I often see someone write that they bought "X" firearm for "Y" amount back in "Z". I've done it myself. Most times I've compared the value of money today to it's hard earned value back in that somewhat mystical past, it's pretty much a wash. I've come to the conclusion that the only price that's relevant is the price you paid today, and of course the price the other guy got it for last week that was $50 cheaper.
The Price
- Thread starter Highstandardguy
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
A wise old gun trader once schooled me. He said; You never pay too much,, but you may pay too soon!"
Buy,, keep & they will usually appreciate in value.
Buy,, keep & they will usually appreciate in value.
Well, they will usually appreciate in price. Whether they appreciate in value or not is strictly up to the seller and the prospective buyer. 
Like the OP, it's mostly a wash. I think [not sure I'm correct], but I think you could purchase a Colt Single Action Army for a 10 dollar double eagle in 1873 & that same coin will purchase one today. Not sure that is exact in price but should be close. Again I think. 
OP
Adjusted for inflation your 2004 $300 now has the buying power of $514. So based on just inflation the gun should have sold for $514. It looks like your gun actually increased in value by $186 in today's dollars. A sound purchase IMO.
There are lots of "inflation calculators" on the internet today. After having used them several times I find that they all seem to underestimate inflation.
Like the OP, it's mostly a wash. I think [not sure I'm correct], but I think you could purchase a Colt Single Action Army for a 10 dollar double eagle in 1873 & that same coin will purchase one today. Not sure that is exact in price but should be close. Again I think.
Eagles were $10, half-ounce coins.
Double Eagles were $20, one-ounce coins.
OP
Well then you didn't make as much as I thought.
bigbillyboy
Hunter
In my opinion a lot of it is about the actual gun itself . For example ruger M77 tangers , Winchester model 70s , Rem 700s to name a few .All of these have gone up in price much more than say a Mossberg in the same type ......
contender
Ruger Guru
Sadly,,, I think too many casual gun buyers look at buying a gun & thinking; "I can buy it for X and sell it for Y." In short,, looking at it as an investment instead of as something to enjoy.
But if you buy it for X and KEEP it,, enjoy it,, and then, if you go to sell it a few years later,, you will often find you will sell it for more than what you paid. And you got the joy of ownership & use.
That is,, as long as you buy quality firearms.
And,, if investing is a major concern,, LEARN WHAT PEOPLE CRAVE, then buy those models.
Often,, I see people say; "Ohh, I like that model,,,, I want one,, but I'm gonna wait until the newness goes away & buy one on sale, or for less money!" BUT,, often,, many of these desirable guns are purchased quickly,, but NOT kept in regular production or get discontinued. Then the demands rise & availability is very limited. And then the prices rise a lot and the tire kickers, bargain hunters, or whatever are left without.
Convertible Bearcats, .327 Blackhawks, Buckeye Specials, Hawkeye's to name a few come to mind. (Although the Hawkeyes were not a high demand item,, but limited in production.)
Prices? Why worry. Buy & enjoy. But buy quality, buy what is desirable, and if you wish to sell, you will discover you will have enjoyed something AND often sell for much more than what you paid. Inflation or investment options are a wicked witch.
But if you buy it for X and KEEP it,, enjoy it,, and then, if you go to sell it a few years later,, you will often find you will sell it for more than what you paid. And you got the joy of ownership & use.
That is,, as long as you buy quality firearms.
And,, if investing is a major concern,, LEARN WHAT PEOPLE CRAVE, then buy those models.
Often,, I see people say; "Ohh, I like that model,,,, I want one,, but I'm gonna wait until the newness goes away & buy one on sale, or for less money!" BUT,, often,, many of these desirable guns are purchased quickly,, but NOT kept in regular production or get discontinued. Then the demands rise & availability is very limited. And then the prices rise a lot and the tire kickers, bargain hunters, or whatever are left without.
Convertible Bearcats, .327 Blackhawks, Buckeye Specials, Hawkeye's to name a few come to mind. (Although the Hawkeyes were not a high demand item,, but limited in production.)
Prices? Why worry. Buy & enjoy. But buy quality, buy what is desirable, and if you wish to sell, you will discover you will have enjoyed something AND often sell for much more than what you paid. Inflation or investment options are a wicked witch.
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Sometimes a gun goes out of production because of low sales numbers, then once it’s unavailable people want it.
- Joined
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- 10,870
You really can’t look at them as investments, but it is nice if you have to sell and don’t lose money.
Buy what you like,
Buy what you like,
I've wanted an early Colt Python for nearly three decades. Everytime I find one it's priced like the Mona Lisa. $1,800 to $2,500 for a nice one
I finally found a 4-inch Python, Royal blue, made in 1962, for $960 at a local gun store.
No box or papers but it looks unfired.
The gun store originally wanted $1,100 but I offered $900, and we settled on $960.
I'm happy. Bucket list Python finally found.
I finally found a 4-inch Python, Royal blue, made in 1962, for $960 at a local gun store.
No box or papers but it looks unfired.
The gun store originally wanted $1,100 but I offered $900, and we settled on $960.
I'm happy. Bucket list Python finally found.
I see a lot of nice guns that I would really like to have, but I have to distinguish between the value as a collector and the value of a shooter.
I would really love to have a Colt single action, but I can't bring myself to pay what it costs to get one now. I'm not thinking about what it's going to be worth in the future, I'm thinking about what it's worth to me now, and the fact that I will more than likely be shooting the tar out of it, which will more than likely wipe out half of what it might have been worth in the future anyway.
Same with a Smith 57. I've seen a lot of really nice ones, with the price tag to match. I'd rather buy beat up shooter and not have to pay as much.
I would really love to have a Colt single action, but I can't bring myself to pay what it costs to get one now. I'm not thinking about what it's going to be worth in the future, I'm thinking about what it's worth to me now, and the fact that I will more than likely be shooting the tar out of it, which will more than likely wipe out half of what it might have been worth in the future anyway.
Same with a Smith 57. I've seen a lot of really nice ones, with the price tag to match. I'd rather buy beat up shooter and not have to pay as much.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
Just lets me know that you don't understand inflation.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I've wanted an early Colt Python for nearly three decades. Everytime I find one it's priced like the Mona Lisa. $1,800 to $2,500 for a nice one
I finally found a 4-inch Python, Royal blue, made in 1962, for $960 at a local gun store.
No box or papers but it looks unfired.
The gun store originally wanted $1,100 but I offered $900, and we settled on $960.
I'm happy. Bucket list Python finally found.
OOOOOO. I'm jealous.
I'll drop a pic once I find it LOL. I bought it and a Series 70 1911 at the same time.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I have on of those. Mine's kinda unique as it has British proofs.
model70man
Bearcat
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2016
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- 60
Me too on the Colt SAA. I finally bought a Pietta and a Uberti 4-click, and I shortened the base pin to make them a 5-shooter. I am very impressed with the quality of each company.
Bought a new SAA .44 Special, 5-1/2", Blue/CCH for $402 in 1981. Still unfired/unturned, complete package.
Guess a firearm is only a tool has no bearing on this conversation? If I use a spade enough that I remove the finish, warp the handle, and bend the point, should I expect to get more money than I paid for it because it once stated made by SEARs Roebuck's? (No longer in business) Or is it only worth how much more work it may be able to do?
Hope you don't bother to keep it in an unfired condition. Kind of defeats the reason you put it on the bucket list if you don't use it till you wear it out in my opinion. YMMV.I've wanted an early Colt Python for nearly three decades. Everytime I find one it's priced like the Mona Lisa. $1,800 to $2,500 for a nice one
I finally found a 4-inch Python, Royal blue, made in 1962, for $960 at a local gun store.
No box or papers but it looks unfired.
The gun store originally wanted $1,100 but I offered $900, and we settled on $960.
I'm happy. Bucket list Python finally found.
I don't purchase a medium rare Porterhouse to look at it.
I'll drop a pic once I find it LOL. I bought it an a Series 70 1911 at the same time.
My phone camera sucks. But here's the two that I recently picked up.
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Yaworski
Hawkeye
I wish I knew what I did with the original grips from my Series 70. I replaced them with snakeskin grips for the range (coolness factor is important). I don't discard anything but I can't find them. :-(
I have an extra pair of factory Colt grips for a Series 70. I'm horse trading all the time
OP
My aren't there a lot of ideas about value, inflation and the cost of firearms. My original intent was to cause folks to consider that maybe the reason the firearm they bought 40 years ago is selling for "BIG" money now is because their dollars are just worth less than they were 40 years ago. Wasn't this fun?
You are comparing apples and oranges! A Porterhouse has no collector value… never will, before it rots!Hope you don't bother to keep it in an unfired condition. Kind of defeats the reason you put it on the bucket list if you don't use it till you wear it out in my opinion. YMMV.
I don't purchase a medium rare Porterhouse to look at it.
Many have firearms on our bucket list with no plans to shoot them. To each their own.
I just cannot comprehend buying something and never shooting it.Bought a new SAA .44 Special, 5-1/2", Blue/CCH for $402 in 1981. Still unfired/unturned, complete package.
