Guns as an investment.

[Kylor]

I was wondering what this forums thoughts of guns being a good investment.
Does anyone know if guns are a good investment, both in the long and short term? Any forum users experience making or losing money on a firearm?

[glockman19]

All of my firearms have increased in value since I purchased them. Some firearms are more valuable than others.

There are better investments both short and long term than firearms.

Today I'd invest in an indexed mutual fund in the Health care sector. I like VGHCX. For quick short term gains, that are riskier, you can always make money and much of the time lose money investing in Options.

Buy firearms you want to have and shoot.

Happy New Year

[teg33]

I never see firearms as investments but rather as enjoyment

[tnlrat37]

Most of mine are worth more than i paid for them but unless they're an off roster or historical piece, not that much more. While I doubt you'll lose much doing it, I don't think you'll make a lot flipping them. My biggest margin is my Chicom SKS that i bought at turners in the early 90's for 69$ out the door. I should've bought a crate of them! The only other ones worth a lot more were ppt's that I got for a steal. Are they a good investment, I think so if you can get a good deal but I am thinking ammo might be a better investment personally.

[Fenr1r]

Unless you get in on some rare C&R gun, buy something like a Python at a low price or are able to predict the future and stock up on a new import rifle before it gets banned then no I don't think they are a good investment.

The internet makes pricing standard across the country and firearms are such a mass produced product that it is very unlikely to find something like a AutoMag in the present. Unless you think a company KelTec, that is making unique guns, may go out of business.

I do think that firearms hold their value much better than almost any non investment that we buy and aren't an awful thing to spend money on.

[trigger945]

Objectively and based on MY limited experience, I lost money on guns. I only sold three guns for close to the price I bought them for. The rest of the guns that I sold, I did for less money, ranging from 15% to 40% less.

Fortunately for me, I don't see guns as investments but to simply enjoy and learn from. In turn, the knowledge I got from owning guns, including the ones I sold, is priceless. I still win

[Sousuke]

Modern mass produced? No way, they devalue (all be it very slowly).

C & R or antique? Sure.

I'm not convinced they appreciate more than 4-5% a year unless you get something like that suddenly drys up.

[M1NM]

I looked at guns I bought in the 70s and 80s as a hobby that would hopefully increase in value later. Over the last couple of years I sold about 20 (only keeping 1 of each caliber - when the ammos gone the gun is gone). My guess is I had about $2500 invested and sold them for over $20,000. The risk of them being legislated out of existance does exist. I had a .380 open bolt Mac11. When the AW registration hit I decided to get rid of it as it would be unsellable. I paid $150 for it and traded it at FedOrd in El Monte for a new 1911 and one of their M1 Garand Tanker builds. The 45 went years ago for $500 and the M1 recently for $1200.

[splithoof]

I looked at guns I bought in the 70s and 80s as a hobby that would hopefully increase in value later. Over the last couple of years I sold about 20 (only keeping 1 of each caliber - when the ammos gone the gun is gone). My guess is I had about $2500 invested and sold them for over $20,000. The risk of them being legislated out of existance does exist. I had a .380 open bolt Mac11. When the AW registration hit I decided to get rid of it as it would be unsellable. I paid $150 for it and traded it at FedOrd in El Monte for a new 1911 and one of their M1 Garand Tanker builds. The 45 went years ago for $500 and the M1 recently for $1200.

I did something very similar, and easily made over $25K in the past two years.
So for me, firearms have been a GREAT investment.

[razr]

Depending on the gun, some are a good bet and others not so much. know the Fed gun sale laws and learn which guns are more likely to increase in value. Buy the ones with proven track record of value and maintain them well. There are no guarantees however. Id buy guns before I drop 80K on a BMW.

[jeffyhog]

I wouldn't say they make a good investment, but it is a hobby that you can enjoy, buy, sell, trade, and still come out very well financially. I think more than an investment, you could consider them a store of value.

[Fizz]

I wouldn't say they make a good investment, but it is a hobby that you can enjoy, buy, sell, trade, and still come out very well financially. I think more than an investment, you could consider them a store of value.

Ehhhh, you pay tax + fees. The gun would necessarily have to appreciate in value as you start with an immediate net loss in most cases.

[optimus-primer]

Really depends on the gun. I would rather take my chances with a $2000 Python than a once or two of gold.

[jeffyhog]

Ehhhh, you pay tax + fees. The gun would necessarily have to appreciate in value as you start with an immediate net loss in most cases.

I don't buy hardly anything new. If you find a good deal used, you start out fairly even. If you shoot, you have to count your ammo and range fees as an expense as well. However, you have expenses with any hobby and in most hobbies, when you liquidate your "investment" when you're done, you typically get pennies on the dollar.

I stand by my original statement. If you buy a gun well, you can use it, enjoy it, and it will hold its value.

[Cody805]

It all depends in what you invest in, I personally believe ammo is a great investment as well. The colt snake guns are just one example of a great investment. The key would be buying low and keeping the firearm in pristine condition. Another option is investing in the military surplus parts kits, the AKM and AK variants have increased in value three fold in ten years