Help Me Understand the State of the Gun Market

[BiPolarBear 495]

I live close to the single retail location that sells the most guns in the USA (The Cabela's at Alliance, TX now rebranded as a Bass Pro Shop after their purchase. . At least they did the last time I checked. Anyway I also look at guns I have an interest in. In the past I thought the pistols and quite a few shotguns were reasonably priced. Now they seem to have gone way up. 

I dropped of my 1968 Remington 1100 12ga for an adjustment with a gunsmith he told me that pistols don't hold a lot of value and I could find some good guns at a reasonable price. I have not found them so far. 

I don't have a hunting lease or anybody to go with so the 1100 could be a trade-in. 

I was thinking of a snub-nosed .357 wheel gun. I had a Ruger 101 .357 with a 6" barrel in stainless and it was too much gun for me with a full house load. The recoil cut thru my new shooting glove and cut my hand in two shots. If I get another .357, I will be shooting range loads or 38+P. The reason I don't just get a 38 Special pistol is that I was advised that the lighter weight ones have a lot of kick, and a heavier .357would stay closer to on target between shots. 

I have never owned a semi-auto pistol, and don't want to start now. The gun I get will not be carried, just kept at close hand in my home. 

So have gun prices gone way up recently? Are used gun prices high or low?

I get it if I get teased for being a mouse gunner. If I did buy a semi-auto in would be a 9mm. 

BTW, I speak with the guy that runs the Gu=n Library there. He dated a Colt Six Shooter I had as a 1893 44/40 black power piece. That is the Colt single action Army that coined the name six-shooter. It  was stamped right on the barrel. Also, he told me they have a gun inventory there that is not open to the public. Guns starting around $30,000 for the extremely wealthy. Lots of Middle Eastern clients.

[Fireballer 2,677]

.357 can be a lot of gun. For short time, my service weapon was .357 Sig.  it was a lot of you didn’t hit the range often. One of my facorite CC guns is still a 1967 S&W Chiefs Speical .38.  I’ve never run +P through it because of age, I’m sure it would be fine though. Nothing wrong with a Glock 43 single stack…really good CC gun.  But yes, I haven’t bought a gun in over 5 years, but prices have gone nuts.

[BiPolarBear 495]

On 10/16/2025 at 12:24 PM, Fireballer said:

.357 can be a lot of gun. For short time, my service weapon was .357 Sig.  it was a lot of you didn’t hit the range often. One of my facorite CC guns is still a 1967 S&W Chiefs Speical .38.  I’ve never run +P through it because of age, I’m sure it would be fine though. Nothing wrong with a Glock 43 single stack…really good CC gun.  But yes, I haven’t bought a gun in over 5 years, but prices have gone nuts.

Thank you. 

I got $600 for my Remington 1100 and got a pre-owned Colt King Cobra .357 for $699.99. They were out of .357 target rounds, so I got 38 Special+P. The Colt is beautiful and came with the original Colt hard case and manual. 

[Fireballer 2,677]

1 hour ago, BiPolarBear said:

Thank you. 

I got $600 for my Remington 1100 and got a pre-owned Colt King Cobra .357 for $699.99. They were out of .357 target rounds, so I got 38 Special+P. The Colt is beautiful and came with the original Colt hard case and manual. 

Nice. I love old wheel guns.  How long is barrel?

[BiPolarBear 495]

24 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

Nice. I love old wheel guns.  How long is barrel?

It is a 3". The stock Colt grip was perfect for me. 

[Maximum Overkill 2,409]

2 hours ago, BiPolarBear said:

Colt King Cobra .357 for $699.99. They were out of .357 target rounds, so I got 38 Special+P. The Colt is beautiful and came with the original Colt hard case and manual. 

That's a fun gun, congrats. I'm jealous 

[BiPolarBear 495]

8 minutes ago, Maximum Overkill said:

That's a fun gun, congrats. I'm jealous 

Thank you. I am not a bad shot, but not nearly as good as some friends. This gun reminded me of a SW .38 (I think I mentioned) that I could use to make a beer can dance.