,,,,,

[Foriegn power]

,,,,,

[OneSevenDeuce]

Depends on who makes the pistol and what model it is when it comes to collectibility or desirability. You have to factor in inflation as well. If someone bought a particular gun way back when it was $60 it may seem like a good investment if people would pay a few hundred dollars for that gun now. However when you look at inflation $60 might be the equivalent of a few hundred in today's money. That having been said there are some guns that have appreciated very well over the years. Look at the SKS for instance. Or if you want to see something that has really increased in value look at the 1903 bolt action rifle. So yeah, do your homework and find out what is in demand if you are looking to make some money off of it. You'll probably never get rich but I suppose you can make a few bucks. Honestly, the biggest return on your investment will probably be hours of fun at the range.

If you are looking to buy new factory guns then I would say no. Probably not going to get you any money. If a gun is used, unless it is collectible, then it will typically fetch less than factory new. I'd go more in the direction of C&Rs.

[Sheldon]

Not a good investment in my opinion. Almost nobody would pay you current new store prices for it unless they were in a hurry to get it and couldn't find it stocked elswhere.

[Foriegn power]

I plan on getting the SA 1911 GI.

[OneSevenDeuce]

I plan on getting the SA 1911 GI.

Nah. That won't be a good investment. Like I said, as soon as you buy it it loses value because it becomes used. Nice gun though if you are into the old look and feel of military issue 1911s. I have one myself and it is fun to shoot.

[Barbarossa]

Maybe an old colt 1911, not an SA.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Maybe an old colt 1911, not an SA.

Yup. Emphasis on OLD. That's what collectors want if it is in decent shape. It helps if it has some odd or unusual history to it as well.

[mrlightning559]

Yes it's not going to pay off right away but buy a nice 1911 shoot it and I'd bet in ten years you'd probly get a good payback I wouldn't plan to make money but it'll hold enough value to be worth the initial investment

[Colt]

Colt's tend to hold their "value," however I would not generally think of a pistol as an investment, unless it either has some interesting history or it's something like an old Colt that's unfired, with the box, papers and all that stuff.

[NiteQwill]

Guns are not good investments. Yes, good investments for saving your life but money wise, not a smart choice.

[nn3453]

Guns are not good investments. Yes, good investments for saving your life but money wise, not a smart choice.

^^ Unless you luck out and find something really cheap, buy guns to shoot or collect. Not to increase the value of your investment portfolio.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Guns are not good investments. Yes, good investments for saving your life but money wise, not a smart choice.

Well this really depends. For most of us, yeah you are absolutely right. However some people, and companies, make a lot of money in dealing highly sought after firearms. True, most of these are hard to find, rare, or very unique. You are never going to make money buying MSRP SA GIs. If you want to get into dealing the good stuff that is completely different.

[jlh95811]

The only ways I think a gun can be a good investment is...

{Rare Model - This will always increase in value as it's counterparts get used or improperly stored.
{A hedge against inflation - Most guns will retain their current value if they are not fired and are kept in mint condition.
{Off List Handguns found at a decent price have been a good investment in the past but with the way things are going in CA we may not have to worry about that soon. Anybody who's holding onto a HK45 or something like that can expect it's value to drop dramatically if the roster gets shot down.

Inflation is the reason you are seeing the gradual increase in prices. Depending on how the economy goes in the future that same gun may cost twice as much. Not because it has increased in value but because the US Dollar has decreased in value.

[den888]

I would tend to agree that guns, in general are not good investments compared with traditional (real estate, stocks, bonds, etc) investments. If you buy one and sell it and make $$$, great !

As an example, I bought a Colt Series 80 Combat Commander in 1985, for $395 + tax.
That same amount, invested in 1985 and growing at 3% interest (compounded annually) would be worth $827 today. My Colt has been shot through the years, but I could probably only get $775-$800 or so for it today.

[nn3453]

I would tend to agree that guns, in general are not good investments compared with traditional (real estate, stocks, bonds, etc) investments. If you buy one and sell it and make $$$, great !

As an example, I bought a Colt Series 80 Combat Commander in 1985, for $395 + tax.
That same amount, invested in 1985 and growing at 3% interest (compounded annually) would be worth $827 today. My Colt has been shot through the years, but I could probably only get $775-$800 or so for it today.

On the other hand, not the worst thing you can do with your money. Booze, cars, other toys almost always depreciate significantly.