Some of the "classics" are getting rather pricey
But some are still affordable

What do you consider today's best value for your firearm buck

Here are mine

Winchester 94
Ithaca Model 37
Remington 31

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Winchester 94
Remington 870
A good 03or 03A3 sporter
Marlin 30-30 made before Remington took over
Model 70 Match rifle in either 308 or 30-06 cause they ain't making them any more.
Frank

Makarov PM
S&W Model 10
S&W Model 36
Walther PP
Mosin Nagant
Ruger P series autos (especially the P90)

All of these can be had, in good condition, for 250-600.

Older Browning Citoris and Superposeds can sometimes be found in excellent condition at good prices.

I have to agree with .30-30 lever guns being champs in this department. Lots of them made and sadly not much demand for them nowadays.

Fixed sight .38 Specials. Especially 5 screw models. They will do everything that most people need a pistol to do. Larry

As far as affordable classic handguns, the Ruger "six" series of guns are gaining a pretty strong following and are a good value at current price levels. They should continue to esculate in price.
I have to agree that the "JM" marked Marlin rifles are on the rise. Some have already experienced a steep price increase. Try pricing a "JM" 39-A and you will get the idea.

The model undervalued gun I know of is the Winchester model 12. Made of milled steel and walnut. It was so over engineered that it withstood a 330% overcharge, and survived. No plastic, no stamped tin parts, no cast or mim parts. A total of over 3,000 hand inspections. And they often sell for less than those plastic things sold a Walmart.

You haven't priced a decent K98 Mauser lately have you?

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You're right, that one doesn't belong in that category. I'll strike it from the list, and replace it with Ruger P series autos (P90, P95, etc).

Reproduction Winchester (Rossi) 1892 and Colt (Uberti) Single Action Army, in matching calibers. Classic design that's new manufacture and affordable.

The Model 12 is not my ergonomic cup of tea.

But those old beauties can be had for pennies on what it would cost to make one today.

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Why does everyone think 1894 only come in .30-30? The other calibers often are found cheaper and are at least as good, usually better. But back to the 94s, they aren't all the same, but for whatever reason even the old prewar ones have the same pricing as the newer ones. There's where your bargains can be found.

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Small framed Colt revolvers can still be had at a good price ($300 and up). This won't last.

Surely you jest. "M94Win.30-30" is one word. Larry

Remington Model 8 (or 81) in 35Remington can still be found with some looking for around $500 in VG condition and w/o any alterations.
30 and 32cal versions usually less. The 300Sav calM81 will usually be priced the same as the 35's.
Fun, reliable and classic JMB rifles.
I shoot and reload for them all except the 300 Sav which I don't own in an 81.
I do load for it in a Sav99 which is another classic that is still affordable.
A nice 40's or 50's Savage 99 in 300Savage can be bought for $500/$700 yet. Willing to accept lesser shooter condition and you can find them for around $400. But you get in to cracked butt stocks and added recoil pads, D&T's holes, ect down in that range. That bothers some,,others not.

Most earlier Beretta pistols in 22, 25, 32 and 380 calibers seem to be offered up at fair prices quite often. I've bought some very nice ones especially 22 'sport' type autos and 32 pocket autos.

Savage 22 pump rifles like the 29A and 29B are usually quite affordable. They don't have the cashe of the Win 61/62 or Rem 12 but are very accurate and mine have given great service.
Had one break the slide release latch tab. A parts guy had a NOS part for $5,so that fixed that up on the $80 rifle.

The earlier Savage Model 29 (no A or B suffix) is a completely different model and can be a bit of a trouble maker as well as it's pre models the 1925, ect. No parts are available for these unless you happen upon some in someones basement shop it seems.
I have a Ranger marked 1925Deluxe that I baby and shoot. But a 29B gets most of the work.

The only real difference betw the 29A and 2B is the A was iron sites only,,the B was first D&T'd then later grooved for scope mt.
Same rifle otherwise. The B was cataloged a 'G' (grooved?) for a short while but I don't think they marked any that way,,maybe they did and I just never seen any!.

Not around here....Anything marked Colt, carries a hefty premium......The norm price for a DS is in the $800 neighborhood, and that's a shooter grade gun......

I got this one last fall for $300, including shipping, off Gunbroker. It is a Colt Police Positive Special in 32-20, made in 1911.

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Early Norinco SKSs that were sold unfired out of storage. Russian SKSs
that were also unfired out of storage, not the matte finish
refurbished guns with the laminated stocks. Many owners of the early
50s Russian unfired SKSs think they are comparable in quality to pre
64 Winchesters. Three screw fixed sight Ruger .22 LR Single Sixes
without the nearly useless extra mag cyl or the new model parts
conversion "upgrade". The early Japanese 7.7 Arisakas made before
the so called "last ditch" versions. Some day hunters and handloaders
will realize that the many 7.7s that can be bought in unfired condition
for around $150 because of the ammo shortage are the most simple,
strong and safe bolt actions ever, and that they use the common
.311-.312 bullets and cases are easily formed from common 30-06
and 8mm brass. And to top it off, they are a piece of real history that
will never be seen again.

M1 Garand from the CMP. Prices go up every year but under 700 bucks for a field grade working and inspected by the cmp M1 garand is still a great deal. I have 2 service grades bought a year apart. First one was 675, next was 730. Get them while you can.

This and the Ruger Mark series of 22lr pistols.

All around the sametime,
Chinese Norinco SKS early ones were $59.
Russian SKS early ones were $99.
Russian AK47 early ones were $125.

The turn of the century 22 single shot rifles, the early 1900 to mid 22 pump rifles. The kids took them to school and hunted, shot dinner on the walk home. Try that today. But some of these rifles are still affordable.
The savage, western field, Steven pump 22's.

We still see the Winchester model 12, 120, 1200, 1300 12ga shotguns still affordable.

Here's something I can't figure out. Someone owns a DA revolver and shoots it SA yet they don't own a SA revolver? The SA rugers are still affordable. Of course the new ones in the case today have dust on them.

I'm voting the MKII series. Joe

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I'm liking this thread.

Rburg is right on about the Win M-94 being cheaper in 32 Win. I've seen a few lots cheaper than a 30-30.

I like what 3030remchester said about the M-12. But then on M-12's he just preaching to my choir. It built it's fame and sold a few million copies.

Sure REM and Mossberg have built more, and they are reliable shotguns. I've owned many of both. but then they are made of 11 stamped parts, 13 if you add in the 2 screws for the recoil pad at low prices.

I have my late Fathers 3 screw Ruger single six with the 4 5/8th bbl made in late 59. I started shooting it in the early 60's and it is still solid as a new one.

The guys that mention early Ruger 22 autos are probably right. Not to long ago they were pretty cheap. Not so today.

I would like to find some Mossberg 22 target rifles but maybe waited to long.

I had many pre 64 M 70s, Id like to find an old action with the feeding clip cutouts in the action, just the action. I had some but the guns were too nice to change, I'v been holding onto a 30-06 target bbl for years and would like to make an iron sight target rifle. A late M 54 action would work.

Really old or early 760's and 870's are getting hard to find. Nice solid machined parts.

I'm missed this boat, Fn Mausers. Seems like everyone in the last 6 or 7 years has learned what a Sears Fn bolt action really is.

Monson Mass. 15-2 Dan Wesson Revolvers.

Possibly Any AR-15 After Nov of this year.

Argentine 1911's are basically an old school Colt with different roll marks.
I see these going for around $600 and think that is a deal for what you get.

A thutty thutty is a 94

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In different price ranges but lately the prices have been very reasonable lately.

All High Standard .22 pistols WWII to 1990s. Usually sell for much less than Blue Book prices except if ANIB or if a specific higher grade model. with fancy upgrades / options.

Colt Police Positive

Colt Officer's Models

Colt New Service

S&W Post War 5 screw Masterpiece .22 & .38

S&W S&W Victory and other US surplus V-SNs

Winchester .22 rifles from the 1950s & 1960s in excellent condition depending upon the specific model

S&W Models 39-2 (strong surge in popularity over the past 5 years)

Certain 1990s genre S&W Performance Centers

S&W 3rd Gen auto pistols in all calibers.

S&W M&Ps 1899 through 1905 4th in Target configuration to 1942

For the past 50 years both Colt & Winchester commemorative models (except very few) have been losers. One day that will turn around, I believe. Makes little sense. e.g, a certain year Colt SAA commemorative 2nd gen is worth much less than a Non-commemorative. It is STILL a 2nd Gen SAA, no ?

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Exactly. It isn't called "The Perfect Repeater" for nothing.

I think the Interarms MK X is a heck of a bargain. I have picked up several thru the years for 2-3 bills. They are solid(!) guns that will last for generations. They are all steel and equipped with adjustable triggers and accurate. It's a straight up 98 (still being made) action so parts won't be a problem for a few millenniums. The calibers you find are great, 30-06 is the norm. I have encountered or owned also 243, 270, 7x57, 375 HH.

If you just want a working gun for a backup or a loaner, for the money I don't think you can do better than an interarms.

Ugly stocks however.

I'm thinking that the M1 carbines I bought cheap back in the late 1980's and early 1990's are going to help fund my retirement.

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I think some of you guys better stick to your handguns. The lever
actions are climbing fast, True. But in Winchesters pre 64s bring
more money than newer models. Also a 32, 25/35, ect is bringing
top money(1894)- because 30/30 was biggest part of production.
In Marlins the JM prices are rising steadily. Pre safety and 32&35
bringing a premium. Savage 99s, through the roof, spool feed
models and obsolete cals bringing the bucks. The small frame
levers in Win & Marlin are crazy on price.
I totally agree Win 12 is most under valued gun on the market.
It was the pump all others were judged by. I can buy a nice one
for $350, 15yrs ago it would have bought twice that in dollars
that were worth more.

I am hoping sequential serial number, unfired, guns go up in value,,,

I agree that High Standard .22 pistols could have quite a bit of value. I think a comment was made specifically if they've been upgraded or a higher grade model. I have one that's High Standard in frame only. It has a ribbed match barrel, target sights and has had work done on the trigger. I don't think I could put a price on it.

Another, at least to me, would be the S&W Model 52. They are fantastic guns, scarce and command a hefty price tag for one that's in decent shape. These are specialty guns though and may not be for everybody.

It's just that there were millions produced. Over time there are not as many target shooters as the old timers and previous generations. Also, most youngsters without the guidance and appreciation of "fine" pistols want plastic guns. That's a big reason the prices took a dive.

I like the Giles (John Giles (RIP), Odessa, FL) custom .22 High Standards. Those have not depreciated.

All of my sons learned on a High Standard and were all gifted a HS upon their 21st Birthday.

The model 52 S&W is likely "the" most accurate and pleasant to shoot pistol, STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX. It doesn't need any custom work because it is already perfect.

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Smith M10 or 64.

Stevens 311 side-by-side--inexpensive, rugged double gun.

Ruger P series--paving stone ergonomics, but tough and reliable.

Marlin (JM) M60--inexpensive and plentiful.

Older Remington 700ADL.

Makarov 9X18.

Bersa Thunder.

Model 12 or Ithaca 37.

Older Browning A5 or Remington M11.

Gen 2 Glock 19 or 17.

Rossi M88 clone of Smith M60. Quite decent little gun with a bit of polish of the innards.

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Oh well, what the hell.

My High Standard happens to be a John Giles custom. It's, without a doubt, the best .22 target gun you would ever want. I also have the Giles .45 wadcutter gun. He also made a .45 hardball version. I wanted a .38 from him as well to complete my "collection" but didn't have the cash at the time to seal the deal. That's how I eventually added the Model 52 . All were exceptional guns.

I agree, the Winchester 12 is a heck of a buy.

Also, the Astra Constable in 22LR is a really good buy as well. They are accurate and very well made. They weren't expensive in their day, and that is still true today, but they are well made pistols.

The Swiss K-31 rifle, one of the finest rifles ever built....

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I bought this Remington Model 11 a couple years ago for $250, and I've seen a few in that price range since.

I consider it an inexpensive Browning A5.

And I like the fact it was made back when JMB was still alive and well, and was the turning point in how he got paid.

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Sporterized Mauser style bolt actions that were sporterized before the milsurp craze started are great values now. Many of these are now being sold by the grandkids of vets who turned their bring backs into sporters. They have no connection to "grandpa's old gun" and just want to get rid of it. Often these sporters were tuned by gunsmiths or rebarreled with premium barrels when they were converted and are much more accurate than stock military rifles. I'm finding sporters for about $250 when a fair condition military version goes for $700-$800.

Actually the 30-30 models are the cheaper ones now. The 32-40 and 38-55 models fetch more because of the lever action silhouette sport, part of cowboy action shooting. This is due to them being black powder cartridges. The 32 Specials and 25-35 versions are uncommon and appeal to collectors. This is the opposite of the 1990s when everyone wanted a 30-30 and prices were depressed on the others.