A Blue Book is worthless!
It is as counterfeit as a three dollar bill.
It would have told Ironman5 to run back to his gun shop with the money. That's a damn sight better than almost having it picked off by internet snipers. I keep a Blue Book and a Standard Catalog of Firearms in my truck at all times because I never know when a deal may pop up. They ain't perfect but they are a whole lot better than being totally blind. It certainly helps to frequent gun shows and keep abreast of the market but I sure can't keep track of pricing of thousands of makes and grades.
I understand that there are way too many factors and variables for any pricing guide to be 100% accurate. Buyers and sellers evaluate condition differently. Some sellers are looking for a quick sale while others hold out for a buyer with more money than brains. There are regional and seasonal differences. Demand can suddenly jump if a gun is depicted in a movie, book, or magazine article. Just the possibility of a certain Kenyan becoming the occupant of the White House made whole classes of guns skyrocket in value.
If anyone knows of a better way to appraise guns whether buying or selling, I'm listening.
