Which would be better Investment?

[danno1]

OK
I know this is a S&W forum but I like to either buy a Colt Python or a S&W 500 for long term investment.

I had a Python few years ago and see how they went up but most revolvers increased also

 

[68sixspeed]

Python if you can get a good entry point, they popped a few years ago but are still going up 5-10% a year and they are no longer made.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I don't consider Guns to be investments.
But apparently you CONN boys do.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I would add that my only question on the Python is, how much more can they possibly go up in value??? I am not saying the bubble is about to pop... But it is my opinion that it certainly is a bubble of sorts. Question is, when does it pop and all of those people who spent 2G+ loose their rears??? To me it is just like trying to figure out when and in what to invest in with the stock market. Buy low, sell high!

The Smith 500 I would put more into the class of a long term, conservative investment. Now, if you buy brand new, don't expect to be able to flip it any time soon for the same money you paid new. Everything depreciates to a degree once that first owner takes it home. Just the fact the the second buyer has no warrantee, in my mind accounts for that loss in realistic used value.

So in my opinion, it is very comparable to market investing.. Do you want to invest aggressively or conservatively?

Food for thought: you can buy 2 Smith 500's for the average asking price of a single Python....

 

[Hapworth]

Python. No comparison. It's already a collectible and always will be, regardless of whether it continues to appreciate steeply or slows down some, it will continue.

The 500 may or may not become collectible. It's a gamble (though certainly a cheaper one), and I'd suspect to ever see meaningful money on it you'd have to sit for a couple decades at least, at which point you have to factor in appreciation verus inflation.

If you're seriously looking into this as a long term investment, go for the blue chip stocks: Pythons, Registered Magnums, Pre-Model 27s, 19s, etc...

 

[Engineer1911]

Like a lot of things in life, one Python was enough. I made a good trade and will NEVER own another Python. You can never tell anything to a Colt fanatic that is negative.

 

[Camster]

I agree with Hap,though the only return on investment that I seek from a gun,is the enjoyment that I receive shooting it,or just owning it.Any profit is a by product,not a goal.Right off the bat,assume that you're probably 50 bucks in the hole,as that is,or will be,a starting point for the fee that you'll have to pay a dealer to transfer it to the next guy.
A good looking 357 will always have more appeal,than a big ugly,unproportional stainless hand cannon,that few would want to fire.
I also give weight to the above post-The Python is discontinued,parts and the guys that can doctor them,will fade away.

 

[Wyatt p. Tato]

I would not consider guns as an investment. The government can take them from you at anytime.

 

[grizz700]

Given the two choices, you would be money ahead going the python route. They are highly sought after as shooters and investments. The more people learn about them as the years go there will still be those people who don't mind shelling out the big bucks for them. The Smith 500 market is going to be alot smaller and tougher to convince to buy a 5lb paperweight that is going to attempt to split your head open when you fire it. I had 3 pythons in my younger days and still lose sleep every now and then for letting them go along with a few of my other blunders. I even had a double creamer for awhile. I sent a blued Smith 27 down to California to a custom gunsmith and he replaced the barrel with a 6" blued python barrel. Carried that gun for several years and it shot like it had a laser on it and a trigger that was like cutting butter with a hot knife.

 

[muddocktor]

Instead of a 500, I would look into buying a NIB N frame from the P&R years (Pre-1982) such as a Model 27 or Model 29 or another along that line. They have been steadily appreciating in price and I think as an investment you have a better chance of getting a higher return out of them than the present day market for Pythons. I'm thinking that with the Pythons, they have already gone up so much in price they are limiting their appeal for the majority of the people who would normally look at one. I know that I wouldn't fork out $2000+ for a shooter grade Python, but that is what the market has pretty much come to nowadays. For that kind of money you can find a low mileage Pre-27 with that deep beautiful blue job and probably have some money left over for a few boxes of ammo.

 

[Irn-Bru]

The S&W 500 may never be a good investment, unless they decide to stop making them. If they have already stopped then it probably will do okay. Every year less and less Pythons become available which drives up the price. For the price of a Python I'd rather have three like new pre lock Smiths. I think there's more upside there.

 

[Jeffrey A. Cooper]

I would not consider guns as an investment. The government can take them from you at anytime.

STAND YOUR GROUND.

 

[68sixspeed]

As this is a s&w forum, my pics for good safe places to put money or invest if you will in s&w is a 29-2 in the case, unfired or 98% type gun, or prelock 586, especially a nickel 586. Nickel plated model 19's seem to be moving up good too. Just a few other thoughts. A 500 is fun and not going to lose money if you buy a good clean used one, but it is a much narrower pool of buyers when you go to sell vs a 357 smith or colt.

 

[Laketime]

The Colt Python has been a classic desired revolver for many decades.Not a lot of interest in the SW500 by comparison.

 

[SJshooter]

The problem with the Python is that to find one that anyone might consider "investment grade" in terms of conditions is going to cost an arm and a leg. They are just so expensive now that even moderately priced ones are through the roof. I don't think that will last. You are better off buying 50 shares of AAPL.

 

[BigBill]

Investment?? To me it's the s&w older k & n frames, k22 & k38's, besides the m29, m28, m27, m24, m57 & m25.

The m57, m24, m28 are no longer in production for now. Anything pre loc, mim in the n frame. There going to climb even more. In nickel is a big plus

Investment I'd go for the s&w. Grab what's between $650 & $1,000 we can't lose. There was less manufactured in nickel finish. Only the 4"/m29 is offered in nickel finish right now it's the last one.

 

[629shooter]

A Python would be the better possible "investment." However, it might be difficult to find an "investment" grade example at a good enough price to really look at it as an investment.

A 500 could be an investment, if you use it to put meat in the freezer. Or, for whatever reason S&W ceases production on a "variation" that you may own.

 

[jaketurtle]

If your looking for an investment, the pre wesson revolvers like the 29,14,17,27, 16 (although that's going through the roof now too) would be better.. Anything mint that has a S prefix SN# general rule...

I paid my 4600 for a mint in box with papers and test target 1956 6 inch python 4 years ago.. thing has more then doubled now. But I wouldn't pay no 10000 for it today although it's a 3 digit SN#.. those 1970's pythons are selling between 2500 and 2000 now but... look at how many were made, tons. They aren't rare, I see them at public auctions all the time. Don't see the Smith 5 screws in good condition much at all. As for the 500... You can get that any sporting goods store or public auctions used. As like everything in investing, its what you pay for it now that matters how long you have to wait to see any return. If you can get your 500 used in new condition for 200 or less then what you can get a new one.. I think you'll do ok. Do I think a 70's python will be 5000 in ten years... I don't think so.. to many out there. Do I see a 500 double in value... not really unless they stop making them.

 

[LDThornton]

If I'm going to shoot a revolver from time to time I will buy good quality revolvers to shoot that I can afford. I prefer S&W's made in the 80's before the IL and usually in stainless. I don't buy them as an investment but in a way they are an investment if for nothing more than my happiness. Sooner or later people recognize quality and the value will go up in a decade or two. Until then I'll just keep shooting them until I'm too old to enjoy them.

 

[wolverine]

OK
I know this is a S&W forum but I like to either buy a Colt Python or a S&W 500 for long term investment.

I had a Python few years ago and see how they went up but most revolvers increased also

Afternoon danno1


The last run of the Colt Pythons were not as good as the early ones so watch what you buy.

To me, the Python has already seen it's investment increase. Maybe a little more but you will pay dearly for one now.

If you want a good long term investment then find a lower priced gun that you think will be a valued collectors item one day then a buy a few of those.