Are We A Dying Breed?

[antilamr]

I was reading a post by mrcvs on the Antique forum:
partial quote:
"How do I state this emphatically? There is little to no upside to grey guns, guns with patina, guns without condition, etc & etc, unless extremely rare or extraordinary provenance. And how can there be? You are lucky if the under 40 set even wants to pick up a gun, and when they do, it is unusual that the interest is anything other than "black guns". Very few younger folks show interest in this stuff--walk around an antique firearms show and note all the grey hair!"
Here's the link for full context;
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/570584-smith-wesson-new-model-3-a.html
It struck a nerve that has been bothering me for a while now.
Is the younger generation only interested in plastic fantastic's?

Are most of the S&W semi auto all metal fans in the over 50's crowd?

Disclaimer, I'm over 60 and just now at a stage in life where I'm able to get back into appreciating firearms. Most of my "collection" was from 30+ years ago and I'm just now starting to add to it. Just wondering if I'm part of a dying breed and only able to relate to those of the ex LEO or military types of similar age as me. I guess I'm concerned that there's not going to be many of us left to appreciate the art and workmanship of these fine pistols.
Anyone out there in the under 50 crowd?
Any insight on the future of my obsession would be appreciated.

 

[Sevens]

I'd say it is possible to actually notice such a "trend" but not on any large scale. It seems to me that by the time is has "trended" that far gone... we'll be either too old to care, or we'll be gone.

That's really just my longer answer for "yeah, this isn't something that I'm worried about."

I will say one specific place where I have noticed such a trend -- PPC revolvers. As these are all non-original guns, collectors and those who invest or speculate in guns almost completely ignore these. And what I see is that the folks who actually competed with PPC guns are either finally clearing out their life's collection or perhaps sadly... their survivors are doing that work.

PPC guns don't seem to get justly appreciated in today's market, and that's merely one reason that I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for them. They are fantastic, almost always have a ton of use and finish loss, and they sell for cheap and shoot like champions.

Maybe ^^^ that is what we have to look forward to, rather than worrying what "those darn kids" like or appreciate.

I'm 46, for the record. Watching the cops shoot PPC every Saturday morning at my Sportsman's Club was my every Saturday from 88-90. And then we shot after that, usually til 6 or 7pm, depending on the season.

 

[reddog81]

I'm under 40 and not really interested in S&W semi autos. I'm more interested in the 100 year old or older revolvers. My last couple of S&W purchases have been some of the newer models such as the 929 and .460 XVR, and have been pleasantly surprised given the complaints about the new guns. The only S&W semi I own is a 39-2. I'd be interested in a 1006 but not many other S&W semi-autos interest me.

 

[viney266]

Some of it may be price as well. I know I didn't have the extra cash till my mid 30's for any guns other than what I needed to hunt. Our "hobby" has not gotten any cheaper.

I fear the high cost of ammo may do more damage than any other single factor.

 

[antilamr]

I'm under 40 and not really interested in S&W semi autos. The only S&W semi I own is a 39-2. I'd be interested in a 1006 but not many other S&W semi-autos interest me.

Is it just S&W semi autos your not interested in or all autos in general? Trying to get a feel for the younger crowd(never thought I'd be calling a under 40 year old the younger crowd!).

 

[Krogen]

My tastes in firearms and shooting sports have varied all over the map since I was a kid. In my 20's I had no use for kids' 22 LR rifles and pistol. Now I do. I shoot classic Bullseye. One handed. Yeah, I know I was given two hands, but it's a tradition doncha know! Tried plastic 40 cal pistols; 2 of 'em. Don't like them very much, but I'm not selling either. I may get around to it someday. One of these days, I may join up with the PPC guys at the club. Some call it a dying discipline, but I think it's fun to hang around with the old cops and revolvers.

So yeah, we're part of a dying breed. It's ok. Do what you enjoy. Shoot, black powder and archery were supposed to be replaced by cartridge firearms. That hasn't happened.

It's all good fun. I might even try 3-gun one of these days. That is, if this 60+ flabby body can still run. It can be shuffle and gun for people like me! I guarrantee I'll have fun trying. I wouldn't be stunned to see todays kids eventually get an interest in our "antiques."

 

[kbm6893]

I went shooting with some friends who brought their high school age kids with them. I took out the AR and the kids went right for it. They fired a mag or two and then asked what else I had. Out came the M1 Garand. BOING!!! Eyes nearly popped out of their heads. Probably from Call of Duty, but who cares? Let them shoot two clips each. PING!! Grins ear to ear. Their dads have AR's so they've shot them before. But now my friends are being hammered at by their sons to get M1's. I also let them shoot a few revolvers. They really liked them.

Plastic guns are cheap. They hold lots of ammo. It's hard to justify spending $600 for a metal high cap 9MM when they can buy a plastic one for $200 less. But I have yet to see one person who has handled a classic firearm not be impressed by them over a plastic gun.

 

[ladder13]

Short answer, no one knows.

 

[Auburn4]

IMHO; What part of the USA you live in, determines how you look at all firearms in general. These young people have NO concept of HISTORY,or what the 2nd Ad. is. They can tell you all models of a I phone but they look at a firearm and ???. We are in DEEP DO DO with the N.E., Calf., Washington, Oregon,and big city college educated left leaning young adults.Hold on tight because it is going to be ONE HELL OF A RIDE.!!!!

 

[Ackley1952]

Someday I'll hear the words "they just don't make polymer like they used to"

 

[Skoll]

I'm only 30 and I can say that I'm very much interested in older guns. Milsurp and muzzle loaders and the like. My most desired purchase actually is a authentic 1858 Remington New Army because of the Clint Eastwood movies I would watch with my father as a kid.

The problem for the younger people like me that DO have this interest is simple : Money. The cost of everything has risen significantly since you have gotten into the hobby, especially firearms. When the choice comes between my electric bill and a new firearm, the choice is simple.

 

[antilamr]

The problem for the younger people like me that DO have this interest is simple : Money. The cost of everything has risen significantly since you have gotten into the hobby, especially firearms. When the choice comes between my electric bill and a new firearm, the choice is simple.

Now I can relate to that!! That's why I took a 30+ year break from the "hobby". 3 kids, wife, mortgage, car payments, college payments etc... all while living in costly So. Ca. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a silver spoon in their mouth while coming into this world.(poor me)

 

[ben_g1]

I think by sheer numbers, most plastic guns being sold are for home/carry protection, a larger group. The older steel guns are being bought by collectors, a smaller group.

There will always be gun collecting even by the young ones today. Don't think the plastic guns will be much as collectors. Steel guns will be the collectible ones, at least until they come out with the neutron laser blaster.

As with anything collectible (guns, toys, doorstops, etc.) condition is everything. So I think for the collectors that take a beating from the guns are made to shoot crowd will have the last laugh .

 

[antilamr]

IMHO; What part of the USA you live in, determines how you look at all firearms in general. These young people have NO concept of HISTORY,or what the 2nd Ad. is. They can tell you all models of a I phone but they look at a firearm and ???. We are in DEEP DO DO with the N.E., Calf., Washington, Oregon,and big city college educated left leaning young adults.Hold on tight because it is going to be ONE HELL OF A RIDE.!!!!

I think I'll have to agree with you on this. In my experience living in SO CA the majority of persons involved with firearms of any type are the "salt of the earth" types. Unfortunately, they've been fleeing CA for the last 20+ years for red states.
It's the chicken or the egg syndrome, did the state get farther left due to all the "normal" folks leaving or did all of them leave because it turned far left!? (I know high taxes, loss of jobs etc also pushed them out)

 

[arjay]

I had no interest (read money) in older guns until I was in my 50s.The ones I owned were just tools for hunting and plinking.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Short answer to OP, probably. Will there always be some like me who
will buy only steel/metal guns? Answer again, probably.

 

[TTSH]

Is the younger generation only interested in plastic fantastics?

Handgun-wise, for the most part it sure seems that way.

Are most of the S&W semi auto all metal fans in the over 50's crowd?

Well I sure am! Hell, I can't even remember my 50's anymore!

Disclaimer, I'm over 60 and just now at a stage in life where I'm able to get back into appreciating firearms. Most of my "collection" was from 30+ years ago and I'm just now starting to add to it. Just wondering if I'm part of a dying breed and only able to relate to those of the ex LEO or military types of similar age as me. I guess I'm concerned that there's not going to be many of us left to appreciate the art and workmanship of these fine pistols.

Like you, I originally got into collecting in my mid-20's after college, my first job and after I bought my first house, thus qualifying without any problem for a MA License-to-Carry. But that first interval only lasted about 7 years before the harsh reality of divorce and child support set in. It wasn't until 2008 (25 years later) that I was able to afford to buy a firearm once again. Then in 2013, I bought my first new handgun in 30 years. I've been trying to make up for lost time ever since.

Anyone out there in the under 50 crowd? Any insight on the future of my obsession would be appreciated.

I've stopped worrying about it. I went through my own plastics phase a while back and am now in the process of dumping all those mistakes. But I'm also pretty much done with S&W semi-auto collecting for now (the safes just won't hold any more) and have refocused principally on premium blued "pre-IL" S&W revolvers for the foreseeable future. I don't expect to buy a ton of them, but it's where my interest is for the time being.

Am I worried about slumping values for vintage all-metal S&W handguns long-term? Not at all. If values ever start to trend downward, I'll just buy even more!

 

[reddog81]

Is it just S&W semi autos your not interested in or all autos in general? Trying to get a feel for the younger crowd(never thought I'd be calling a under 40 year old the younger crowd!).

S&W semi's don't really interest me at all. I've got half a dozen 1911's, half a dozen random 9mm's, a couple of 100 year old Colt auto-loaders, and a small mix of other semi's. Nothing S&W makes today or in the recent past interest me at all. Based upon reviews I've read and personal tastes there is always a better option than the comparable S&W semi-auto.

For revolvers S&W is right at the front of the pack and I wouldn't have a problem recommending one to anyone. For pistols the competition is more fierce. S&W probably makes some decent guns for the entry level shooter on a budget, but I guess that's just not a market I'm interested in.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm 48.
I've always loved antique firearms, because that's what my dad collected.
I cut my teeth on DA revolvers.
One of my favorite rifles is the SMLE. When my friends were buying ARs and AKs, I was buying #4Mk2 SMLEs and M38 Swedish Mausers.
I only use plastic guns for SD/HD because I won't cry if cheap plastic **** sits in an evidence locker for a month of Sundays.
If my metal framed guns got all scratched/rusted up in an evidence locker, I'd be a bit heartbroken.

I was 28 before I bought my first cheap plastic gun.
I'm not a bandwagon kind of guy. I like what I like, and it usually goes against the flow.
I still don't own a Glock, and don't plan on changing that.
I carry an early 1970s Model 36 more often than any other gun.

Guess I'm just a dinosaur.

 

[44wheelman]

Been hearing it for years...along the same lines, still waiting for those cheap Colt Saa's & antique '92's to start making themselves available.

I don't think 3rd gens will appreciate as much as antiques & novelties, but they ain't gonna get any cheaper.

Here's a thought, maybe you don't see the younger crowd looking at steel guns because they do most of their shopping online; gunbroker & such?