What guns would you buy as an investment?
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blackcash88
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Anything full auto.
CountGlockula
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Hk MP5s
I think milsurp guns are a good investment, bought in bulk. I was begged to buy an SKS from a guy for $120ish about a year ago, turned around and sold it for $200, and now they're going for $250 all over the place! Whoa. Rumor has it that the plant that makes WASRs has switched to producing other products, and AKs will be going up in price soon (though WASRs aren't milsurp).
Milsurps have a quicker spike it seems. They are unlikely to go down in price, and more likely to go up quickly as supplies dry up. As far as a more conventional investment (with far less risk), I don't think you can beat bulk ammo purchases. Has the benefit of being highly utile as well!
PS, I am not an expert by any means, but this is what I've observed.
Milsurps have a quicker spike it seems. They are unlikely to go down in price, and more likely to go up quickly as supplies dry up. As far as a more conventional investment (with far less risk), I don't think you can beat bulk ammo purchases. Has the benefit of being highly utile as well!
PS, I am not an expert by any means, but this is what I've observed.
Hkmp5sd
Member
If you like to gamble, buy anything full auto. My M16 has increased in value 10x what I paid for it back in 1990. Of course, one little law change or SCOTUS ruling and your guns will be work about 1/10th what you will currently pay for them.
Sergeant Sabre
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If I was in a fantasy world where I had to invest it in firearms, then maybe a few dozen M1 Garands. Perhaps the value will go up when the CMP runs out of them.
In the real world, firearms are a horrible investment. It's like a game of roulette to pick one that will increase much in value. Very few mutual funds lose value over the years, making the trick not picking one of the the extremely few bad ones. Even if you get it right and buy the right firearm, it's not likely to out-perform the growth of even a fair-performing mutual fund. Even a savings bond or CD, which are extremely safe but extremely low-yield investments, will out-value firearms.
If you want to invest, go here: www.troweprice.com
To shoot, go here: www.remington.com
In the real world, firearms are a horrible investment. It's like a game of roulette to pick one that will increase much in value. Very few mutual funds lose value over the years, making the trick not picking one of the the extremely few bad ones. Even if you get it right and buy the right firearm, it's not likely to out-perform the growth of even a fair-performing mutual fund. Even a savings bond or CD, which are extremely safe but extremely low-yield investments, will out-value firearms.
If you want to invest, go here: www.troweprice.com
To shoot, go here: www.remington.com
Generally speaking (and I say this because I realize in a matter of minute someone is going to reply and tell me how they sold a gun for 50% profit after just 8 years!) guns are really really bad investments and you'll see less of a return than you would if you just stuck your money in an index/mutual fund. If this is part of your retirement plan or something I'd suggest more research because it needs to be treated more like fun money.
If I had to pick something I'd pick auto guns. Its pre-86 and thats it and I don't see that changing anytime in the immediate future.
If I had to pick something I'd pick auto guns. Its pre-86 and thats it and I don't see that changing anytime in the immediate future.
highorder
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M1 Garands. They will likely never be worth less.
The real investment is in ammunition.
Look at 8x57 Mauser.
The real investment is in ammunition.
Look at 8x57 Mauser.
Ala Dan
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Any of those "Black Evil Assault Rifles" that Barack and Hillary want too ban~! 
searcher451
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All wartime P38s, regardless of whether they were manufactured by Walther, Mauser, or Spreewerke. The value of these guns has risen steadily since the 1960s; even some of the Russian-captured and dipped guns are drawing increasing interest and high prices these days. Some of the auction prices these days are downright silly.
molonlabe28
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1. Colt Pythons;
2. Valtro (John Jardine) 1911s.
2. Valtro (John Jardine) 1911s.
Pat McCoy
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Depends if you just want an investment, or you want a good investment.
Most modern firearms, kept in good condition and not worn out by shooting them should maintain their approximate value versus inflation, but you have to store, maintain, and insure them.
For a good investment, one which has better than inflationary returns, you need something that is rare. I recently looked at a 17th century double flintlock fowler with lots of carving, engraving, and gold inlay. At $17,500 it is probably a pretty good investment, as they aren't making any more of these and there are few of this quality. The same can be said for some (perhaps many?) of the early double rifles and handmade European shotguns. You need to know more about the collectible item you are looking into purchasing than most everyone else in order to buy at the right price.
Collectibles should only be a small percentage (10-15%) of your total investments.
Most modern firearms, kept in good condition and not worn out by shooting them should maintain their approximate value versus inflation, but you have to store, maintain, and insure them.
For a good investment, one which has better than inflationary returns, you need something that is rare. I recently looked at a 17th century double flintlock fowler with lots of carving, engraving, and gold inlay. At $17,500 it is probably a pretty good investment, as they aren't making any more of these and there are few of this quality. The same can be said for some (perhaps many?) of the early double rifles and handmade European shotguns. You need to know more about the collectible item you are looking into purchasing than most everyone else in order to buy at the right price.
Collectibles should only be a small percentage (10-15%) of your total investments.
eflatminor
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Italian shotguns
I think in the future the finer Italian shotguns of today will be thought of as the pinnacle of the artform, surpassing even the English side by sides of the early twentieth century. They're not cheap untill you look at what a new Purdy costs. But don't compare them to a Purdy or any English shotgun. The best Italian guns have come into their own, distinctive and unique. The craftsmanship is of the highest order in the gun and engraving. They no longer look or feel like English copies. I really like the fine side by side hammer guns but most are over and unders. Wether competition or field guns, if they're 'best' quality, they're going to appreciate...I think. I also like for investment old English doubles from lesser known makers and those from the Basque region of Spain. Trouble is right now you have to find such guns in America. If you try to buy from overseas, the current value of the dollar will kill your return.
Of course, I like fine shotguns. Don't invest in anything you don't want to own. It should be difficult for you to keep it in perfect shape because you're always wanting to fondle it!
I think in the future the finer Italian shotguns of today will be thought of as the pinnacle of the artform, surpassing even the English side by sides of the early twentieth century. They're not cheap untill you look at what a new Purdy costs. But don't compare them to a Purdy or any English shotgun. The best Italian guns have come into their own, distinctive and unique. The craftsmanship is of the highest order in the gun and engraving. They no longer look or feel like English copies. I really like the fine side by side hammer guns but most are over and unders. Wether competition or field guns, if they're 'best' quality, they're going to appreciate...I think. I also like for investment old English doubles from lesser known makers and those from the Basque region of Spain. Trouble is right now you have to find such guns in America. If you try to buy from overseas, the current value of the dollar will kill your return.
Of course, I like fine shotguns. Don't invest in anything you don't want to own. It should be difficult for you to keep it in perfect shape because you're always wanting to fondle it!
browningguy
Member
Expensive guns that are not mass produced. ANything of recent vintage where numbers are measured in the millions or hundred of thousands may go up a little, but it's a crap shoot. Look at any other collectibles to see the trend, if you bought mass produced items in the 20's they have gone up a little, and some will exhibit extraordinary blips, but the real value is with the things that were expensive in their day.
I'd look at double rifles, factory engraved masterpieces, and other similar items that we (the masses) can't afford. Renaissance grade Browning pistols come to mind, Olympian grade FN produced rifles, high grade engraved shotguns (Bronwing, Beretta, etc.). As much as I may like them, semi-custom and custom pistols and rifles will never be a good investment. The finest custom bolt action rifle from the 60's is, and probably will always be, a worse investment than a very fine production gun (such as the Olympian menioned above).
You can still find Renaissance grade pistols from $2-5K, but probably can't touch an Olympian grade rifle for much under $5-7K, even a Gr. V BAR will set you back $4-5K. But compared to a new production gun that's not a bad price.
I'd look at double rifles, factory engraved masterpieces, and other similar items that we (the masses) can't afford. Renaissance grade Browning pistols come to mind, Olympian grade FN produced rifles, high grade engraved shotguns (Bronwing, Beretta, etc.). As much as I may like them, semi-custom and custom pistols and rifles will never be a good investment. The finest custom bolt action rifle from the 60's is, and probably will always be, a worse investment than a very fine production gun (such as the Olympian menioned above).
You can still find Renaissance grade pistols from $2-5K, but probably can't touch an Olympian grade rifle for much under $5-7K, even a Gr. V BAR will set you back $4-5K. But compared to a new production gun that's not a bad price.
El Tejon
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Folding stock AKs and anything chambered in .50 USMG.
bluetopper
Member
Handguns that are all steel and blued...........period.
S&W pre-lock revolvers.
S&W pre-lock revolvers.
I'd say any of the more 'exotic' types that have cropped up post-awb.
I'm thinking for example: ps90, fs2000, aug clones, maybe the acr or it's competitors (when/if it's available), and of course m4 type ar's.
Certainly not nfa type appreciation but perhaps in line with the AUG or HK9x series.
I'm thinking for example: ps90, fs2000, aug clones, maybe the acr or it's competitors (when/if it's available), and of course m4 type ar's.
Certainly not nfa type appreciation but perhaps in line with the AUG or HK9x series.
The Lone Haranguer
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I don't buy guns now as investments, because for an investment to return anything, you have to buy low and sell high (assuming you even want to sell it). Nowadays, desirable guns are selling high.
I do have a couple of guns that I bought for what was then a pretty princely sum, but would sell for considerably more than that now. Those would be an "old model" Ruger Blackhawk .45 convertible ($300 in 1996) and a Colt Python ($500 in 1999). But at the time I did not consider them to be investments - I simply liked them. You also have to consider inflation in the interim.
I do have a couple of guns that I bought for what was then a pretty princely sum, but would sell for considerably more than that now. Those would be an "old model" Ruger Blackhawk .45 convertible ($300 in 1996) and a Colt Python ($500 in 1999). But at the time I did not consider them to be investments - I simply liked them.
You also have to consider inflation in the interim.Chester32141
Member
Makarovs ... they beat the Lotto as the cornerstone of my retirement plan ...
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