Should I sell a couple safe queens?

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Olympus

Olympus

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Wanted to get some thoughts on whether or not I should sell a couple safe queen pistols. I've got two guns that I've had fir at least 10 years and never shot. One of them is a mint Royal Blue 4" Python. I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should sell these guns. I've never fired them, they rarely even get taken out of the same to show off. I basically own them to say "hey I own auch and such". I bought both guns for great prices and they have both doubled their value since I've owned them. So they do make good investments and they don't require much and they don't cost anything to store or maintain, so they are zero maintenance.

But in the other hand, I get little to no enjoyment out of them. I have a good chunk of money just sitting in the dark year after year. Sometimes I think I should just sell them and buy something I could actually enjoy. But a part of me knows if I sell either gun, I'll probably never own another one again. So I hate to let go for that reason too. You can see why I go back and forth.
 
IMO owning a gun just to say you own it is useless. You say if you sell it you will probably never wrin one again. So what, if you never fire it or even look at it now what makes you think you will need to buy another?

This is just my opinion, I don't own guns I don't shoot. If you need the money or want to finance another gun purchase sell. If not wait and sell when you want to buy another gun.
 
My comment is about selling assets generally. Those valuable, collectable ones, like the Python. Unless you are wealthier than I am, once it is gone, it will not be re-acquired. Years ago, I sold most of my gun collection and I have missed them about every other day. Most of them were in two safes and would come out for cleaning and inspection. I sure enjoyed handling them, they meant something to me as representative of our history. If you do not need the money, as I did at the time, I would leave them alone and buy something you use.
 
Olympus said:
. So they do make good investments
Click to expand...
Much better investments out there than guns.

I would sell.... Course I am not one of these "never sell a gun" types.. If there is something I dont like about it or its no longer useful to me.. Its gone.
 
I'm in the sell it if it's not being used camp. It isn't difficult for me to imagine what I could buy with the $$ I'd get for that Python.
Of course I'd be shooting that Python, not husbanding it.
 
Here's another angle... why don't you just take them out and shoot them? You might find that shooting that Python is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. And you don't have to worry about "destroying its value" since its only value to you is what you paid. Guns were made to be used, IMO. You might find the enjoyment you're looking for.

Or sell it and buy something you like to shoot. If you can't buy that something without selling your safe queens.
 
What is this "sell" thing you speak of?

Honestly every body has had good things to say. I can honestly say that there are guns I sold or used in trade in the past that I do not miss in the least. On the other hand I truly miss some and am not likely to be able to replace them.

I have to admit I would have a hard time letting that Python crawl away but them I would have been shooting the bejeebers out of it al lthis time anyway.

-kBob
 
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What's the other firearm you're considering? If it were me, I'd keep the Python since it's mint. It should only go up in value. If you're ever hard up for cash, it shouldn't be too hard to unload it for decent money. It's not costing you time or money, so why not let your investment continue to grow?
 
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It sounds like you want to sell?
Around here we use the 2yr rule.
That python probably won't lose value. You dont have to bale hay for it. It doesnt take up much space. They are darn fine shooters, I have one also....but I don't want two.

Here is my ultimate decision making tool:
If you had $2500.00 (or the value of your python) in your hand, would you buy a python with it?
 
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Thanks fellas. The Python has been fired in the past I believe, but very very little. I does not have a turn line on the cylinder and does not have scorch marks on the front of the cylinder like you usually get. I've owned several other Pythons in the past, but they have been what I consider "shooter" grade guns. Guns that have worn finish and scratches, etc. This one was so clean that I didn't want to add any additional wear to it when I bought it.

My other gun is a mint Hamden-made High Standard Supermatic Trophy 22LR with the original box, paperwork, two factory barrel weights, and the factory compensator. I'm not sure if it has been fire or not. I've never fired it myself though. I already have another Hamden-made High Standard Victor that is nice, but has some small wear. It's a "shooter" grade gun so I'll probably keep it since it's so very similar to the Trophy. From what I'm seeing from other High Standard guns selling for, I think I could get $1000 pretty easily.

So between the two guns, I'm looking at probably $3500 +/-. I'm open to using that money towards something else beside more guns too. Maybe a small camper to use for hunting and to take the family camping with occasionally, some kind of ATV or dirt bike, use it toward upgrading my tractor, etc. Let's just say that if I had $3500 in my pocket to spend on something fun, I would not choose to buy a Python or a High Standard Trophy.
 
For the last 19 yrs. I've worn my Rolex Submariner (no-date) most days just to tell the time even though the cell phone that I now have keeps better time. These watches cost more now to have overhauled than many of them originally cost back in the day, mine is worth at least twice what I paid for it new in '98. I justify keeping it to have something really nice to bequeath to my Son when He graduates college.

Just because something is collectible and worth more than you originally paid for it, doesn't justify parking it in a safe. If I had a mint Colt Python and a nice High Standard I'd;

a) take them out & hit some targets with it on an occasion basis, just as a matter of principle,

b) better yet, sell / trade for a nice S&W 686 and a nice Dan Wesson Pointman 7, take them both out to hit targets with on a frequent basis. Then take the family on a vacation with the @Grand left over.

Your heirs will sell your collection off to Cabelas in an estate sale for 50 cents on the dollar, and they will get parked in the Gun Library so that strangers can look at & admire firearms that they can't or won't spend the the exorbitant amount of $$$ that these are marked up at. Nice place for your stuff to wind up at!
 
My only question about selling is do you believe the market price has reached it peak for both guns? If so then selling would be wise because there's no guarantee what tomorrow will bring.
 
life is too short to own stuff you don't use. sell them and get something that will make you or your wife smile. or feed a starving kid in africa.

and I'm not convinced python's will continue to go up in value forever. if/when colt gets back in the revolver game, and with the new cobra it looks like they may be heading that way, it may be that values level off or drop. I know whatever they release will never be considered a "real python" to a lot of folks, but if they produce something mechanically equivalent, well that will siphon off a lot of interest in the old pythons from those who just want a good shooter.

I, for one, am all about stuff that performs, not value. I've got a colt agent revolver I wish I had gotten rid of last year. shoots high. wonder if I could trade it for a tiny glock......
 
I am not a collector so my mindset may be a little different, I buy a gun to shoot it. If it's too nice for me to feel comfortable enough to take it out and use it, I'd sell it to a collector and use the money to buy guns I would shoot. I am not paying for something just to stare at it.

It reminds me of guys that buy supercars and then park them in their garage and never drive them. No thanks.
 
My vote is to sell them. I think we are at a peak in interest on these type of guns. They are to expensive to shoot unless money is no object.

The next generation has little interest in guns when compared to us over 55 folks. As the baby boomer generation dies off their will be a lot of guns hitting the market. I just bought a gun yesterday. A Taurus PT 111 G2 and it cost me $246 out the door. I have another Taurus I bought a number of years ago that is a 24/7 Pro in .45acp. It has ran perfect. My point here is that the sales of late have been driven by the self defense phase. They are relatively cheap in respect to the guns you have so yours are not going to appeal to the new shooters, and the older collectors are now starting to think about liquidation. I have sold 6 guns recently and putting more up for sale soon. Within the next year or so I will sell all but what I need . I am 68 and seeing more and more of my old friends doing the same.

Soon I think you will see prices dropping on collector guns. And as I said, when you can buy something to shoot and protect yourself for under $250 brand new, you arn't going to buy a 2 or 3 thousand dollar Python to plink tin cans, or for self protection. Just my opinion
 
kbbailey said:
It sounds like you want to sell?
Around here we use the 2yr rule.
That python probably won't lose value. You dont have to bale hay for it. It doesnt take up much space. They are darn fine shooters, I have one also....but I don't want two.

Here is my ultimate decision making tool:
If you had $2500.00 (or the value of your python) in your hand, would you buy a python with it?
Click to expand...


For a gun that doesn't get shot, this is a great way to look at it, IMO.


There are exceptions of course but would you invest the money again for the same gun?
 
It kind of sounds to me like you're inclined to sell them but can't bring yourself to do it. I've been there myself, but I think the worst part of selling a firearm is the anticipation before the sale. I haven't felt much regret after selling one, even ones that I enjoyed shooting.
 
Timing is everything.

S&W Model 29's were hot when "Dirty Harry" was blowing away bad guys in his movies. After the movie craze look at how common Model 29's are now on the market.

Pythons are hot on the market right now because of the TV Show "The Walking Dead." Pythons were not that much in demand before the TV series and interest will wane after the program goes off of the air.
 
Sorry, but I don't believe the Walking Dead is the cause of the high prices of Pythons. I know at least a dozen Python collectors and doubt if any of them have watched the Walking Dead.
 
I wouldn't sell unless I had too . I look at it as my art . If I had to sell , I wouldn't hesitate , but it doesn't sound like you have too sell and that you will regret selling them .
 
I would sell if they were mine, they're bringing you no joy owning them and I believe the market may be peaking for guns like that. Older folks that would tend to treasure them are passing on and their collections will be coming on market. The younger folks don't seem to have the appreciation for them. Sounds like the ~ $3500 or so they'd bring could be well used other family needs as well.
 
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