Best sites to buy antique pistols from

atomicsauace

atomicsauace

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I'm a newbie at this so any help is appreciated.I would like to buy/import an antique pistol from the states.Can anyone direct me to some of the better/reputable dealers.Is it as simple as buying a gun and having them state on the box it is an antique along with an antique status declaration paper(canadian) and then picking it up at Canadian customs when it clears?Are there duties and/or taxes on antique guns?
 
I'm not looking to import with the intent to resell.I just want a cf pistol to shoot at the range once in a while.I am definately no expert on antiques but it seems to me that there are alot of antiques on the EE that look like they have been "well" used and have what I would consider very high prices.
 
check the EE here I've seen a few nice Webley's here. Milarm in Edmonton has some nice tuff and are very knowledgeable or Calgary Shooting center. Also try and find Bighornchris on this site he has a few very nice antiques for sale I bought a superb Webley WG Army model from him a while ago.
 
vviking said:
A quite decent Webley Mk1 in 455 sold for $775. on Gunbroker yesterday.
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In .455 caliber. Will probably cost you around $1,000 to $1,050 with taxes, exchange rate, money order and shipping. Just last month one of those sold on the EE for just a tad more, add $400 for a 45 ACP conversion and you are at the right Canadian price.

To the OP: Most gun sites DON'T accept international bidders, gunbroker is the most popular one but many don't ship outside the US and there seem to be some restrictions recently, especially when you are a newbie, there are some good dealers in the US, like Joe Salter for example. Yes, it ships directly to your door AFTER it clears customs but you have to be sure the gun is antique in Canada since about half to 2/3 of the guns which are antique in the US aren't in Canada. Taxes apply of course, lol.

Oh yes, I forgot - even buying from the most reputable seller/dealer in the US won't protect you from buying lemons. I bought a few guns and had to fix more than one, one even had a busted cylinder. Even if the seller agrees to take it back, you already paid shipping twice (money order and gun) plus taxes, so returning is often not an option.

Some on here have contacts in the US, so they have more options and are in general protected much better.

Buyers beware as usual.

There is a nice Belgian Webley RIC on the EE for $700 as I PM-ed you. That seems to be a very nice gun for the price. That one would sell in the US for $500 at least, add your cost and the risk. The 450 Adams is nothing more than a shortened 450 Webley casing with a slightly larger bullet, no problem to reload.
 
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If you have an idea as to price range and type of antique pistol, we may be able to direct you to one or two specific dealers.
 
Without hijacking this thread, I was wondering what were the best antique handguns to buy and why? (In everyone's opinion.) The criteria would be that it could be used regularly, with available ammo to buy or to reload. A gun that could fire available smokeless cartridges would be a big plus.

Sorry to the OP if you don't want to hear the answers but I'm hoping it might help with your decision.
 
Theres very few antique handguns that can shoot factory ammo as its loaded now.
So i would plan on buying reloading gear of some kind.
you need to know what presures your loads produce and if the gun your shooting can handle that.
As to the best big bore CF handguns id look at guns that can shoot theses ammos.
44 Russian
450 adams
455
dont forget most guns that are 476 cal can shoot 455 no problem.
45 schofield is a great caliber tho finding a gun that can shoot it can be hard to find.
45 acp is a great round there are antique webleys converted to it and there French 1873s converted to it as well as SAA Colts ect .
Some guys get away with shooting factory ammo in 45 Acp converted antiques but its not recomended it will shoot most guns loose over time.

So again reloading is something to think about if your getting into antique handguns. its so easy a cave man could do it so i dont know why some guys balk at it.
Cost is not even a factor as it saves you money in the long run and lee makes cheep good stuff to get you started.

You can buy cases and componets for the above stuff track the wolf has alot and there Canadians selling alot of stuff others can list there info i dont have it handy.

My favorite guns are webleys 455-- Remington 1875s-- SAA colts in 44 Russian / 44 special ==S&W DA and NM # 3s.
S&W Schofields.

Some guys like 41 long colt i used to but find getting the components can be a pain.
1873 French guns converted to 45 Acp are good starters at under $1500 for a good one there solid frame and strong.
I like SAA Colts and remys because there soilid frames are strong as i like to shoot custom reloads.

Books to start you off.... best book i ever read as i frist got into this was SIX GUNS by Elmer keith.
You can learn alot from him if your wanting to.

Below is a picture of SAA Colt converted to 44 sp that i have its about the best sAA colt i ever had and it shoots to point of aim there strong enough that they can shoot factory winchester cowboy ammo in 44 Sp
Its a very expensive gun took me years to find it has antique pearl grips to.


P1010045_28.jpg
 
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Smaller centerfire calibers allowed in Canada are 8 mm Lebel, 38 as long as it' s not 38 S&W (which most are) and 32 as long as it's not 32 S&W (which most are). All those cheap guns in 32 and 38 S&W are NOT available for the Canadian antique shooter.

That's the reason why antique handguns are fairly expensive up here.

If you want something cheap, you have to go with 32 rimfire (which is reloadable btw).
 
Dingus...that is an awesome gun you have there,it appears to be the older black powder frame with the screw to release the barrel pin. I would love to have an original 1873 SAA but a good one is multi thousands of dollars. I opted to go with a reproduction as I can afford it (can't afford to shoot it at >$1.00/round) but I am getting reloading equipment.
I bought a bullet mold (antique) to go with an antique Colt Pocket Pistol .31 cal. from Joe Salter in the States very fast delivery and I am pleased with the condition it is in.

Here is a picture that I took at the range a few weeks ago..from left to right:
Uberti 1851 Navy .36 cal
Uberti 1873 SAA .45 Colt
Ruger Single Six .22LR Old Model

New45ColtatrangeSept25005.jpg
 
Until the Angels Fall said:
How accurate can these old revolvers be?
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That SAA colt shoots 2.5 inch groups at 25 yds all the time right to point of aim.
It depends on the ammo to and the chamber throats matching the bores dia ect.

I have alot of Antique handguns that shoot great a Schofield that also shoots under 3 inch groups at 25 yds with trail boss reloads.

Accuracy is another reason to get into reloading. ;)
 
dingus said:
1873 French guns converted to 45 Acp are good starters at under $1500 for a good one there solid frame and strong.
Click to expand...

Was wondering about that. Heard of it before, but couldn't find any info on them. Can they handle full power ACP? They sure look like they could.
 
dingus said:
dont forget most guns that are 476 cal can shoot 455 no problem.
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What about .45 Long Colt in .455/.476 ?....:redface:

(The cartridge dimensions, not hotly-loaded ammo itself ! :eek: )

Oddbawl said:
Was wondering about that. Heard of it before, but couldn't find any info on them. Can they handle full power ACP? They sure look like they could.
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Jacketed bullets increase pressure....:yingyang:....which is why people like to reload with lead ("even" in those 1892 Lebel revolvers)....

And yes....so long as Lebel was in some way related to chairing the commitee to select the 1892 revolver, I'll still call it a Lebel !...:nest:
 
http://fulmersantiqueguns.com/index.asp
http://www.jjmilitaryantiques.com/catpage.asp?CategoryType=handus
http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/antiquehandguns.htm
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com
http://www.antiquegunlist.com/index.php?catid=29
http://www.merzantique.com/catalog_C0_38_1.php

I have a bunch in my Favorites but these are the ones I have used.
 
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