Back in the early 1990s, they were coming into the US by the boat load, either factory new or Russian armory refurbished. Not sure which they were. They looked factory new. I bought four of them for $100.00 each, and sold one to my brother for what I paid. Over the years, I sold two of mine (I think I got about $400.00 apiece for them in the early 2000s), and I kept the best of the three. My brother still has his.
I was thinking of selling the last one I have, and went online to see what folks are getting for them with all matching numbers, nice shape, and pristine bore, like mine. Bidding typically starts at $750.00 or more, and some are getting about a grand for them. What the heck??
Yeah I remember that dunhams had them in a locked display case for $100 and sometimes there were sales.
I'd ask, why are you locking THESE up, while you have expensive hunting rifles hanging on a peg board behind the counter? Never bought one but those were a deal!
Now I ask to see a sig pistol and they require a drivers license and they won't remove the big hunk if trigger lock so I can get a grip check the pull and ergonomics.
I told dunhams, tell your general manager that I can get a better deal online. The ONLY reason to go to your brick and mortar store is to check these details and for the service. I get neither.
Buy?...NO Buy....
Just.......Bye bye 🖐️👋
Quite content with what I have.
