Your Opinion ...on Gun Values - Used guns

I'm not quite 30, and I have mainly Poly guns just because they are cheaper. I would love to get a nice stainless/nickel revolver or a nice high end 1911. But at this point the OP is correct my purchases have mainly been "tools".

My most recent purchase is a Beretta 92fs which is my first non poly gun that is more for my personal collection enjoyment.

I would love it of the value dropped out on nice 1911s and S&W revolvers because then I could afford them. But, unfortunately I think my gun buying has reached a two year minimum moratorium. With number three just being born and the wife saying we need an SUV/crossover/minivan, mortgage and food for all the mouths, guns are pretty much at the bottom of the budget.

I think a big reason the OPs grandsons are looking at poly guns is because they are the ones that they realistically can purchase. My dream would be to have a couple nice 1911s and a couple Hi-Powers. Plus, just recently I think the Wife is starting to rub off and I am liking how revolvers look and feel.
 
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Plenty of classic S&W revolvers can be had for the same price as the newer wonderguns. You just have to spend more time looking. More than half the fun for me is the hunt.

Here are two of my Model 66s, both of which are no-dash versions which are considered more valuable by most Smith collectors and lots of people would love to have just one of these guns, much less two. I paid $500 for one and $600 for the other. The one for $500 was bought at a gun show last January. How much more are those compared to a Glock, XD, or M&P? Something tells me not much. A nice used Model 19 can be had for $450 to $500 pretty regularly. You just have to put in the time to look for them. Of course it's easier to go into any gun shop and buy a new XD or M&P, but that just isn't as much fun to me.

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It's an interesting discussion, and as one previous poster mentioned, there is probably a good parallel in the 60s-70s musclecar market.
The cars that I lusted after as a teenager in the late 60s/early 70s (I am 55 now) are fetching good money right now.

But what happen 15-20 years from now, when everyone of my age is 70-75, and very few of us old codgers will have the disposable income to buy (or the energy to work on) a classic muscle car? Those younger than I do not have that "connection" to those cars.

Will all those carefully restored, well-cared-for Corvettes, Shelbys and Chargers go for a song?

Back to the gun world--will beautiful, original Model 27s and high-end 1911s sit in LGS cases without buyers?

It's possible, but not something I'm going to lose sleep over. I may start to liquidate some of my modest collection as I get older. However, that will be a function (as it is today) of whether or not I am actually using/enjoying them...
 
I for one am hoping that the younger crowd (not much younger than me at 33 I might add) continues to gravitate towards the tacticool polymer guns ... less demand for the blued steel classics = lower prices for me :p ! Yeah!
 
I've been reaching out with both hands and a C&R license to grab some pistols from the golden age of American manufacturing. Old Colts, S&W, Remington, Savage; there's some good stuff on the market, and prices are not too breathtaking.

You can get a good shooter for easy money, and a nice new in box 100 year old pistol for a serious outlay; all depends on what you like. If you can afford the big bucks, and like that sort of thing, have at it. Ultimately you'll get whatever you ask for the World's Best (your preference here). Maybe you just appreciate the craftsmanship involved in these old guns, and want a decent example to have on hand and take to the range now and then. You'll probably get your money back in the end, if that's your worry; but you'll get a lot of fun in the meantime.

You don't even have to go too far back to see what quality can do. HK P7 pistols, German police refurbs, were selling for 5-600 bucks a year or two ago; now they've gone up considerably. They are one of the finest 9mm pistols ever made, IMO, and will be considered classics, if they aren't already.

Don't be afraid to get something of quality; in fact, consider buying two, if you find what you lilke, because the chances are they'll not be making them any more, and you'll regret having passed up an opportunity.
 
Look at all the negativity thrown toward the younger generations
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I think there is a lot too this. As much as older shooter like to complain, I see very few willing to take time with a new shooter of god forbid let a new shooter try out one of their guns. I have one handgun I really don't like to let just anyone shoot, mostly b/c I might sell it at some point. A few C&R I don't shoot myself. Otherwise, I will let anyone shoot a mag or cylinder out of my gun and provide the ammo. If they want to shoot more than that they need to buy some ammo. I don't have much in the way of instruction, but I offer some hints if a person is receptive.

Older guns like Colt Pythons, HK P7s and non-mim S&Ws are no longer being produced. That alone will help them retain their value.
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The production cost on these guns is also astronomical. Even with a more efficient market(and the firearms distribution market will almost certainly see some big changes already starting), the retail price will be astronomical. There will be no more surplus rifles(now all select fire) and likely few pistols(exception of a huge flood when Russia enters WTO, but even that will pass and can be blocked by US gov). The new production market is segmenting into "utility" and "Custom." I don't think the older guns will fall into utility if they are VG condition and I don't think the "custom" market will shrink in numerically even if it shrinks as a rate of the shooting population.
Can your grandchildren afford a $2500 gun? A persons reaction to something attractive but out of reach is usually pretty complicated.

Tons of the younger crowd love crotch rockets and race bikes but there is still a huge growing market for Harleys. The love of one does not exclude the love of the other. The growth in one market does not mean the death of the other.
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And markets change. I have a buddy who just turned 45 and after several decades of deriding Harleys traded his crotch rocket for something a little more comfortable.

I do think there is some truth behind a statement to the effect of "There has never been a time in history where so many reliable utilitarian guns were available at such a low price." For less than a weeks wages at MINIMUM wage you can buy some terrific guns. Compare that to what a cowboy in the old west paid for a revolver. I think I saw something once where it was almost half a years wages for a Colt. Even a Les Baer is only about 2 months wages at minimum wage.

Its our dollar, and its buying power that makes the prices change
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How many organizations borrow in a currency denomination they control? Only the one :)
When you die, your beloved possessions will become just 'stuff' that needs to be gotten out of the way. When you did you won't care, or know, what happens to your 'stuff'
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You know how many estate sales I have been to with a once fine firearms collection rusted to near worthless? The husband died 20 years ago or was in poor health and the firearms sat unattended for two decades? Makes me cringe thinking about it.

That concept has already killed the market for dining room sets
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Even my mother who is as intense an antique furniture collector as can be found has no desire to own two dining room sets. I doubt there is a person on this thread who can't easily find room for multiple Colt Pythons. I see what you are saying, but it doesn't relate exactly. I am 27 and only married once, but I have two complete and very nice sets of China. I have relatives with more and none of us have any strong emotional tie to them, at least not like I do to my single six! Neither of the sets get used and we aren't in the market for anymore, but we also aren't going to give them away. They take up more room than a high end pistol and their value is less(I think). Actually, anyone want to investigate a trade?

The way the US government is headed at current clearly is not sustainable. There are going to have to be some very significant changes to something before too long. Those changes could easily involve adjustments to firearms laws that drastically effect values(either way). Outside those changes i wouldn't worry about it much.
 
I'm afraid that as the perceived value goes up on these, the number of those interested in such weapons might decrease. Younger folks, for the most part, seem to be enamored with high tech materials and appearance. These new weapons function well, and can be had for less money. I'd rather have a blued S&W Model 19 than a Sig or Glock in .357 or .40S&W.
 
I'm hesitant to let other people my age or younger shoot my classics because they have no concern about taking care of the gun. They'll slam them down on bare concrete or metal or will knock them around on stuff. My experience is that they don't care about taking care of other peoples things. That's one thing I was taught at an early age.
 
My take would be that we are getting them into guns to begin with by going the cheaper poly route etc with guns they can afford.

My sons where into the black gun crowd but as they turned 40ish they started coming around to the better looking (my opinion of course:)) steel quality guns.
 
what will happen when all of us Baby Boomers are gone ...will the market change ??
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I think it will. I still believe that many of the classic guns will demand a premium price, but there will be fewer who want them. There will be fewer models that will be considered classic guns and more of them on the used market since the next generation will be selling off grandpa's old guns.
 
what will happen when all of us Baby Boomers are gone ...will the market change ??
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It seems the market change on the supply side started around 1970, so I am guessing boomers are a big part of it, even if not the ones on this forum. The python was produced until 1999, but it was discontinued b/c demand had been low for some time.

Of course, I was only born in '85, so what do I know. Just don't let me touch your Colt, I might try to use it as street hockey puck.
 
Can your grandchildren afford a $2500 gun?
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I worry about them, being able to afford a $2500 loaf of bread!:eek:

I remember pictures of depression era Germany with people taking a whole wheelbarrow full of paper currency to buy a single loaf of bread. People burning it their stoves because it was cheaper than wood or coal.

Now, the exact same thing won't happen to us, because these days we use plastic cards and electronic funds transfers. But we could wind up in the same situation value wise.

There are really two things to consider, the value of the gun, and the value (# of dollars) that equal the value of the gun.

A $98 gun when you earned $56 a week is much more expensive than a $750 gun when you earn $900 a week.

I wouldn't worry overmuch about the actual number of dollars down the road, it might (and most likely will be) higher, or it might even be lower. What matters is what the real value of it is.
 
Personally, I feel that the Baby Boomer age had a lot to do with the market and prices. As we boomers matured, aged and our kids moved out we got to put some money towards guns we always wanted but couldn't afford while we raised our families. Since there are so many boomers the prices jumped as the demand jumped up. Well, as the boomer generation passes on, all of these fine guns will suddenly fill the market and the prices will decline. There are less and less people who will appreciate the fine guns not because they will still crave plastic but because there will be a glut of these fine guns hitting the market. Supply will out pace demand simply because there are more boomers passing on than there are the next generation maturing.

They say that the "official" end of the baby boomer generation is 1964. That means that the last of this generation will become 65 in 2029. Right now these youngsters are 47 and right in the beginning of the years where the kids are grown and it's back to an empty nest. We should see 20 more years of the classical guns holding today's value but after that I see the value declining because there aren't as many buyers as there were during the baby boomer generation. It won't matter to those who have moved on but quality gun lovers in their 20s now will have some great guns at great prices to look forward to when they are in their 40s.
 
I know plenty of people my own age (not quite old yet, I'm 33) who prefer to buy expensive vintage stuff. I think it has less to do with age (though age could figure into how much money they have at their disposal) and more to do with their attitudes.

Me, I like value. For pretty much any interest of mine, including guns, I am into getting the most bang for my buck possible. I'm not scared of poly frames or new advances in tech, and I love more than anything to find a great deal on something used.

I guarantee my XDm throws lead down rage just as fast as my buddy's 1911, is more accurate , has a better sight picture, and is less affected by being dirty. He'll even agree. It doesn't LOOK as cool to some, and doesn't inspire the same "oohs" and "ahhs" from fellow enthusiasts when you show them what you have, but I couldn't care any less. I shoot great groups with it, it's never let me down, and I can't imagine wanting anything more from a full-sized .45 handgun.

As another example, I've been playing guitar for 21 years. I recently put together my perfect rig by buying an inexpensive starter model and modding it with an all-digital signal path from guitar to speaker (something almost nobody does). Gear purists look at my rig, scoff and balk, talk about how nothing sounds like their ancient tube-driven analog museum pieces... However my guitar, amplifier, speakers, processors, everything cost me the the same as just one of my (YOUNGER) buddy's vintage speaker cabinets by itself, and nobody can really tell the difference by just listening to it. I can, however, feel the extra (no exaggeration) $5000 more his whole rig cost over mine. I can feel it all the way to the bank. :)

So yeah there's always going to be a market. It may fluctuate year to year but it'll be there. I likely won't participate ever. I'm just not that kind of guy. Never have been, ever since I was younger.
 
I am 60 and have over 260 guns that I have accumulated. Smallest firearms,.17 tothe largest 50BMG Rifles, Pistols. Milirary new and antique. Cowboy rifles and guns and everything else in between. It has been an enjoyable ride. I have always been a collector /displayer. I enjoy having them.
After I die my son will probably sell them all.
 
And in the ten years between when you take your last shot and your son sells them? Sickness, your spouse lives on, etc. I went to a dentists estate auction about 5 years ago where after he died his wife put all his guns in the barn. The wealthy man had been shooting trap for 50 years and it all sat in rusted for 20. Some of the doubles were so bad no one could make out the markings. The fact is many of these great conditions take a beating and lose their conductibility once an owner passes. Make sure your loved ones know they need maintenance and if it isn't getting done sell them!
 
I'm hesitant to let other people my age or younger shoot my classics because they have no concern about taking care of the gun. They'll slam them down on bare concrete or metal or will knock them around on stuff. My experience is that they don't care about taking care of other peoples things.
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I am not an old man, I would like to consider myself still young.

I visit a public range frequently. It's closer to me than the private range and it is indoor. It gets all kinds of shooters. Old guys, young guys, guys with their girlfriends, groups of friends shooting for their first time, you name it. I have never once in a year of going there seen someone slam a gun down on bare concrete or metal. I own a Smith and Wesson Model 19-3 in Nickel that was made before I was born. I also own a bucketload of hi-tech polymers. You know the only gun that ever draws the attention of the younger people? The Model 19-3, which was my first gun btw. All of them come over and ooh and ahh at it and tell me how cool it is. They don't even notice the others. Sometimes I let them shoot it and they handle it like it was made of glass.

This attitude that all young shooters don't appreciate the "old ways" really needs to go away because for the most part it is false and does nothing to encourage new shooters into trying these guns. A few weeks ago an older gentleman let my wife shoot his Ruger 10/22. She loved it and had a blast as he explained to her how to use a scope. As I left I paid for that man's range time. Not because of what he did for me, but because that is the type of person that keeps the shooting sports alive. Encouraging people to try something "new", which might actually be old, is what we need, not lamenting for days gone. I went out and bought a Ruger 10/22. I may never have without that man.
 
I am 57 years old. When people my age were in our late teens and early 20s, all of the old timers cringed at the thought of us running the country one day. We had our loud, rock music, long haired hippie freaks and the drug culture. We had love ins, protests, flower children and free sex. We were irresponsible, anti-establishment and had minds of our own. We didn't want material things, just free love and free pot.

We were going to ruin the country, if you asked the aging public back then, but a funny thing happened on the way to middle age. We grew up, had kids and became responsible. These potheads founded companies like Apple, Microsoft and the computer age. These irresponsible hippies ended up changing the world for the better. Some may argue but imagine the world without cell phones, computers and the safe cars we all drive.

My point is, every older generation thinks the younger generation will be the end of society as we know it. The fact is, we all grow up, grow older, wiser and smarter and end up being some pretty good role models and people in general. Nowadays I see more body piercing and tatoos than I have ever seen before but all that means is when they grow older that they will still have the brains and ability to grow and make this a better place to live, like we all did before. The youngsters will be running this country and I believe they will do just fine. Until then they will appear to be erratic but all they are doing is what we all did when we were young and stupid, learning from our mistakes. We need to cut the yougsters a break, IMO.
 
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