Age vs condition?

[glowe]

I might have a different perspective than many, mostly due to the way I started collecting. When I started collecting, made a decision to collect antique S&Ws because they were sent to my door and I avoided FFL fees. No documentation, no forms, no interaction with the state, so saved time and money. Second, I can still sell them today without FFL involvement and send them directly to buyers in most states.

The amount of value increase depends on a lot more than just condition. Sure, some of it is condition, but other factors like rarity, price paid, how long you intend on keeping them, and buyer demand all play factors in deciding what to collect. I have made a higher profits on old worn guns than more recent pristine guns on many occasions, but profit is never guaranteed, and have lost money on selling guns that I over-valued in the first place.

For many, gun collecting is a bargain hunter exercise, buying cheap, below value and reselling down the road. For me, over the years I have determined where my interests are today and now seek certain models and years in high condition. I find that there are few bargains to be had today in the areas of my interest, so I will pay the price to buy what I want and not worry so much about the percent profit I will make down the road. I want to enjoy what I am buying by viewing or shooting, not grease them up and store them without even seeing them but maybe once a year.

Live your life and your son will do very well without depending on the future value of your gun collection. Remember that whoever inherits your guns will get them free, so value increase will be infinite.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I am a shooter period . I will buy either . Money is the only stumbling block . If I find it and I want it if I can pay for it I get it . All I concern myself with 100% of the time is function . Must work correctly and be in a condition that is safe to shoot . I will buy a parts gun but it must be very cheap .

 

[Bullet99]

I took time today and reread all the above posts. All make excellent points. I guess my "intention" is to try and aquire guns in collector condition. I have some shooters I can play with if needed.

I am not buying for resale. I of course look for bargins but am seeing there are few out there that I can see. Like others, I don't have unlimited funds (like others) and shop wisely.

Thanks all!

 

[Mustang51]

I'm with RKmesa- buy what you like and enjoy, and what you can afford. I started out with a few shooter grade vintage S&W magnum revolvers, and slowly graduated to buying nicer condition models. If you can afford to collect minty firearms, that's great! They should appreciate in value over time. However, as others have said, don't expect your family to have the same interests or passions as you do. I have two sons that are "gun guys", but they aren't necessarily vintage S&W gun guys. Someday in the future, while I'm still lucid, I plan to give them the opportunity to each take their pick of a couple of my revolvers. I would like to think that they'll keep them as family heirlooms, but who really knows? My wife and sons will mostly likely sell off the rest of the collection after I pass (I keep an up-to-date inventory with histories, prices I paid, and current firearm values- so they don't get screwed by some unscrupulous types!). After all, we are just temporary caretakers of these little pieces of history.

That's how I feel. I've got a former Marine machine gunner son who will get my WWII 1911, Garand, M-1 Carbine and 03-A3. He'll keep the Model 15 I bought when I was 15, and the 17 that I taught him to shoot with. My wife will ship the rest off for consignment sale. So, I buy what makes me happy now, for as many years as I have left. That number of years is unlikely to be high enough for anything to appreciate much.

 

[Todd1917]

For me; too nice is TOO nice. Assuming that when we are speaking of condition it is an appearance issue.

80% would imply that I've had and enjoyed it for a few years and so the previously fella doing the same assuages any guilt on my part.

But then too - NIB for me is just a gun I haven't shot..... yet.

I have enjoyed my themed collections but for me, "enjoy" implies shooting as well so my advice is decidedly jaundiced against safe-queens of display props.

 

[pasound]

I buy what I like, and some are "collectable". Got a nice group of old j's, and some antiques that way.

 

[Jason Demond]

I purchase what I like, and there isn't a single new S&W that is interesting to me.

I tend to buy older like new guns.