ar15 question from a "beginner"

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rbt2

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i had the good fortune (at least i think it's a good fortune) of purchasing a pre-ban, colt hbar target match ar15 with a 20" barrel. it has never been fired and still has ALL of the original box, paperwork, and accessories (including a sling, 5 round magazine, and carry handle). the guy even threw in a 30 round magazine. i paid $1200.00 for it. i HOPE that i got a good deal...



anyway, my questions to all of you "gun-guru's" are these: 1. did i get a good deal?; 2. if i do fire the rifle, how much (if any) will it decrease the value?; and 3. in y'alls opinion, do you think i'll be able to re-sell it and make my money back in the future (either fired or un-fired)?



i plan on keeping the box and all the info that came with it. i am of the belief that if you have a gun (beit pistol, rifle, shotgun) then you should shoot it rather than just turning it into a "safe queen", but, i'm new to this ar15 "thing". any help/suggestions/or advice would be greatly appreciated.



thanks,



rbt2:
 
If you want the most resale value out of it don't shoot it.
If you shoot it, it will be a good while before inflation makes it worth as much as it is now. Unless you get it into the Obamaban black market, of course. But we can't know when or how bad that will be, either.

Hint 1: I try to have my mind made up on such things BEFORE I buy.
Hint 2: I buy guns to shoot, not to speculate.
 
anyway, my questions to all of you "gun-guru's" are these: 1. did i get a good deal?;
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You did OK I think especially since it is a preban model, not a great deal but if it's what you wanted cool.

2. if i do fire the rifle, how much (if any) will it decrease the value?; and
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Why did you buy the rifle if you are not going to shoot it? I guess it will loose some value but not much as long as you take care of it.

3. in y'alls opinion, do you think i'll be able to re-sell it and make my money back in the future (either fired or un-fired)?
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Well it looks like prices are falling so unless there is a real ban scare (I think people have learned a little lesson maybe with this scare) you may or may not be able to sell it for what you paid. Also it is a match/target model that are not as "evil" as the other models so they may or may not appeal to the tactical crowd.

I like the match rifles like yours and bought a similar Bushmaster (24" A3) recently for a similar price. I know I paid a bit too much but I don't buy with the expectation to resell.
 
I paid $950 for same gun (in very excellent condition) prior to election. I figure the pre-ban premium on the gun was $100. I may move back to upstate NY at some point in my life, so that justified the premium to me. It's value depends on where you live. In a ban state, you did fine. Where I live, you overpaid a bit.

It is a very accurate gun and fun to shoot. Shoot the snot out of it and have fun. When/if you want to sell it, contact me and I will give you fair market value for it;).
 
I guess its somewhat fair for current market, I had to check and see. Colt name on the side is $400 of it's cost. If you bought it as an investment I would dump it quick while you still can. You can put on gunbroker, not sure if you will get all of your money out of it, but will probably come close.
 
So does the mil-spec build, MP parts inspection, and a few other things you don't get on lesser guns.

rc
 
What mil spec is it that uses different size action pins and different size receiver pins from what they sell the Army, and puts a lump of metal behind the trigger group to prevent the installation of full auto lockwork... or an adjustable trigger? My Colts are well made, but they are not mil spec.
 
O.K.

But I bet your front sight & gas block is attached with taper pins and not set screws.
I bet your gas key is staked on properly and not Lock-Tighted.
I bet your carbine stock nut is staked and not Lock-Tighted.

The list goes on.

Other then the Civilian model goofiness Colt does, the guns are mil-spec parts, built & assembled to mil-spec standards.

That's way more then you can say about a lot of other companies guns.

rc
 
You did ok on price. Not great... but you did fine.


Now quit worrying about resale value and go shoot the darn thing.

That is what they are for, we aren't talking about a Luger in 45 ACP in terms of rarity.

I promise you will enjoy shooting it more than selling it for 1400 bucks unfired in 5 years.
 
I was just going by the price I could have bought that model new maybe 6 weeks ago at a local big gun store. They had it for $1400 new. This is in NY state so I figure it would be about an average deal used elsewhere. I bought a Bushmaster with a longer barrel for a few hundred less.

Like I said though it is a decent deal, sounds like the OP bought it to turn a profit which is a long shot IMO at least in the next few years.
 
It was a fair deal IMO. You didnt get a deal, but you didnt get ripped off either.

Resale value, well, I think IndianaBoy summed it up pretty well.
 
thanks for all of y'alls input. i really do appreciate it!!

rbt2
 
thanks for all of y'alls help. i've decided that i will enjoy and shoot the rifle, because that is what it was built for. now, i've got 2 ar15's, and one son that's 4, and another son that's gonna be born in 3 weeks, so, i've decided (that when the time comes) both boys will have an ar15 that thier dad shot and enjoyed.

once again, thanks for y'alls input and information!!

rbt2
 
Take comfort in the fact that you got a good quality rifle! It will not let you down. You will get years of shooting pleasure. When you go to the range and the other guys are shooting the bargain brands you have the satisfaction of knowing you're shooting quality.
 
now, i've got 2 ar15's, and one son that's 4, and another son that's gonna be born in 3 weeks, so, i've decided (that when the time comes) both boys will have an ar15 that thier dad shot and enjoyed.
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That sort of thinking got into all sorts of trouble:D Started with 1911s, then Smith & Wesson K Frames, then Glock 19s, then Garands, then M1As, then Ar15s........

It has no realistic conclusion:evil:.
 
I had a military key come unstaked.

It's somewhat interesting that it is that old and still unfired. But it's not exactly a collector's item. I would take the peace of mind that comes with a rifle in new condition, shoot it, and not worry about it.
 
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