Handgun's value over time?
- Thread starter gollbladder13
- Start date
I have bought (and traded for) nearly all of my collection used - even though some were NIB and unfired. If you're patient and can resist the buy it today impulse - there are still deals out there. When I see an ad asking new price (or lately more than new), I just keep on going.
Some guns, like Colt 1911s or Dan Wesson CBOBs to name two, are going to hold their "new" value due to demand while many wont. What really makes me chuckle is the person that buys a $400 Rock Island 1911, hangs $400 of gadgets on it, and tries to sell it as an $800 "custom" gun. I have nothing against RIAs as I've owned a few and they're great guns - but they are what they are - an entry level 1911...
Some guns, like Colt 1911s or Dan Wesson CBOBs to name two, are going to hold their "new" value due to demand while many wont. What really makes me chuckle is the person that buys a $400 Rock Island 1911, hangs $400 of gadgets on it, and tries to sell it as an $800 "custom" gun. I have nothing against RIAs as I've owned a few and they're great guns - but they are what they are - an entry level 1911...
It's hard to tell the future, but almost all of my guns I bought in the 70's are now (easily) worth two to four times what I paid for them. That's keeping in mind that they have all been kept in "like new" condition, and some have never been fired.
Even my Dan Wesson revolvers, as little as they command today, are worth around 50% more than I paid for them.
So it's hard to say, but one piece of advice I think that anyone here could give is to buy high quality stuff.
Even better, buy rarer stuff (e.g., Manurhin MR73) and you'll insure that your collection could be an investment rather than a black hole.
I'll also add that you might want to look at acquireing several of the high capacity pistols as well as a good AR-15 or three. And gets lots of high-cap mags for all those guns as well.
Why does it matter? You are buying the gun for personal defense, so you want a gun that you will be able to shoot well with and be comfortable with. If you buy the right gun you will NEVER plan to sell it, so what is the difference whether or not it increases in value, holds its value, or drops in value? The marketplace determines price and unless you are buying a gun as an investment, it should not matter at all in your buying decision.
I share Elvishead's preference for new guns. "Working guns," anyway. Discounting milsurp, the the only used gun I ever purchased (I'm not counting Grampa's shotgun, here) was from a good friend. I had a very clear picture of it's history and got a good price. I am certainly open to used guns if the price is right, and it is an interesting piece, but if it is something that will be a first-line go-to gun for home or carry, I prefer NIB. YMMV. <---(haven't used that one in a while
)
)gollbladder13
Moderator
Vito hit the nail on the head, although I am learning quite a bit about "investment buying".
Right now, though, the main goal is to practice, practice, practice, and eventually, when I'm comfortable enough and if the situation comes up, I'll be ready with it for HD.
I'm guessing that the gun I'm planning on getting (G22, pending firing it personally next to a few others), is one of those guns that will be offered for a while and would be worth buying new unless I can find a really good deal.
Keep feeding me info, though, because the more I get the better decision I can make...
Right now, though, the main goal is to practice, practice, practice, and eventually, when I'm comfortable enough and if the situation comes up, I'll be ready with it for HD.
I'm guessing that the gun I'm planning on getting (G22, pending firing it personally next to a few others), is one of those guns that will be offered for a while and would be worth buying new unless I can find a really good deal.
Keep feeding me info, though, because the more I get the better decision I can make...
A used gun WILL NOT cost as much as a new gun.
If it does,PASS ON THAT DEAL.
I bought a Ruger P95 at a gun shop that was tuned by a security companies armory and has a parkerized slide on it.
This gun shoots fantastic.
I paid $225 for it.
The same gun new with me getting someone to work on it would have cost over $400 at least.
I know of a range in Stafford Va, that has Model 15 38 special 4 inch barrel revolvers for $300 right now.
These guns have finish wear but function really well.
That same gun new would cost you a cool $700.
I have a Model 10 revolver that I paid $225 for a decade ago.
Again,that pistol today new would cost $700.
If you buy a used handgun though,look for a good price AT LEAST 30% less than the new price,the gun in good to great shape and buy a handgun made by a company that is still in business so that you can-if you have to-ship it back to them so it can get fixed.
Most great gunsmiths have a huge waiting list for work and there is no guarantee -if you buy an old handgun- that the parts can be found to fix it if it breaks.
Most used handguns never see more than several thousand rounds through them before they get to you.
Some don't even see five hundred.
A quality handgun can easily last you a long lifetime.
Most people do not fire more than a thousand rounds through any handgun in a year other than 22 long rifle owners because that ammo is so cheap.
But you want to learn about the model you're thinking of buying before it comes to that used gun case and don't be in a hurry to jump on the first one that comes along.
And ironically,for me,I have always found as good or better deals in my local gunstores or pawn shops gun cases then I have on the internet.
You make a habit of just stopping by two or three of your favorite gun stores once or twice a week and looking in the used gun case and you will be very pleasantly surprised.
You might go three months of just walking in ,scanning the used gun case,saying hellos and walking out but whammo,there it is,in that fourth month,the gun you were looking for,in the condition you wanted,at close to the price you are willing to pay.
You just walked in a on a great deal waiting there,just for you.
If it does,PASS ON THAT DEAL.
I bought a Ruger P95 at a gun shop that was tuned by a security companies armory and has a parkerized slide on it.
This gun shoots fantastic.
I paid $225 for it.
The same gun new with me getting someone to work on it would have cost over $400 at least.
I know of a range in Stafford Va, that has Model 15 38 special 4 inch barrel revolvers for $300 right now.
These guns have finish wear but function really well.
That same gun new would cost you a cool $700.
I have a Model 10 revolver that I paid $225 for a decade ago.
Again,that pistol today new would cost $700.
If you buy a used handgun though,look for a good price AT LEAST 30% less than the new price,the gun in good to great shape and buy a handgun made by a company that is still in business so that you can-if you have to-ship it back to them so it can get fixed.
Most great gunsmiths have a huge waiting list for work and there is no guarantee -if you buy an old handgun- that the parts can be found to fix it if it breaks.
Most used handguns never see more than several thousand rounds through them before they get to you.
Some don't even see five hundred.
A quality handgun can easily last you a long lifetime.
Most people do not fire more than a thousand rounds through any handgun in a year other than 22 long rifle owners because that ammo is so cheap.
But you want to learn about the model you're thinking of buying before it comes to that used gun case and don't be in a hurry to jump on the first one that comes along.
And ironically,for me,I have always found as good or better deals in my local gunstores or pawn shops gun cases then I have on the internet.
You make a habit of just stopping by two or three of your favorite gun stores once or twice a week and looking in the used gun case and you will be very pleasantly surprised.
You might go three months of just walking in ,scanning the used gun case,saying hellos and walking out but whammo,there it is,in that fourth month,the gun you were looking for,in the condition you wanted,at close to the price you are willing to pay.
You just walked in a on a great deal waiting there,just for you.
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