Elements of collecting autoloaders.

[el Godfather]

Dear THR:
I usually talk about this with friends, and now I am placing it over here to a much wider audience. I will be glad to know what are most important factors that you consider when choosing a gun for your collection.

Please understand that a collection is different then inventory. One has guns that have collectible value. Whereas every gun you own is just inventory.

I look for high dollar value, unique features, finish, trigger job, looks, quality, brand, limited production, craftsmenship, etc

Thanks

 

[56hawk]

Actual military or police use is the main factor for me.

 

[jim243]

One has guns that have collectible value. Whereas every gun you own is just inventory.

I have to disagree with this. Some will collect different AR's, some collect Civil War items, some collect Mil Surplus. All guns if held long enough will become collectable items with collectible value.

A collection however is different, I collect MODERN weapons the only collectable I own is an SKS from the 1980's (C&R).

Inventory??, that's something you put together to sell. My collection is not for sale.
Jim

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Whether something is collectible or not is purely a subjective assessment. Everyone can have different choices.

Collecting weapons that will appreciate in value is a different issue.

And, just because a gun is EXPENSIVE doesn't mean it will be collectible, over time, or even maintain a high % of its purchase value. (Most guns won't come close to staying up with inflation. Example: a gun bought for $500 in 2000 would have to sell for about $750, today, to just give you enough to buy a new gun with the same features and capabilities. Inflation is a real downer.) Some cheap guns maintain more of their original purchase price than do more expensive guns, over time.

A few folks collect what they think will appreciate, and they view the collection as an investment. The folks who are successful doing this (i.e., actually have a "collection" that has a true value increase over time) are far more rare than most would expect.

Collect what you like or love, and do it because you've "just got to have it" -- and not because you think you'll eventually make money.

 

[wow6599]

I buy a lot.....and sell even more. I only keep the ones that have the "it" factor after the initial new gun thing wears off.

Guns that have been in the family will never be for sale. Most plastic ones come and go. I have some long guns and a very special Colt 1911 that I say I would never sell - but you offer me 10x what one's worth and who knows.

Bottom line, I like steel guns with nice SA triggers.

 

[bikerdoc]

I dont collect, I aquire, use, and seldom sell.
Only steel and wood. Revolvers and autos about equal in number.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I buy a lot.....and sell even more.

That's a good trick.

 

[wow6599]

That's a good trick.

Thank You.....it took me years to learn

 

[Skylerbone]

If I were to collect for the sake of it, rarity, customs from well known smiths now deceased or retired and provenance.

First rarity in good condition, and I don't count every "limited edition" as a candidate is the cornerstone of collectibility.

Second, a customized firearm from a deceased smith ensures the marketable number will not increase such that rarity is limited by strict number of samples already in existence.

Finally, provenance guarantees that what you have is genuine in one sense and, in certain instances, it may be traceable to a person of note. No one buying Elvis's motorcycle cares as much about its condition as they do about its origins.

Combining all three will give the collector the best odds at a further increase in value but the whims of collectors can and do foil the best of plans. That is called timing and it simply cannot ever be judged except through hindsight.

Shoot them, enjoy them, take care of them. Here's hoping dad's is someday the most valuable pistol in your collection to someone you already know.

 

[Okiegunner]

This is just my preference, OK? I like police, military issue, but kind of off-beat stuff. Its just a personal preference. I do not expect, nor desire to sell and make big money.

I will keep what I buy, and shoot.

MKEK Girsan Yavuz 16 (Turk Beretta 92 Centurion clone) awsome pistol, Italian made Tanfoglio Force Carry (.40), Zastava CZ-999 (Serbian made 9mm), square butt SW md. 10, Stainless Taurus md. 82 .38 snubnose, Sig Sauer 2340 in .40 cal., and ...this one actually has some value SW Md. 686 in .357

To be honest I really like everyone of these pistols, though I just got the Sig and have not as of yet shot.

Gunner

 

[hAkron]

My collection starts out as one thing, like "hey, I'm going to buy a Makarov" which leads into "I'm going to buy every gun ever chambered in Makarov" which leads into "I like this CZ 82 in my Makarov collection, I'll get a CZ 75" which becomes "I must have every CZ ever made". I don't have a single gun collection, rather, I have many intertwined gun collections. It's like an organisim, always multiplying and evolving.

 

[Arthur2001]

I am in the opinion that a collectible gun has to reflect a feature or an invention. A collectible candidate also can a gun which dominate its time.

May be it is better to go with some examples;

Walther PPK the first DA/SA (innovation)

Colt 1911 (served to US army 74 years, more then any other handgun)(dominated to its time)

Browning HP (first double stack magazines)

There are some guns which are descring certain period of time. If we are talking about "Luger" it is obvious that this gun put its marks to II. World War.

So basically, a collectible gun has describe certain period of history or has to have an innovation to its time.

Cheers

 

[ku4hx]

I buy what I like and want and ... well...that's it. I have some old Damascus barrel shotguns, a Blunderbuss and a couple other "non shooters". But guns are like clothes, trucks, boats, bikes and every other thing: if I got the jack and I want it, I buy it.

When it comes to "collectibles" (whatever you define that to be), all antiques are old, but everything that's old is an antique.

 

[Nushif]

My autoloader "collection" small as it is, is one of knockoffs.
If I ever own a gun to collect that's the real deal I think I did something wrong.

 

[MrDig]

I tend to buy more for function than collectible value with three exceptions, a 1903A3 that was sporterized, a Marlin Levermatic 22 LR and a Smith and Wesson Model 10, and they are shooters not safe queens.
So I have an inventory as opposed to a collection by your standards. Quite possibly the rarest gun I own is the Levermatic. Not because so few were made but because I see so few for sale.

 

[Manson]

I too buy mostly with an eye towards function. I can carry pretty much any gun in my "inventory". It also has to be fun to shoot. All my weapons go to the range often. So I'm not a collector in the true sense of the word.

I do know of a few true collectors however. One in particular owns over 70, mostly high end, 1911's and dozens of non 1911 handguns. So the focus is simply on what you love. Old revolvers, black powder, or AR's. It's a great hobby. For the collector or the owner of an inventory.

 

[Blackhawk30]

I have collected Ruger .22 autos.MK 1,2,3.I have about 100.I don't have every one that I wanted due to Virginia's stupid one handgun a month law.Most of my guns are limited distributor editions. and are worth more than they were when I bought them.