Value loss from shooting NIB S&W's?

shoot · #1 08-23-2010, 09:28 AM

I have Three S&W revolvers that purchased when I was ahead with my "Stash Cash".

1. S&W Heritage series model 2511, color case hardened frame,no lock, 6.5" 45 Colt,NIB.

2. S&W 629-1 4" 44 mag NIB

3. S&W 686-3 2.5" new, unfired no box or paperwork.

I have no Idea of the current value of these guns but I do know what I paid for them.
What kind of percentage do you loose when you make that first trip to the range and shoot a nib S&W?
Trying to decide weather to shoot, sell, or save for the future.

Thanks for any input,
Chuck H

ab4ka · #2 08-23-2010, 09:48 AM

I'd have a hard time leaving those alone

#1 & #2 I might be able to see, but I think I'd go ahead and shoot #3 as I think no box/papers would limit the "unfired" value IMO

Vulcan Bob · #3 08-23-2010, 10:02 AM

The real value as I see it is the pleasure of shooting these fine revolver's. So I would say if you just shoot em, dont lug em around in a holster and clean em properly you are good to go. I have some that I have shot a lot that still look dang near new.

JSR III · #4 08-23-2010, 10:09 AM

I would think that the purist collector would probably discount the price anywhere from 20% to 30% for a gun that went from NIB to excellent. Or conversely, the purist will probably pay 20% to 30% more for a gun that is NIB over an excellent one.

shoot · #5 08-23-2010, 10:10 AM

Number 3 was first on my list to shoot also because of the no box or paperwork.
I have others to shoot in these calibers but am curious to see what they would do on paper.
Heck who knows, If I do shoot it may become my new favorite!
Nothing wrong with that I guess.

Chuck H

ab4ka · #6 08-23-2010, 10:14 AM

I can assure you that you will love that shorty 686

Glock1911 · #7 08-23-2010, 10:51 AM

I'd have a hard time not shooting the 686.

Shooting4life · #8 08-23-2010, 04:22 PM

I you are having a hard time just send them to me, I'll shoot them and then you don't jav to worry about them being new in box anymore. Your welcome.

stantheman86 · #9 08-23-2010, 04:40 PM

I have two schools of thought on this.....

First off, they are only "NIB" once, and once you put a round through it it is now just a very nice used gun.

On the other hand, will they really be "worth" all that much in any of our lifetimes? Does the value of keeping them tucked away outweigh the pleasure of shooting them? Unless the gun is VERY rare I don't see a point in it. Maybe your grandkids will make a fortune on it, but in our lifespans very few NIB guns are going to appreciate that much.

If I had "shooters" in those calibers I might leave them alone. But I don't have and never will have a S&W or any other firearm I don't plan to shoot. The only NIB stuff I buy is new production guns and they don't stay NIB very long. I had a chance to get a mint NIB 28-2 for $700, but for my purposes it would be a waste of money, since I would either shoot it and turn it into a $500 gun, or feel compelled to keep it new and mint and thus have wasted $700 on a gun I would never get to enjoy shooting and would never be worth enough as an "investment" to be worth keeping. I would sit on it for 20 years and maybe, with inflation, make a few hundred on it down the road. Just not worth it.

I had kind of a wake up call the other day, I saw a woman in one of my gun shops the other day who's husband unfortunately passed away. She was selling some NIB rifles like an old Remington Game Master and some lever guns. I thought to myself, "What did he save them for?" they will either get bought up by someone who will take them out and shoot them, or another collector will stash them away NIB in his safe. I see this quite a bit, people in their 30's and 40's who don't care a bit about firearms hauling out their late Grandfather's minty collection of Winchesters and Colts and peddling it at a gun shop before the poor guy's even cold.

We don't really "own" anything, we just pay for the pleasure of holding on to it. Unless you plan to live for 2,000 years I don't see a point in "saving" NIB guns. Shoot them sparingly, sure, take excellent care of them, but just for my purposes, I don't need some pretty new gun I take out just to "fondle" and can't even cock the hammer on for fear of putting a turn line on it. If I do hand my guns down to children, grandchildren there won't be a NIB one among them. Some I shoot a lot, some maybe 50 rounds a year, but all of them will get to serve their intended purpose. They will say "Wow grandpa shot the hell out these old revolvers".

gaucho1 · #10 08-23-2010, 04:40 PM

What other revolvers do you have that are shooters?

I would follow the previous advise on the third, but conserve
the other two. NIB is different than rarely fired.

That said, I only keep shooters.

robctwo · #11 08-23-2010, 04:47 PM

I recently bought a nib 19-3. Factory fired only since 1972. I paid $200-250 more than the same gun in excellent shape is going for around here.

I have put a few thousand rounds through it. I will put a few 10s of thousands of rounds through it. I bought the gun for shooting. All of my guns are shooters. I'll take the enjoyment value of the gun for my lifetime as it's value to me. Resale value is for the estate.

I probably got this gun from an estate, through a dealer.

The only people I see making money on selling guns are gun dealers.

baldeagle8888 · #12 08-23-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stantheman86

I have two schools of thought on this.....

First off, they are only "NIB" once, and once you put a round through it it is now just a very nice used gun.

On the other hand, will they really be "worth" all that much in any of our lifetimes? Does the value of keeping them tucked away outweigh the pleasure of shooting them? Unless the gun is VERY rare I don't see a point in it. Maybe your grandkids will make a fortune on it, but in our lifespans very few NIB guns are going to appreciate that much.

If I had "shooters" in those calibers I might leave them alone. But I don't have and never will have a S&W or any other firearm I don't plan to shoot. The only NIB stuff I buy is new production guns and they don't stay NIB very long. I had a chance to get a mint NIB 28-2 for $700, but for my purposes it would be a waste of money, since I would either shoot it and turn it into a $500 gun, or feel compelled to keep it new and mint and thus have wasted $700 on a gun I would never get to enjoy shooting and would never be worth enough as an "investment" to be worth keeping. I would sit on it for 20 years and maybe, with inflation, make a few hundred on it down the road. Just not worth it.

I had kind of a wake up call the other day, I saw a woman in one of my gun shops the other day who's husband unfortunately passed away. She was selling some NIB rifles like an old Remington Game Master and some lever guns. I thought to myself, "What did he save them for?" they will either get bought up by someone who will take them out and shoot them, or another collector will stash them away NIB in his safe. I see this quite a bit, people in their 30's and 40's who don't care a bit about firearms hauling out their late Grandfather's minty collection of Winchesters and Colts and peddling it at a gun shop before the poor guy's even cold.

We don't really "own" anything, we just pay for the pleasure of holding on to it. Unless you plan to live for 2,000 years I don't see a point in "saving" NIB guns. Shoot them sparingly, sure, take excellent care of them, but just for my purposes, I don't need some pretty new gun I take out just to "fondle" and can't even cock the hammer on for fear of putting a turn line on it. If I do hand my guns down to children, grandchildren there won't be a NIB one among them. Some I shoot a lot, some maybe 50 rounds a year, but all of them will get to serve their intended purpose. They will say "Wow grandpa shot the hell out these old revolvers".

I've come around to the same thought's.
To think that you spend good money for a gun and then just having lay around, doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Just my 2 cents that I have left after buying some still NIB guns.
baldeagle8888

Elmer · #13 08-23-2010, 06:14 PM

I say shoot the 25 Heritage color case frame.

They only made 150 of them, and that should help the value of the two NIB ones that I own.....

JSR III · #14 08-23-2010, 06:26 PM

I think that you have to do what you have to do. But personally, as someone stated, we really own nothing. We are merely holding it for our lifetime. If some folks decide to own NIB guns so that they can pass them on to future generations, then so be it. That is their decision and their right.

There are people who collect mint uncirculated coins and enjoy keeping them that way. They would never think of using that coin in the local pepsi machine. There are also folks that collect mint unused stamps. They too would never think of mailing a letter with one.

My feeling is that if you are a shooter, then there is no need to take a NIB gun and shoot it. Buy one that has been used and leave the NIB gun for someone that wants to collect it as NIB. In the long run, it will probably be cheaper and allow someone else to enjoy what they like to enjoy.

As I said, in the long run you can do whatever you want. But it kind of reminds me of the kid that always had to step on the front of your new white sneakers, just because they were brand new.

stantheman86 · #15 08-23-2010, 06:32 PM

I see all these guys at gun shows selling the 03 Springfields, Krags and Trapdoors they got for $20 back in the 50's and they might net a profit of $700 after sitting on these guns for 50 years. They might have been 20 when they bought them and now at 70 something years old they are finally "cashing them in"....unless you're socking away S&W's 50 at a time and plan on holding on to them for decades without doing anything with them, no one is going to retire on the sale of personal firearms.

It's true, only the dealers who buy for a song and sell for retail are making a living on selling guns.

For the rest of us, let our heirs worry about the value of all of our Good-Exc. condition firearms. I doubt they will complain none of my S&W's are NIB.

gaucho1 · #16 08-23-2010, 07:09 PM

Very good points made by all.

My solution, which I have just utilized, is take the NIB and sell
it as you will probably get a good price, and buy an example
of the same gun, or one that is preferred and buy a shooter
for a lesser price.

I was able to do this with a perfect Colt Trooper and ended up with two shooters with a slight addition of cash.

In the end, enjoy your guns the way you want to.

jimmyj · #17 08-23-2010, 08:03 PM

Hi:
To a person that is a "Shooter,"condition is important. A weapon can be "Shot" and cared for and still retain its value.
To a "Collector" NIB with all papers and as the weapon left the Factory is very important. Un-touched by hands is another plus.
I have had weapons for years that I never shot, not for "Collecting" but just because I never found the time. Also purchased, bought home, put on a closet shelf, got involved in something else, and forgot about.
If you don't shoot them, the next owner will.
Jimmy

rollin_hot · #18 08-23-2010, 08:51 PM

There are people that will not buy NIB guns based soley on the reason that they have never been shot and they do not want to be the one to "drive it off the lot" so to speak.

There are also people that have been looking for a certain gun for sooo long that it makes no difference to them if it has been shot or not and will pay top dollar regardless.

I am not sure where I fall into place because I have done both in the past.

I am sure a NIB revo would carry a little bit of a premium, but not enough to not enjoy them to their fullest while you have them.

I am a shooter and a hobbiest, not a curator.

lamb · #19 08-23-2010, 09:14 PM

Shoot’em and enjoy life if you want investments buy Gold Krugerrands

shoot · #20 08-23-2010, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the responses from everyone on my dilema.
I am a shooter not a collector. I enjoy and appreciate the metal work and finish of all fine firearms (especially older ones that were made when hand fitting and tuning was the norm) although most are out of reach for me financially.
Bought the best I could at the time, so now it's time to go out to the range and put em to good use!
Now that you think about it,I have certainly wasted more money in my life on other things to be concerned about such a small overall loss on three guns.
Thanks for helping me get my head back on straight.
I do take very good care of my shooting equipment anyway, so no big loss.

57 and wanting to retire!

Chuck H

gr7070 · #21 08-23-2010, 09:43 PM

I don't know anything about #1, but 2 and 3 are way too numerous to matter I would think.

They certainly aren't going to appreciate much beyond the rate of inflation. If you're looking to make money sell them and buy mutual funds. If you want to own guns shoot them.

If you want to speculate on guns that might make you some money I can't imagine these are the ones that will do it. As nice a gun as they are there is nothing special about them beyond being good S&W models and were therefore mass produced over the years.

ken158 · #22 08-23-2010, 09:59 PM

You will most likely never make more profit on a safe queen than if you had invested the same money for the same period of time. Investing $500 at 5% compounded once yearly will yield over $1300 in 20 years and over $5700 in 50 years.

fyimo · #23 08-23-2010, 10:14 PM

A lot of people tell you to shoot guns that are new in the box and collectible and that that's what they would do. My only argument is how many 30 to 40 years guns in pristine condition are out there and does shooting them bring enough satisfaction to offset the fact that there is now one less. There are too many shooter grade guns of every type out there so buy one of them and shoot it to your heart’s content. The guns in pristine condition should be saved with any value/investment theories aside.

semperfi71 · #24 08-23-2010, 11:26 PM

I am not a collector of collectibles, nor do I collect to one day re-sale as an investment. I buy firearms that I want to shoot. However I have lucked onto several NIB with all the accessories handguns. I am down to only one that I haven't shot.

All of them are common S&W or Colt revolvers that may go up in value but I assume not by much over the next few years I own them. However when I sell them I suspect I will make a small profit or at least break even. I would be happy to break even because I had the pleasure of owning and shooting them and might at least get my money back. Try that on your next vacation to Hawaii.

However, I have a friend who seeks out safe queens. But he endeavors to buy low and I think that is the key. If you can find the rare handgun that is collectible and being sold for a low price then I think its worth it as an "investment." If you buy one at the "market value" then I suspect it will take a while before it will become an investment, if ever.

At the last gunshow there was an elderly gentleman selling a Registered Utah State Police Magnum for about $1295.00 and an Unregistered Magnum for $1195.00. I do not know the market for these guns but from what I can gather here those would have been investments since I think he had them priced low. I heard him remark that he was thinking of selling off his collection as he was getting old. He passed away only two days later leaving his wife to liquidate his collection.

One of the caveats I think all of us face is that perhaps in a certain number of years the number of buyers of wheelguns will be fewer and fewer. The younger set will be wanting the latest semi-auto. Those of us who are anticipating selling in the next twenty or so years might be competing amongst ourselves for a small amount of buyers.

stantheman86 · #25 08-24-2010, 12:10 AM

I leave the NIB guns to the collectors.

I understand the feeling of taking an unfired vintage gun and not wanting to make "one less" unfired example. So, I save myself the dilemma and don't buy collectible NIB stuff.

Take care of those 3 guns, shoot a lot of Specials instead of Magnums and they will be good looking and tight for lifetimes

I heard a story of a gun collector who had a bunch of M1 Garands, new in arsenal wrap and he passed away and his family sold them all at a garage sale........man I would haunt someone for that!

Elmer · #26 08-24-2010, 09:33 PM

Which of course makes a point I've made before. Whatever the state of your gun collection, make arrangements for it before you croak. Don't leave your heirs to the sharks trying to take advantage of them, nor value them at prices they'll never be able to get for them. I've had friends do both.

shoot · #27 08-26-2010, 10:24 AM

Still haven't shot them yet, but i will.
Here is a list of my current shooters.
1.625-3 3" 45 acp
2. Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" 45 colt
3. 629-2 4" 44 mag Mountain revolver
4. Ruger sp101 2.5" 357
5. S&W 317-1 22LR (my favorite packin gun)
6. S&W 6" 22LR with diamond target grips ser no k173xxx (what a sweet shooter!)
7. S&W 638-1 no lock 38 spl. 2".(goes where I go)

Thanks for all the input, you only go around once in life, enjoy!

All is good,
Chuck H

rocketdoc · #28 09-03-2010, 08:00 PM

I shoot all of my S&W's I buy. I enjoy how each one shoots. I have 2 of the "Twelve Revolver" collection which I shoot. The Critical Moment (66-3) is real sweet with .38 +p 158gr...nice group and I love the trigger!

aquagear · #29 09-03-2010, 09:16 PM

I shoot every gun I own, last year I found a model 16-4 in 32 H&R Magnum unfired. I could not keep it as a safe queen had to shoot it, glad I did it is a joy to shoot and very accurate. Some people can own a fine revolver and just enjoy the fact that it is theirs, to each his own I'll shoot mine

Engineer1911 · #30 09-03-2010, 09:51 PM

I have bought a NIB 10-5/8" M29 sillouette revolver with the wood presentation box and a NIB M586 w/2-1/2" barrel. I immensely enjoyed taking care of that unfired condition. I plan on continuing to shoot them because I want to.

I bought them to shoot, didn't want beaters, and plan on selling them in 8 years. I've never lost a dime on selling my guns but may not have made a large profit either. When was the last time you bought a car, paid off the loan, and sold the car for what you paid for it.

Now don't bother me with any more foolish questions, I'm going to the range.

sw282 · #31 09-04-2010, 12:40 AM

si---------

shoot · #32 09-06-2010, 10:55 AM

Went out with my son and shot the 686 2.5" (along with others) yesterday, wow what a comfortable compact power house it is!
My son does not have a lot of shooting experience, but he loved this one!(nice little groups on a paper plate at 7yds with 38 special)
I know that when I am done with it he will appreciate it for years to come.
Next to the range will be the 629-1 and the Heritage 45 Colt.

Life is short, He and I will enjoy!
Thanks,

Chuck H

Patriot04 · #33 09-06-2010, 02:43 PM

The future is now.

Mike, SC Hunter · #34 09-06-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stantheman86

I have two schools of thought on this.....

First off, they are only "NIB" once, and once you put a round through it it is now just a very nice used gun.

On the other hand, will they really be "worth" all that much in any of our lifetimes? Does the value of keeping them tucked away outweigh the pleasure of shooting them? Unless the gun is VERY rare I don't see a point in it. Maybe your grandkids will make a fortune on it, but in our lifespans very few NIB guns are going to appreciate that much.

If I had "shooters" in those calibers I might leave them alone. But I don't have and never will have a S&W or any other firearm I don't plan to shoot. The only NIB stuff I buy is new production guns and they don't stay NIB very long. I had a chance to get a mint NIB 28-2 for $700, but for my purposes it would be a waste of money, since I would either shoot it and turn it into a $500 gun, or feel compelled to keep it new and mint and thus have wasted $700 on a gun I would never get to enjoy shooting and would never be worth enough as an "investment" to be worth keeping. I would sit on it for 20 years and maybe, with inflation, make a few hundred on it down the road. Just not worth it.

I had kind of a wake up call the other day, I saw a woman in one of my gun shops the other day who's husband unfortunately passed away. She was selling some NIB rifles like an old Remington Game Master and some lever guns. I thought to myself, "What did he save them for?" they will either get bought up by someone who will take them out and shoot them, or another collector will stash them away NIB in his safe. I see this quite a bit, people in their 30's and 40's who don't care a bit about firearms hauling out their late Grandfather's minty collection of Winchesters and Colts and peddling it at a gun shop before the poor guy's even cold.

We don't really "own" anything, we just pay for the pleasure of holding on to it. Unless you plan to live for 2,000 years I don't see a point in "saving" NIB guns. Shoot them sparingly, sure, take excellent care of them, but just for my purposes, I don't need some pretty new gun I take out just to "fondle" and can't even cock the hammer on for fear of putting a turn line on it. If I do hand my guns down to children, grandchildren there won't be a NIB one among them. Some I shoot a lot, some maybe 50 rounds a year, but all of them will get to serve their intended purpose. They will say "Wow grandpa shot the hell out these old revolvers".

Man! I couldn't have said it any better. My thoughts exactly and my Smiths show it.

Mike

Mike, SC Hunter · #35 09-06-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fyimo

A lot of people tell you to shoot guns that are new in the box and collectible and that that's what they would do. My only argument is how many 30 to 40 years guns in pristine condition are out there and does shooting them bring enough satisfaction to offset the fact that there is now one less. There are too many shooter grade guns of every type out there so buy one of them and shoot it to your heart’s content. The guns in pristine condition should be saved with any value/investment theories aside.

Saved for what?

Duke426 · #36 09-06-2010, 04:27 PM

My thoughts FWIW:

1. They are all fired at the factory anyway. There is no such thing as an Unfired NIB...

2. Those are really nice guns you have, but not one of them is going to allow you to retire to the islands (or anywhere else) for the rest of your life with the proceeds of the sale.

Shoot them and enjoy them for what they were meant to be. If you can't do that, sell them to someone who can.

JMHO FWIW

DC7 · #37 09-07-2010, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoot

Bought the best I could at the time, so now it's time to go out to the range and put em to good use!

That's a great decision! I can assure you that the enjoyment of shooting those fine firearms will far outweigh any small loss in value. I've been accumulating NIB pistols and revolvers for most of my lifetime, but three years ago I decided to stop looking at them and start shooting them. In that time I've changed the status on a dozen guns from NIB to Used, including two just this past weekend. I've enjoyed shooting every one, and have absolutely no regrets!

vrichard · #38 09-07-2010, 01:27 PM

I`ve only have 34 S&W that was fired only at the factory,all P&R except 3 ,and I really
pretty sure 4 of them wasn`t fired at the factory.
(page 173 3rd.edition Weird Ser,# 3 revolvers)
Dick

one eye joe · #39 09-07-2010, 03:03 PM

You are NOT going to be able to retire or put a kid through college on the proceeds from the sale of those 2 guns, even if they are NIB. Shoot, maintain and enjoy them.......