Should I buy a Detonics Combat Master for $1250?

[alabamacoastie]

An older friend of mine approached me today and told me that he has fallen on hard times and needs money for some personal issues. He offered to sell me a stainless steel Detonics Combat Master in .45 acp in excellent condition. I don't know much about it and I haven't even seen it yet. He just told me that it was made in the 70s and it's stainless steel. And he said he'd sell it to me for $1250.00

I looked online and 1250 seems a tad high to me (even for an off roster collector's item in California). Also, next month I'm permanently moving to North Carolina. Online, similar Detonics are selling for about 800 dollars on the east coast, in free states.

I want to help my buddy, but I also don't want to get caught up in a bad investment.

I realize that these are collectors items, so I wouldn't even shoot it. I'd just put it in the safe for years while the value grows.

I've lived in California for ten years so I realize that there is a big difference in California gun prices and gun prices in free states.

My question is: Will this thing ever be worth more than $1250 (on the east coast)?

Thanks everyone!

[unusedusername]

Buying a collectable with the hope that is value will increase is gambling. Nobody can tell ahead of time which items go up in value and which other ones don't.

That being said, guns generally appreciate at about the same rate as inflation.

[357manny]

Yeesh. Stuck between friendship and losing money. If you buy it for 1250, it's better than loaning him some money and not getting it back. That being said, the markup is 50% overvalued, which is pretty hard pill to swallow, unless it was like a colt python or something. Would depend on lots of factors--do you still want to be his friend? Heh. Good luck with your choice.

[M1NM]

I paid $150 for my early Seattle blued one. Of course that was a few years ago. It was still like new when I traded it last year for cash & guns totaling about $1300.
As far as value it depends greatly on where and when made. The early blue being highest. If you really want one I'd wait till you moved.

[AreWeFree]

Tell him to post it in the marketplace here. He will get fair market value for it, since it's uncommon it should sell quick and everyone will be happy.

[I Swan]

Depends on which exact type of Combat Master some are worth this much oe much more. If a standard common one price is a bit high. Depends how good a friend he is too.

[dfletcher]

I paid $150 for my early Seattle blued one. Of course that was a few years ago. It was still like new when I traded it last year for cash & guns totaling about $1300.

As far as value it depends greatly on where and when made. The early blue being highest. If you really want one I'd wait till you moved.

I have an about 1978 made blued CombatMaster MK I that I paid that amount for too about 40 years ago, bought back when they used cut down Colt NM barrels and a bull barreled type sleeve over the end. It's the most reliable semi pistol I own, I used to use 265 grain SWC bullets designed for a 45 Colt in it. I also have a CombatMaster MK VI new in box with all the factory paperwork, factory mags, etc. Paid about $800.00 for it in CA about 10 years back.

I think an excellent condition, no box MK VI in CA probably can get $1,200.00, but it would sit for a while waiting for the right buyer. Bay Area Gun Vault had one a while back for $1,000.00 and it didn't move all that fast.

The current Blue Book lists all the original CombatMasters together, doesn't break them down by differing models but allows a bit more $$$ based on variations. I know there are some scarcer types out there, but evidently only us "love my Detonics" types are swayed by such things. A MK VI stamped "The Professional" generally lists for much more, I believe there is a "no sights" model too.

I think you're going to wait a long time for the pistol to break $1,250.00 outside CA. Especially with no box, factory paperwork.

If he sells the thing on consignment he'll drop 20% to the store - at $1,250.00 that puts him down to $700.00 net. A "nice guy" price all around would be about $900.00, seems to me.

[alabamacoastie]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm going to go take a look at it and find out if it comes in the box or has the manual. I'll look to see if it has any special engraving like "professional" on it. I'll also try to take pics and get the serial number to try to find out what year it was made. I'll give an update tomorrow if I get any more info. Thanks again to everyone who has commented so far!

[Kingair001]

Here is one of mine

Good luck !

[Helixfury]

gorgeous!

[BigPimping]

No. Too much $$$$$

[onelonehorseman]

OP, if your objective is to help out your friend then perhaps buying is the right choice. But if your objective is to obtain a specific firearm you want, at a "right" price, then I would pass. You may be able to buy the same gun much cheaper after you move to a free state.

PS . . . if it really is a $800 gun and he's asking $1250, then I'd wonder about the friendship part. Maybe make a reasonable offer, after you see it, and see what he says.

Good luck.

[gunsmithcats]

Id just toss the friend 200 with no obilgations and let him know about posting on calguns. Hopefully hell repay the favor in the future. Loaning or borrowing from friends is always a bad idea.

[Lead Waster]

Offer him 900 for it. Or whatever the market value is. Neither of you is obligated to lose money for the other.

[onelonehorseman]

Id just toss the friend 200 with no obilgations and let him know about posting on calguns. Hopefully hell repay the favor in the future. Loaning or borrowing from friends is always a bad idea.

Amen to that!