What 223 semi auto will hold its value?

D

Dusty Rivers

New member
I'm thinking of getting a 223 semi auto. I usually end up swapping guns in 3 or 4 years. I am concerned that there are so many black 223 rifles out there that recouping most of the money would be difficult. What ones will hold their value or even increase, like a Colt Python, or a a Sako rifle?
 
Ruger mini 14's hold their value very well, but unfortunately that value is about $450-$500. I got one for $699 and if i tried to sell it I know thats all id get for it, which is probably fine after I have it for several years, but I don't really plan to sell it.
 
The Sig 550 variants hold their value pretty well. H&K non-AR style rifles and Arsenal 5.56 AKs do nicely too. (You gotta buy the Arsenal at good price though. NIB prices vary quite a bit.) If you want an AR, then Colt is probably you're best bet. (However, you're going to overpay up-front. IMHO.)
 
A Colt AR-15 all colt will hold its value well.

The FN SCAR will also hold its value but it's stinkin' expensive to begin with.

Those are really all I can think of. You are correct in saying the market has been flooded with black rifles.
 
I don't see semi's being any different than bolts in that they all depreciate, except that high end customs tend to do so less, even though there are fewer buyers.

If you own a custom from a well known builder, that was done "right"...has a low round count and you've already done the load development- you may be able to sell it for MORE than you paid for it, if you find the right buyer that likes what you have and doesn't want to wait six months to get it...

I would think the same would hold for high-end semi's.

Then, there's another line of thought altogether.
Buy a $500 AR on sale. How much can you possible lose on it at resale?? You'll always be able to sell it for pretty close to what you paid for it in good condition.

Can't say the same for a $1000 AR.
 
I never buy a rifle with the expectation that it is a investment and that I will eventually break even or make money selling it in the future. In my experience only top end hand built/tuned rifles have a chance of appreciation in the future. This is especially true of AR's where you have no gaurantee that they were closet queens or have had 10,000 rounds shot through them. Most of my friends with AR's shoot them like there is no tomorrow and put hundreds of rounds through them per shooting session. On the other hand a top end bolt action hunting rifle my not have a 100 rounds shot through it in a persons life time.
 
It's a simple matter of supply and demand that will dictate resale value. I just ordered a LMT CQBPS16, what I consider the finest AR on the market. It is 5 weeks out and I can not find a used one anywhere. That tells me there is a high demand for this weapon and it will hold its value. I have a Keltec su16 that isn't worth crap. The AR market has been flooded by manufacturers of $700 to $900 ARs. I don't see those guns holding their value, unless of course we get 4 more years of you know who.
 
There are so many being made I don't see how they could. We reached market over saturation about 3 years ago.
 
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