Guns as Investments

[TLynnHughes]

A comment made on another long running thread got me thinking about this:

If you were going to purchase one gun as an investment to be sold at a later date, which gun would you choose and what makes it a good investment?

T.

[MadMonkey]

Personally?

Anything that isn't a (Bryco, Jennings, DI, Lorcin, Raven...). I don't know how much of a return you're expecting but buying cheap and selling high will get you some decent money.

If a gun is made by a reputable manufacturer and has been taken care of it's probably going to AT LEAST hold its value.

My own guess is that black guns will skyrocket in price over the next couple of years due to who is in office...

[AEA]

Colt Python. Specifically NIB of '70's vintage or earlier. Nothing in the 80's range as there were some problems during those times.

Preferably a 4" barrel in Electrolysis Nickel as the 4" ones are getting rarer and rarer. The EN is the most durable finish and the next best would be a newer model in Stainless Steel either bright or brushed, but these would not be as collectible or demand the higher price in the future. The Deep Blue Colt put on them is gorgeous and if you are not planning to shoot it, that would be my last choice and save it as a safe queen. Keep in mind that any pistol that has been shot is worth less than NIB.

Be careful though as there are a lot of guns that have been re-barreled and made to look like the original Python and sold for a lot more money than they are worth.

Additionally, there are a lot of fake Colt Boxes/Labels from China that peeps sell and other's pawn off with the pistol saying they are original when they are not. All in the effort to get top dollar for a pistol that does not deserve top dollar.

I am in the market for a collectible Python myself and I don't mind paying top dollar for the right gun. But it is hard to find one that does not have some sort of problem.

I have about decided that I will not buy one unless it already has the Colt letter of history/originality and correct box/label to go with it. It will be expensive, but it will increase in value where fakes/miss-matches will not.

[rm9792]

Probably my comment huh? I dont know of any gun you will get rich off of but I more meant they seem to hold their value. I have shopped around a lot and do find some great deals but in this economy if they at least hold their value i am thrilled. I have noticed that when a fresh load of surplus hits the shores you can get em cheap, eg: I got 2 SKS's for $109 5 years ago and they for in the 250-400 dollar range now. I bought a 1903a3, 2 garands and 2 M1 Carbines from CMP I could sell for well over what they charge. Problem with the surplus stuff is it is definitely a finite amount and drying up fast. Ar15's have dropped to Bush level pricing again and it might be smart to buy a few of those for the next Dem caused upsurge in prices. I am not into gouging but if some idiot is going to offer me $2k for a $800 dollar rifle then I aint saying No. (this happened several times between November 2008 and January 2009, guess why?) I did give them free 15 minute parking lot lessons (controls, safety, etc) though since most were yuppies with more money than sense that just had to have one of those AR thingies before the man they voted for banned them, ironic huh?

Now is a good time to start watching as right before and after xmas people need money and sell their stuff pretty cheap. I picked up several deals when the January credit card bill rolls in.

[AEA]

Greetings rm9792!

[rm9792]

How has things been going Allan? Any new toys?

[TLynnHughes]

Yes, rm9792, it was your comment. I'm not looking to buy one for an investment myself....at least not yet. But guns are like cars, as far as I can tell, some retain their value far better than others. I just wanted to hear what everyone had to say about what they valued in a gun or features that they thought might be valuable at a later date. I think the subject is kind of fascinating.

T.

[rm9792]

Any name brand quality gun should retain their value or go up a little, but the buyin is higher.

[joe817]

A comment made on another long running thread got me thinking about this:

If you were going to purchase one gun as an investment to be sold at a later date, which gun would you choose and what makes it a good investment? T.

1. Any pistol, shotgun or rifle in V.G - EXC. condition with proper U.S. Ordinance markings(proof marks, cartouche, etc). This includes government arsenal reworks by Rock Island Arsenal, Springfield Armory, Red River Arsenal, and San Antonio Arsenal. Those types of guns are collectors items, highly prized and sought after, no matter what they are.

2. Any Colt or S&W in V.G - EXC. condition that is over 25 years old, that comes with original paperwork and boxes. By virtue of their name they either already are, or WILL become highly valued collectors items in the future.

With all that said, when somebody starts treating a gun like an investment, they run the risk the gun will not appreciate as rapidly as they would like. As with any investment risks are always involved.

What makes a gun a good investment? One that is no longer produced and has not been in a long time. Also the better the condition the more desirable it is. Guns that had a short lived production run. Special commemoratives always appreciate in value, and are good investments. [as long as they are never fired]

I could go on for hours about this, as I've collected guns most of my life. I bought my first collector gun at age 14. I'm 62 now. So I've been at it for a while. But I'm rambling again.

Hope this helps a little bit. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have if you want to PM me.

[marksiwel]

Any name brand quality gun should retain their value or go up a little, but the buyin is higher.

Your Friends Smith and Wesson are pretty reliable for long term investment.
.22s 38s, 9mms and 45s will be around a long time

[drjoker]

Yes,

If you had bought stocks at the beginning of the Bush administration and sold them at the beginning of the Obama administration, you would make as LOSS.

I bought a Norinco MAK90 (Chinese AK47) at the beginning of the Bush administration and gave it to my Dad. I bought it for $350. He sold it to get a new concealed carry pistol. He sold it for $700. That's double your money!

I bought some hi cap magazines during Bush Sr's administration and sold them during the Clinton administration. The price I sold them for twice what I paid for them.

From my experience, guns are the best investments I've ever made. You can have fun shooting them, they will help defend your loved ones, and they may go up in value.

Have fun with guns,

[The Annoyed Man]

Yes,

If you had bought stocks at the beginning of the Bush administration and sold them at the beginning of the Obama administration, you would make as LOSS.

I bought a Norinco MAK90 (Chinese AK47) at the beginning of the Bush administration and gave it to my Dad. I bought it for $350. He sold it to get a new concealed carry pistol. He sold it for $700. That's double your money!

I bought some hi cap magazines during Bush Sr's administration and sold them during the Clinton administration. The price I sold them for twice what I paid for them.

From my experience, guns are the best investments I've ever made. You can have fun shooting them, they will help defend your loved ones, and they may go up in value.

Have fun with guns,

But those are exceptions, based entirely on the vagaries of politics. If an arch-conservative gets elected tomorrow, your hi-cap magazines are suddenly worth less than you paid for them. I have an ancient S&W break open action revolver sitting on my desk right now that a friend asked me to do some research on. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but my gut tells me based on its condition that it probably isn't worth that much more today than it was brand new — and it's at least a 100 years old.

I own a Model 29 revolver I bought in 1996 that is worth twice what I paid for it today, and that has nothing to do with day to day politics. OTH, I own a USP Compact which is not worth as much as I paid for it 3 years ago. Both are high quality firearms made by reputable manufacturers. One is a classic; the other is not. Assuming good condition, classic is what determines the long term investment value of a firearm over the long haul. Even then, there are other factors that come into play, such as whether or not the gun was originally manufactured in large or small numbers, the original popularity of the item, whether or not it is historically significant, etc., etc. Remington 700s are classic rifles, but it is doubtful that my 700 VSF will be worth twice what I paid for it 15 years after purchasing it. Ask anyone who bought a Kimber in the past 3 years if they can sell it today for more than they paid for it.

The best you can hope for with a firearm is that it will depreciate more slowly than other kinds of merchandise. Occasionally you'll be lucky and buy one that actually appreciates.

[gabe]

There have been some good comments about firearms as investments, especially the difference between short term and long term investments. Another thing is the value of older guns is highly dependent on condition, like with cars. On the other hand, if you're not trying to get rich quick, buy a good quality used firearm. It may not appreciate much but it will hold its value if well maintained.

[TheArmedFarmer]

I'll throw in another thought: ammunition makes a fine investment. At the very least, I would think it will hold its value just fine over the years. Of course, you have to buy when the price is low and reasonable, and we may yet see that happen again.

As with all investments, you make money when you buy, not when you sell.

[marksiwel]

Lets put it this way, the Gun I got from my grandfather was bought in 1993 for 900 bucks. The Car he bought in 1993 for 9,000 Dollars is worth less than 900 and the gun has stayed the same or gun up in value.
Unless you are buying Hi-Value super collectibles, regular guns can be seen as OKAY investments as in, they are small (don't take much space) don't take alot of money in invesment, are fun, and dont take much as far as upkeep goes.
Really I look at is as, one day my LCD TV will fail me and will be worthless, one day this computer will be worthless (too old, too slow), but my gun should be useable 10 years from now, and who knows maybe a 100 years from now.
Anyone know how long a Glock is supposed to last btw? I could see them lasting a LOOOONG time if kept clean, even longer than a non-Plastic gun