Local gunsmith made a trade offer today by taking an old gun that my dad gave to me for a new compound bow that showed up at his shop a few days ago. The offer is for a

Brand new 2006 compound Diamond justice loaded with all the goodies, case, shafts, sites, release, etc.

and the gunsmith gets

Winchester model 1906 made in 1922, Standard model, 12 groove slide handle, long rifle .22, pretty fair condition.

The bluebook value of the gun seems to be around 500-600.00. From what I have researched the values seem to be an even swap. Need advice if this is a fair trade and take the bow or keep the Winchester? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It was a gift from your dad! Keep the gun, buy the bow.

Amen to that.

BMT

Sorry, I should have been more specific about the gun from my pops. There is no sentimental value that is with the gun. He pretty much said do what I want with it.

Bows don't hold their value like guns. The bow that was bought for 600 last year would be lucky to bring 300 today. The reason being is that that they reinvent them every year and last years model is old news. Keep the rifle. The bow will do nothing but go down in value.

they still make the bow....they don't make the gun anymore...

In a few years, the gun will be worth more. The bow with all the goodies will be worth $79.65. The gunsmith is no dummy.

Sentimental value or not, couldn't agree more with what's already been said.

Bows are holding their values for a couple years now, but within 3-4 years there only worth 15-20% of what they were new.

Thanks for all your input.

I agree with what's been posted already. Bows are like computers, what you buy this year will be "out of date" next year. Keep the gun, buy the bow (if you want it).

Good stickbows like Black Widows will hold resale values but compounds don't. In 5 years the gun will be worth more than it is now you would be lucky to get $100 for the bow.

I~ll give you 200 fresh new 3 dollar bills for it!!!!

Huntz, for the Bow? I think he only takes 2 dollar bills JK! Thanks for your response. Sounds like a no brainer from here. Keep the gun and wait for the bow. Thanks for all your input everybody. When it comes time to invest in a bow I will hit you guys up again.

If I were to buy a new bow, I think I'd be hitting the bargain caves at Cabelas or Bass Pro type places. Last years models at a fraction of the new prices.

If you want to buy a used bow, or even last year's model at a better price than the Cabelas/Bass Pro's of the world, go to www.archerytalk.com. You'll likely find that same 2006 Diamond for $300 or $400...

Keep the gun! Compound bows lose value faster than Madoff investments.

keep the gun but i'm curious that you say no sentimental value why is that????

+1 on archerytalk.com

Very easy to save a few hundred on last years models there. If your looking for a couple year old solo cam take a look at the Diamond Black Ice. In my opinion it's every bit as smooth as the switchback, weighs less and overall is a great bow for the money.

Try a longbow first--you can buy a book and build one of those.My father left me a winchester 22 pump 1909 or so.sure wish I had it now.

Bows depreciate (like Chryslers). Guns appreciate>

Yup, keeping the guns and going to have the gunsmith clean them all up. Will build my own gun case and keep adding to my collection. Thanks for everybodys input. Hey Bear on sentimental issue, my dad and I never went hunting together although he would go from time to time as I grew older. Not to say it never crossed is mind, I just guess that it could never work out. Anyways, he was just cleaning out his storage and I was at the right place at the right time.

If I paid that much for a bow, it had better hit like, well, a gun. Sorry bud, but personally, bows suck unless your Rambo.

When your Dad's gone (hopefully not for a long time), you'll want anything of his, even the simple stuff.

Forty years ago I traded a Win 101 O&U shotgun for a used Black Widow bow and would do it again today as I am still using the bow. If you like the deal then do it.

Your "gunsmith" would love that deal! He probably doesn't have much into the bow, and the dollar signs roll in his eyes when he sees your Winchester. Remember, the blue book is only a guide to gun value. The real value is whatever someone is willing to pay, and Winchester collectors pay handsomely to fill their collections. Your "gunsmith" is trying to make a fool out of you. There's your "advice" less candy coating and weasle words.

-

It's a family heirloom, also you may not be able to buy guns in the future, you will still be able to buy bows (even the ones with training wheels:)

pure sillyness to trade any heirloom firearm for a bow. Your gunsmith would like that deal for sure.

"Bows Suck" Generally spoken by people who do not have the skills to successfully archery hunt. If I had to give up my firearms or give up my bow, the guns would go first as at least for myself there's not greater thrill than a successful archery hunt.



Unfortunately 600.00 for a fully set-up bow isn't that bad anymore with manufactures charging 700-900.00 for just the bow, plus another 200-300.00 for accessories.

A compound will never hold it's value like a firearm, but they do hold their value for a few years. The original poster is making a wise choice in keeping his gun, but for anyone who says the next year a bow isn't worth anything look at feebay and what some of the 2-4 year old Mathews, PSE's, Bow-techs, etc. are going for.

+1... you can always get a bow... the gift is once.

Generally.

In my youth I was without an air rifle for a time. I shot birds, rabbits, raccoons, possums, deer, squirrels, frogs and even a watersnake swimming through the head. I hunted a lot with a bow and shot a lot with a bow. I carried one every day for about three years.

I shot two recurve bows and finally got a compound; hated the compound. All three bows were less than $100.

As I said, for me personally, I'll take iron over a contraption, and cannot see more value in any bow of any kind.

And I always liked guns better; no offense.

I love to handgun hunt, so I understand. Would be nice if gun hunters here had as much opportunity as the bowyers.

Guns hold their value, bows don't. Keep the rifle, buy the bow. Pass the rifle to your son, when appropriate.

Keep the gun

There is sentimental value. As you get older, you'll understand.

Besides, next year, that bow will be 1/2 of it's value, tops. The Winchester will only go up in value.

The Black Widow bow that i traded the shotgun for is easily worth two or three times as much as it was when I got it and five or six times more than I paid for the shotgun. On top of that I have used it for forty years and it has repaid me many times over in the pleasure of using it. this winter I gave it to my daughter and she shoots if well.

I am sure the value of the Win 101 has also gone up - probably more than the bow - but I have plenty of guns and never needed any more bow than that takedown Black Widow. I would do the trade again.