Handgun's value over time?

G

gollbladder13

Moderator
Hey all. As many of you know, I am a newbie in search of my first handgun. One thing I've noticed, both on this forum and others, is it seems people are trying to sell used guns for the same price as new... Does the value of the gun really stay the same even after 500, 1,000, 5,000+ rounds, or do some people just start at the original price and work their way down from there?

I'm not interested in "what my first gun should be" or anything like that, just wondering if I should keep shopping or just go out and buy a new one since a used one will cost just about as much.

Thanks.
 
GREAT question. Honestly, looking at what the prices in (TFL) forums have been since I arrived I would say to just get a NEW one. Good luck in your purchase. -Goodspeed
 
Like a car.....

Once you walk off the lot the price just dropped. A used gun is just that - used. You'll never really know how many rounds a used gun has through it even if it's in pristine condition.

Sometimes you can get a real good deal on a used gun - but that's mostly luck. I was fortunate to get one but that's another story.

If you have the money I would always go with a new gun.
 
With the possible exception of a snubbie, I can't see myself ever buying a new Smith & Wesson revolver. I really don't like them. A lot of people don't.

I also like the old Ruger Security/Service/Speed Sixes much better than the new Ruger revolvers.

There are PLENTY of lightly-used revolvers for sale. Older Smiths, Colts and Rugers are strong guns, and very few people will shoot them enough to wear them out.

When it comes to semi-autos, I've got no problem with new guns. :D
 
goll, if someone is asking the same amount for a used gun that you can still get new, something is wrong. They are asking too much, plain and simple.

I'm not big into revolvers, but I've gotten some decent deals on used autos.
Examples:
Used XD9, great shape, all equip (-lock)= $375 shipped.
Used Glock 21 .45ACP (3rd gen) Exc., all equip + Blackhawk Serpa holster= $420 shipped
Used Glock 22 .40 (3rd gen) Nite Sights, good+, 3hi-caps= $375 shipped
Used Ruger MKII Stainless Target (bull barrel), Exc, all equip (-man)= $310shipped

I don't think you can get any of the above NIB for what I paid. (you can't, right?) :)

Used is the way to go. If you can see it in person, that's the best. All of the ones above were purchased just by looking at pics. Get as many pics as you can.
What I do is this...
Go to the big stores like cabelas, gander mt, etc. and look at all the guns you might be interested in. Screw around with them (break them if you can :D), and find one you like. Go home, check GB and GunsAmerica. Nothin'? Post a wanted ad at TFL, and voila!! Works every time.... :D:D
 
At this moment, prices are high because a lot of guns are out of stock in a lot of places.

The more availibility the closer to reasonable you will find.
 
The long view

The way it appears to me is this:

You buy a gun for today's price, keep it for three months. Want to sell it? List it for the price you bought it for, because the price of new ones is rising rapidly.

And why is that? Supply and demand.

And why is demand so high, you might ask?

Need you really ask?
 
There are geographical variances in pricing that may attribute to the price disparities you are seeing. Also, it has been my experience that many people have a tendency to overvalue their belongings when it comes time to sell them.
 
Yeah, I'll admit, this might not be the best time to get the good deals. They are still out there if you look, though.
You have to be willing to wait a little bit. It's not easy, especially when you know what you want. I did that with the G21. I wanted one pretty bad, but I waited. And when I found the right one...... my girfriend bought it for me as a birthday present.

What did you decide on, anyway, goll? I can keep my eyes open for you.

BTW, the "investment" excuse is one I use on the fiancee all the time. "But honey, it's not a toy...it's an INVESTMENT."
I stopped trying to use the defense excuse a long time ago. She's just not buying it any more. But investing in our future.... now that's the ticket. I just refuse to sell any of them, so it's never a loss... ;)
 
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The price should not be the same. Its all relative to the wear on the gun, availabiltiy ect...One thing I have been seeing allot lately is people trying to make things that come with every new gun add on's one add I saw on this forum stands out. It went something like this:

Glock 19 in good condition and one mag plus I'll throw in the following extras:

1) lockable hard case with glock logo

1) One pistol lock

1) magazine loader

1) offical glock manual

$550 firm you pay shipping

Dont fall for the above nonsense....Keep an eye out, you can find some good deals on this forum.
 
Right now everyone is fearing the big BarackAttack, it happens everytime a Liberal is elected and not much has ever come of it to the regular guy. A lot of Democrats hunt & fish too.

With Feinstien, Hillary and the rest of the bunch in place it really is pretty scary BUT there are so many bigger fish to fry (international economy, national economy, infrastructure, two wars,.......) that it should be a while (years) before they get down to 2nd. Amendment level.

Obama didn't have a clue as to what he was getting into and now knows it all. I believe that he is an intelligent man and realizes what his failure could mean. If he's smart, he'll concentrate on the big issues first and worry about us (firearms owners) way down the line.
 
If you want a handgun that will hold value, look at Colt and Seecamp. There are probably a few other brands out there in the same boat (high demand, low to moderate supply, with a big, well-deserved cult following).
 
Thanks all for the help.

Yeah, I'll admit, this might not be the best time to get the good deals. They are still out there if you look, though.
You have to be willing to wait a little bit. It's not easy, especially when you know what you want. I did that with the G21. I wanted one pretty bad, but I waited. And when I found the right one...... my girfriend bought it for me as a birthday present.

What did you decide on, anyway, goll? I can keep my eyes open for you.

BTW, the "investment" excuse is one I use on the fiancee all the time. "But honey, it's not a toy...it's an INVESTMENT."
I stopped trying to use the defense excuse a long time ago. She's just not buying it any more. But investing in our future.... now that's the ticket. I just refuse to sell any of them, so it's never a loss...
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards a G22 (glock haters need not reply;)). Also want one pretty bad, but will probably have to wait until I get my tax refund.

My fiance is fine with the idea, but I doubt she'll go as far as buying it for me. Oh well, I'll probably be getting her a .22 or something sometime just so we can go to the range together... date night!

She knows it's an investment for me since I'm applying to LE depts in the area (part of the reason I'm going G22). Since I'm in WI, I can't CC and so standard size is no issue for me.
 
The guys that buy a nice gun-like a 1911, and then proceed to "enhance" it with all manner of unnecessary aftermarket parts and painted finishes will be in for a rude awakening when they try to sell the gun.
 
The resale value of all firearms depends on many factors. Some used guns are nearly worthless because the guns were bad to begin with. They do not improve with age! On the other hand, some guns that are no longer made have increased greatly in value just because they are hard to come by. A Ruger .44 Mag Carbine is an example. ( I always wanted one and ran across one recently but refused to spend the money they wanted for it.)

Some guns that are very popular have become really hard to find right now. I like CZ pistols but so many places are out of them. I found a used 75 P-01 the other day for a "fair" price and bought it used. Normally I only buy new guns but the P-01s have been very hard to find and this three year old one was being sold for almost $200 less than a new one....and no new ones were locally available. I was lucky that I could try it out as the shop was at a range and I ran over 50 rounds through it. Had I not trusted the seller and had I not been able to fire it, I might have just passed it up.

I have zero doubt that I couldn't turn around and sell this gun for what I paid for it, maybe even a few bucks more. Other people want this model too and they are just too hard to find.

I sold an AK I had for years for twice what it cost me. It was in perfect shape, well maintained and cared for. It had low use and was a well respected model that was only imported in limited numbers. ( A few thousand). Nearly impossible to find on the used market, but I let go of it as the buyer really wanted one and I really wasn't using it.

So, used guns can be a great buy if you are lucky, a fair buy if you are careful, and a disaster if you are unlucky and get a bad one.

If you are not knowledgeable about guns, stick with new ones unless you know and trust the seller.
 
Goll, our first real date was shooting guns. It's perfect because it's sentimental for both of us! :D

I think the G22 is a good choice (especially in your situation). They pop up for sale at decent prices pretty regularly. I bought mine from a LEO in Georgia, actually.
Don't mind the glock haters. They just don't understand.
They will eventually come around. They all do... :D

My glock 21 is my go to gun. I have a springfield 1911, and I really like it. However, my glock is just as reliable (no failures from either, and my glock has many more down the pipe), and it has much better capacity (14 vs 8).

I think it's great that you're looking for a .22 for your fiancee. She'll like that. My girl started on a 9mm, and she still likes it a lot. She loves the XD9. Last weekend, she got into shooting my .22 conversion for my G21. The grip is a little big for her, though.
 
4forever, I wanted a P-01 for quite a while a few years ago. Still want one, but it's seems like it keeps getting bumped down to 2 or 3 on the list due to price. One day, I'm gonna see "the one".

I agree that supply and demand, rarity, etc. can push prices, but some people are just out there. Maybe they are just "trying" to sell it to satisfy someone else??? :)
 
Personally, I don't see the point in buying a used gun within $100 of the price of a new one. If it's not NIB, then I don't know for sure what the previous owner did with the gun. The only time I would buy used for the price of a new gun would be if it's a gun that I can't get NIB for some reason and I really really wanted one.
 
I'm always glad to read somebodys post who is careful enough about his personal finances to want to get actual value for his money when he buys a gun. This country is in the terrible shape its in today because of people who can not (or just don't want to) make a distinction between their wants and their needs. Buying a new gun is like buying a new car. It starts depreciating the second you leave the showroom. Most people really don't shoot their guns a lot. Of course some do. But unless you're going to shoot thousands of rounds a year, my suggestion is to buy a "classic" (and I use that word loosely) used gun thats been fired maybe 50 times in 50 years and has spent most of its life in a desk drawer and is in excellent condition and is in the caliber you want. Also remember, "guns don't kill people; bullets do." So a used gun that does exactly the same thing a new one does is in a practical sense, just as good as a new one is. (If you're buying a semi-auto, that may not be true.) A good choice for quality, good selection of ammo, decent price, and potential for future appreciation would probably be something like an old 1965 Colt Official Police revolver in excellent condition. S&W classics are good guns too, and seem to be more easily found (and fixed) than old Colts. I strongly suggest you learn everything you can learn about the ballistics of the major types of ammo before you buy anything. I'd keep up with this forum for a while too if I were you before I bought anything. There are some wise old birds here who contribute their thoughts occasionally and you can learn most anything you want to about different guns and ammo here. But there is no substitute for personal experience. For Pete's sake go to a firing range, rent a gun and practice with one in the caliber and size you think you want before you ever buy one. (Because most people buy before they ever try a gun out, every gunshop in America probably has a "like new", used 357 magnum revolver for sale along with a box of 47 cartridges left over from the 50 rounds that the original purchaser bought.) Here's a final word of encouragement: Every used revolver I've ever bought has appreciated in value.
 
To directly answer your last question, If you know what you want go out and buy it. New if you can, used if you need to.

I have bought new and used over the years.

I buy new most of the time. Why? Because it is new, I know that I have not dropped it twelve times, shot it with out lube, used hot reloads in it, etc... And, usually the manufacturer stands behind their new product.

Used, If I am looking for a certain gun that is no longer made. If I find a used gun in great condition for a good price. As noted above there are some out there that have been sitting in a drawer with the first box of ammo minus 6 or so rounds. These deals can be found. Just need to not be in a rush and be actively and patiently looking for them.

As far as an investment: It is possible to make money buying and selling guns. I have over time, and know of others who do so far more aggressively than I. (However, if you count the cost of ammo and components/equipment over the years, the money that I have made does not begin to offset these costs.) But this is an entirely different way of looking at guns. And there are no guarantees. You can just as easily, maybe lots easier, lose money.

Bottom line, in my opinion, if you are going to put any number of rounds through a hand gun, whether factory or reloaded ammo, to the point that the gun is anywhere near wearing out, the gun is the smaller expense; with the possible exception of some .22s.

And yes, prices go up, so does inflation and the devaluation of the dollar from time to time. Spend your money wisely, and remember that no one is guaranteed that they will be here tomorrow. And if you don't like what you bought, no one telling you that you have to keep just that one; not yet as far as I know.
 
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