Customer Reviews

Blue Book of Gun Values

5 star:		(173)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book covers an extensive array of firearms and prices for varying conditions. It is an excellent reference. All it needs is photos of the firearm described. There are small variances in many, particularly the Winchesters, that may make them difficult to identify without a photo.

The Blue Book is the "bible" for those who deal in used firearms.
Whether buying or selling, this is the place to start when setting a price to buy, sell, or bargain with respect to a particular gun. It is comprehensive and user friendly for those who do not engage in this area very often, but it can be well worth the price in terms of over- or underpricing of firearms for sell or purchase. As an added bonus, this edition honors a true American hero on the cover and inside with an interview of Joe Foss, WWII ace and Medal of Honor recipient. I highly recommend it to all dealers, collectors, and other interested persons!

We, in the Customer Service department for Browning and Winchester, have the most updated copy of the Blue Book of Gun Values at our fingertips. We are always being asked about the year of manufacture and whether we have any other pertinent information on a particular Browning or Winchester gun. The Blue Book allows us to have access to the most recent information available, and we help our customers on the spot. We would not be as efficient if it were not for the Blue Book. We highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in firearms.
Browning/Winchester Customer Service Manager- Jackie Love and Historian-Glen Jensen

I deal with guns on a daily basis and I refer to this book several times a day. Most of the values listed in the book seem to correspond with the market. However, U.S. military firearms and some of the Colt pistols are listed too low. For collecting purposes the descriptions are too vague. I refer to the many auction sights and specialty dealers on line that list these types of weapons for sale. Some of these dealers are are highly reputable and published authors on US martial weapons.These types of firearms increase in value quickly as the interest in U.S.military history grows. This book does not reflect the rapid increase in value that these guns have made in the past few years. Overall this book is very useful, but when researching the value of a specific military weapon, consult the internet or buy a book.

When I need to know Manufacture dates and model differences and values I rely on this guide. Covers rare/common and hard to price American and European models. Has a cross Reference for makers and serial # made on dates. Shows the listing of model variations/dates/serial # runs in a series of gun. All one needs is the Gun in hand or complete list of features to determine Model/Type & Era. Each listing has the wording on the barrel of each model it covers to determine the type. No guide can be complete end of story. This gude takes you where you need to be to determine Type and value.

Just received my 26th Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values. I use this book to evaluate guns that I am interested in adding to my collection. I am active in several gun collecting societies, and attend many gun shows during the year, but I find it is impossible to stay current on pricing in all the different aspects of what I have interest in acquiring. I have learned over several years of relying on this book as a guide for pricing that it is the most accurate reference available to the collector and dealer. The information is presented in a logical, understandable, and useable format. I have found the pricing to be realistic and up-to-date, and most dealers and collectors will agree on the pricing as a base line in negotiating whether buying, selling, or trading.

Also, I also do some appraisal work for a local company in estate valuation. When thay have gun collections large or small that need appraising, I typically utilize the newest Blue Book of Gun Values as the reference and starting point. The formal pricing presented, whether for insurance or estate valuation, has never been challenged. I highly recommend this publication to all dealers, collectors, and appraisers.

Bill K
Minneapolis,MN

The BlueBook of Gun Values is a yearly publication that I have purchased since the 1980's. In the early years of the publication, each new edition had updates of gun values that were pretty close to 'real-time' commercial prices. In the more recent years, the book does not do as good a job of keeping up with these values. Today the concentration seems to be more on adding new information about guns that were not previously in the book or about developmental history of various guns.

All such information is of value to the collector, but most retailers and collectors have classically used the BlueBook as a 'bible' for pricing their items. The BlueBook, by not keeping up with price changes, has lost much of its value as a pricing guide.

In the early days of the BlueBook, collectors and dealers could not wait for the new edition to come out. Today there is much complaining by these same people that "This year's book looks about the same as last year's book."

I should have bought one of these (earlier edition) years ago. Now when I sell a firearm and someone says that is too much I can show them the price range. I also use these figures to calculate how much to insure the firearms for and the Insurance Agent checks it also. I will use it at the next gun show and hope it will save me some money from greedy sales-people.

I am really impressed with the book and every dealer at a gun show has the Blue Book Of Gun Values

The blue book of gun values is the best publication of it's type. However, it's not perfect. The biggest problem is that many prices in the book simply don't reflect the going rate. This is mainly true for models recently discontinued ~ in the last 2-3 years (for example HK P7 series are WAY off of actual street price) as well as any "assault weapons" that seem to change rates on every rumor of new litigation. So, while it is a good resource, you end up double checking online sites like AuctionArms and Gunbroker to determine price anyway. Also, many gunstores seem to refer to this publivation when buying, but it's strangly absent in their arguments as to why their used stock is priced so high.... That said, it IS the best of what's out in the printed world, so it gets 4 stars in my book.