Expectations for a special model?

[ArmedinAZ]

With the ongoing discussions about the rifle Ruger decided to produce for 50 years of 10/22 production I wanted to ask real, serious collectors a couple of questions.

First, what would Ruger's hopes or expectations be when they produce an anniversary model or other special edition? Someone mentioned in another thread how many of these specials end up getting blown out at discounters when they don't sell. Is this true? Are these truly collectable in the sense that they'll gain value over time? Are they overproduced or overpriced??

Second, do collectors like these special editions or are they seen as contrived and not to be taken seriously?

This 50th 10/22 sure has lovers & haters.

 

[hittman]

Anything these days designed to be collectable or commemorative is mass produced.

Sadly, some folks still fall into the trap of speculating on them and years down the road are shocked to find out they can't even get their original purchase price back. Of course there are exceptions but ..... those are rare indeed.

 

[rugerguy]

the trouble is far too often "marketing" thinks it has to make many ,many to fill the "expectations"?? "hopes"?? to try and make EVERY Ruger buyer/owner a happy customer,,,but bottom line is they need to "limit" them ,,,,as I have noted often, to ME, of any and all the 'late' anniversary models have been over "made" they did NOT all sell, and yes outfits like Davidson, and lately CDNN buy up the left overs ,for "pennies on the dollar" ,blow them out to recoup their investment, does NOTHING for the overall "value" of the gun that folks bought and paid top dollar for in the first place,,,the "EXCEPTION" to this has been the 50th anniversary Bearcats and the Super Blackhawks.......NICE job on them by the way,and I have YET to "see" one of the Supers 'for sale' at ANY gun show we've been to :roll:


to me they screwed up with the 10/22 cause they 'jumped the gun at the "40th Anniversay" version,,,,now its gotta be something totally different....................heck look back at the "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" (1976)...EVERY GUN made that year was rollmarked as such , and to this day I can name only ONE person I recall who tried to collect them all, YIKES, think of that total....and I think Phil H. gave up on that one years ago 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[contender]

In talking with a few of the folks at Ruger last week, I think the prevailing thought was to allow the users & buyers of 10/22's to choose what they wanted for features of the 50th 10/22.
Many people are not collectors, nor are they the die-hards were are here for tradition.
So, the concept was to let everyone have a hand in the decision, WITHIN THE CAPABILITIES of current production.
Will it be collectable?
To the folks who collect the 10/22 models, they will own one or three. But to many, it'll just be another variation that they either like or dislike.

 

[BlkHawk73]

What contender said.

The whole term "collectable" is just another WAY versed term. People view anything as collectable now if they think it'll make it be more valuable or desirable. Problem is, until there's a demand and market for these items later on, it's just another model. Even the distributor models aren't gaining the collect ability status many believe they should or would simply because there's so many variations. Simply marking something as "limited" or "special" doesn't make it so, it just makes it more marketable. Even then, the market varies to much now with whatever is the latest fashion statement - tactical currently. Trying to make a big celebration out of a lowly .22 just doesn't get the attention AND keep the interest of the masses. A true collector will recognize the ones to get and the ones just made for attention and sales. These are the folks that seriously seek out a particular model to fill a void, that know the ins and outs of their collection's model, the variations. their pieces are actually collectable in the sense that they have models with noteworthy and intrinsic value/interest from them being just what they are and not because they were "limited" or "special".
It's the folks on the other side of this line, the ones that see the ordinary, continually mass produced models as collectable that these anniversary models appeal to. The ones that see anything different, the "special" or "limited" ones as inherently more valuable. The ones that also deem a change of grips as being "customized". The ones hit man refers to fit here.
When there's more of these later ones, all is good. They slack off, holding wallets closed and that is when you start seeing the CDNN ads.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I for one think the 10/22 that was chosen is fugly and I will not need one.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

I for one think the 10/22 that was chosen is fugly and I will not need one.

Thanks, that helps. :?

The Bearcat mentioned above was a lowly 22 and it sounds like Ruger made a nice anniversary pistol and it was well received. The 10/22 is such an iconic model for Ruger that what they did is sure out of the ordinary.

 

[BlkHawk73]

what they did is sure out of the ordinary.

And THIS is what I believe is what makes this model and any other change so difficult for ppl that simply cannot accept a change, cannot accept something different and are unable move past a change. People have a set idea what something should be, what in their mind is best and anything that doesn't meet that idea is a horrible idea. If one has such an idea for what they believe WILL sell, WILL be a better option, then put the $ where the mouth is. Present the idea, contract the run with Ruger (through a distributor of course) and reap the profits. After all, if it's a better idea and sure thing…