Devaluing a NIB gun?

[s&wchad]

This is the last thread I will start, and i wish I never started this one !

That's a shame; I hope you reconsider. I think this a good discussion topic.

Personally, I don't shoot 40 year old ANIB guns. Check historical sales on GB if you want to see some amazing prices. ANIB guns can bring 2-3X what excellent shooters bring. Collectors drive the market and there's a very limited supply of time-capsule guns.

 

[sw282]

Kate Upton shows up at my house in a New Corvette... Both ALL MINE!

Both are going to be used and enjoyed.. OFTEN

Same with a gun.. Going to be used/enjoyed.. OFTEN

l guess that's why l buy only USED- cars and guns

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I realize that everybody has an opinion, and that is why i started this thread. Simply to get peoples opinions, on a very general question.

Joining a forum such as this one is supposed to be fun, and the overall spirit of conversation is to have general respectful discussion , share information, and better our sport. as Captain Kirk would say, that is the " prime directive".

This is the last thread I will start, and i wish I never started this one !

I hope truly you will change your mind about this and stick with the forum .there are good people here and we need more. Sometimes there are people who get a little emotional with any opinions type thread and guns are like race cars you ask 100 drivers and you'll get 100 answers to the same question .I have found thru the years most folks who get on board with a certain opinion about anything and are willing to argue their point to the level of being rude are in reality trying to convince them selves they are right .Then you take the fellow who while " multitasking" as they say half reads a post and jumps right in with his or her opinion with the intention of setting things right by right they mean their thinking never understood the question . I found your original post to be very thought provoking as my opinion on this very question has changed .I have always been a shooter and thought collecting especially firearms was a waste but now I realize or think that if I live long enough some day my shooting just won't be a possibility collecting on the other hand can keep me in the game for many more years .I think it takes a certain amou t of maturity to collect firearms and keep them in NIB condition but this is a very important thing .Just think of the kids of today say like my 12 year old grandson when he is 62 in 50 years unless someone has a NIB gun ,stamp,coin heck even comic books he would never get tne chance to see how beautiful one of these was when new. I know this is long winded but I ho estly did feel your thread was thought provoking but I understand your frustration. My grandad use to tell me people's opinions and theories are like eating fish you have to eat the fish but throw the bones away . Your thread proves him correct . Dont quit hang in and help make the forum better .

 

[Narragansett]

I hope truly you will change your mind about this and stick with the forum .there are good people here and we need more. Sometimes there are people who get a little emotional with any opinions type thread and guns are like race cars you ask 100 drivers and you'll get 100 answers to the same question .I have found thru the years most folks who get on board with a certain opinion about anything and are willing to argue their point to the level of being rude are in reality trying to convince them selves they are right .Then you take the fellow who while " multitasking" as they say half reads a post and jumps right in with his or her opinion with the intention of setting things right by right they mean their thinking never understood the question . I found your original post to be very thought provoking as my opinion on this very question has changed .I have always been a shooter and thought collecting especially firearms was a waste but now I realize or think that if I live long enough some day my shooting just won't be a possibility collecting on the other hand can keep me in the game for many more years .I think it takes a certain amou t of maturity to collect firearms and keep them in NIB condition but this is a very important thing .Just think of the kids of today say like my 12 year old grandson when he is 62 in 50 years unless someone has a NIB gun ,stamp,coin heck even comic books he would never get tne chance to see how beautiful one of these was when new. I know this is long winded but I ho estly did feel your thread was thought provoking but I understand your frustration. My grandad use to tell me people's opinions and theories are like eating fish you have to eat the fish but throw the bones away . Your thread proves him correct . Dont quit hang in and help make the forum better .

Thank you for your response.

Pete

 

[CH4]

It depends on when you sell it, the market in which you sell it and the condition. Provided you paid fair market price, in most markets it's highly probable, fired or not, it will still appreciate, but to what end? Even if it appreciated 100% you're only looking at a few hundred bucks. It's a low yield investment at best, to most it's not worth the cost of babysitting it for the next owner. Unless you can flip it right now for a profit to help buy something you truly want, I say take it out and shoot it!

 

[Imissedagain]

Buying quality firearms is a way of keeping family members from spending cash foolishly.
Whether you fire them or not they will have more value than most anything else family members purchased as the years pass.
A $350 revolver sold 30 years later for $1500 and just fired a bit .... the true value is what the new owner was willing to pay for the firearm.

I once stopped bidding on a Hohner Melodica as the bidding went above $75 ..... it sold for $400+.
I found one a month later and paid $50.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I had an encounter with a collector a few years ago I had an old M&P at a local shop doing a little work for me and this guy " the collector " was hanging out holding to snag a gun and the shop owner had already talked to me and we decided to pay a little prank. I went in to get an estimate on some work I wanted him to do . Ths collector was there as the shop owner had told him when I would be there he was hoping to buy this old M&P 32/20 off me and was truly hoping to ambush me and he thought the gunsmith was helping him out. I go in the smith says " hey man I have your estimate and proceeds to give me a price on cutting the barel from 6 to 2 inches and having the nickel removed and parkerizing it in other words just ruining this fine old revolver that was supposedly carried by a deputy that was involved in the Bonnie and Clyde shoot out and I supposedly had the paperwork to prove the provenance if the gun . This old collector guy had no idea he was being toyed with oh yea he collects lawenforcement firearms and memorabilia .He starts out by asking if that gun truly was carried at the famous shoot out I said yes sir .He said and you have the documentation to prove it .i said yes sir .He asks why are you wanting to do all this work to this gun I said well I've always wanted me a stub nose revolver .He said well how about I buy that gun off you and you just buy you another .I said well I don't know he says I'll give you 3 hi dred for it in cash ,I said I do t know sir he said I tell ya what I'll give you 5 100 dollar bills right now for it and the paperwork .I said sir that would just be a rip off he says ok sonny I didn't mean to insult you I'll go to 8 hundred right now ( my gunsmith buddy is nearly about to burst into laughter and has to go to the back room. I said sir I didn't mean you were ripping me off I couldn't take advantage of you like that this old gun is not worth more than say a couple of hundred bucks .He said son please please dont have this gun cut down and parkerized please don't. I said no sir I've already told the gunsmith to get the parts and stuff together .He looks confused and asks parts what parts ,I said well I want to put me of them red dot sights on it and he is going to weld me a picatinny rail right on the frame .This collector is almost in tears and says son dont you realize that gun is part of lawenforcement ,I started spinning the gun on tne counter the collector guy says please please dont do that .I said yes sir I know it is historic it was carried by a deputy in a famous gunfight yes the Bony McBride shoot out. They called the guy Boney cause he was so skinny . The colle tor guy says huh Boney McBride he calls out to the gu smith and says didn't you say "Bonnie and Clyde " the smith just can't control himself any longer and nearly falls over laughing and says no I said the Boney McBride shoot out .The collector says Boney McBride who the heck is he but he did t say heck at ths he realizes he has been had and he stomps out of the building .He got over it and he and I are cool now .The moral of this story is if a collector with deep pockets wants a certain gun all bets are off on what he might pay on the other hand most collectors are very very picky and are going to try to get the best deal they can so yea they will devalue a gun when buying but when they sell it they only talk the same gun up. My favorite antique dealer has a sign that reads " I only buy junk but everything I sell is collectible very very collectible .

 

[s&wchad]

From a collectors perspective, shooting this would be a huge mistake.

S&W only made about 20,000 Model 58's over the 5 years they were produced. The original owner bought this one new through his PD, wrapped about a half roll of masking tape around the box and put it up. He sold it to me 40-some years later for about 6X the original price and I was thrilled to pay it!

It took a while, but I was able to remove the masking tape and salvage the box. Just how many of these do you think survived unfired, in this condition, with everything that came with it?

 

[steelslaver]

Who here would buy a brand new all the options Corvette and park it in a heated garage? Wax it every couple months and condition the interior. You could tell people you owned it, post pictures of it. Hey, the price MIGHT be great when your kid sells it in 50-60 years. If gasoline exists, people still drive cars etc. Jay Leno will probably be dead.

Or would you take it out, spin the wheels, feel the acceleration, the way it handles in a tight corner?

Same question, just a differnt medium and $ level.

I get both sides. I drive my cars and shoot my guns. I figure when I that when I take my model 27 out, open the mahogany box, take it out of its velour nest and blast some 357s through it, feel the recoil and see the target, I will enjoy that more than knowing somebody someday will get some extra cash because I left it new. Thats me.

 

[andy52]

I only own one S&W that is unfired a 24-3 4 inch that I bought recently.
Will I fire it, no, will it be worth more than a fired pristine example I have no idea and it doesn't matter to me. Granted there are fewer 24-3s then 19-3s but for me it's the novelty of holding a firearm that's 35 years old and has never been fired outside the factory. I have more than enough guns to take to the range without firing the 24. I sincerely hope the OP reconsiders about posting threads I don't think that it's foolish or snobbish to keep a gun unfired regardless of what others might think.

 

[Camster]

Hobbies,in this case guns, are my fun zone, my luxury.They don't have to make sense...or dollars.Putting a financial overlay on the interest,takes away some of the fun.

The point that I tried to make in an earlier post,but failed to do so properly, is that its healthier to not dwell on aspects of anything that involve 50-100 bucks.In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Are guns a 'good" investment? Probably not; but they do tend to hold their value. While most other 'hobby" purchases don't!!!!!

I've been lucky enough to have the discretionary income to buy some 'extra" firearms that I don't need or intend to shoot. I have a couple of really nice.... in the box 34s...... do I shoot them no....... I shoot the 63.

I have a few anib guns ( a few still in the boxes) that I bought (or have held on to) to pass on to my boys. I bought them at good prices 10-30 years ago. It's a good thing I bought them then; because I've not seen these guns for sale locally in over a decade.

Also I've had the good fortune to acquire back ups to my carry guns.... in some cases back ups to my back ups.......hard to believe there was a time no one wanted 3" 66s or 3913NLs.......

In most of the cases I didn't seek out these guns.... an opportunity or a good price presented itself and I took advantage of it.

As I posted (#2) above a well cared for range gun will hold it's value.... a gun that sees rough use or is subject to an "accident".... can quickly become a "shooters grade" specimen.

 

[CJSmith]

Quick note:

More guns are likely devalued and degraded by poor handling, poor storage and ham-fisted, unneeded, WAY over-zealous cleaning then by actually shooting.

I can't agree with this more strongly. Unless you have a gun safe the size of a bedroom, you run the risk of handling marks every time you pull it to admire it.

 

[Babysitr]

I have learned so much on this forum ,cant go a single day without looking at it! For that I thank you all. I think this is a great post! Glad the OP put it out there. I've often wondered myself, and my opinion is that mine are all shooters except one very common 10-5. I love the fact that there are collectors that preserve history for future generations, since the common ones now, may not be common years from now when in the hands of our sons,daughters and grandchildren..There, my opinion only

 

[Robert L Wells]

I realize that everybody has an opinion, and that is why i started this thread. Simply to get peoples opinions, on a very general question.

Joining a forum such as this one is supposed to be fun, and the overall spirit of conversation is to have general respectful discussion , share information, and better our sport. as Captain Kirk would say, that is the " prime directive".

This is the last thread I will start, and i wish I never started this one !

No, don't. These discussions give *context* to our strange passion for this thing of ours.

Back to the topic, sort of ... Back in the day when I used to set up at shows a friend and I would offer a special service to collectors: "For just $100 we will fire your ANIB gun for you, thus relieving you of all guilt and anxiety over it ever happening. Turn lines added for free." It did not prove to be a sound business model.

 

[Robert L Wells]

I can't agree with this more strongly. Unless you have a gun safe the size of a bedroom, you run the risk of handling marks every time you pull it to admire it.

Absolutely. The technical term is "box bite."

 

[kthom]

A hypothetical answer to a hypothetical question:

It depends.

And it all depends on who is looking at the gun at what point in time! As is obvious here, we each and all have similar but different in some ways opinions, and some of us have totally different opinions. The market for firearms has generally moved upward as has the price of most all other things. But some more than others and some less. What we can get for a firearm, regardless of age, is dependent on what the person who sees it is looking for and the intended purpose they have for it.

I don't think we can say there is a right or wrong choice, except it is always the right choice to make sure we take as good care of the ones in our possesion so that they remain in their best condition possible regardless of how we use them. We have seen what once was a mint unfired revolver that was improperly stored that is definitely devalued because of that. Some folks use their guns hard, and that's OK. Some don't use some of their guns much at all. Some guns are more desirable at different times or less during their lifespan.

It just depends on who is looking and seeking. I've paid more for a few than the average market price because they particularly appealed to me. But they were still for sale because not many others felt any particular attachment or need for them. All of us like to buy a gun for less money than we think it's worth, and once in a while, we have that opportunity. I buy very few firearms that I personally don't wish to own forever. Sometimes, that feeling changes after I get one, but not often. If you like it, and can afford it, get it. Buy it because you want it, not for an investment. That doesn't mean it's not OK to be searching for guns in really good condition so as to be collectible for that reason only. What ever trips your trigger!!

Our collective posts here in answer to the OP's question bear out my statements very well, I think. My answer to the OP is "Only you can really answer your own question. But there is certainly nothing wrong with seeking the thoughts of others to make sure there isn't a consideration that you may have overlooked or are not experienced enough in the game to know yet. It's your money. What you spend it for is your business. The consequences of your choice are yours to bear! It's easy for us to spend someone else's money, right?

 

[Skwirl]

Its interesting to read everyone's opinion on this.
Thanks to the OP for starting it. I also hope he changes his mind.

I have several K 38 Masterpiece revolvers. I have 1 in particular that is about as new as I'll ever luck into. It's from 1966. Hardly a turn line or any other signs of being shot much if at all.
To me, it's like a brand new gun. Its tight as a bulls arse. It has mostly cleaning type marks on it. And yes, all numbers match, including box.

Will I shoot it? NO. I won't. No need to. No need to. I'll keep it as my example of history.
Is it perfect, nope. But probably as close as I'll ever get.
That being said, heres my opinion on shoot them.

The people that say that have " safe queens".
If you happen to find a near new old gun and you shoot it.
Its 1 less they need to worry about in the future.

You just made their gun " more" valuable.

Buy what you like, shoot what you want to.
There's nothing wrong with having a lnib gun.

 

[Bajadoc]

A few hundred bucks one way or the other is not worth the mental gymnastics and worry. Shooting it will provide exciting memories. Not shooting it will provide boring memories.

 

[sw282]

From a collectors perspective, shooting this would be a huge mistake.

S&W only made about 20,000 Model 58's over the 5 years they were produced. The original owner bought this one new through his PD, wrapped about a half roll of masking tape around the box and put it up. He sold it to me 40-some years later for about 6X the original price and I was thrilled to pay it!

It took a while, but I was able to remove the masking tape and salvage the box. Just how many of these do you think survived unfired, in this condition, with everything that came with it?

l have a couple 41 Magnum PC guns... Less than 200 made EACH... Guess what. Each get shot.. OFTEN too...