How much does an idiot mark reduce value.

Climbhard · 10-10-2012, 11:21

So if you're considering the purchase of a blue Les Baer and its what you're looking for in other ways but it has an idiot mark, how much $$ would you reduce or take of the resale value?

wrx04 · 10-10-2012, 12:07

None, IMO. If you are looking for a great gun to shoot, buy it. If you want something pretty, find one without the mark or buy new.

As long as the gun was taken care of and not abused, i dont see it as a problem at all. If you shoot/carry the gun, it will get banged up a little. Gives it character. Buy it and dont look back....great pistols.

R0CKETMAN · 10-10-2012, 17:17

Depends on the buyer. For me if I'm not re-finishing I would pass on all with an idiot mark.

Drilled · 10-10-2012, 17:21

You talking major idiot mark like a gouge?

Rounds through the gun?

How many owners?

Les makes a great gun.

Was it a carry gun?

***faawrenchbndr*** · 10-10-2012, 17:28

Idiot marks on a blued pistol will lower the price I am willing to
pay by around $300 about $150 on a stainless pistol.

TxGun · 10-10-2012, 17:40

It's definitely going to lower the value to me. How much depends on a few variables. And, like wrench said, more on a blued gun, less on stainless. I may be a little more forgiving, so I'm going to say my low-high parameters are $50 on stainless if I think I can polish it out myself...about $150 on a blued gun if I think I'm going to have to have the frame refinished. If it's gouged enough, I'm walking away. Also, an idiot may have done something else to the gun of which the scratch is only the most obvious indication, so give it a close look. That said, a Baer is a Baer and if the price is reasonable for overall condition, you have to give it a lot of consideration.

GVFlyer · 10-10-2012, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by R0CKETMAN

Depends on the buyer. For me if I'm not re-finishing I would pass on all with an idiot mark.

That's me as well.

3rdgen40 · 10-10-2012, 18:16

A 1911 with an "idiot scratch" makes me wonder if the internals have been jacked with by someone that can't put the slide stop back in without gouging the frame.

wrx04 · 10-10-2012, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

A 1911 with an "idiot scratch" makes me wonder if the internals have been jacked with by someone that can't put the slide stop back in without gouging the frame.

I agree, however, i will say Baers bluing scratches easily and the guns are usually fit very tight. It doesnt necessarily take a hackjob to put an idiot scratch on one.

Personally, i prefer to buy new guns so i dont have to deal with problems that the previous owner caused. The original owner may have had an "oops" moment, or he couldve totally f'ed up the internals. My money is on the former in this instance, but that is the risk you take.

My opinion: Buy a new one exactly how you want it. It probably isnt that much more than a used one if you have the right source, and it guarantees someone hasnt messed up the internals.

3rdgen40 · 10-10-2012, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx04

I agree, however, i will say Baers bluing scratches easily and the guns are usually fit very tight. It doesnt necessarily take a hackjob to put an idiot scratch on one.

I don't care how tight the gun is or how easy the blueing scratches.If you put an idiot scratch on it, you're a hack.When done correctly there is no reason to drag the slide stop on the frame to install it.

wrx04 · 10-10-2012, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

I don't care how tight the gun is or how easy the blueing scratches.If you put an idiot scratch on it, you're a hack.When done correctly there is no reason to drag the slide stop on the frame to install it.

Disagree.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 10-11-2012, 02:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

I don't care how tight the gun is or how easy the blueing scratches.If you put an idiot scratch on it, you're a hack.When done correctly there is no reason to drag the slide stop on the frame to install it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx04

Disagree.

I disagree with the disagreement.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 10-11-2012, 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

I don't care how tight the gun is or how easy the blueing scratches.If you put an idiot scratch on it, you're a hack.When done correctly there is no reason to drag the slide stop on the frame to install it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx04

Disagree.

Does YOUR'S have an idiot mark?

Nakanokalronin · 10-11-2012, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

A 1911 with an "idiot scratch" makes me wonder if the internals have been jacked with by someone that can't put the slide stop back in without gouging the frame.

This is exactly my first thought whenever I see a used 1911 with an idiot mark.

F_G · 10-12-2012, 05:52

If it's just a scratch and gonna' be a shooter......none. If it's a gouge, I'm going to consider passing on that particular specimen. I don't own any safe queens and have 6 1911's of various sizes and manufacturer. 3 have slide stop scratches (not quite the elitist to call a poor soul an idiot for one possible oops moment) 1 was put there by me in an oops moment. So, what do you perfectionists do with holster wear? Commit suicide?

And to the genius that made the statement that the gun has been handled by a hack if it has an idiot mark. Fortunately, I can actually take one apart, inspect it, and determine upon that inspection if the weapon has indeed been mishandled or abused.

Nakanokalronin · 10-12-2012, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by F_G

If it's just a scratch and gonna' be a shooter......none. If it's a gouge, I'm going to consider passing on that particular specimen. I don't own any safe queens and have 6 1911's of various sizes and manufacturer. 3 have slide stop scratches (not quite the elitist to call a poor soul an idiot for one possible oops moment) 1 was put there by me in an oops moment. So, what do you perfectionists do with holster wear? Commit suicide?

And to the genius that made the statement that the gun has been handled by a hack if it has an idiot mark. Fortunately, I can actually take one apart, inspect it, and determine upon that inspection if the weapon has indeed been mishandled or abused.

Not all shops will allow customers to tear down a gun in the store. My closest shop will allow cheaper guns to be field stripped if it's a simple operation but when it comes to the high end 1911s, they won't even let you dry fire them most of the time.

As for used, they'll let you shoot a mag for free at the range but tearing down any 1911 in the store, not at all. I can usually get away with it since I've been going there for over a decade now , but that's only with certain people that work there.

F_G · 10-12-2012, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nakanokalronin

Not all shops will allow customers to tear down a gun in the store. My closest shop will allow cheaper guns to be field stripped if it's a simple operation but when it comes to the high end 1911s, they won't even let you dry fire them most of the time.

As for used, they'll let you shoot a mag for free at the range but tearing down any 1911 in the store, not at all. I can usually get away with it since I've been going there for over a decade now , but that's only with certain people that work there.

Have them tear it down for inspection, heck I don't care who takes it apart as long as I can inspect the internals. If the shop declines they obviously don't want my business. Do you buy a car without popping the hood? If you do buy a weapon without looking at it you deserve what you get.

Wyoming · 10-23-2012, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgen40

A 1911 with an "idiot scratch" makes me wonder if the internals have been jacked with by someone that can't put the slide stop back in without gouging the frame.

I can tell you the the "idiot mark" cause by the improper reinstalling the slide stop does cost $100 off.

I have bought several 1911 with such a mark off of Gun Broker well below what the pistol would have brought.

On stainless steel I just buff it out and go on. However, when I was looking for a Smith & Wesson 945 there was one with the same idiot mark! I think it is still on Gun Broker. I later found one below the asking price without the idiot mark. I bought that one.

My point is that idiot marks on Kimbers and Springfield will cost you. Idiot marks on Les Baer, Wilson, Guncrafter and other premium 1911's will cost you sales. People that buy those expect the people that own premium know how not to screw them up. It is just easier to keep shopping and find one that was treated correctly. Buyers will pay for that.

bac1023 · 10-10-2012, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by R0CKETMAN

Depends on the buyer. For me if I'm not re-finishing I would pass on all with an idiot mark.

Unless its something that I couldn't find another of, I'd pass.

dakrat · 10-10-2012, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climbhard

So if you're considering the purchase of a blue Les Baer and its what you're looking for in other ways but it has an idiot mark, how much $$ would you reduce or take of the resale value?

as much as a new refinishing would cost. but only after a careful inspection of all internal parts. if he can't put the slide and frame together properly.... you know the rest

fnfalman · 10-10-2012, 19:33

Depends on how bad of a gouge. If it's just a surface scratch, I'll consider it typical wear & tear. More than that, I'd consider it as damage.

RetailNinja · 10-10-2012, 19:55

Since it's a Baer... I'd ask for $200 off to cover the cost of Bearcoat

PhotoFeller · 10-11-2012, 03:48

If I'm gonna pay $1500+ for a pistol to be a shooter or a showpiece, I won't accept a prominent scratch of any kind. If the gun is priced to reflect the damage, like $1,200 for an otherwise $1,500 pistol, I'll give it serious consideration.

I wouldn't fret over a scratch on a low end pistol, like a RIA, just because there isn't that much money in the deal. Still, a price reduction would be necessary. By the way, I like my RIA 1911 a lot.

Goldendog Redux · 10-11-2012, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climbhard

So if you're considering the purchase of a blue Les Baer and its what you're looking for in other ways but it has an idiot mark, how much $$ would you reduce or take of the resale value?

Depends on how much it costs. No one will get a premium price with an idiot mark. I would probably buy a gun with the mark but it would eat at my soul and embarrass me if someone checked out my gun.

MF

brianfede · 10-11-2012, 15:55

Just by the few replies on this topic you can see that probably half of the people won't buy a Baer with an infamous idiot scratch. That reduces the demand for the gun, hence the price if you needed to sell it. I personally prefer to be patient and look for good deals where I know if the SHTF I won't lose much money if I was forced to sell a firearm. With the holidays on the horizon and the market flooded with 1911's, I would be patient and wait for a ANIB Baer. It might take some time but patience will pay off. Just my 2 cents.

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