Is There Much Appreciation Left?

[P5 Guy]

Garands do seem pretty expensive based on what they are offered for on GB. I was looking to see what I should ask for the two I'm thinking of selling but dang, they sure went up from when I got them in the 90's ...

You can say that again remember the Greek Rack Grades for $295?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I tried collecting stamps but got bored.
I tried collecting cars but ran out of room
Now I collect guns.
If you buy them at or near the bottom of their inverse bell curve of valuation then they will appreciate a bit.
Most people won't live long enough to see a brand new gun appreciate noticeably.

I tried collecting coins and stamps, just wasn’t fun.
Now that I collect guns I’m having fun but running out of room.
I don’t look as collecting surplus guns as an investment, it’s a hobby. Most hobbies cost money and it’s hard to get your money back. But with surplus guns I can get my money back plus some. But that’s only if I sell them before I kick the bucket.

 

[Bill Raby]

Guns are fun and they will hold their value against inflation if you don't wreck them. But guns are lousy way to actually make any money.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Guns are fun and they will hold their value against inflation if you don't wreck them. But guns are lousy way to actually make any money.

We’re not talking about guns in general. The topic is about surplus guns. Buying new guns would e a bad choice for investment. It would take many year for value to go up. It would be hard to make money on a 20 year old Marlin Model 60 when they still make them today.
Now when buying surplus guns, if you buy them right, you can make money.
I just bought a BRNO Mauser worth $350 for $200. But it’s not an investment, it was a great deal so I bought it.

 

[hdwhit]

Speedo66 wrote:
His take is that these guns are still appreciating and he bought them as investments,...

First, don't take investment advice from this friend.

Second, if you're investing in a gun, you don't want to shoot it with any regularity as you're just accelerating the depreciation of a wasting asset.

Third, while the price of most collectables will tend to go up, there are, as <*(((>< pointed out, better alternatives that will perform better and are easier to quickly convert to cash when needed.