Opinions on guns as an investment?
I know, alot depends on what you pay for a firearm, the type of firearm - handgun, rifle, antique, etc.
I still think guns are a good investment. The problem is that you have to be willing to sell or trade them at some point.
And not fire them....thats where Id have trouble.
Some people seem to do well buying and selling firearms for profit. However, with only rare exceptions I've never been that fortunate. I only buy things that I want and plan to keep for personal use and enjoyment.
YMMV.
FFL, taxes, booth fees, consignment, and/or shipping/insurance fees can really eat into profits. I’ve never done it, but I’ve thought about buying up cheap ARs, milsurps, or police trade ins then selling them when the market goes nuts, but probably not worth the hassle. I’d rather spend my time shooting. At worst, a solid mainstream gun usually keeps up with inflation. The market is a bit screwed up at the moment, but usually I can buy a decent used gun, shoot it for a few years, then sell it for what I have in it or a little more. There’s no way I’d buy a collector grade gun, put it in the safe with the hope of selling it 5-10+ years down the road at a profit.
Except for a very few well known firearms, I think your fooling yourself.
When I was younger to acquire a new gun always meant something had to go down the road to facilitate that. Since I was in a hurry, the return was never what my original cost was. Hence, I never looked at that as a positive. Generally speaking the type of individuals I have encountered through the years making an obvious profit on gun trading rank right up there with pawn shops and loan sharks. People I would walk across the street to avoid. Think Gunbroker, necessary evil I guess but are they your friend?
“You should tell someone what you know. There should be a history, so that men can learn from it.
He smiled. “Men do not learn from history. Each generation believes itself brighter than the last, each believes it can survive the mistakes of the older ones. Each discovers each old thing and they throw up their hands and say ‘See! Look what I have found! Look upon what I know!’ And each believes it is something new.
Louis L’Amour
The Californios
A lot depends on the country’s economic and legislative situation.Most Marlins, Winchester’s, many milsurps, all used, have at least doubled in the last 10-20 years. Not many investments have done that good. I still say buy what you like to own and shoot, buy it at a fair price, take care of it and 9 out of 10 times you will realize a profit if and when you decide to sell. That said, except back in the 90’s when I had an ffl, I rarely sell a gun.
They are one of the worst investments you can make. I am selling off much of the stuff acquired over decades of collecting. I am making a "profit" but not nearly as much as if I had purchased an index stock fund.
Someone will post about the $35 M1 carbine they bought in 1960 that is worth $2000 now. Invested in the S&P that $35 would be worth over $4500 in 2022. Here is the link:
https://www.officialdata.org/us/stoc...5&endYear=2022
Returns on stuff like M98's, SMLE's, Mosins etc etc are even worse.
Buy guns to "scratch an itch", play with, defend your life, hunt with and/or compete with. You will not lose anything and may make a bit of money on it. It is a great hobby, but it is not a great investment for the average Joe/Jane. Folks who got in early on full auto weapons may have a much better result wrt their investments. And that could happen again if say AR's, HC magazines, etc are legislated under NFA restrictions.
BTW, if you have enough guns to be an "investment" you will need to also factor in the cost to insure them.
Don Verna
not purchased as an investment but i recently started disposing of my 66+ years accumulation - been selling mostly to ffl member of my collectors association - 15 sold so far + every one at a large profit - best one is $100.00 luger that brought $2,000.00 - worst was $99.00 Nagant revolver that brought $240.00 - willed some tp grandson, but wife + daughters show limited interest in them - better return than my investments + ira - very nice to have derived decades of pleasure from them + now realizing profit is a win win situation -
Last edited by schutzen-jager; 02-09-2023 at 11:38 AM.
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in this current crisis our government is not the solution , it is the problem ! -
ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM
as they say in latin
For me, it is an investment into having fun, not into making money. With that approach, every investment is well worth the money...
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I probably should have used a better word than "investment." I don't expect to get rich on any guns that I've bought, though some are worth alot more than what I paid. One of the criteria that I have for buying a gun is that I have to be able to shoot it, which I do. Next, I want to be able to get at least what I paid for the gun at any point in the future, which means getting a good deal in the beginning. The problem is that I don't plan on selling or trading any that I now have.
I think I've overused the "investment" angle when looking at another gun - the wife is on to me.
I don't think buy firearms is a good investment strategy.
You might get lucky and find a "gem" that translates into a good profit.
A 401 or similar plan is a better option.
Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !
I'd love to find a way to call them that, but speaking personally that would be self-delusion, rationalization. I don't have the means to move in truly high end heirloom vintage guns, so guns are a personal choice, and I don't expect any kind of investment value. As folks say above, so many better ways to invest.
-Paul
Missed this post, sorry Battis. Lol, yep, bingo. My calling it "investment" would be our particular club's code for "honey, but you have to understand, this one is an investment."Originally Posted by Battis
I've never sold a gun for a profit, but that's probably on me. I do know I've regretted selling just about any gun I've sold.
-Paul
They used to be a good investment. The milsurps we could buy for under $50 a few years ago are selling for hundreds of dollars now.
The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"
Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!
my experience has been different - see post #9 -
never pick a fight with an old man - if he is too old to fight he will just kill you -
in this current crisis our government is not the solution , it is the problem ! -
ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM
as they say in latin
Right, I'd forgotten. I regret not getting in on the CMP several years ago.
-Paul
I agree that type and model of a gun has the biggest factor in a sale and a sale that makes a profit. I bought a carbine for $800.00 and sold it a few years down the road for $2400.00. That was watching what someone was wanting and willing to pay for. When I saw a gentleman who just had to have the carbine I then sold it, otherwise I wouldn't have made as much. Sold other rifles in the same manner and have made very good profits on all.
Congratulations. And that's quite a legacy for your grandson.
-Paul
Guns are more like your house. You buy it to live in and enjoy and in the end it’s worth more than you paid for it. Now compare that with buying a car,boat, compound or cross bow. You pay thousands and in 10-20 years it’s worthless. I agree with the above, an investment in fun that in the end you will get your money + back. That’s why I only buy guns I will use.
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