Actually, it's EASY to get rare, unusual guns or whatever. All you have to do is put forth you are seeking,, and have the ability to pay for something when you get offers. You will get offers.
And of course,, there are the auctions.
Be the last one with your hand up,, and you will win the bidding, and get the good stuff.
That mindset will get you good stuff. As for it being common sense,, well, it truly depends upon each person. If you have the money, and you enjoy getting specific items,, why not spend the money??? It doesn't have to be guns, it can be anything?
Ever watch the Barrett-Jackson auto auctions? Or how about art auctions?
Often,, you will see something sell for what YOU may think is way over-priced. Yet,, the person buying determines the value to them!
Keep such stuff for a while, take care of it, and quite often,, it will sell when you decide to let it go for more than what you paid. Of course,, there are exceptions. But in general,, looking at Rugers,, let's consider something.
You are a kid,, you see a Single-Six,,,and want it. You save your money, you buy it. Yet,, your folks don't let you shoot it much if any. You put it away with the box & shipper. You forget about it,, and life happens. A few decades later,, you dig it out & go to sell it. You discover you have a Tri-Color Lightweight, with the rare green wreath box, and the matching shipper. You discover how rare it is & sell it for a LOT more than what you paid for it.
Similar stories happen all the time.
It's when a person thinks they can buy an item, at a high but current price,, and then flip it in a few months or even a year later for a lot more. Buying JUST to invest & hoping for a sucker will often be a disappointment.
Troy has spent a LOT of time, and effort into his collection of Ruger stuff & guns. KUDOS!!!!!!! And if he's selling something,, he has a reason, and is a great guy & very fair.