investment grade guns as an investment

[charles p]

I know I have purchased a lot of expensive jewelry during the 35 years I've been married, and gold and silver are no higher than they were 15 years ago.  Not sure about stones.  Silver was over $30 once and was $9 today.

Can you think of a quality shotgun or rifle that you could have bought in the 70's, 80's or 90's that would be a bad investment today?

Can't quite sell the wife on this theory.  Anybody got a wife that understands this type of economics?  She says I never sell guns even when I can make a profit.  Well, we just had our first grandson.  Got to plan for him!

[Bart Solo]

I have to agree that for the most part firearms built in the 70's and 80's are good investments. Sadly the plastic stock guns of today are not going to be as attractive to collectors.  They are purely utilitarian.

[grvj]

Some years back, I spoke to a gunshop owner specifically about firearm resale. I felt the time was ripe for firearms investment ... the short answer is that you will need to select your product (rifle, pistol, shotgun)your personality 'market' (how they buy, how much) and type of artistic level each category represents.

On shotguns, old world craftsmanship combined with real engraving will drive prices high as long as you are able to persuasively explain the history and features. A basic Churchill shotgun may fetch 2-3 grand in plain-jane finish then in the thousands if engraved. I sure you have seem 50k shotguns but do they sell, is there a buyer. An old Damascus side by side with proofed barrels is out there but who will want one.

Rifles seem a little easier as the year cutoff will determine worth. Pre-64 Winchesters are slowly climbing but may be not different than inflation. Buy a real Rigby with history and a few years from now it could bring in 20-25k. An original commercial Mauser can offer great value especially if the version is the right caliber.

At this same shop, 2 real Rigby' arrived, one in 7x57, and were displayed next to the original 7x57 Rigby Bell used in Africa (on loan from Rigby only!) The new 7x57 was $12k, the original nearly priceless - to gun history enthusiasts.

Pistols are their own animal though craftsmanship combined with vintage all have to meet and stars align.

The point is you will need to select the specialty you want and buy wisely. Invest the time to know what is of real value and what is a passing fad. I would suggest watching selling sites and understand what actually sells rather than what is listed.

With the economy the way it is, the next 6-9 months may be the best buying period ever. Good luck - tell us what ya get!

[Coyote Hunter]

No "investment" guns for me.  If I can't shoot them, I don't want them.

[Edited to add... 
That said, I have no problem with collectors or the guns they collect.  More power to them, in fact.
... end of edit]

[mechanic]

Many "normal" guns may well become an investment on a small scale.  I had a Remington nylon 66 as a kid.  Black and chrome.  Its now worth far more than my Dad paid.

My Dad died before the last assault weapons ban.  Just prior to that ban I sold several of his guns for my Mom for far more than he paid.  Same for a number of his other weapons.  (He had 80+) 

Today the M1 Garand he bought 40 years ago still looks new, and is worth far more than the $85.00 he paid.  I believe if you buy quality, you can use it, maintain it well, and still sell it for at least more than you paid down the road. 

I have to agree that for the most part firearms built in the 70's and 80's are good investments. Sadly the plastic stock guns of today are not going to be as attractive to collectors.  They are purely utilitarian.

Ditto the plastic stocks.

Ben

[john keyes]

I've got too much stuff now that I can't get rid of because I could never get my money back...tools, guns, reloading components, guitars, cars/trucks, so much junk.

the way I get my money back is through usage, special moments, good times while using all the above.

the most special gun I have is 99 in 300 savage and I prolly couldn't get seven or eight hundred bucks for it.  Its not drilled/tapped for mounts, so its not really useful considering what the cartridge can do (perform well beyond iron sights).  Stith mounts are ungawdly rare and expensive....so it just sits. It will put em in there at 100 yds though, but in low light/shade hunting forget about it.

[Bart Solo]

Mechanic,

I have had a Nylon 66 in Apache Black since I was a kid. It occupies a quiet corner of my gun safe. Your post prompted me to take a look at Gunbroker. I had no idea those things had become so valuable.  It is hell when you are so old your childhood acquisitions have become antiques.   

[Augustis]

 I think the smart money today may be in heavy rifles and its ammunition, with that I further suspect the 50 BMG will soon be on the endangered species list for the immediate general publics ownership. If these arms are banned a $2500.00 dollar investment may potentially be worth upwards of $10,000+ dollars within days after the Ban, within the next two years with a stroke of the president elects mighty pen.

My 2 cents anyway.

Aug ><>

[Bigeasy]

Just about anything with "Colt" or "Winchester" stamped on the barrel has gone up in price.

Years ago, a friend of mine started going out with a girl who owned a pawn shop.  People would bring in grandpa's 1886 Winchester, and ask how much.  She would show them a new, shiny model #94, about $250.00.  Tell em that old 1886 was a nice gun, and if she was going to make a profit, she could give em $150.00.  After all, new ones were $250.00....

That's how I got my Winchester #71 .348 for $150.00.  She and my buddy got into a pretty good fight a couple weeks later, and split up.  I showed up at the shop, and tried to give it my sympathetic best...Didn't work.  I was told not to let the door hit me in the A** on the way out....

Oh well.  Then to add insult to injury, I ended up selling that #71  when I was short cash..

Larry

[drdougrx]

I think they are good investments if you can part with them.  I just sold a ton of "safe queens".  You know, stuff in the back of your safe that you haven't touched in decades.  For me it was Colt Pythons, Lugers, P38s, baby browning, one a few custom HiPowers, several german made walthers, etc, etc.  Many I bought in the 1980's and made more than double or triple the purchase price.  When the assault ban was looming, I sold Colt ar-15 SP1 (pencil thin barrel and collapsible stock), shot like crap....I was truley amazed at what folks would pay for it...  So..yes. I think they do appreciate IF you buy them right.  Now I'm buying a few DPSM stripped lowers for about $125...I expect the AR Ban will come back under Obama.  I expect they will have some value at that point.

[Augustis]

Dr. Doug

I would tend to agree, ARs, heavy rifles, Hi Cap pistols and extra magazines for them could be the trend over the next few years if purchased now at moderate prices if someone is looking to make some money in the near future.

An example:

Hi Cap Sig P 229 mags during the Ban, $125.00 to the public, $35.00 for LE personal. If you own a Hi Cap weapon purchasing hardware like this now could significantly enhance the value of that weapon over the next few years if you decided you can part with it.

Aug ><>