Used Gun Priced Too High ... Negotiate? Move On?

**Misery Loves Shotguns** · January 26th, 2019, 09:21 PM

John Brown Armory in Rochester has a Remington 870 from the 60s that looks like absolute shit and they want $240 for it. On the plus side, it comes from a time when the 870 was still a fine shotgun and the action feels very nice but you can't imagine how bad this damn thing looks unless you see it. Should I just ask how firm they are on the price or not bother and look elsewhere? I'd probably offer to buy it for $200 cash OTD and if they say no, move on. I want to blast and blue it, cut it down to 19", make a flush 7+1 magazine extension and have my gunsmith drill and tap so I can put a red dot on it.

**Krichardson** · January 26th, 2019, 09:27 PM

I would have asked about the pricing while I was there....or did you view online photos or something?

**McSull** · January 26th, 2019, 09:32 PM

I'd just wait for a reasonably priced 870 to pop up on the classifieds here.

**raxar** · January 26th, 2019, 09:41 PM

I wouldn't pay that much if its in the condition you describe.

Bigger picture though I would say this is a good example of why it pays to make friends with your local gunshops (if they aren't assholes). A little conversation, dropping off food (once you're on good enough terms with them) and generally being enjoyable to have in the shop goes a long way to getting good deals.

**gghbi** · January 26th, 2019, 09:54 PM

Do the offer you said. If they say no, there are lottsa 870s out there. At least a couple in the classifieds recently.

**abner13** · January 26th, 2019, 10:05 PM

Same reason 40-50yr old pick-up trucks are demanding almost as much as new ones. They're simple , strong , last forever and they don't make 'em like that no more

**BRS** · January 26th, 2019, 10:08 PM

Based on personal experience at JBA, pigs will fly before Tim Brown cuts a price. He will adopt his version of a Jack Nicholson stare and very politely tell you that’s a very good price for that shotgun, and if you think it’s too much there are other shotguns in other gun shops. Tom on the other hand just might work with you if Tim’s not there.

**Gun** · January 26th, 2019, 10:09 PM

Why waste your time?

**Misery Loves Shotguns** · January 26th, 2019, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gun

Why waste your time?

Simply put, I want the gun because it's a perfect candidate for restoration. I had such a good time taking my dad's ugly glossy blue Maverick 88, blasting it and bluing it matte black that I want to do it with an 870. I'd get a Maverick 88 of my own but they don't offer a left hand safety conversion. I already have a 500 and 590 but I want a shotgun I can put a collapsible pistol grip on.

**Jhaydeno** · January 27th, 2019, 08:48 AM

There was a used rifle I liked on GB, out in the Midwest, that was overpriced. It went 2 or three auctions with no takers. With a few hours to go on the current auction I did a little digging and found the shops number. I called the owner and said I would buy it now if he would drop the price to $x. A few clicks of the keyboard later and I owned a very nice Savage rifle for my offered price!

You will never know what you might have had unless you ask!