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  #101  
Old 05-17-2017, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Arik View Post
Then why wouldn't they do that with the M&Ps when 2.0 came out? Or wait and have a sale on all right before all new 2.0 come out? And is there going to be a 2.0 SDVE? Cause they're on sale too!
Shhhh! Quit being logical.
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  #102  
Old 05-17-2017, 06:48 PM
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Shhhh! Quit being logical.
Sorry

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  #103  
Old 05-17-2017, 07:45 PM
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I'm not sure a rebate for 3 months on 3 models constitutes a nose dive in prices. What happens on July 1st when the rebate is over? Is it all of a sudden a price hike? It's simply a sale, almost everyone has one every now and then.
A simple sale? No, I think it's a bit more than just that. It's an admission of the fact that plastic guns like the Shield can be manufactured for next to nothing... and the company can still make a nice profit at historically very low prices.

Look for a change in list price shortly after the rebate ends... or a new model being released after the rebate so they can justify holding the list price up at the current level.

Last edited by TTSH; 05-17-2017 at 07:47 PM.
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  #104  
Old 05-17-2017, 07:52 PM
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A simple sale? No, I think it's a bit more than just that. It's an admission of the fact that plastic guns like the Shield can be manufactured for next to nothing... and the company can still make a nice profit at historically very low prices.

Look for a change in list price shortly after the rebate ends... or a new model being released after the rebate so they can justify holding the list price up at the current level.
It's not an admission of anything. It's simply a sale. You sell more at less profit, but you sell and it actually makes more money. I just saw a sale on Sigs. Does that mean that metal guns aren't all that fnacy and quiet cheap to make?

Sales are low, firearms aren't moving, inventory sits. Rather make a little bit of profit than none at all.

Ammo is going down in price too. Because otherwise it sits at distributors. No one is panicking. No one is buy just to buy

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Last edited by Arik; 05-17-2017 at 08:03 PM.
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  #105  
Old 05-17-2017, 08:24 PM
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It's not an admission of anything. It's simply a sale. You sell more at less profit, but you sell and it actually makes more money. I just saw a sale on Sigs. Does that mean that metal guns aren't all that fancy and quiet cheap to make?
Please don't tell me I just missed a Sig sale. You just spoiled my whole night.
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  #106  
Old 05-17-2017, 11:03 PM
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......I also love the comments, I can get glocks for 300. Anomalies should stereotype the value from the poor soul who fell on hard times and stumbled into such a wise bargain hunter......
Nah, I never stumble into street corner bargains or anything like that. I make 99% of my purchases on the open market and probably at least 95% of those on GB,......and the vast majority of those GB purchases are Buy Now or Fixed Price sales. I don't often snag a bargain on auction. $300 Glocks are listed there all the time,.....I pass them by at least monthly.

I consider myself something of an expert used gun buyer. I have purchased literally thousands of guns over the years(was an FFL for 15yrs), but have probably not purchased more than a dozen guns NIB,.......until recently. Grabbed four Shields because they're priced right. After June I suspect I'll go back to my regular 100:1 used/new ratio.

I still don't get the logic of railing against a discounted bargain while trumpeting a manufacturer that maintains an inflated MSRP, but then I've owned Glocks for at least 25yrs and am completely unimpressed with their 'perfection'.

And yes, .mil and LE sales can be in the low $200 range,....but they're volume sales that bypass normal dealer/distributor channels and are not subject to FET(which I want to say is 11% because I'm too lazy to look it up). So if you take that into account I'll say that Glock could make a good profit with an MSRP of around $300(like S&W does with the SD series, which is nothing but a low fanfare M&P without the marketing budget).
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  #107  
Old 05-17-2017, 11:11 PM
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For anyone who doesn't believe in $300 Glocks, I can confirm they do exist on the used market at least. There is a local shop here in town that has half a dozen Gen 2 model 21 Glock police trade ins for $299 each. Only catch is they are missing the magazine. Of course a lot of gun stores have a stack of Glock mags in their bins for about 20 bucks each.
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  #108  
Old 05-17-2017, 11:12 PM
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I still don't get the logic of railing against a discounted bargain while trumpeting a manufacturer that maintains an inflated MSRP, but then I've owned Glocks for at least 25yrs and am completely unimpressed with their 'perfection'.
You ever actually carry one?
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  #109  
Old 05-18-2017, 07:48 AM
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I've owned Glocks for at least 25yrs and am completely unimpressed with their 'perfection'.
"Perfection" has ZERO to do with looks or grip angles or accuracy, finish, price. It's "perfection" in simplicity! It's the gun with the least amount of parts. It has 34 parts. Today other guns are close. M&P has 39. But back in the 80s it was a major breakthrough.

What exactly is supposed to be impressive? I know I'm always impressed when a product functions as advertised.

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Last edited by Arik; 05-18-2017 at 07:52 AM.
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  #110  
Old 05-18-2017, 08:06 AM
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Nah, I never stumble into street corner bargains or anything like that. I make 99% of my purchases on the open market and probably at least 95% of those on GB,......and the vast majority of those GB purchases are Buy Now or Fixed Price sales. I don't often snag a bargain on auction. $300 Glocks are listed there all the time,.....I pass them by at least monthly.

I consider myself something of an expert used gun buyer. I have purchased literally thousands of guns over the years(was an FFL for 15yrs), but have probably not purchased more than a dozen guns NIB,.......until recently. Grabbed four Shields because they're priced right. After June I suspect I'll go back to my regular 100:1 used/new ratio.

I still don't get the logic of railing against a discounted bargain while trumpeting a manufacturer that maintains an inflated MSRP, but then I've owned Glocks for at least 25yrs and am completely unimpressed with their 'perfection'.

And yes, .mil and LE sales can be in the low $200 range,....but they're volume sales that bypass normal dealer/distributor channels and are not subject to FET(which I want to say is 11% because I'm too lazy to look it up). So if you take that into account I'll say that Glock could make a good profit with an MSRP of around $300(like S&W does with the SD series, which is nothing but a low fanfare M&P without the marketing budget).
The SD series are a real bargain. I won one in a grand opening raffle and was impressed with the quality, but they are not an M&P. They have a totally different trigger that is TERRIBLE! After installing an Apex trigger I love it. Identical in size to a Glock 19, but lighter.
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  #111  
Old 05-18-2017, 10:37 AM
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I don't care if I paid $500 for my shield and it's worth only $50 now. If someday it saves a life, that's what is important to me. I bought mine for enjoyment and self defense and couldn't care less what it's worth or how little it cost to manufacture. As long as I can rely on it, the financial aspects aren't important to me.
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  #112  
Old 05-18-2017, 02:17 PM
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The SD series are a real bargain. I won one in a grand opening raffle and was impressed with the quality, but they are not an M&P. They have a totally different trigger that is TERRIBLE! After installing an Apex trigger I love it. Identical in size to a Glock 19, but lighter.
SD 22.7oz. 1.30 in thick. 7.2 in long. 5.5 hight

G19 21oz. 1.18 in thick. 6.9 in long. 5 hight


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  #113  
Old 05-18-2017, 02:53 PM
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SD 22.7oz. 1.30 in thick. 7.2 in long. 5.5 hight

G19 21oz. 1.18 in thick. 6.9 in long. 5 hight


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The SD is 16+1......a full size gun IMO.........

so


Glock 17; 7.95 inches long by 5.43 high; 1.18 thick and weights in at 25.06/32oz loaded
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  #114  
Old 05-18-2017, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by TTSH
A simple sale? No, I think it's a bit more than just that. It's an admission of the fact that plastic guns like the Shield can be manufactured for next to nothing... and the company can still make a nice profit at historically very low prices.
Now, thats a bit of a stretch since we dont know any cost's......
<Thoughts continued below>

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It's not an admission of anything. It's simply a sale. You sell more at less profit, but you sell and it actually makes more money.
Close (sell more at less and MAKE more can be true if we knew COGS, but we dont. We also dont know CashOnHand (COH). Example: inventory is packed....we already made our profits for this year and its in the bank. <remember, we are on fiscal month #8> Clear out inventory, even at a slight loss in order to create cash flow and protect whats sitting in the bank already. LOTS of complexities )

It actually IS an admission. They admit they have ramped up and dramatically overproduced and their inventory is "out of balance"

It is impossible to create cash flow with manufacturing or inventory....only SALES create cash flow. Whether profitable or not, (debatable at this point) cash MUST keep flowing.

.....hence, a marketing gimmick

Simple terms? "Supply-and-Demand"

Last edited by Dad_Roman; 05-18-2017 at 04:13 PM.
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  #115  
Old 05-18-2017, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by BAM-BAM View Post
The SD is 16+1......a full size gun IMO.........

so


Glock 17; 7.95 inches long by 5.43 high; 1.18 thick and weights in at 25.06/32oz loaded
Ah! Never held one. He said it was identical to 19 so I figured it was.

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  #116  
Old 05-21-2017, 12:56 PM
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You do know that Glock's margin per pistol is about 68%
"In a 1994 patent lawsuit in the U.S., Glock estimated its profit margin per pistol at 68%."

Glock's Secret Path to Profits - Bloomberg

So selling your $500 Glock to police agencies at $200 is still a profit making business. I reads somewhere else that the manufacturing cost per pistol is about $75.

To the OP, you'll never sell your well used $500 Glock for anything close to $500 unless you are in California. If it isn't well used, then you're telling me you did buy the gun with the expectation that it will hold it's value.

Maybe you should have invested in Yugos.
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  #117  
Old 05-21-2017, 03:08 PM
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BANNED Scammer !! SCAMMER !! SCAMMER !! SCAMMER !!
SCAMMER !!
THIEF !! THIEF !! THIEF !! THIEF !! THIEF !! THIEF !!
THIEF !!
SCUMBAG !! SCUMBAG !! SCUMBAG !! SCUMBAG !!
SCUMBAG !!
DANGER !! DANGER !! DANGER !! DANGER !! DANGER !!
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You do know that Glock's margin per pistol is about 68%
"In a 1994 patent lawsuit in the U.S., Glock estimated its profit margin per pistol at 68%."

Glock's Secret Path to Profits - Bloomberg

So selling your $500 Glock to police agencies at $200 is still a profit making business. I reads somewhere else that the manufacturing cost per pistol is about $75.

To the OP, you'll never sell your well used $500 Glock for anything close to $500 unless you are in California. If it isn't well used, then you're telling me you did buy the gun with the expectation that it will hold it's value.

Maybe you should have invested in Yugos.
down here in Tucson used glocks sell for the LOWEST I've ever seen at $400... the average for a gen 4 is $450... I have a friend who runs the gun counter at 3 pawn shops as a manager and he sells g19s and G17s all day long in under a week at that $450 price range for Gen 4s and $425 for gen 3s

the only time anyone comes CLOSE to $300 prices are those backpage scammers offering to ship from florida if you'll send them a money order

I've bought low at $400 on backpage and flipped for close to $500 and they'll go within 24 hours of posting on backpage... and I've only found those $400 glocks (that aren't beat to **** or 20 years old) THREE times in all my years of looking (and I LIVE on backpage... I have a auto refreshing browser tab opened all day)

Last edited by wormraper; 05-21-2017 at 03:12 PM.
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  #118  
Old 05-21-2017, 03:59 PM
rsrocket1 rsrocket1 is offline
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There's a store here in Sac that sells used agency Glocks for $370-$420 but only 1 mag. Several friends I've spoken to have bought from this store and said if you as the guys behind the counter nicely, you can get one that looks nearly new, not beat up with a bunch of holster wear.

But if I wanted a G17 or G19, I'd just as soon pay $80 more for a brand new one which is pretty easy to find locally also, I just don't have a desire to own one.

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  #119  
Old 05-21-2017, 04:17 PM
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Correct me if I'm wrong....but I thought the fans of plastic have always mentioned their guns as being tools only.Not needing highly crafted steel and wood....not passing them down to family members when they go. You can't have it both ways and expect cookie cutter inexpensive products to hold a value.
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  #120  
Old 05-21-2017, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Muss Muggins View Post
You ever actually carry one?
Of course not,......why would I? Would you carry a gun you didn't particularly like if you had dozens of equal guns that fit you better? There's nothing magical about Glocks,....they're reliable, utilitarian pistols. But so are FNs and Smiths and their ergos don't suck(for me).
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  #121  
Old 05-22-2017, 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by wormraper View Post
down here in Tucson used glocks sell for the LOWEST I've ever seen at $400... the average for a gen 4 is $450... I have a friend who runs the gun counter at 3 pawn shops as a manager and he sells g19s and G17s all day long in under a week at that $450 price range for Gen 4s and $425 for gen 3s

I've bought low at $400 on backpage and flipped for close to $500 and they'll go within 24 hours of posting on backpage... and I've only found those $400 glocks (that aren't beat to **** or 20 years old) THREE times in all my years of looking (and I LIVE on backpage... I have a auto refreshing browser tab opened all day)
Where I'm at, I can attest to that. It's $500 for Glock 19s all day, if lower, it's a scam, if it's legit, it's gone within HOURS. Even for a G43, under $500 would be sold ASAP.

Any Glock fans here? I never looked into the M&Ps until after I got a Shield, picked a Sig two times over the Glock 19 I wanted (even when I was first looking at pistols and knowing very little).

I picked up what's toted as its only rival, the Sig P320 and still look at the G19 as it looks slimmer overall. The ergos never worked for me fresh out of a box though.
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  #122  
Old 05-22-2017, 01:13 AM
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I paid dearly for a Springfield XDS and Taurus plastic 380 when they first came out. I wasn't worried about the price because it was what I wanted.
The Taurus has taken a dump in price due to Taurus really lowering the new prices, but I found it a new home when the micro 9mm's finally went into production from several manufacturers.
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  #123  
Old 05-28-2017, 04:00 PM
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Deal or no deal, steal or no steal? What's the point. We save a little on one gun and spend more on the next one. It all comes out in the wash. I'm frugal but I want the most bang for my buck too yet I want what I want. If that means paying a little more or less it's ok either way. Then I read did I get a deal? My brand new s&w n frames from my LGS with the IL were $699. These are $1,100/$1,200 list. I think my dealer still made a $100 or more on each revolver.
Then I seen in the used case a nib unshot s&w m29-10 6 1/2" blue with presentation case and the blue plastic case for $699 too. It's in excellent++ condition. Then I spotted a older new s&w m24 in nickel with 6 1/2" barrel in 44 special. It's marked $750.

The prices can be all over the lot. Do you pass it up only to pay more down the road?

I passed on the new RedHawks in 357 & 41 magnums. They were $500 each. Now there used for $900/$1000? Pay me now or pay me later. Deal or steal?

When I was logging I bought equipment at wholesale prices. I found most items were a 100% markup. If it lists for $100 it cost me $50. The clearances on chainsaw bars were $7 for a $50 new bar. The deals turned into steals.

I think there is that much of a markup throughout the industry. And yes list prices do vary. But we're we lose we make up somewhere else.

Last edited by BigBill; 05-28-2017 at 04:08 PM.
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  #124  
Old 05-28-2017, 04:13 PM
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Look at the guys who paid $1,200 for the very first Chinese norinco sks's.
Then they didn't sell. The priced was dropped to just $59 then they started selling.

History repeats itself the first Yugoslav sks's were $2,000 very few bought them for bragging rights. Then the price was dropped to $125?

How would you feel if you paid the higher cost and it's worth way less?

The buzz word was oh look what we have the best quality sks we ever seen so far. We don't know how many will be imported here,
Just some education. The newly available Albanian sks caused a ruckus too price wise.

Last edited by BigBill; 05-28-2017 at 04:16 PM.
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  #125  
Old 05-28-2017, 08:25 PM
Walt Sherrill Walt Sherrill is offline
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Others have mentioned this, but I'll repeat it: almost nobody makes money from buying and later selling a gun they bought new. That takes an almost magical ability to read the future -- or a lot of luck. The folks who do make money off their gun purchases are:
1) Collectors who buy for the long-term, typically don't fire what they collect, and leave the guns in almost pristine/unfired condition.

2) Dealers who buy guns that they value and know a lot about, or buy cheaply because the seller doesn't understand what they're selling. They might also be lucky, too.

3) Dealers who buy a lot and sell a lot, and make their profits off of sales volume. Some car dealers do this.
Sadly, I've never found myself in any of those categories, and I suspect that most of those reading this haven't either. But there's another factor to be concerned about -- the thing I don't think I saw mentioned in this lengthy discussion -- inflation -- which is subtly destructive of value!.

An example:
A S&W Model 67 Combat Masterpiece sold new in 1988 for about $700 ( about $50 less than the MSRP). To JUST BREAK EVEN in terms of buying power from the sale of that Model 67 today, the seller would have to get at least $1470. A 1988 dollar bought a lot more than a 2017 dollar can buy.
Most guns don't -- can't -- go up in value like the calculations above -- which means that most guns don't really break even for the seller, even though the DOLLARS seem greater.

Another thing to consider is that many guns sell for about the same $ amount they sold for 10-15 years -- or less. And if you look at the reduced buying power of today's dollars, many new guns are really less expensive than they were some years ago! An example:
A SIG P228, which sold new in 1992 for around $750 (less than the MSRP of $840), would have to sell for $1350, today, to hold value. You can buy a new M11A1 or P229 for about $1000 or less, and used P228s for quite a bit less -- often in the $600-$800 range.
If you think I'm distorting values or exaggerating the effect of inflation on the dollr's buying power, use the following CPI calculator to see for yourself. It shows the actual change in buying power based on government statistics of changes in the Consumer Price Index:

CPI Inflation Calculator

For most of us, guns are not an investment. They are an expense. Think about them as you would a boat you use for water-skiing or fishing, or an expensive set of golf clubs: something you use that makes you happy. Guns CAN be sold quickly if you need cash, and that's a plus, but keep in mind that just because you get more $s than you paid for a gun some years back doesn't mean you made a profit.
.

Last edited by Walt Sherrill; 06-01-2017 at 11:56 AM.
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  #126  
Old 05-28-2017, 09:05 PM
mauser9 mauser9 is offline
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Sounds like Colts were a great investment if purchased way back. Resale value reflects that today but still a pricey gun way back for many.
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  #127  
Old 05-29-2017, 09:19 AM
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I bought my Shield 9 in 2015 for $339.00. Since I bought it to carry I could care less what they are selling them for now. I've never considered it to be an investment gun. If I bought something for an investment it would go into the safe not on my hip. As far as I'm concerned I've gotten two years of use out of it and that's what I paid for.

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Old 05-29-2017, 09:27 AM
S&WsRsweet S&WsRsweet is offline
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Guns are like gold and silver as investments buy hn if price goes down buy more and just be cool ,eventually we will get that liberal president and then people who bout those cheap sei autos will look like financial wizards
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Old 05-29-2017, 10:29 AM
Will41 Will41 is offline
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Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
I don't care if I paid $500 for my shield and it's worth only $50 now. If someday it saves a life, that's what is important to me. I bought mine for enjoyment and self defense and couldn't care less what it's worth or how little it cost to manufacture. As long as I can rely on it, the financial aspects aren't important to me.
I know it is crazy how much they came done in price. But, I don't plan on selling anyway. I have already carried mine for several years.
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Old 05-30-2017, 12:07 AM
mnarcher mnarcher is offline
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I got mine with factory night sights for $400 even out the door, then I get a $75 rebate. $325 for a Shield with night sights... There was no passing that up.


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Old 05-30-2017, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by TTSH View Post
I still don't buy that new narrative that today's gun buyers are a vastly different breed of simple commodity self-defense appliance buyers, but maybe that's just my advanced age and "behind enemy lines" location talking.

I will, however, add this to the discussion: .40 pistol sales must be in a death spiral of sorts because I'm seeing giveaway prices on all sorts of .40 pistols, modern plastic fantastics and high-quality all-metal pistols (new and used) as well. Just this past week I was stunned on what I could buy for cheap if only I was willing to add more .40's to the arsenal.

But for the same reason they are selling for cheap, I am staying away from them for now. I really like my full-size .40's and I shoot them well... but if the market for them is crashing, I'm not inclined to buy any more.
I agree with your observations and have seen the same locally on 40's. Never having had a pistol in 40 before I took advantage of this change and got an M&P 40 and also purchased the S&W 357Sig barrel for it for a song. Now I have two new calibers to play with at the range, and who knows I may even like one of them enough to reconsider my EDC.

As for the Shield prices dropping - election, excess inventory, and the likelihood of a v2.0 Shield all are likely factors from what I can tell. While the Shield has been very popular, it is getting "old" for a polymer gun and the M&P 2.0 shows that S&W is willing to update a proven design. We shall see what the next few months bring for the Shield though.
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Old 05-30-2017, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by cadmike View Post
Current production guns are no different than any other current production item. If you were looking to buy a shield as an investment you made a very poor choice. You can't walk into a store and buy a $10 steak and hope to sell it for $12 the next day. Now it's a used steak and people always want fresh. Plus now that same steak is on sale for $8 fresh.
.....
This is the key right here. With the current plastic guns, as a gun hobbyist one has a tendency to forget that probably the majority of buyers get one of these guns because they feel they need a gun, not because they are looking for an investment.

When you go and buy a lawn mower or a new toaster because you need one, do you agonize about the resale value and how it is going to hold its value over time, and whether you should maybe hold off a few months because the market is shifting, or do you just find one at a good price, buy it and start mowing or toasting, knowing that you'll probably keep going until it breaks?
That's the majority of modern gun buyers.
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Old 05-30-2017, 11:40 AM
gojones gojones is offline
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Just bought the Shield and awaiting the rebate. I really have never looked at guns as an investment. Always shopped around before buying and never sell. Just enjoy having and shooting them. Have guns from my great grandpa on down to my dad. Will pass them on to my sons, who think of them as theirs anyway. Waiting for the price of the Sig P320 to eventually come down and will get one of them also. Just can't be in a hurry to buy and eventually a good deal will happen. Take advantage of the current environment because it will return to gun control times again and prices will rise again. Just consider it another economic circle.
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Old 05-30-2017, 12:44 PM
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None of my guns have ever lost value. Sold 4 in the past 14 months with a very healthy return on my investment. I also own no plastic guns nor will I.
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Old 05-30-2017, 01:00 PM
rockquarry rockquarry is online now
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We're in an entirely different "right now" era, with many gun owners quite different from those of the past. Polymer, plastic, or whatever non-metallic materials this new crop of guns are made of does little to enhance resale value or lasting desirability.

The intrinsic characteristics of a gun are simply not there. Perhaps the Bic-Pins of the gun world, the newer entries may be very reliable and accurate, but not something I would ever purchase or pass down as a valued possession.
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Old 05-30-2017, 07:47 PM
Walt Sherrill Walt Sherrill is offline
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Originally Posted by rockquarry
We're in an entirely different "right now" era, with many gun owners quite different from those of the past. Polymer, plastic, or whatever non-metallic materials this new crop of guns are made of does little to enhance resale value or lasting desirability.
In your statement above you're talking about YOUR values and YOUR perspective, not some universal set of values that we all share with you.

For example, I'm not sure that everybody buys guns intent upon passing them on as a family legacy. I've never done that. I'm not sure that the guns I may pass to my son or grandson won't be sold to pay for things that are more important to them than the guns were to me. A small stock portfolio might be more valuable to them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockquarry
The intrinsic characteristics of a gun are simply not there. Perhaps the Bic-Pins of the gun world, the newer entries may be very reliable and accurate, but not something I would ever purchase or pass down as a valued possession.
The intrinsic characteristics of a gun are always there, but how those characteristics are valued by one shooter or buyer may be different than by another shooter or buyer.

I've got a number of good quality metal-framed guns, I also have a number of equally good quality polymer-framed guns. And the ones I've kept all shoot very well (or they get sold or traded). I didn't buy any of them as long-term investments. I keep them because I like and enjoy them.

I think that most new guns, while not always as handsome as some of the older guns, are generally better weapons:
  • they are every bit as reliable,
  • generally as accurate,
  • easier to service,
  • hold more rounds,
  • can often handle more powerful rounds than their older ancestors, and
  • weigh less.
If you check the values of MOST metal-framed guns, you'll see many of them haven't held up any better than polymer-framed guns over the past couple of decades. And if you read my earlier comments about the value of the dollar and inflation you'll see that while some prices have gone up, what a dollar can buy today has really gone down. Value? Hard to define, but don't ignore inflation when talking about dollar values.

Value (selling price) is generally based on demand (which can be related to rareness), but as more than one person has said over the years, "there's no accounting for taste."

Last edited by Walt Sherrill; 05-30-2017 at 07:57 PM.
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Old 05-30-2017, 08:00 PM
Arik Arik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockquarry View Post
We're in an entirely different "right now" era, with many gun owners quite different from those of the past. Polymer, plastic, or whatever non-metallic materials this new crop of guns are made of does little to enhance resale value or lasting desirability.

The intrinsic characteristics of a gun are simply not there. Perhaps the Bic-Pins of the gun world, the newer entries may be very reliable and accurate, but not something I would ever purchase or pass down as a valued possession.
Guns were passed down as a cost savings measure. Just like spoons and pots and pans along with other household items. Today most people make enough money to afford a decent quality handgun.

If my future kids ever want my guns or any of my stuff...great! But I'm not buying specifically to pass down.

Guns are like those pots and pans and silverware. They are a tool that serves a purpose. Anything more and it's anthropomorphism.

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Old 05-30-2017, 08:06 PM
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I laugh at the people who say polymer guns have no collectibility.

Compare the price of a used Gen 1 Glock 17 (a popular model in its day) and a 686 no dash in similar used condition. Even with the original target grips, the gen 1 Glock will sell all day for more money on auction sites. Now I understand certain Smiths will sell higher than the Glock, but comparing two common models, the Glock is valued higher despite it having a lower starting price.

If I bought a new Gen 4 Glock 17 today and a 686-6 and sold them in a couple years, the Glock would have held its value better than the Smith
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Old 05-30-2017, 09:01 PM
rockquarry rockquarry is online now
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Arik-
Perhaps you're of the generation to which I refer and that reference is not made with a negative connotation. Guns were not purchased as heirlooms or to be passed down as a cost saving measure (at least I never heard of such a thing), though they have often been passed down simply because that's what people do with stuff.

Your understanding of what I posted is obviously not there and that may be my fault for not presenting my post clearly. The modern guns so described are more like modern camera equipment or cell phones, perhaps good quality, but nothing special and will soon be superseded by something that may or may not be slightly improved.

While we may disagree, I do respect your right to express your opinion.
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Old 05-30-2017, 09:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH View Post
According to the background check numbers, gun sales aren't down nearly as much as the press would have you believe...


Maybe because of the $75 rebate?
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Old 05-30-2017, 10:35 PM
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I just set on my sack full of blue P&R, S&Ws and my pre 64 Wins
and other older classics and grin. Maybe plastic pistol collectors
will be jumping out windows like back in 1929. I see nothing wrong with them, for CCW purposes according to your needs. They are a Weapon made for anti personnel use. They have no
class or character and most importantly, resale value. Their
value lies in function as a weapon. Same thing is going to take
place with ARs. and other guns manufactured by similar methods
If you are buying them for investment purposes you need to
switch to Beanie Babies.
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:54 AM
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Adding to my statement about never owning a polymer gun. That's just me, I like the look and feel of cold hard steel. In no way do I put the polymer ones down, they function great, and do what they are supposed to do. And I shoot all of my guns. The only one I never shot was a Norinco Mak-90 I bought new in 1983 for $185.00. Had an SKS paratrooper beater so the Mak just sat quietly in back of the gun safe. I sold it last year for $1400 in less than 24 hours. The new owner has yet to shoot it...LOL.
It's a great country we live in, specifically the USA! We have access to some of the finest weapons ever created both old and new. You like your polymers...good for you and I am happy you do. I like my N frames and 1911's. We are bothers in arms...always.
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Old 05-31-2017, 07:28 AM
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I've given thought to getting an M&P or Shield.

I tried Glocks back in the 90s a 19 and 2 26s...... over about 3-4 years.... could not bond with the guns.

Got a .22 M&P Compact for the wife.... she loves it ......I liked it and it feels good in the hand. Then came across a "used"/never fired, one about a month ago.... grabbed it cheap.

But in the past 3 months I stumbled across an anib 6906 and a still in the box 6904..... so why buy plastic?????
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Old 05-31-2017, 12:08 PM
gman51 gman51 is offline
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I imagine 20 years from now the gun you buy today will be possibly worth 2 times what you paid for it today.
Considering cars yes they depreciate really bad for years but then some later on are worth over 10 times their original price. Oh how I wish I could buy a 1970 Z-28 for $3000 today.
Look at the increase in price of guns since even 2000. Yeah I wish I could have bought my Python for $400. I have several guns that right now I could sell for double what I paid for them back in the 90's.
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Old 05-31-2017, 05:45 PM
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Walther joins in




Walther Arms - Rebate 100 - Walther Arms
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Old 05-31-2017, 05:56 PM
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Quote:
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Guns are like gold and silver as investments ....
s
I remember when silver was $50 an ounce, what's it today?
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:09 PM
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I don't mean to make anybody feel bad, but I bought my first plastic gun; a S&W Shield in 9mm for $315 and I am now waiting for the $75 rebate to arrive. Shot about 100 rounds through the Shield today and it functioned flawlessly. Going to have to move the front sight as the pistol shoots about 3 inches to the left at 7 yards.

I'm sorry that others feel robbed having bought before the drop in prices. I'd feel robbed also.

God bless,
Birdgun
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Old 05-31-2017, 06:31 PM
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I bought a very nice rifle back in 1993 for $1,100. Some legislation was passed in 1994 and people went nuts. I sold that rifle a year after I bought it for $3,500.
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Old 05-31-2017, 07:13 PM
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I started retiring at age 18 when I first found out about a 401k, then later on about a 457B.

Guns were never part of my retirement plan and somehow I managed to get there.
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Old 06-01-2017, 09:08 AM
rockquarry rockquarry is online now
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I've purchased a few guns over the years, but never with investing as a primary reason. I suppose it's possible to do such a thing and perhaps do it successfully, but actual investing is a very secondary consideration for many, if it's a consideration at all. There are better and safer ways for most of us to invest.
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