Appalling...

[SaxonPig]

The weather was perfect and I had the day off so I went to the range. Threw a trio of high end Colt in the case: a pair of Pythons (4" and 6") and an engraved, customized, ivory stocked Series 70 Gov't Model.

As I was packing, it occurred to me that each of these pistols would probably be valued at around $2,000. If someone had told me 15 years ago that one day I would head to the range with $6,000 worth of guns in the case I would have called him nuts. But there you go. Crazy inflation of gun prices strikes again.

BTW- I paid $135 for the GM in 1973. That was new retail. The ivory stocks set me back $32.50 in 1975. I paid $300 for the 6" Python about 15 years ago and $600 for the 4" version 6 years ago. I don't buy them anymore at what they bring, now.

 

[Skribs]

So...its appalling that your collection is worth more?

You should be happy. I won't be surprised if none of my current guns go up much in value over the next 40 years, but that's because mine are utilitarian instead of pretty.

 

[ATBackPackin]

BTW- I paid $135 for the GM in 1973. That was new retail.

If only my parents would have bought me one when I was born.

 

[SaxonPig]

S- It's appalling how fast some guns have gone up and how high they have risen.

 

[sappyg]

I am appalled that I don't have at least one teany tiny Python.

I was in an LGS the other day and saw an Inland M1 carbine in crap condition for 8 bills. THAT is appalling.

 

[Iggy]

SP,

I know what you mean. My guns are getting so high priced, it's almost to scary to take them out shooting.

I still do, but sometimes I have some second thoughts.

Beats the heck out of CD's.

 

[oldbear]

What's appalling, is not only the increase in value, but the fact these used to be considered tools and used as such. Not a retirement fund to be locked away in a vault.

 

[smalls]

It's appalling that I can't buy a 1911 for $135, anymore!

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'm more appalled that the US dollar has lost 98% of its value in the last hundred years. That one of the biggest reasons the price of those guns went up, and far more alarming.

The actual value of the gun going up is only part of the reason. The value of each one of those 6000 dollars going way way down is much worse.

 

[Plan2Live]

$135 invested in a CD with an average rate of return 6% over 39 years would give you a present value of approximately $1,400. So the value of your 1911 has basically kept pace with inflation.

Granted, you've had a lot of fun shooting it over that time but it drives home the fact that with few exceptions firearms aren't really an "investment" from a monetary standpoint.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Well, they could be in that they are a physical item with real intrinsic value. Paper money and 1s and 0s in computers have no real value.

 

[wlewisiii]

Well, adjusting only for economic inflation, $135 is equivalent to a price tage of $673.97 now which would be reasonable and roughly in line with the market. There are other factors of course but the dollar is not as big a part of it as some would have it.

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

 

[Smokin Gator]

I have noticed lately that the price of Marlin lever action rifles has gone up since they were taken over by Remington. They have had trouble producing the lever actions up to the same quality as before. Especially the octogan barrel cowboy models have gone up in price by several hundred dollars. I've seen some offered for sale at $1200 but I don't know if anyone is actually buying them at that price. Mark

 

[4 Paws]

I had a similar conversation with a friend just a couple days back. If we only had the crystal ball 20 yrs ago, I would have scooped up about a dozen pythons back then.

 

[Swing]

I was in an LGS the other day and saw an Inland M1 carbine in crap condition for 8 bills. THAT is appalling.

Exactamundo. I really wished I hadn't had passed on those carbines back in the day. Now they go for gonzo prices.

 

[wlewisiii]

We all have those stories. I left a near perfect Russian SKS sitting on the rack back in the 90's because I felt $120 was too much for "just" a SKS.

But the flip side is still true. I got a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt for $575 OTD a couple of weeks ago.

 

[SaxonPig]

I paid $69 for my first SKS. A can of 1200 rounds of 7.63x39 came with it for an additional $89. I joked at the time that the ammo cost more than the gun.

 

[Swing]

Ah, man, I miss the ol' days of sub-C-Note SKSs. Good times.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

back in the day...

I paid $69 for my first SKS. A can of 1200 rounds of 7.63x39 came with it for an additional $89. I joked at the time that the ammo cost more than the gun.

I remember those days. I also bought my first (and only) SKS at a Roses department store for $69. I liked it so well I went back a few days later to buy another one.

In addition to the SKS's, this time Roses also had some M1 carbines for $89. Instead of getting another SKS, I bought this Sept. 1943 Inland Div. General Motors G.I. carbine instead.

Still have it...always functions.

 

[Guillermo]

guns have gotten cheaper

you can go to Academy and buy a good gun for very little money.

Very good quality guns are either a thing of the past, or crazy expensive. But that is not the market anymore.

Unless you want a gun filled with injection molded parts, you pretty much have to go old or custom.

 

[powell&hyde]

I have noticed lately that the price of Marlin lever action rifles has gone up since they were taken over by Remington. They have had trouble producing the lever actions up to the same quality as before. Especially the octogan barrel cowboy models have gone up in price by several hundred dollars. I've seen some offered for sale at $1200 but I don't know if anyone is actually buying them at that price. Mark

Yup, I stopped at a lgs to pick up some powder and seen an early 70's Marlin 30/30 zane grey edition lever action. The rifle was nib with all the paperwork for $1200.00

 

[Balrog]

If it makes you feel better, although Pythons are sometimes listed for sale near $2,000, they don't really ever sell for that.

 

[lowercase]

I have a 4" blue Python on layaway right now, and let me just say that I ain't getting it for cheap. However, I wanted it, so I paid the price of admission.

My "good price" stories are probably my 2 Mosin Nagant M44s I bought 4 years ago. One shows absolutely no sign of ever have been fired, and I got it for $89. It's still "in the cosmo" and sits in my safe. The other is in beautiful shape with a dark red laminated stock, and I got it for $99. Can't get them for that these days.

 

[Owen Sparks]

This inflation calculator will put things in prespective:

http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

For example, a pistol that cost Grandad $20 in 1913 would cost $467.31 in 2012 dollars.
Then again, $20 was a weeks wages for a lot of people in 1913.

 

[BillH]

Inflation???

Everyones talking about "inflation", BUT they just told us it's "under control"!!
My best deals were in the early 70's, traded two used CBs (Ross) one for S&W model 10-5 with hoster and the other for a pristine Winchester 30-30 (dated 1971).