, if not even less than that. I think if someone just had to have this particular gun they would have to overpay a bit. I'm hoping to drop this off in town late tonight and see what happens. I would rather show it out here, I have a range on the property and a potential buyer could pop a few off. I believe this piece would sell itself if a buyer could handle and fire it.

 

When I go to town next week I'll be happy to pick up a pile of cash or the gun. Either way I'll be happy.

 

I'll check this link when I get to town later, it wont come up on my PC and I have no cell coverage here at home. I'm anxious to see it though.

You are quite helpful good sir. Thank you!