Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
Gun collecting, like any other form or collecting, can be pretty darn fickle. If you are looking to buy purely for "collector value", just about anything you will look at is already pretty well vetted by the guys who incessantly watch this stuff. They will always beat you at this game, as with any "collector" market. The casual enthusiast will always be one step behind, buying high and selling low. The real "players" depend on that. They drive the market - unless you are willing to expend the energy to become one of them, through a great deal of time spent in very thorough research, a great deal of money spent in getting to know the real "players", and in gaining some level of influence in their circles - you are no more than baitfish swimming in their shark tank.
Understanding that, I buy what I like. And I shoot them. Quality firearms will never depreciate. Granted, run of the mill "shooters" will never appreciate (nor depreciate, for that matter) like sought after "collectibles". They do, however, represent a solid investment that you can still have fun with, that you can still shoot, and that you will always realize a return on, assuming you keep them long enough.
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You make it sound like a conspiracy or sumthin.
I personally never had the shekels to go to the deep end of the pool. But as my long passed friend said, when you start breathing that rarefied air you have a lot fewer buyers who can breath that deep. Better to stay in the mid level collectibles that have popular appeal. I have always been a cruiser looking for a cheap meal, where i have instant equity or am in a break even position without trying too hard. There were a few times that I was a chaser and went deep into the end zone. Those have not always worked out well for me. But then again that game ain't over...Yes stay with what you like but always keep an eye on the exit. This is money ya are talking about and due diligence is required. Knowledge, knowledge and more knowledge.
The idea is to stick with desirable name brand stuff that is of good quality then look for condition and rarity. High Standard 22 lr target pistols are under priced and are moving a bit. SW N frames have and are moving, Colt postwar 1911's are set to make a jump, now that the pre wars have gotten expensive. If you asked me Colt snakes have already made the jump, and unless somebody is asleep at the price switch forgit it.
Then like most collectible things get hot and then cool for awhile before making the next jump. Lugers made a big jump in the 70's remained steady for over twenty years and all of a sudden doubled in price overnight. Prewar SW Registered Mags went 5X your money in about 6 months. You might want to look at what is cold now, and wait for spring to come again.
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