How well do semi-autos hold value?
- Thread starter OhioGuy
- Start date
Value as trade in ... 60- 70% of average selling price at the time of the trade in ...is about what you should plan on.
If you live in a state with sales tax...when you trade in a gun.... ( like a car ) ...you get to reduce the price of the new gun minus the trade in value ..and you only pay sales tax on the remaining price of the new gun ( so in my state you get another 10% )...
Popularity of the particular model you have ...and condition are a big deal ( its the same idea with cars )...its a broad range. If you buy something that isn't popular, you'll take a beating on resale value / if its really popular and hard to get now, you'll make out better.
If you live in a state with sales tax...when you trade in a gun.... ( like a car ) ...you get to reduce the price of the new gun minus the trade in value ..and you only pay sales tax on the remaining price of the new gun ( so in my state you get another 10% )...
Popularity of the particular model you have ...and condition are a big deal ( its the same idea with cars )...its a broad range. If you buy something that isn't popular, you'll take a beating on resale value / if its really popular and hard to get now, you'll make out better.
What happens when you don't like them anymore? I've had guns that I lost interest in over the years:
Remington 700 22-250
S&W Model 10 Revolvler
M10 Ingram Closed Bolt
SKS (never was interested in it - bought it as a favor from a friend.)
Even on these guns, when I sold them I either broke even or made a little money. I knew there was value in each when I purchased them (other than the M10) M10=watching too many Miami Vice reruns. The point is tastes change and most people will find a gun or several in their collection that years later they just don't want for whatever reason.
punisher716
Inactive
Just keep buying... No selling allowed!!
Stores will rip you off with "trade ins" or buying them off you outright so don't do that.
Don't forget, a lot of people will buy a gun stock and then before you know it, there are new $20 grips on there, $120 night sights, new competition barrel and whatnot... You will NOT get your money back on all the enhancements you may do to it. You may get a couple bucks more than a used gun without those upgrades but you'll definitely lose more $$$ if that's the case.
Stores will rip you off with "trade ins" or buying them off you outright so don't do that.
Don't forget, a lot of people will buy a gun stock and then before you know it, there are new $20 grips on there, $120 night sights, new competition barrel and whatnot... You will NOT get your money back on all the enhancements you may do to it. You may get a couple bucks more than a used gun without those upgrades but you'll definitely lose more $$$ if that's the case.
True, but you should always return the gun to stock and then sell off the goodies separately. If I sell a gun, it'll be bone stock with one magazine and box if I still have it. Some day I will rent a table at the local gun show and sell off a few guns I no longer want and all of my left over gun junk cheap. I wills till do better than on trade or if I leave it for my heirs to dispose of. Plus, it'll be fun!
carguychris
New member
Of course in 1971, the MSRP of a brand new Datsun 240Z was $3,600, and a Cadillac Sedan de Ville would set you back $6,500. Compare to a 2017 Toyota 86 for $26,500 or a Cadillac CTS sedan for $45,600.mirolo said:
Going back to Walt Sherrill's point, $99 in 1971 had equal purchasing power to $590 today, according to the CPI.
$590 is a stretch for a vintage Model 37/38/42 even in legit LNIB condition. This illustrates the basic premise that most guns DON'T beat the rate of inflation in the long run.
That's probably true. But, don't forget you get other value from them as well. So, if the value climbs a tad slower than inflation, AND you enjoy having it as part of your collection or shooting it, then it's really a net plus. Some stock investment don't appreciate much in value, but instead pay dividends - I'd look at it a little like that. If I were to sell my Pythons right now, I'd get a nice return that beats the rate of inflation by a lot. But, if I hold onto them for another 30 years, Pythons values could flatten out or even fall and there goes my great return.
While guns may not beat inflation. You can buy one, use it for 20-30 years and get back more than you paid with most guns. You can't do that with money in the bank. Many of the budget guns will sell today for less than they did 30 years ago. If you look at it that way budget guns are no bargain.
When selling used guns I generally find that they are worth 50%-75% of what a comparable new gun would sell for. Exactly where in between 50 and 75% depends on the individual gun and condition.
If you recently bought a gun and try to sell it you'll lose 25-50% of what you paid. But if you've had one for years it may well appreciate some. My oldest rifle is a Remington 700 bought new in 1975 for $175. That same gun new today is about $700. Mine used should bring $350-$400 which is about 50-60% of a new one.
When selling used guns I generally find that they are worth 50%-75% of what a comparable new gun would sell for. Exactly where in between 50 and 75% depends on the individual gun and condition.
If you recently bought a gun and try to sell it you'll lose 25-50% of what you paid. But if you've had one for years it may well appreciate some. My oldest rifle is a Remington 700 bought new in 1975 for $175. That same gun new today is about $700. Mine used should bring $350-$400 which is about 50-60% of a new one.
Walt Sherrill
New member
jmr40 said:
You can't compare 1975 dollars to 2016 dollars! They're not the same!
In terms of the buying power of the sale proceeds most guns don't appreciate! Especially over the longer term. That's because the $175 you spent in 1975 bought a helluva lot more than $175 buys today!
The Inflation Calculator I posted a link for earlier uses consumer price index history to show the changes in buying power over time. Note: buying power almost always only goes down. That calculator tells us that to get the same value that your $175 bought in 1975, you'd need to get $785, today.
(There are exceptions, of course, and "collectible" guns -- which are hard to identify until years later -- are an example.)
If Inflation Calculator is correct, you haven't done all that well, and if you need to replace that gun you sold for $400 with a new gun, you'd spend $700-$900, today -- which roughly matches the $785 cited above. You MIGHT find a used Remington 700 for under $400, but why bother?
sigarms228
New member
Personally I consider my firearms ownership and related expenses as a recreational expense and certainly not a monetary investment but an investment in fun, personal security, and pride of ownership.
I agree with those that state you can roughly expect around 70-80 percent value on a used versus new firearm if you can sell to a private party and much less on selling/trading a firearm you purchase new to a gun store.
If one is fortunate to live in a state that makes it simple to buy/sell/trade firearms to in state private party (I don't), then doing that with used firearms is a great opportunity to try out a lot of different firearms for little investment.
I agree with those that state you can roughly expect around 70-80 percent value on a used versus new firearm if you can sell to a private party and much less on selling/trading a firearm you purchase new to a gun store.
If one is fortunate to live in a state that makes it simple to buy/sell/trade firearms to in state private party (I don't), then doing that with used firearms is a great opportunity to try out a lot of different firearms for little investment.
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My experience is if you get into guns at the right price, you never lose money. I have never lost value on a gun deal. I buy at fair prices and sell at market price.
For example, i bought a new gen 3 Glock 23 to try for $400. I expect to be able to sell for $500 with little effort.
Often the best deals come in packages. A pistol with 3 $50 holsters rarely adds more than $25 to market value. Pick your favorite and sell the other 2 for $25 ea. You are $50 ahead.
Also, often new prices can be better than used.
Sell with an eye towards cash, say no to crap and consider trades that move you in the right direction.
For example, i bought a new gen 3 Glock 23 to try for $400. I expect to be able to sell for $500 with little effort.
Often the best deals come in packages. A pistol with 3 $50 holsters rarely adds more than $25 to market value. Pick your favorite and sell the other 2 for $25 ea. You are $50 ahead.
Also, often new prices can be better than used.
Sell with an eye towards cash, say no to crap and consider trades that move you in the right direction.
rickmelear
New member
Though like most on the forums I own many guns. Never bought one as a investment but to shoot and enjoy. That said, the only gun I ever made money on was a T series High Power that I bought about 10 years ago for $350. At the time I didn't know is was reblued. Great shooter, sold it a few later for $700.
Buy what you like and enjoy, in the big picture guns are cheap.
Buy what you like and enjoy, in the big picture guns are cheap.
Walt Sherrill
New member
Nathan said:
If you can sell it for $500, why didn't the guy you bought it from do that?
I can appreciate you got /found a good deal, but you can't count on always doing that -- and that type of activity has little or nothing to do with "appreciation"/guns going up in value. It has mostly to do with finding good deals!
Good deals are out there, because people don't know what they're selling or simply want to get something else, and are willing to do what it takes to MOVE the gun they're trying to sell. Sometimes they just need the money.
My two best deals where a Glock 35 in ANIB condition for $375, a few years back, and a Glock 38 NIB/Unfired for $350. I've still got the Glock 38 -- I like it!
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I've bought and sold a lot of firearms, as I like to try things out. In general, you're going to lose around 25% of the value of a firearm from new to used... even if you've only put one round down the pipe. Again, that's a generalization though and you can't place absolutes on any of this. It's kind of like asking "do cars hold their value?" Some do, some don't.
I generally break even or make a couple $$ on my purchases. To do this, I look for "like new" condition used firearms and/or purchase primarily off Gunbroker. And, if you buy something either so common everyone has them or so "odd" that no one wants it, don't expect to get people flocking to your door.
I never buy firearms with the intention of selling them, but I often buy firearms knowing I MAY sell them at some point.
I generally break even or make a couple $$ on my purchases. To do this, I look for "like new" condition used firearms and/or purchase primarily off Gunbroker. And, if you buy something either so common everyone has them or so "odd" that no one wants it, don't expect to get people flocking to your door.
I never buy firearms with the intention of selling them, but I often buy firearms knowing I MAY sell them at some point.