Looking for a little advice....

[slyalley]

I'm looking to start a collection and am looking at a couple right now that I'm tossing around and need some help making a conclusion. I have a small collection of the basic modern guns and am looking to add some vintage guns. Something with stories behind them or that are no longer in production, yet I wouldn't mind taking them to the range. I also want them as an investment so I like a good deal. So if you can reccommend a book that would have a large amount of usefull info (prices how to identify etc) that would be helpfull too. I want to build a good collection and maybe start looking at getting an FFL in the next few years as a dealer.

Heres what I'm looking at for right now and what I want to ask is which are firearms I should purchase first if at all. (I live in Oklahoma. I know location helps put prices in perspective)

Here they are:

A Savage-Stevens bolt action .30-.30 Not sure of the model but am told it dates to the 1960s. It has a new or refinished wood stock, a scope, and the open sights have been removed. The seller is asking $300 for this one. I like it but until I can get some more facts...

Next is a FEG Hungarian made 9mm pistol in ex. condition. The seller also wants $300 for it. I'm not really interested in this one but thought it may be worth checking out.

A pair of 8mm Mauser's not sure about these as the shop keeper didn't really say much about them but the price says they're not WW2. $169 and $219

A lot of 3 Yugo SKS with bayo's for $134 each. Not sure if these are issued or not. Serial # on one is E116628

Another SKS w bayo at another shop for $130 for the one. It is a greaseball of a gun.

Last on my list and the ones I'm not really into right now are some Romanian AK-47s $319 and for a folding stock $490. Is this a reasonable price for these? If I purchase these it would probably be to re-sell so and I don't know what current market prices are.

I'm new around here and I apologise for the lenghty post. I hope to get some feedback on these. I'll continue to browse the old posts for more info and self education. Thanks
S

 

[browningguy]

Just my opinon mind you, as I don't think anyone should "invest" in guns, put your money in a good mutual fund if you want to invest. If you're collecting because you love guns, and wouldn't mind some appreciation then:

The Savage is not a collector grade gun, stock not original and original sights removed means it cost's more to restore it than it is worth. If it was in mint original condition this is about the current value.

The FEG is no bargain at $300, not very collectable either.

The Mausers you need to know a lot more about, there are some really rare ones,and some that are worth less than $100. Unless their is something special about these it's a pass.

SKS's (Yugo's) in excellent to unissued condition seem to be selling for around $125-150 if you have a C&R, dealers often ask $179 and up. These may not be bad to keep around for a long while but there are a lot of them available.

I don't think the AK's are bargains but I don't really mess with them much.

For investment guns similar to those you might consider an original Savage 99 in .250-3000 or .300 Savage, or an original Remington model 8 or 81, these go for $300 -600 unless you find a really rare combination of condition, grade and caliber. Historically interesting and if you get the right caliber still have factory ammo.

For pistols you can get a decent Savage model 1907, Browning 1910/22, Browning 1900, Manurhin made Walthers, post-war Walther P-38's and p-1's and a long list for similar or lower prices than the FEG. All with some history and a better chance of appreciating. Heck, I even see decent S&W New Departure models for around this price. For about $2,000 spread over a year or two you could put together a really nice collection of New Departures that would be spectacular to look at.

I did a lot of epensive learning when I first started "collecting", actually I was more of an accumulator, anything that looked like it was cheap I bought it. That's a big mistake, buy the best condition you can find and afford. You might also look at something that is out of favor now, maybe Iver Johnson or High Standard revolvers, buy them in mint condition and you'll probably be happy in 10 years.

Oh, and go get a C&R, it'll save you a ton of money in a year or two of buying. Not trying to put your selection down, it's just that for potential appreciation I see a lot of better choices out there.

 

[rangerruck]

i'd og the mausers. the stevens is probably the nicest, but you can find it cheaper a t a gunshow.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Guns in general are lousy investments from a purely monetary standpoint.

If you just want a fine old gun that's a hoot to shoot, go online to AIM Surplus and pick up one from the latest shipment of Swiss K-31 straight-pull bolt actions for around $150.00. Accurate, built like a, well, swiss watch, and in tip-top condition. About the only knock on them is that because the ammo is of very high quality, you can't buy it for a nickel a case.

The one I just ordered will make my 4th one from various importers.

 

[slyalley]

First of all thanks to you guys so far. "Investment" wasn't the main concern here just a perk to owning some neat firearms. My investment money is in land right now since they don't seem to be making anymore of that. But some good points made none the less. C & R is on the list of things to do soon.
I'm scoping out AIM now.

I'm making a list out of the guns mentioned also.

What books should I check out as far as general info? My work has me traveling alot so I'm always on the look out and some type of reference guide would be great.

I may pick up one of the Yugos soon. I've always enjoyed shooting these (my friend had one a few years back). Also if I want to make some mods or put on different stocks would one of these be able to make those conversions?

Thanks for the pointers guys and keep them coming!

 

[19112XS]

These might be helpful:

Blue Book of Gun Values, 27th Edition (Blue Book of Gun Values) by S. P. Fjestad, Steven P. Fjestad Price:$25.17 (at Amazon)

Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference Guide (3rd Edition) -- by Ned Schwing; Price: $18.89 (at Amazon)

Books are usually cheaper than guns and make better choices easier to recognize.