best gun investment - planning for bad times

[blue_ridge]

Just curious if anyone has any insight into what guns might be the best invenstments for a future depression or de-stabilized government. I'm not talking about the zombie attack or even marauding bandits. I'm just talking about the 1930's revisited in the 21st century.

I guess I could buy gold and silver coins for barter, but the problem is, what if there never is a major depression during my lifetime? Then I've got these stupid coins just gathering dust. But guns I can shoot, hunt, trade, accessorize for years on end.

So what guns make the best investments, or would be most appealing to people in hard times? I would assume it would have to meet the following criteria:

1. common chambering (22LR, 9mm, 45ACP, 223, 308, 12GA etc)
2. relatively inexpensive - under $500 - if people are low on funds, a $1500 Noveske Ar-15 isn't going to be of much use in trade
3. Reliable/easy to find parts - people won't want something they can't fix or maintain easily

My first few ideas are:

Ruger 10/22
SKS
Rem 870

 

[lowerunit411]

in "bad times" people cant afford anything. food, water and ammo/ammo components is what id say. you cant eat gold or silver or .45s

 

[blue_ridge]

So you don't think many of the "masses" who live in suburbia and metropolitan areas would all of the sudden come to the realization that they need guns for protection and hunting? I mean, right now everyone is so dependent upon their local supermarkets to have food, they'd be in sad shape within 3 days of a shortage.

A guy with a handful of cheap guns might be someone who can barter his way through the tough times.

 

[Trent]

You need to ask yourself.. do you really want to trade guns off to desperate people from big metropolitan areas if there's a massive natural emergency?

I mean, really????

And how would you go about advertising such a service? Sounds like a good way to paint a bullseye on your forehead, in all honesty.

 

[mljdeckard]

SKSs have jumped in value over the last ten years, but I don't know if they will go up much more. There is a finite supply of them.

 

[lowerunit411]

first of all...hunting in suburbia..unrealistic....think about what you just said "right now everyone is so dependent upon their local supermarkets to have food, they'd be in sad shape within 3 days of a shortage. " "bad times" maybe be good for profiteering if your on a level of the industrial barons of the last depression but...to thine own self be true...if things get bad, food water and ammo for your own weapons makes sense to me and im not talking Zombie apocolypse . its just wise to be prepared. let others fend for theor own well being. sad but for me...true.

 

[cemjr]

My ( $2,000 ) Noveske may not possess the trade value you speak of but in the event of depression and or government de-stabilization and the potential chaos that may ensue, it's sustained fire capability may come in handy.

Just a thought

 

[rcmodel]

Depression?
I'd say Glock Ninez and Fo-Tayz.

You can trade them for all the food stamps you could ever want.

Sorry, the Debble made me do it.

rc

 

[Trent]

Nah, screw that. Hi Points.

Buy them by the dozen (it's cheaper!) Blister-pack them in plastic with two loaded magazines and shove them in boxes.

When the ATF asks you about the massive amounts of multiple-pistol acquisition reports they are getting from FFL's for you, and they investigate you for gun running, just say "I'm investing against a future economic depression."

They'll probably knock on your door, by the way. Especially if you live near a large metropolitan area.

In all seriousness, ammunition is the way to go. Or components. When Talon was having their death-throes after the government announced the end of "milsurp pull downs", I bought 5 tons of components. All of it was various 50 BMG, 7.62, and 5.56 projectiles and cases.

Why? Because it wasn't likely to be "any more of those."

At the time and volume I bought, I picked up thousands of blue tip 50 BMG projectiles for .40 cents each. Go check what blue tip (incendiary) 50 BMG ammunition is selling for on GunBroker or elsewhere, and tell me if I made a bad decision. If it keeps going the way it has, that one purchase will allow me to retire a couple years early.

Assuming they don't outright ban the stuff.

Always a risk.. ya know?

 

[AlexanderA]

Remember that in the Depression of the 1930's, the government did not disappear. What happened was systemic deflation. Cash was king, and if you had cash, you could buy all kinds of assets (including real estate and guns) for much less than their pre-Depression values.

Runaway inflation (such as in the German Weimar Republic of the early 1920's) is the opposite problem. In that scenario, you don't want cash. Invest in basic consumables (such as non-perishable food), gold, real estate, maybe guns.

In case of the unlikely event of a complete societal collapse, money, gold, real estate will be worthless. People will be interested only in food, fuel, medicines -- in short, the things that can be consumed and the means to get things that can be consumed. (That includes guns.)

So your "investment" strategy would differ greatly, depending on the set of events that you expect to happen. Personally, I wouldn't bet that the sky is going to fall. Things tend to happen incrementally.

 

[lowerunit411]

im too young to have lived through the "great depression", though god knows i heard enough about from my mother and father, but i have been exposed to "bad times". when i was a young man in the Navy i was in a place where guns were virtually everywhere...and mostly were being used to take what little clean water and edible rice others had. food , water and ammo...ill stick to that mantra.

 

[CONNEX 3300]

If you are talking about a 1930's era depression, then SHTF supplies are not going to be as badly wanted by the public. And I am making the assumption that you have your own "never trade" guns for protection, so that the suggestions I am giving are just strictly for investment.
I would go with:

1. used Marlin model 60s or other cheap "walmart" .22 rifles. These are not going to break the bank in case the depression never comes. If the depression does come people should be eager to get them as there is plenty of cheap ammo for them, and they are easy to practice with if they are first time gun buyers.

2. HR Pardner pump 12 or 20 guage. These shotguns can be bought for under $200 brand new. They are reasonably reliable, and again ammo is cheap and plentiful.

3. Mosin Nagant. Decent rifles like this can be found for around $100. Although there will probably be less demand for a high powered rifle, some folks will still be in the market. Since they come with open sights they are cheaper and less complicated for the first time gun buyers who might buy them. The only downside to the Mosins is the lack of ammo. I suggest that you buy bulk military surplus ammo and designate atleast 100 rounds to each rifle. This ammo would never be shot, but would be stored with the rifle so that it offers a better deal to a potential buyer.
I suggest you were to buy several of each of the guns I listed and keep a small cache of ammo with each stored gun. In the case of a depression I am certain that you would get far more back for each gun you sell.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I could be slightly biased, but if the requirements are common chambering and lots of spare parts, I'd say the handgun has to be a Beretta 92; Identical parts and ammo with the M1, lots of spares.

For a rifle, I'd agree with the 22 idea. Nothing like a decent Marlin or 10/22 to put food on the table.

 

[22-rimfire]

Blue Ridge, I think you have the right idea. You might expand the list to include some other 22's and probably a few Glocks in 9mm or 40 S&W. You will want something to protect yourself in addition to trade and barter. Barter ammunition.

Read the book "One Second After" to give yourself a taste of what it could be like. It would not be long before there was essentially no wild game in the woods. The story takes place in the Blue Ridge... Black Mountain NC specifically.

If you are hungry, you'd trade a gun any day for a pig or cow or ammunition for some chickens.

 

[bannockburn]

I would probably stockpile as much non-perishable food items (canned, freeze dried, etc.), as possible, along with an adequate supply of basic OTC medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). Not thrilled with the notion of doing any trading/bartering with firearms, though I could see dealing in something small, like .22LR ammo, in exchange for something I might need.

 

[lowerunit411]

"If you are hungry, you'd trade a gun any day for a pig or cow or ammunition for some chickens"..............thats total Bravo Sierra sir.

 

[mljdeckard]

I concur. If you have a gun, trading it to get food is neither the only option, nor the BEST option.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Store lots of ammuniton, food, medical supplies, liquor, and toilet paper. Must have items. I have also thought Glocks to be about the best compromise for economy and desireabilty by potential buyers, along with the other stuff. If I could sock away about 100 Glock 9mm's and .45's, I'd be able to trade for a lot of stuff.

 

[baccusboy]

The only way you are going to make money on it is if you know what you are doing and buy the right thing at the right time. That or buy the right thing and wait a long time.

Guns are typically a bad investment, if the goal is making money. The cases where anyone made out like bandits are rare, involve large purchases, and are made by those who know what they are doing. The rest of us lose a hundred or make a hundred. Most lose, unless you find a desperate person selling cheap.

 

[Wanderling]

In 1930s there was no destabilized government.

A complete anarchy when you need to stockpile guns and ammo to fight off angry hordes takes quite a bit more than financial depression. At least in a highly developed country.

Besides, if things start to deteriorate, practically any government's first reaction is to suspend the constitution and outlaw all guns.

 

[vellocet]

Gold coins? Just try to get change for your krugerrand in a disrupted situation. Remember that everyone else will have guns,too. 9mm pistol, 12 gauge pump and an ak or ar is a realistic combination. The ak would cost less and require less upkeep. "Good luck."

 

[22-rimfire]

thats total Bravo Sierra sir

You obviously have never been hungry. A gun is a comodity as is ammunition.

 

[230therapy]

Guns require ammo and gear. The following will also need a cleaning kit, solvent, lube and patches.

Combat grade AR-15 from Bravo Company, Daniel Defense or Colt. 20 magazines, 1,000 rounds of 62+ grain ammo, quality red dot optic, sling, mag holders, rail mounted light.

Glock 19, 6 magazines, two mag holders, belt holster, quality belt, 1,000 rounds of 9x19mm FMJ, 200 rounds of quality JHP ammo. This setup would be worth quite a bit.

Used S&W revolvers in 38 Special or 357 Magnum, 1,000 rounds of hot semi-wadcutter or hard cast ammo, holster, speed loader holder and two speed loaders will also be very valuable.

The full rifle would probably be worth a deed to a building or some land. One of the handguns would likely be worth a horse or a few cattle. I believe the guns alone would be worth far less without the gear and ammo.

 

[scramasax]

If you are looking for barter goods to stockpile then go for " femenin products", antibacterial soaps in liquid and bar, baby wipes, cheap booze and cigars. This is a short teaser list. As for weapons to get just enough with spare parts for you, family and friends. spare parts, ammo, and reloading components.

You can store quite a bit in a used shipping container and have it relatively secure.

Cheers,

ts

 

[Trent]

You obviously have never been hungry. A gun is a comodity as is ammunition.

As a previous shop owner, I can attest to this. I had a lot of people trade in guns for food who had recently lost their jobs, especially in 2008....