Which guns are good as an investment?

[no_problem]

Which guns are good as investments?

Although I don't use the investment logic to justify buying guns, IMHO, These three guns are excellent as investments. These guns hold their value well over time and prices have actually increased. They are fairly scarce, there is a healthy market and demand for them, or, due to government firearms regulations or market dynamics, they are not easily substituted.

1. The M1A

2. The Spas 12: the Spas 12 is no longer imported, it is a sexy gun, and it has no real substitutes for now. It's rare, difficult to imitate, and non substitutable.

3. Action Arms Uzi

What are your thoughts on the best investment guns? Ones that retain their value and have little substitute value.

 

[kd7nqb]

Anything that is likely to be banned is probably a good investment, (but you take the gamble on being able to sell it again)

Anything unique in one way or another.

NFA Items.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I would add CMP Garands in that list too. They're not going to be around much longer and have been going up in price for quite a while now.

 

[Dustinthewind]

Any quality fire arm is good investment. I have yet to see any of mine go down in value.

 

[v35]

Which guns aren't good investments? I couldn't buy any of mine for what I paid for them.

Sure there are junk guns, but they're not worth buying to begin with.

 

[MachIVshooter]

All mil surp stuff is an investment, though the returns are usually somewhat minimal. Take for example Yugo SKS's; 5 years ago, they could be had for $69. Average price now is around $200. I can't think of a single mil surp that hasn't increased in the last 3-5 years, some more than others.

I wouldn't consider anything current production an investment. The M1A you listed is not going to increase in value in the foreseeable future, and you'd actually take a 20% +/- hit to buy it new and resell it unfired.

The SPAS is not likely to yield much return, either. Their prices have held steady since the end of their importation, and they are viewed by most as not having any real advantage over lighter and more economical pumps or autos. IOW, they're not easy to sell at fair market price.

The Uzi copies are scarce for a reason. It's a good design, but there are many alternative 9mm carbines that are just as good or better for a lot less money.

 

[Big45]

Most guns. Ammo is a far better investment.

 

[stevereno1]

I have not seen colt revolvers go down in value, ever. Especially the python's, and anaconda's. M1a is a good idea, and depending on the November election, Semi auto rifles that accept mags of 20 or 30 rounds would also see a spike in value.

 

[Gator]

I take a contrary view here. While there are many guns that will increase in value, few are good investments. Putting the same amount of money into a mutual fund will provide a greater return. Plus, the likelihood of your mutual fund being declared illegal overnight is less...at least until the libs succeed in socializing all private wealth.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

CMP-Garands--when they are gone they WILL be gone. The quaility isn't being duplicated. Not often caught in anyone's AWB net owning to not having a box mag, with quality ammo cheap right now also, it is a great buy.

I wish I had bought a few CZ-52's also---they seem to have dried up.

 

[AirplaneDoc]

I have never owned a gun, that I lost money on, you just might have to some of them longer than others

 

[LightningJoe]

I doubt any guns would make good investments compared to more conventional vehicles like stocks. Unless civilization were to collapse. That's a bit far fetched, but not impossible.


Then, your stock certificates, currency, and even the deed on your house might become worthless. If, though, you had diligently sought out good deals on simple, functional, used firearms, you could have a large store of such trade goods which would hold their value and even increase in value in the event of a major, worldwide disturbance in the economy.


And, if civilization didn't collapse, you'd have a whole bunch of guns which you could either look at and chuckle or just sell at a small gain or worstcase a small loss.

 

[rust collector]

Any of the guns I sold 20 years ago

Seriously, the best investment guns are those too valuable to use in the field. Custom guns crafted long ago in a faraway land seem to be the most sought after. US military firearms have recently gotten quite a bit more valuable. Exchange rates have made foreign built guns more costly, but that pendulum swings both ways, too.

My guns have to earn their keep. If you want to buy guns for someone else to enjoy, find scarce specimens, keep them in the safe, and keep them well insured.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Not likely but Garands will go down in price if reimporting foreign military aid is allowed. Compare prices on Garands in the United States and in Canada. The scarcity in the United States today is artificial for a rifle produced in truly vast numbers.

That said I suspect most of us have had the experience of finding a bargain - I bought one target gun from a friend in desperate need of immediate funds and told him at the time it was worth more and that I would turn it for more - he said he'd rather wholesale it to me and let me make the retail than do the same thing with a dealer. Not an investment.

In today's world of wildy high prices for deluxe 1911's we don't see Swenson or Giles or Bob Chow guns commanding high prices - the guns being made today are the best ever but it's the fashion that makes the price.

Although not the M1A but any legal M14 (and I'd like an M15!) would be something to consider as an investment!

 

[sublimaze41]

All guns are good investments and can save you money, just ask my wife

 

[Shieldbreaker]

I the ma DE is a good one....Paid less then a grand for it.
Never been fired.

 

[CWL]

Probably guns that still require a great amount of hand-finishing as opposed to polymer or stamped guns.

SAA revolvers will probably continue to increase in value.

 

[CleverNickname]

Buy guns because you like shooting them or collecting them, not because you think you'll make money off of them. You might, but odds are much better that you'd make more money off of an index fund.

If someone did decide to buy a firearm merely as an investment, I'd suggest older firearms with some historical value. For example, not just any old CMP M1 Garand, but JFK's CMP M1 Garand (which was sold not too long ago for mid 5 figures IIRC).

 

[Dienekes]

Count me among those who cock an eyebrow about "investment" guns. Beyond those few actually used on a regular basis (CCW or a hunter's M70 or 870) they are very discretionary things. You don't need many, and the very fancy, collectable or otherwise high dollar guns will appreciate in good times, but can also go begging for buyers when things get tough. Witness the current "crisis" in home mortgages. Nobody "needs" a fancy double shotgun or an engraved gun. If bills need paying no one goes shopping for them, either.

I am inclined to think that "working guns" are more likely to hold or gain in value because average people do percieve a need for them and will obtain them even in tough times--and they remain cost-effective in the buyer's eyes. Think, again, of the lowly Model 870 shotgun. Even a Ruger P-series pistol.

If my wife were to have to dispose of my guns tomorrow, she would get about 70% of their retail value, if that.

Stuff is worth exactly what a willing buyer will give a willing seller. No more, no less.

So let's get busy wearing the blue off what we have now.

 

[I LIKE IT!]

Lifes too short my friend...enjoy them don't worry about $elling them.

That being said...

NFA stuff if you have the dough, though it's more like you investing yourself for them.

Preban guns tagged by import ban.

WW1 & 2 guns.

Oh and the soon to be banned AGAIN and for good Evil Black Rifles.

 

[antsi]

I doubt any guns would make good investments compared to more conventional vehicles like stocks.

I think you are right here.

Simply saying "the market price for this gun has increased since I bought it" does not make it a good investment. In order for it to be a good investment, you have to say "the market price for this gun has increased more than any of the other investment options I had at the time."

Barring massive social disruption as LightnigJoe mentioned, it is unlikely that guns will outperform other kinds of investments on a consistent basis.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Although I don't use the investment logic to justify buying guns, IMHO, These three guns are excellent as investments. These guns hold their value well over time and prices have actually increased. They are fairly scarce, there is a healthy market and demand for them, or, due to government firearms regulations or market dynamics, they are not easily substituted.

Study other investments, and get a clear understanding of exponential growth - it's not very intuitive (at least to me). This is particularly true for investments that you hold for a long time.

The other aspect to understand is the element of risk. Individual weapons are a very risky investment - you should expect a high rate of return (to be compensated for the risk). There are all the standard risks you would expect with any collectible, plus some addition political/legal risk.

Also, don't be confused by dumb luck. I bought a K31 two years ago for $129, and I see that they are selling for $200 now from the same source. As that a wise investment, or dumb luck? Dumb luck?

Mike

 

[jmr40]

Guns are not a good investment, this is true. But there are worse things to spend money on. All of mine are "working guns", and most were bought used and can be sold for the same or more than I paid. The money I have in the bank is increasing in value faster than my guns, but I can't take the money out and play with it any time I want. Other than our homes There are few things that can be used for 20-30 years and be worth more than we paid.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Guns are not a good investment, this is true. But there are worse things to spend money on.

Agreed, agreed.

But I think it's critical to keep the toy/investment aspects clear in our heads.

To pick non-gun objects that people often confuse the toy/investment aspects, think of beach houses and sports cars.

Some people make money by investing in beach houses and sports cars.

Some people derive a lot of enjoyment from beach houses and sports cars.

Most people who tell themselves a beach house or sports car is an investment - when it is in fact a toy - end up pretty unhappy.

Mike

 

[davepool]

Any Limited Editions ...maybe.. I bought a Springfield Armory "Iwo Jima" M1 Garand (#1433 of 1945) didn't consider it an investment, but maybe some day another gun nut like me will think it's worth more than i paid for it. I don't really plan on selling, more of a gift to my first grandson when he turns 18