Gun prices in perspective

[smle-man]

I was cleaning out my gun file today and disposing of invoices for guns long-gone. We all talk about what great bargains guns were in the past but when adjusted for inflation many times firearms cost then pretty much what they cost now.

Here's some examples. All were purchased at traditional gun shops located across the country (I've move a lot over the years), All adjusted for inflation prices courtesy of the Federal Reserve of MN website calculator

Winchester M70 .308 standard grade. 1979: $197 2009: $582
Ruger stainless Security Six .357. 1981: $146 2009: $300
Inland M1 Carbine. 1982: $275 2009: $611
Remington 870 Slug gun 1983: $269 2009: $582
Colt SP1 AR15 1984: $525 2009: $1,127
Valmet M76 .223 1987: $600 2009: $1,132
Sterling Mk6 9mm carbine 1989: $617 2009: $1,118
Springfield Trapdoor rifle (mint) 1989: $695 2009: $1,780
Hakim rifle 8mm 1990: $245 2009: $402
Polytech M14/S 1993: $450 2009: $668
Norinco 1911A1 1996: $333 2009: $455

A couple are bargains, some haven't held value (like the trapdoor, the Sterling Mk6) and most are in line with what they cost now. Like the man says, prices haven't gone up, the money has gone down!

[vantec08]

Oh heck man . .. . you couldnt touch that valmet for less than two grand.

[nazgulnarsil]

when we think about value we typically always think about cash as if it were a static measure. it isn't.

we could just as easily talk about how many glocks something is worth and and look at the fluctuations in the prices of other good based on the glockenspiel (1/100th of the price of a new glock 17).

like gold, guns typically aren't a depreciating asset, or at least they depreciate no more than inflation.

[smle-man]

Oh heck man . .. . you couldnt touch that valmet for less than two grand.

Sure, but it is offset by the Sterling Mk6 drop in value.

[HCz]

In the past, when someone posted prices of guns many years ago I always checked with CPI. It pretty much gave same conclusion - gun prices(retail) stay pretty much the same in real dollars.

The few reasons (real) value goes up or down is rarity/collectibility. For example, Browning HP, Colt Delta, HK P7 seems to be such cases.

[INJUNTOM]

A good gun is a good investment financially. Any gun is a good investment in safety.

[Cyc Wid It]

Polytech M-14 for < $700?? Sign me up.

[checkenbach]

I bought an HK 91 retactable stock version with a few boxes of ammo in '83 for $653.00 out the door at Traders in San Leandro.
THOSE were the days, now gone forever.