What rifles/carbines/SMGs are most likely to increase in value?

[<SLV>]

I've got a large chunk of cash that I was thinking of investing in firearms. From what I can tell, there are a few ways to play the market:

1. Buy Class III machine guns because there is a finite number
2. Buy Semi-auto assault weapons because they are likely to be banned again
3. Buy Milsurp because they will dry up and become collectible

I've thought about #1, but my concern is that they might even outlaw the TRANSFER making them practically worthless (except for the joy of ownership). Worse yet, they might actually confiscate them.

#2 seems real reasonable in light of the coming Demorat sweep of the elections. But if I go this route, should it be with AR/AK or more exotic items like H&K MP-5 and FN Herstal PS-90/FS-2000. I've even thought about focussing on SBR only because it might not be possible to SBR in the future.

#3 would allow me to get a huge pile of SKS and CZ-52 etc. But will they really be that much more valuable -- compared to AWs after the next ban?

What would you get if you had $10k to "invest" in guns?

 

[MMcfpd]

#2 seems real reasonable in light of the coming Demorat sweep of the elections.

That's hardly a safe bet, thank goodness.

Investing in what are basically run of the mill firearms probably doesn't hold a lot of growth potential, but I suppose just buying "stuff" is a hedge against a falling dollar.

 

[<SLV>]

I agree on the dollar hedge - quality firearms do hold their value and actually appreciate (when measured in dollars). I'm assuming "run-of-the-mill" means currently produced over-the-counter guns as opposed to antique, hard-to-find, or Class III guns.

 

[Number 6]

Making investments based upon the political future is unwise in my opinion. What if Heller goes above and beyond everyone's expectations? What would that do to the value of certain firearms? Class III machineguns are probably going to give you the best return, but again that is not certain. I honestly don't see another ban on the horizon, so buying up AKs, ARs, F2000, etc would not garner that much gain. The milsurps would probably be your safest bet since the value is most likely going to be dictated by just supply and demand economics, and there is a finite supply of these. I remember when Bulgarian Makarovs were under $200, now they are starting around $200 on gunbroker. Remember, from 1994-2004 the value of pre-ban guns was quite high, but overnight many people's collections dropped significantly in value. If I had $10,000, I would probably go with a Class III firearm, since I could enjoy it even if the market turned on me somehow.

 

[Chipperman]

You need to sell to realize a monetary investment.
My MP5 is worth about twice what I paid for it. So what? I'm never going to sell it, so the appreciation is meaningless to me. It just means I can't afford any new MGs.

Buy whatever will give you the most enjoyment. If it happens to appreciate, or later becomes banned, then at least you already have it.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

most any semi-auto pistol calber carbine. Marlin Camps have shot up in the used market. now bring 3X what I payed for mine.

 

[Outlaws]

Buying guns for a monetary investment is a terrible idea.

1. Who says the registry will be closed forever? Who says it won't be reopened in the next year or year and a half? Who says it won't be open in 10 years? They have been a good investment as of recently, but the last 10 years is not really the same as a long term investment.

2. AR's/AK's are in such large supply that they won't be worth that much money for years to come...and I mean like 10-20+ years after a ban. Especially if a ban is the joke they had last time where they only banned features.

3. Mil Surplus are great for collecting because you like them, but all the mil surplus rifles that are in the condition to ever really be worth something are already worth something. Maybe not a whole lot, but they are not $150. Most of these inexpensive surplus guns are beat up.

The only guns that are good for investments (I by that I mean over the long hall) are the ones with history and condition. WW2 Garands in good to great condition would be a very good investment. An actual 1920's or 1930's Thomson would be a great investment. Run of the mill AK's and AR's will never be "valuable".

If you want to make money on investing, there is a lot of ways, but guns is not one of them.

quality firearms do hold their value and actually appreciate

I guess it depends on what "quality" means. Even then, it hinges on if they stop making them or something happens at the company to give it a pre/post status, because then yes, it might appreciate...but if they continue in production, it will appreciate, but no better than the rate our dollar has been decreasing.

Just look up how much value the dollar has lost the last 10 years and compare it to how much the value of the guns have gone up over that period of time.

 

[collateral]

I'd have to suggest finding the best Garand or Springfield you can, and picking one or both of them up. All the ones I have seen have been pretty expensive and I imagine in 10 years they will be worth a lot more.

I'd also have to suggest a barrett or some other .50 BMG.

 

[Outlaws]

I'd have to suggest finding the best Garand or Springfield you can, and picking one or both of them up. All the ones I have seen have been pretty expensive and I imagine in 10 years they will be worth a lot more.

That is a decent investment. Spending $2000 on a Garand right now would be a very nice Garand, and will no doubt only become more rare as that level of rifle is what will be bought by most collectors and stored in a safe, with little chance to see public sale again in the owners lifetime.

 

[PTK]

Guns are a horrible investment idea. If you want to invest your money, look to the stock market.

 

[Ian]

Find a collectors' niche in historical firearms that is still undervalued, become an expert in it, and buy a nice collection of rare examples of that niche. Down the road, as all guns from that era become scarcer, you will almost assuredly see a nice increase in the value of your collection. MY father did that with Arisakas beginning 20 years or so ago. He was able to pick up things like sniper and paratrooper rifles cheap (as well as very nice examples of the more common models), because nobody was particularly interested in Japanese rifles, and now they're worth significantly more. Whether they're worth more than a similar amount invested in the market, I don't know.

Just off the top of my head, I'd think that Italian, French, and Swiss rifles might be good candidates for such a strategy.

 

[KrankyKraut]

do yourself a favor and research the topic of return on investment and consult an investment advisor who's paid by the hour, not through commissions on anything he sells you. Ask his opinion of whether guns make a good investment. I think you'll find that there are other investment classes that are much superior. It makes more sense to invest in other investment vehicles and use some of the investment returns to buy some guns you really enjoy.

 

[Logan5]

ROI in firearms typically has to be measured over generations just to show any return at all. My Great Grandfather's Winchesters are worth some money, but there's a fair bit of luck involved in their still belonging to anyone related to him. Short term in gun values has got to be what, thirty years?

 

[rangerruck]

amoo has had 9 price increases in the past 3 years. i sold a battlepak of S. African ammo, about 3 years ago for 30 bucks, they are now 80 bucks and more. plain white boxes of winny 55 grainers in 223, are now 10 dollars, i bought mine from Academy a few years back for about 5.
All rifles, simply because of the cost of steel, have gone up at least 100 bucks, in the past 3 years, some have gone up 200. A few years ago, you could bet a cz 52 , with the holster and accessories, for 100 bucks, they are now closing in on 200. As far as AR's go, a Colt , Armalite, or Bushy never seems to go down in value, and Colts only seem to go up in value, even if they are used, and you have put 10k of rounds through them.

 

[aka108]

Invest in metal. Copper, lead, silver or gold.

 

[<SLV>]

I've actually invested a lot in metals, and I agree that it is a good place to be.

I'm perhaps more pessimistic about the future of our country than a lot of people who have posted in this thread. I think that another AW ban is almost guaranteed, if not this next election cycle, then one after that. I don't see any point at which the Class III registry will be opened up for more automatic guns. Just since 1986 these guns (many of which cost less than $25/each to produce about 100 years ago) have achieved an average price of around $20,000. The only question mark in my mind is the possibility of outlawing the transfer of these weapons or their confiscation.

I'm leaning toward picking up a pile of PS-90s or FS-2000s. I agree that there is a pile of ARs and AKs on the market. In the presence of a new AW ban I think these FNH carbines would be rare (just because they haven't sold a ton on the American market). Also, actual H&K SMGs (not clones) seem to be in strong demand.

PS - Ammo is getting ready for another hike early next year, so now is the time to buy - it is only going up from here.