It's 1990 and you have $500.00 to burn. What do you buy?

[Saddlebag Preacher]

I bought a nickel Colt trooper MKIII for duty, but very soon after, we wen't to S&W 659's and sold it to my Dept. Sheriff Uncle who carried it for years. One of the more stupid sales I've done.

 

[Solomonson]

It's 1990 and you have $500.00 to burn. You have 2017 knowledge and you must spend the money on firearms. What do you buy? I think I would go with:

A used 8" Colt Python.

A MAK 90 or similar AK variation.

A Rock-Ola or IBM M1 Carbine.

With some very careful shopping, one could have darned near bough all three in 1990 for $500.00 $600.00 tops.

 

[chicharrones]

I was buying guns in 1990 (and long before). I don't remember having $500 to burn back then.

That's a great point. In 1990 I was 25 and making maybe $7 an hour, which was double minimum wage. The only way I could afford a gun over $150.00 in 1992 through 1994 was using the local gun shop's 12 month no interest plan that I took part of at least two times. I remember paying something like $24 per month for my brand new Marlin 39AS.

In hindsight, I still like my choices in post #11, but I did crave purchasing the elusive Timberwolf .357 Carbine, the M1 Garand, and M1 Carbine in those days. I remember the local Woolworth's had M1 Carbines advertised for $200 and the Garands for $300. I never did see a Timberwolf in person to see what store prices were.

 

[JohnBiltz]

The ban is just around the corner. I more than doubled my investment in a HK rifle in two years.

Replying to myself. $500 dollars in Glock or AR magazines would probably be the biggest return by the year 2000.

 

[tark]

A truckload of milsurps.

There you go. Exactly what I would do. Actually, I would buy up a bunch of Swedish Mausers that were going for $80-100 at the time.

 

[Odd Job]

Same as what the other guy said: milsurp magazines. Here's why:

1) Easily stored and maintained
2) No legal issues selling them anywhere, even internationally
3) Their value can only go up

 

[JR24]

Edit: scratch that, I initially read $5000.

Yeah, surplus AK mags for resale.

 

[Solomonson]

If my memory is correct, $500 did not buy a lot of gun back in the early 1990's. Where I live, we were paying close to $1000 for a Bushmaster XM-15 at the LGS. Colt Pythons were certainly going for more than $500. Chinese AK's were probably going for at least $300.

In 1990 MAK 90s were $129.95 here locally. Top of the line M1 Carbines were $200.00 from places like J&G Sales. My 8" Colt Python cost $225.00 used, about a year earlier. I missed the M1 Carbine and the MAK 90, but not the Python.

 

[huntsman]

IIRC $500. Was a weeks pay(net),according to my records I paid $225. For a Lyman trade rifle and $225. For a hunters arms 16gauge in 1991

 

[vtsteve]

I'm not sure how high prices had climbed by then, but IIRC you could still buy a full auto MAC for about that price in 1990. Does the $500 include a tax stamp?

 

[readyeddy]

In 1990 MAK 90s were $129.95 here locally. Top of the line M1 Carbines were $200.00 from places like J&G Sales. My 8" Colt Python cost $225.00 used, about a year earlier. I missed the M1 Carbine and the MAK 90, but not the Python.

Those are awesome prices.

 

[22250Rem]

Actually, I would buy up a bunch of Swedish Mausers that were going for $80-100 at the time.

That what I would have done back then; but I would have needed my very own FFL to get those prices. Late in 1994 a guy I used to know was an FFL holder and he purchased a full crate of ( 10? I forgot the exact number that were in those crates) Russian SKS's with the laminated stocks that were arsenal rebuilt and basically brand new and unfired. He sold me one in January 1995 for $225. which was a great price on that model SKS at the time . I don't know what he paid for that full crate but I know he was making a decent profit on them at 225 apiece.

 

[jmace57]

I'd buy $500 of Dell stock and sell it in 1999 for $450,000. Then buy a S&W Registered Magnum and a 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle.

 

[gulogulo1970]

Colt Diamondback 4", 38spl. I remember seeing them in the 450-500 range and thinking why 200 more than my Cobra or Detective Special? I was young and stupid...

 

[Hardtarget]

Could I get three M1 Garands? I wasn't looking at them at that time.

Mark

 

[F250GUY]

I'd replace the Remington Sportsman 78 bolt action .30-06 that was stolen from me by my own uncle a few short years later, along with the 3 other guns I had. A Rossi Squire SxS 12 gauge, a J. Stevens 107B 16 gauge single shot, a Marlin Glenfield M-25 .22 caliber bolt action with a 2x-7x Weaver scope.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I'd save it, buying CDs or other some such, as part of a savings plan to increase the amount on money I had as much as possible until July 5th, 1994.

Then I'd dump every nickle into Amazon.

 

[JohnKSa]

$500 worth of Glock 20 standard capacity mags--you could buy them for well under $20 apiece. Toward the end of the AWB, I saw them selling for $120 apiece. I'd take the money from the sale and buy Chinese 7.62x25 ammo when it was selling for 5-6 cents a round in bulk. Hold onto that until the prices skyrocketed after Clinton cut off Chinese ammo imports and then sell and use the money to buy .22LR when you could still get good quality stuff for under 2 cents a round.

 

[bcurry]

I didn't buy my own guns until 1992. From 1992 to 1994 I bought a new Norinco SKS, a new Ruger GP100, and a new Marlin 39AS for not much more than the numbers set in the the first post.

I still have them all.

My list is almost identical to yours chicharrones from 1985 to 1994: Marlin 336CS, GP100, and Norinco SKS for just a touch over $600.

 

[JONWILL]

All the hi cap magazines I could get my hands on. The 1994 ban sent them through the roof

 

[salt&battery]

If my memory is correct, $500 did not buy a lot of gun back in the early 1990's. Where I live, we were paying close to $1000 for a Bushmaster XM-15 at the LGS. Colt Pythons were certainly going for more than $500. Chinese AK's were probably going for at least $300.

well I would have bought 2 SKS's an AK and 3 1000 rd cases of ammo for them

 

[tomrkba]

Stock in Apple or Microsoft and a few lottery tickets where I can choose the numbers.

 

[mokin]

It seems like I had my eyes open for a stainless steel .357 Magnum of some flavor. I was recently separated from active duty, enrolled in college, and working two part time jobs at that time. I probably would have used the money for car work, school related bills, or food....

 

[Solomonson]

It seems like I had my eyes open for a stainless steel .357 Magnum of some flavor. I was recently separated from active duty, enrolled in college, and working two part time jobs at that time. I probably would have used the money for car work, school related bills, or food....

How I wanted a 6" SS or nickel plated Colt Python back then! Just like Hutch! They were peanuts compared to today, but they were still quite pricey when they came up used. I finally bought an 8" blued Python out of "The Recycler" in Los Angeles, CA.

 

[mnrivrat]

China imports were still available as I recall ? - C96 Mausers (Broom Handle)were about $65-$70 then. They were well used but complete. A lot of items have gained in value since then. Gold/Silver , some stocks would have made you a fortune. I mentioned the Broom handles to keep it gun related.