Are firearms a good investment???

[Libertarian01]

Anything that can save your life or the life of a loved one is a good investment......Quality firearms tend to hold their value...

In honor of Libertarian1

Regards,

Rick

First, thank you Sir. Most kind.

Regarding the quality firearms value, are we talking something like a Dan Wesson 1911 or something else? And do you mean that if you bought it for about $2,500 in 2016 it would be worth $2,500 + inflation in ten (10) years, OR would it be worth $2,500 + inflation + additional value?

Also, would that mean unused NIB or lightly used?

In Liberty,

Doug

 

[KJQ6945]

I'm gonna give my two cents here, and it will be contrary to a lot of the others who have posted.

To me, collecting guns is very similar to collecting old cars. You need three things for an old car to be worth big money. The same three things apply to guns. They are, old, (or at least out of production), rare, and most importantly, it has to be cool. Old, rare, and cool, equates to the price goes up. Rare and cool, are what really make the prices go up.

Let's test this theory. Pick your favorite muscle car era vehicle. Ford, Chevy, or Mopar, it doesn't matter. You had base models that they made by the millions. They were 2 door or 4 door, anemic, under powered grocery getters. Next you had basic muscle car models. Think SS, GTO, Roadrunner, etc. Lastly, there was an ultra rare, high horsepower version of just about every muscle car. Think, LS6, ZL1, Hemi, Boss, Cobra, etc. They are the same age as the grocery getters, but they are way more desirable, (cooler), and the rarest of the breed, and huge money today.

Guns aren't really different. Somebody mentioned CMP Garands above. Someday, the supply will dry up. They made millions of them, and there are several manufactures and variants. Some are rarer than others, and are already commanding premiums. The prices will continue to rise, until they find some forgotten cache, or allow them to be re imported again.
Glocks and S&W pistols were also mentioned. They aren't rare, they aren't very cool, and most are still in production. Glock did stop production on the compensated models, but I would be surprised if they ever went up in value beyond inflation.

So, what guns go up in value? This is where we all need a crystal ball.
Indiucky said "quality holds its value", and he's very right. You will never lose money buying quality, unless you choose to short sell it.

A couple of years ago HK discontinued the USC. It was introduced here in the states after the AWB, and was completely compliant. It had a goofy skelontonized stock, only accepted 10 round mags, no flash hider etc. It was a stupid looking gun designed to bypass the AWB. They never sold a lot of them, because they were just silly. America wanted the UMP, not the USC. You can convert a USC into a UMP, the parts are available. A couple years ago, you could buy a brand new USC for under a grand. Search for one now. The prices have shot up, and they are getting really hard to find. They are discontinued, rare, and you need one to make a cool UMP.


USC





UMP

 

[rob63]

+1 to pretty much everything previously said.

I will add this. I started collecting guns about 30 years ago. At the time I was really interested in obtaining guns from the American Civil War, but I just simply couldn't afford them. A decent rifle-musket typically sold for around $600. Consequently, I bought guns from World War II instead. They were also interesting to me and they were cheap, most rifles selling somewhere around $100. Fast forward 30 years. The typical Civil War rifle-musket sells for around $1200, so I could have doubled my money if I had bought what I wanted at the time. Instead, those WWII rifles that I bought go for 5-6 times what I paid. Some of them literally sell for 30 times what I paid, and I can't attribute it to anything other than dumb luck. (I ended up with a great Civil War collection by selling most of the WWII stuff a few years ago to fund it.) Obviously, if I had a time-machine I would go back and buy WWII rifles right? Well, actually, I would probably go back and buy the Michael Jordan Nike tennis shoes that I thought were ridiculously over-priced at the time. I would first go to Goodwill to buy Beanie Babies to take with me to sell for the crazy prices they sold for back then. Investing is so much easier in hind-sight.

 

[Leadeye]

Guns are an investment that you can enjoy.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Good investment? No.

Good investment in firearms=firearms training

 

[BogWalker]

The increase of the value of my firearms has outpaced inflation, but not as much as a good stock market investment.

If you really want to invest in guns, buy stock in firearms manufacturers. It has been rather easy to see when the next panic is coming, and every time a panic comes around stock prices go up. Day after Orlando stock had gone up. After Sandy Hook, went up. Obama elected a second time, went up. New AWB proposed, went up.

It will more than likely go up again when Hillary is confirmed as the Democratic candidate in the general election. If she wins the election, it will go up more. If Trump wins it will drop as gun owners' fears are allayed and panic buying drops.

 

[Thor]

Depending on how the future plays out Ballistic Wampum may be the best investment ever.

Then again they may just sit in the vault and slowly appreciate. The weapons I have bought in the past have gone up more than any other investment I've made...but then I've always been a buy high sell low guy in practice.

 

[KJQ6945]

Guns are an investment that you can enjoy.

This right here! You get to play with them, and still leave your kids something cool and pricey. Guns aren't a retirement plan.

 

[indydrew1]

Guns can be an OK investment. AR's hell no. Plus you are really hoping for a ban to get a return, do you want to hope for that? Even if there was a future ban, you really can't assume that it would be like the Clinton ban before. It might be FAR WORSE. It might be illegal to sell abated gun in a private transaction. This is unlikely, just as a ban is unlikely.

Even after a terrible shooting like Orlando selling high end AR's is hard as hell. Thats not going to change, people want to build there own gun, its easy and cheaper. The quickest AR's to sell are the cheap $400-$600 range. Anything above $1000 in an AR is going to take awhile in most situations. Why do you want your money tied up in something like that? That is unlikely to change anytime in the near future.

If you want a return, and don't want to go to the casino called Wall Street, then buy land. I can't afford to do that yet so I buy silver. Silver is far more rare then what its priced at when you compare it to gold. Gold should be at 10-15 X's what the price of silver is. Not 90 X's. Google how much silver we have lost above ground in the last 30 years, we keep mining it, and using it in electronics far faster then what we are getting it out of the ground.

 

[Sniper 79]

I have never lost money on any gun I have ever bought.

I consider firearms to be sound investments. Keep in mind you make your money when you buy them.

 

[ram77]

Well not really hop9ng for a ban however a scare like when Obama got re-elected could be profitable. I know my. Ar doubled in price two weeks after I purchased it. Would a monte smarter as an investment or safeguard of your money?

 

[KLB]

Well not really hop9ng for a ban however a scare like when Obama got re-elected could be profitable. I know my. Ar doubled in price two weeks after I purchased it. Would a monte smarter as an investment or safeguard of your money?

Just be careful not to run afoul of the ATF.

 

[ram77]

I probably wouldn't invest in anything high end unless It was a collectible I know would appreciate

 

[indiucky]

First, thank you Sir. Most kind.

Regarding the quality firearms value, are we talking something like a Dan Wesson 1911 or something else? And do you mean that if you bought it for about $2,500 in 2016 it would be worth $2,500 + inflation in ten (10) years, OR would it be worth $2,500 + inflation + additional value?

Also, would that mean unused NIB or lightly used?

In Liberty,

Doug

Good quality vintage Colt, Smith and Wesson and (some) Ruger revolvers, vintage (1920's to 1930's) semi auto handguns (Gangster depression era), WW2 weapons of all sorts...One example...Argentine Sistema Colt's Modelo 1927's were $350-$450 8-10 years ago...They are now (on gunbroker) going for $800-$1400 (depending on condition and markings)....Arentine and Swedish Mausers have been creeping up...Mosin 91/30's that were $100 5 years ago are now $230-$250...

There are certain factors that can predict a firearm increasing in value....

Romance- Does the weapon evoke a feeling of romance? Winchesters, Smith and Wessons, Colts, Mausers (Broomhandles, rifles, pocket pistols etc...) Garands, certain French firearms, Webley's etc....All evoke a bit of romance...Sometimes because of the history, sometimes because of their popularity in film, sometimes (in the case of C96's Broomhandles) because of their looks.....

History-Does the firearm bring back memories of an important time in history??? We often times don't appreciate history as it is being made or it just finished..There is usually a 30 year period before the romance sets in...In the 1960's M1 carbines could be purchased for $20 while a Remington 700 (or Ruger M77) could be purchased for $120..

Today the 700 or M77 is worth $400 while the carbine is worth $1000-$1500....Why??? One has history and romance while the other is just a tool...Albeit a well made beautiful tool but a tool never the less....

Popular film-Kirk has studied this more than I and looks at it mostly from the modern firearm popularity i.e the popularity of M&P's went up when a couple of action stars carried them in film.... (I am not mocking...I watch Spaghetti Westerns with a brass grip framed Italian Colt knock off in my hand because by golly that's what Sergio Leone armed his actors with...) After Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers US WW 2 weapons went up 20% in a couple of months...Kirk's right...It happens...


I often tell folks that a Mosin 91/30 would cost $600-$700 dollars to manufacture in the US today due to labor, machining, and raw material cost...Eventually the market catches up with weapon...It may take years but I predict Mosin's being $600 10 years from now...Why???? They ain't making them anymore and couldn't afford the labor to make them....One thing you can say about the Soviets...Labor was cheap.....

I enjoy your posts and your manners Doug...If you ever make it down to the river stop by for an ice cold REAL bottled Dr. Pepper....

 

[Keith_Indy]

Generally, I've only regarded them as an investment against future tyranny. Otherwise, you probably aren't going to make a lot of money from firearms.

 

[Leadeye]

Broomhandles,mmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[indiucky]

Broomhandles,mmmmmmmmmmm.

Oh my oh my...I believe I saw a red 9 in that mix....

"Bad a$$ hat? Check..."

"Hot Latin girlfriend to protect? Check"

"Awesome pistol? Check.."

The C 96 Mauser....For when Robert Duvall has REALLY pissed you off....

The ultimate multi tool....

 

[Thor]

That is a cool mod...much better than a bayonet for a pistol!

 

[ArcadiaGP]

I got a Colt 1911 100yr anniversary model a few years back.

What would you pay for it today? I'll compare that to what I bought it for and tell you if they're a good investment

 

[KittySlayer]

I got a Colt 1911 100yr anniversary model a few years back.

What would you pay for it today? I'll compare that to what I bought it for and tell you if they're a good investment

It's only an "investment" if you are willing to sell it, otherwise it is just a "collection". Buy low and sell high, if you won't sell you won't make a profit.