Pawn Shop Circuit: 1911 Trouble
I went by Kenny's shop first today. Kenny did not have anything new in stock, at least not in firearms. He did have several new guitars and a mandolin hanging behind the counter. I explained to Kenny again why I wasn't really interested in his Rossi Model 68, but I think he's just humoring me. I don't think he really gets it.
I had a bit of jingle in my pockets and I could not stand it any longer, so I drove over to Neil's pawn shop.
I had placed my second nickel Commander on lay away at Neil's in November, and I have been slowly hacking away at the cost. I only owed $120 on it, so I decided to go ahead and bring it home. Eventhough I detest the wrap around rubber Pachmayr grips, I'm not going to alter this pistol. It is pristine, complete with the electroless nickel magazine. Perhaps I'm crazy, but it makes a nice counterpoint to the first nickel Commander I horse traded for earlier this year. At any rate, it is a safe buy at $475. The soft glow of electroless nickel is not really a popular finish. I will likely have the modified nickel Commander refinished in hard chrome when it is completed. I've thought about Robar's NP3 as well. This Commander, though, will stay original.
I was feeling satisfied with myself, so I decided to cruise on over to Dave's shop and see what he had out. When I walked in, I knew I was in trouble. There was a red tag hanging from the trigger guard of the SW1911PD. I asked to see it. Dave took it out of the case and I turned the tag over to reveal a $649 price tag. The pistol didn't have a mark on it. I asked to field strip it. Dave said OK. I struggled a bit due to the full length guide rod, and I muttered under my breath "I wish I had a bushing wrench..." At that point, Dave produced a blue S&W box with all the papers, an extra magazine, and a S&W plastic bushing wrench. That was just too much to bear. I had $180 burning in my wallet, so I took it out and asked Dave to put the whole package on lay away for me. Dave did some quick calculations and came up with $79/month for six months. That's pretty painless, I thought. Dave boxed up the gun, and as he took it through the doors to the safe, I noticed a couple of N frame sized revolvers hanging in hock.........
I had a bit of jingle in my pockets and I could not stand it any longer, so I drove over to Neil's pawn shop.
I had placed my second nickel Commander on lay away at Neil's in November, and I have been slowly hacking away at the cost. I only owed $120 on it, so I decided to go ahead and bring it home. Eventhough I detest the wrap around rubber Pachmayr grips, I'm not going to alter this pistol. It is pristine, complete with the electroless nickel magazine. Perhaps I'm crazy, but it makes a nice counterpoint to the first nickel Commander I horse traded for earlier this year. At any rate, it is a safe buy at $475. The soft glow of electroless nickel is not really a popular finish. I will likely have the modified nickel Commander refinished in hard chrome when it is completed. I've thought about Robar's NP3 as well. This Commander, though, will stay original.I was feeling satisfied with myself, so I decided to cruise on over to Dave's shop and see what he had out. When I walked in, I knew I was in trouble. There was a red tag hanging from the trigger guard of the SW1911PD. I asked to see it. Dave took it out of the case and I turned the tag over to reveal a $649 price tag. The pistol didn't have a mark on it. I asked to field strip it. Dave said OK. I struggled a bit due to the full length guide rod, and I muttered under my breath "I wish I had a bushing wrench..." At that point, Dave produced a blue S&W box with all the papers, an extra magazine, and a S&W plastic bushing wrench. That was just too much to bear. I had $180 burning in my wallet, so I took it out and asked Dave to put the whole package on lay away for me. Dave did some quick calculations and came up with $79/month for six months. That's pretty painless, I thought. Dave boxed up the gun, and as he took it through the doors to the safe, I noticed a couple of N frame sized revolvers hanging in hock.........
Labels: 1911's, Pawn Shop Circuit
posted by Xavier at 5:48 PM
7 Comments:
Someday I'm gonna drive to LA just to visit some of these pawn shops - there's no one in my area even remotely as good.
Just picked up a SW 1911 myself from a pal who won it off a prize table earlier this year. NIB, never fired, $625 - stainless.
Can't wait to put some rounds through it.
Roger.45
I commented in your previous S&W PD post and thought the first price was fair. It really pays to be a regular customer as you are.
In my neck-of-the-woods, Metairie/ Covington, La., pawn shops are filled with junk that is priced beyond 100% Blue Book values. Few are willing to negotiate. North LA is a long drive for me... I am thinking about it (not really).
I swear, it is as if you make child support payments...
Just wondered what you had against the wrap-arounds? I've considered them for my 1911 in the past.
I just don't like the feel, mushy. different strokes ya know...
You are soooooo in trouble when those wheelguns come out of hock...
Good joss, Taipan!
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