For those who don't know, the Smith Model 25 is more or less the Model 29 but in .45 Colt caliber. Otherwise, it's basically same gun.

I've been looking for one for a quite a while now, but the least I've seen one for is like $750. Now, I don't object to the market -- that would be like objecting to gravity -- but the good folks at the Blue Book say that a 25 in just average condition is only in the neighborhood of $350.

It's been a few weeks since I looked at the book, but that number is not that far off, I beleieve. So -- what gives? Anybody got any ideas?

I've often wondered where the Blue Book-type prices come from. Does somebody *actually* go out and survey gun shops, Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, Auction Arms, etc and find out what all those guns are selling for? Or is much of it what some BS gun writer thinks they should go for based on what he bought a used gun 25 years ago at some pawn shop?

I sometimes think book prices more closely represent some kind of wholesale price you might expect to get from a dealer if you were selling them your gun, and not a price you might expect to PAY for a gun in that condition from a retail source.

I also don't think they track trends in gun prices all that well; the price for S&W 610s has gone nuts -- some are going for over $1000 and sold NIB for $500 a few short years ago. There's a 610 5" right now at $950 (buy it now was $1250!) and I think blued N frames are spiking in price as well.

The internet has made it easier to be a gun collector as well, making collectable guns more sought after and with the auction method of selling, pushing prices for specific guns higher.

I also think the quality scale is often too broad to practically deal with. I'd call it NIB, Good or Bettter, Fair to Poor and DNF (do not fire). I think this better encompses the reality of most guns' condition.

I do agree with your condition scale. It seems more realistic. "NIB, Good or Bettter, Fair to Poor and DNF (do not fire). " yes. I like that.

As to where the Blue Book gets its prices, I think they do a lot of research, although where, how, to what extent -- that I do not know. I didn't mean to slight the Blue Book people, because I do think they work hard for their dollar. My guess is that sale prices are reported somewhere, and they go by that.

Most dealers at gun shows keep a copy out of sight somewhere and check it, at least when buying.

If you're looking for a good buying guide with realistic graduations (and pictures!), I suggest Ned Schwing's Standard Catalog of Firearms. Available from Amazon or directly from Krause Publications

http://www.collect.com/product.asp?cata ... %5Fid=GG16

heh heh heh. He said schwing. SCHWING!

www.Addall.com has a seller (buy.com) delivering this book for about $22.50 including shipping.