Which brand 1911 will hold its value the best?

[bimmerboy]

I've been looking real hard at sub $1000 1911s. They all seem viable options at this point with pros and cons to just about all of the mainstream brands. ie. Kimber, SIG, Colt, Springfield.

I do like SIGs lifetime warranty. And the Kimber's build quality is top notch. Colt of course is the original. And it seems the Springfields have a "loaded" gun at a good price. But, in regards to the above mentioned brands... which do you feel will hold its value over the next 3 years? 10 years?

 

[ugaarguy]

Because of the collector market Colts tend to hold their value best.

 

[Dr.Who]

Yep, the prancing Horse would win!

 

[GunNut]

Make that Colt for the win.

 

[bimmerboy]

Only thing I don't like about the Colt's is that they don't offer a sub $1000 gun with the upswept tang. The XSE series would be the closest thing to what I want.

In Kimber, it's a Custom II in Stainless with Novak NS
In SIG, it's a Revolition stainless with Novak NS
IN SA, it's a stainless Loaded.

What is the Colt equivalent?

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Colt.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

For $1000 that will hold or improve its value, a WW2 or earlier Colt military issue 1911.

Not really a shooter though.

 

[ugaarguy]

Bimmerboy, where are you? You can get an XSE for under $1K.

Even with shipping & transfer this would be under $900 http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_141/products_id/36067

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Outside of a significant economic downturn, none of the guns you mentioned will "lose" value. If you are looking for a solid high-end shooter with a lot of nice accessories, the Kimber has always created the drool factor for me.

Guns are not an investment, but if you make sure you are not overpaying at the time of purchse (gunsamerica is a good place to check market pricing):

Any 1911 from a $300 Rock Island to a Brazilian ~$500 Taurus (loaded with features - you should check out) to a $1000 Kimber to a $???? Les Baer will likely hold its value.

 

[GreenFurniture]

US Prop marked 1911s.

Commercial/Pre-Series 70 and Series 70 Colts. Do not waste your time on later made Colts.

 

[g5reality]

Colts. I have a guy that wants to get rid of a Government issue Colt 70 series marked Government Issue. How much should I pay for it?

I've offered $500 but he wants $800.

 

[USAFA06STX]

My guess is that the Colt would because it's viewed as the "original."

Personally I do not buy a firearm because of its resale value at some point in the future. Instead, my choice is based on my needs, wants, warranty of the manufacturer, and budget at the time I am buying.

 

[daysleeprx]

Only thing I don't like about the Colt's is that they don't offer a sub $1000 gun with the upswept tang. The XSE series would be the closest thing to what I want.

Are you buying this gun to shoot or to keep? I think you should go for the gun with the features you like...heck if it works out then you won't want to sell it anyway.

 

[Texas Colt]

Colts will appreciate in value more than other brands, but I have never lost money on any 1911.

If you want a Colt and it doesn't have a beavertail grip safety, Wilson Combat makes a nice drop-in unit that doesn't require modification of the frame.

 

[rellascout]

Colt will hold its value better than any other 1911 brand. Juts don't bubbha it or abuse it and you can sell itfor almost what you paid for it or more if you pick the right ones.

 

[Sniper X]

I guess it is different here, but in New Mexico I have never not made a few bucks on any 1911 I have sold. In fact, I usually make about 20% on every one I have ever sold. Granted I allways buy a super clean used gun and when I find something else I want mroe sell that clean used one and buy the other one....like for instance, I bought a Kimber Pro Carry for $675.00 and sold it for $1000.00...tothe first guy who showed up to buy it.

 

[DogBonz]

Colt

By a nose

 

[Sniper X]

I see everyone is picking Colt. But wehn I go looking at used 1911s in gunshops, I notice the best deals are on the Colts. I know where there is a Series 70 Combat Commander, perfect like new condition, blue, stock grips, box and papers for $650.00 right now.

 

[JoeHatley]

Most guns out of the S&W Performance Center hold their value well, and some of the very short run guns start increasing in value almost immediately.

I would guess that the PC1911 would do the same.

Joe

 

[FMJMIKE]

My Rock Island Armory 1911 GI will. It cost almost nothing and is priceless to me...........

 

[bimmerboy]

ugaar,

When you purchased your SIG GSR... what other 1911 brands did you consider? I want something to shoot and to keep.

Here's how I can explain my gun addiction. I want something that is a classic. But not in the sense of a collector classic. Classic in the sense that when you hear SIG... you think P226. When you hear Walther... you think PPK. When you hear Glock you think Glock 17. When you hear pump shotgun... you think Rem 870. When you think of American sports car you think Corvette. Get the idea? Although I do believe in getting what suits me best... I'm drawn to having "the one to get".

I don't have very many guns. But here's the short list...

Glock 19 (because it is the compact Glock classic in it's original caliber)
Ruger MKIII 22/45 (because it's a classic .22 pistol even though I should have gotten the metal frame version)
Remington 870 18" syn (because it's a classic)
Remington 597 .22LR (I made a mistake here and should have gotten the Marlin 60)

So the question here is... when you hear 1911... you think Colt? That's

 

[10-Ring]

Easy -- COLT

 

[DorGunR]

I see everyone is picking Colt. But wehn I go looking at used 1911s in gunshops, I notice the best deals are on the Colts. I know where there is a Series 70 Combat Commander, perfect like new condition, blue, stock grips, box and papers for $650.00 right now.

I wasn't aware that Colt made a 70 series Combat Commander???

 

[Leanwolf]

SNIPER X - "I know where there is a Series 70 Combat Commander, perfect like new condition, blue, stock grips, box and papers for $650.00 right now."

Sniper X, if I were living where you live, I'd be on that deal like a hawk on a June bug!

DorGunR, yes, Colt made the Combat Commander in the 70 Series. I bought one new in early 1976. Two friends of mine, and another guy with whom I'm acquainted, also bought Combat Commanders during those times. They are fine shooters, too. Shot IPSC with them, etc.

L.W.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Guns are not an investment, but if you make sure you are not overpaying at the time of purchse (gunsamerica is a good place to check market pricing):

Any 1911 from a $300 Rock Island to a Brazilian ~$500 Taurus (loaded with features - you should check out) to a $1000 Kimber to a $???? Les Baer will likely hold its value.

I agree with the first statement, but disagree with the second. When you look at inflation, darned few guns hold their value... (It happens, but its rare.)

A gun you spent $800 for in 1997 would have to bring $1,009, today to just stay even...And inflation hasn't been all that bad during the past 10 years!