Investment
If you were to buy a gun as a five year investment, with the idea to sell it and make the most you can on it, what would that be?
Assault Weapons Ban could effect that choice either way, and there are others out there. M-14? AK? M-1? Or muzzle loader? Nice .270 hunting rifle? I may want to use it as well (or one of them anyway), but that takes back seat to the investment. I am looking for about a 50% return on the money.
Assault Weapons Ban could effect that choice either way, and there are others out there. M-14? AK? M-1? Or muzzle loader? Nice .270 hunting rifle? I may want to use it as well (or one of them anyway), but that takes back seat to the investment. I am looking for about a 50% return on the money.
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While I am not qualified to give the relative merits of stocks, bonds, or real estate, one thing that I am sure of is that guns are a poor investment. While it is true that a few guns have appreciated dramatically, many will not in the future. That is especially true when talking about modern guns, such as the ones you named. (Before anyone jumps all over me, I assume that, when you say "M14", you really mean "M14 clone", not a registered former USGI rifle, which I think IS a good investment.)
Guns that I think of as having potential for appreciation are near-mint Borchardts, 1st gen Colt SAAs, early Colt M1911s, early Winchesters, & a lot more guns that are both rare & expensive; typical are those often auctioned by Butterfield.
If you want to buy a gun for protection, target shooting, or just because you enjoy looking at it, fine. But, if you are looking for an investment, look elsewhere.
Neal0 -
Purchase a machinegun. Seriously, the rate of return on machineguns over the past decade has far exceded nearly any other firearm and there appears to be no end in sight. The May, 1986 ban on new production for individuals has locked the supply in at a fixed level that cannot increase. The real "collector" guns like Thompsons, WWII and other original military guns are already at levels possiblly too high for your budget. I'd look at the shooter and utility grade machineguns which are aimed more for the enthusiasts and not the collector. Lots of people are still interested in shooting machineguns for fun and even the now lowly MAC's, rebuilt STEN's, and other so called "tube guns" (built on new production receivers with parts kits prior to 1986) will raise in value over the next five years when more and more new shooters enter a field with a tight supply of firearms. You can also shoot these machineguns youself and it will have little if any effect on their value...this is generally not the case with other firearms purchased for investment which must remain new or in fine condition to bring top money at resale time. My own opinions and I'm a gun dealer and not a financial manager!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Probably the safest investment would be in an antique Pennsylvania Rifle. These guns get rarer every day and aren't likely to be restricted in any way.
Flint or percussion used to make a big difference. Conversions were frowned upon. Reconversions were the kiss of death. Today I'd say that the reconversion is the only problem area. The rest just follows history and technology.
Fancy guns will always bring a premium. Some makers will add value to a gun just by signing their name. Barrels must be uncut, but minor repairs aren't frowned upon if done in a professional manner. Tiger maple is a huge plus.
Twenty years ago a purchased a nice rifle for about $2,500. I won't go into detail, but I entertained an offer for over $14,000 for the same piece three years ago in Baltimore. I declined the offer because of sentimental reasons, but the fact remains that the gun has appreciated.
Study first. Don't buy cheap. Know that the person selling a rifle pretty much controls the show. Your eye and pocketbook will determine the rest.
Nord0 -
guns are the best investment a man can make. you get to keep them in your home and see that theyre safe 24hrs a day. you are your own banker. the profit you make is determined by how wise you are knowing the market. you dont have to pay someone to invest in your guns, you do it yourself. having guns instead of money in an account protects you from being scammed by some techno computer geek trying to draw your account dry on line. i dont have to worry about someone calling me and getting my i.d. or ssn on a phone scam, only to go on line and see someone steal my account and my entire income. guns cant be pick pocketed, guns cant be used as currency by wives going on wild buying sprees, the value of a gun and its awkward size makes you think twice about breaking it out and selling it on spur of the moment, like at a race track. odds are, once you look at it, you'll say...nehhh, maybe later. i can go on. so, guns ARE a good investment. you must do your homework like any good investor does. the fact you asked us is a good sign that you are interested and wise.
my vote for a good gun to invest in is a gun that was made in low numbers, or, with high destruction rates. i/e: military guns. on the other side of the coin....hi standards are always in high demand due to hi quality. i say fancy colt saa's are good investment. all pre 64 winchesters from the old new haven plant are another good investment. ANY skeet or trap o&u is a good investment. skeet and trap guns are usually owned by wealthier people that will trade a gun for no other reason than it didnt feel right, leaving the market wide open for reduced price guns worth much more. european side by sides, any german made gun of quality, and experimentals will always command high returns. also too...custom ordered guns that are documented or famous peoples guns. rule of thumb on a 5 year gun investment...buy it and forget about it. open it up 5 years later and sell it only if the demand is up. if not, put it back. dont shoot it! inspect it every month for moisture. wipe and oil and stow it away. fyi....i bought a 23 room house when i made a 200% return on some of my gun investments. i'd like to see a wall street stock investment or an IRA do that....TAX FREE!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
I really don't think you can expect a 50% return on most firearms in a 5 year period. You probably could buy and use a gun for 5 years and get your money back plus on it if you got a good deal, but that's about it.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
I'm going through a estate as we speak of a friend who had 58 nice guns...the only ones he (he died)will make any mney on are the older brownings(belgium) and winchesters that he purchased over 40 years ago...the brownings and sakos and colts he purchased in the last 10 years won't bring what he paid. I can think of alota stuff that will make more money....justa thought 0 -
I'd have to agree with ALL the postings on this topic. Generally not a good financial investment, a GREAT personal investment for safety and security reasons (see bobski's posting).
The only firearms that MIGHT come close to a 50% return would be the machine guns due to supply/demand and other issues surrounding such arms (individuals' committment to obtain permits, having a place to shoot, cost of feeding such weapons). Usually the persons' in this market have some financial clout and disposable income to purchase expensive toys.
Very fine examples of Colt SAAs, early Winchesters and colonial period muskets have the potential for significant appreciation if you buy low and KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING. But 50% in five years...?
SEMPER FI0 -
man...i must be good at what i do! i bought 3 nib winchester super xm-1 skeet guns for 400.00 ea. out of one gun shop. a month later, i went 200 miles east and sold them for 800 each at gun matches! thats 100% and im not even a dealer! what am i doing right? well....my secret is....to know who is buying and who is paying before you hunt the gun! learn from a master, grasshoppers!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
Bobski -
Make too much a habit of that, or brag in the wrong places... (And this IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES), the feds might just begin to think you're dealing.
Deal in antiques and there won't be a problem.
Nord0 -
BULLSKI, WISH I WAS THAT GOOD[8][8]
I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.0 -
Mark hit the nail right on the head machineguns are the way to go. I can remember only a few years ago Ruger AC556 going for $2000. Now they are running around $4000. Vector UZI, I watch the price on them jump $1000 in the last year. Will the prices keep going up? I would say yes for all the reasons Mark already said. 0 -
Guns will come and guns will go....I'm with you DUCK...I'd rather be duck hunting! 0 -
ah you guys are the greatest. but...serious, those were the days! it was one of those bennies of being active duty and being a team captain of a competing squad i guess! anyway, i still say guns are good investments if you are on your toes and know the market! do your homework! 0 -
Listen to Mark Christian...Proof is in the Pudding....
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0
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