I've been trading and shooting pre-war shotguns for some time now and I know that area pretty well. Recently I decided to branch out and thought that 1911's would be fun. I bought a few newer ones but the WWII and earlier examples which I really wanted are spendy and out of my league. So I'm moving on to something else. I think that something else may be hand ejectors. I like older firearms with some history and enjoy loading for and shooting those guns.

So my question is which ones do you think will have the best chance of holding value while I shoot it? I know that the 44's and 45's are popular and collectable now. Is the 1917 Army a good choice or should I be looking at some of the other HE's like a Victory model? I can load for 38, 44 or 45 and like to shoot them all.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Jim

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That's just somebody talkin.

Military guns in nice (>95%) condition should always hold their value and then some. You also don't have to feel guilty about shooting them since someone else already did that for you.

Generally, nicer condition guns in popular calibers will usually bring more than less popular chamberings, condition being equal. Then there are the guns that don't sell when new but become valuable later (547, 696), sometimes for mysterious reasons.

Enjoy the hunt!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Early, (pre-war) HE's can be pricey as well if you collect really
nice condition examples i believe. As with anything top condition
examples will hold their value better than "shooters".
There is a member here who sells these "top condition"
examples. And he has a website with catalog.
His name is David Carroll. Has some really nice stuff in his
catalog. Some even have the "papers" from S&W historian
Roy Jinks. Most have the original boxes as well.
Hope this helps.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I have always thought that the. 38/44 Heavy Duty and the Outdoorsman guns were very underrated. I just love my. 38/44 and will never part with it. Its built just as good as a registered magnum in my experience just not embellished to the same extents. They are wonderful works of art that are tough as nails that gave birth to the .357 magnum.

In my opinion a 95% or so gun if treated right will not show the effects of being shot. They typically will not command the prices of the NIB guns, but they certainty seem to be doing a bit better than inflation.

It's really hard to predict what will become hot in the market place in the future. If I could do it I'd be rich instead of poor.

I have been shooting this K22 Masterpiece for close to thirty years and it looks little different than when I got it. Since I paid $275 for two of them at an auction, I think I have done well as far as retained value.

Hi Alan.
I still have your 696. Haven't shot it yet but plan to soon. Just retired in Dec. so have some time for the range now. Geez, I have 1911's and your gun just hangin around waiting for some range time. Trying to get together several hundred rounds for everybody so we can have some fun. Jim

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That's just somebody talkin.

Thought your user name was vaguely familiar . Let me know how it shoots, since I didn't!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'd look at some of the older Model 10/M&Ps. The Kframes don't seem to command the price of Nframes, but they will no doubt increase in value.

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Even older, even crankier....

I think the k22 is a great place to start. Then you can shoot it while you decide where to go next.

+1 on the K22. A light round induces less wear. My 17-3 looks little, if any, more worn after thousans then when I bought it slightly used in 1982. Keep them out of a holster and get aftermarket grips for shooting.

I don't know that there are any pre-numbered sleepers except maybe model 10s as someone mentioned, due to their ubiquity.

The only "sleepers" might be sellers you catch snoozing.

Right now I think the Highway Patrolman has great potential. You often find high condition Highway Patrolman in the $400-600 range. What other N frame in good condition sells for anywhere near those prices.

Another that I think worth searching for and that can be a good buy are early Model 19s.

I agree with those recommending the K22 Masterpiece. Another I would put along with them would be the K22 Combat Masterpiece / Model 18.

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Bill Bates