When did the gun market shift to collectors & accumulators?

[happygeek]

As for disposable income being new. That is also perception. People used to be ashamed to have much debt, so the average person didn't owe much. Today it is normal to have long term payments for vehicles, massive long term debt for houses, nevermind credit cards and other debt. Is it really disposable income if they still owe half what thier house costs, but they are spending a fraction of that on guns or tvs or other listed devices?
It would seem that some decades ago people owned thier homes and vehicles a lot faster than they do today on average.
Maybe they were the ones that really had disposable income, it just didn't seem like it because they were spending it in smaller quantities as they made it, but what they did buy was in addition to the big ticket things they actually owned.

+1 I was telling the wife the other day while watching football that I remember watching the NFL back in middle school (about 15 years ago) and there was a lot of ads on for car dealerships talking about how they charged $X over factory invoice. I can't remember the last time I saw a car commercial that stressed price, heck most of the ones I've seen recently were advertising leases, especially the ones for overly expensive companies like Acura.

 

[KC&97TA]

I happen to like X-Mas... people sell things cause they need money, 'for the kids'... I seem to run across rifles/pistols that I don't need but can't pass up.

I'm sure there were other political events that have pushed the buying powers, but 4 events come to mind.

1994 - before the originial black weapon ban
2004 - after the ban lifted
2008- dem'o in the white house
2012 - reelection of a dem'o

Firearms really are "good" investments. Grandpa's Winchester 62 was $7 in 1933, today they sell for around $350, don't know what the originial price of a 1954 pre-64 model 70 was in 1954, but I'm sure it would sell for a decent profit over 1955 msrp. Pre-ban 1994 stripped lower reciever $50, after the ban $250... decent profit as well.

I haven't lost a dime on firearms I've sold... may have only made $0.01 on one, but I've sold a few for a nice profit.

Investments such as Gold/Silver will always have value, judgeing by the commercials for precious metal sales they seem to be selling precious metal as well, in the even of a total collapse lead/brass will play a significant factor in survival/wealth.

The biggest reasons for my purchases... I've done well for myself, after growing up poor, after wanting so many things as a child I can now treat myself.

 

[browningguy]

Since my kids graduated from college and went out to make their way in the world. Biggest pay raise of my life when the two of them got finished.

 

[MAKster]

Probably 90 percent of gun owners only own one or two guns. The people who have a collection of 20 guns are actually only 1 or 2 percent of gun owners but these are the people who hang out on gun forums.

 

[Baba Louie]

KC nailed it

I'm sure there were other political events that have pushed the buying powers, but 4 events come to mind.

1994 - before the originial black weapon ban
2004 - after the ban lifted
2008- dem'o in the white house
2012 - reelection of a dem'o

Before that one could look to the 1968 GCA as well.
Political awareness and the fact that gov't prohibition, ban or limitations can, have and will occur will always sell prohibited or "possibly prohibited" items and things.

Coupled with disposable income of course.

 

[BigJimP]

I'll put myself - in the Collector/Shooter category .....I collect, but I shoot everything I collect ( they aren't just safe queens - regardless if they cost me $ 500 or $ 5,000 ...they all get used and shot).

I don't know if a collection is 5 guns, or 25 ...or 50 or more....

There have always been collectors of fine firearms.../ easily back to the 1800's...with people that had the money to purse the hobby. But I think modern consumerism probably became more widespread..after WW II ...but its directly connected with some kind of prosperity.

As part of the Baby Boomer generation...I have all my needs met...so I spend money on my hobbies...and guns and shooting ...are a major hobby. Some guys collect old cars, antiques, etc...(none of which is cheap )...but in the gun hobby - those of us that have way past everything we need - and many of us, have all the guns we want...we're still looking for a specific model, with a specific finish, etc...( like a special revolver, or whatever ) to fill one more niche in the collection.../ we sure don't need it ....but we like to have it ...

I like S&W revolvers...so in model 27's ...( a classic S&W revolver in .357 mag ) ...I have 4", 6" and 8 3/8" mod 27's blued...and a 4" and 8 3/8" in Nickel...but the 6" Nickel has eluded me.../ I see some that are beat up ...or past the engineering revision dash 2 that I prefer, etc....but I have yet to find that 27-2 Nickel 6" in excellent condition - even though I'm willing, in today's market, to pay $ 1,000 - $ 1,500 for it ...maybe more.../ and I shopped the big gun show near me this weekend ...found only one...seller wanted $ 1,000 for it and finish was ok, but bore had some spots I didn't like..so I passed on it...and the Hunt goes on....but I'm patient.

( and sometimes, the Hunt, is most of the Fun ! )......

 

[chez323]

I would say that I personally made that transition when I found these wonderful forums and there classified sections. Prior to this discovery I had what was necessary for my various hunting/shooting needs. But once I found the forums and learned about the different types, styles and varieties of guns that were out there i was amazed. And when one came up for sale that caught my eye and was within my means I'd pick it up. But I shoot the guns I buy with rare exceptions, not really into buying one just to look at it and keep it in my safe. I like to think of it as my 401G fund. LOL thought in reality most of what I pick up I hang on to and will pass down to the next generation in my family.

 

[olafhardtB]

How can I try one out if I don't have one? If I don't like it, I trade it or sell it. If I quit liking it away it goes.I don't worry about getting my money back out of it. If I want it I'll figger out how to get it.