Hard to sell a gun where I put in a lot more than what I would pay now.

[bushmaster1313]

I have one gun that I bought for $250 -- then I put in another $250, for a total of $500.

If I did not have this gun now I certainly would not pay $500 to buy it off the rack.

If I tried to sell it I might get $200, if I was lucky.

I knows that "sunk costs" are a bad way to value an item, and we are not talking about wheelbarrow full of money, but even though I could use the space I have trouble parting with this particular gun.

Anyone else have a similar story?

 

[Rock185]

I have some friends that I don't think have ever lost a penny on a gun sold or traded. I am not quite so sharp, and rarely break even. I guess it's kinda like the swimming pool we had. We did not recoup anything extra on the sale of our house for having a nice pool, but it may have helped sell the house......ymmv

 

[DR505]

People actually sell their guns?

 

[LVSteve]

Let me guess, a milsurp that you bought sporterised and returned to milspec, or a milsurp you made into a hunting rifle. Rarely does either scenario work out well, at least financially. You may guess how I know.

 

[Gryff]

I always think back to the Sig P6 German police surplus pistols that hit the American market about six years ago. People bought them for $300-350, refinished them and put on night sights, and then didn't understand why nobody would buy the guns for $500+.

I always figure that after-market items and modifications are done for my benefit. I count on never re-couping those extra costs unless the work was done by a major name that I can document. But even that has limits. I saw online yesterday a person who is selling a Ruger SP101 for $2000 because it was modified by Gemini Customs. Just can't fathom paying that for an SP101 regardless of who worked on it.

 

[Onomea]

Yessir, been there and done that.

But hey! Project guns provide so much entertainment, from the research, the planning, and to getting it done. The learning, the suspense and then the gratification.

All in all, a relatively cheap form of entertainment, don't ya think?

And ya do have something to show for it when you're done. Not like, say, a vacation in the Florida Keys. And if you sell, even at an ultimate loss, you still have some money in your pocket, right?

(Hey, I can rationalize darn near anything when it comes to a gun I want! )

 

[williamlayton]

Folks, a gun is a tool and a posession.
It is like a car.
I do things to ALL my guns that will never be appreciated in the selling price to anyone else but they will benefit by much of what is done.
Now, finish is another story.
While you have it, enjoy it and do to it what you wish.
NO manufacturer builds a gun the way I want it.
Blessings

 

[bushmaster1313]

Folks, a gun is a tool and a posession.
It is like a car.
I do things to ALL my guns that will never be appreciated in the selling price to anyone else but they will benefit by much of what is done.
Now, finish is another story.
While you have it, enjoy it and do to it what you wish.
NO manufacturer builds a gun the way I want it.
Blessings

Exactly

That's why it's so odd that I have trouble letting this one go.

 

[Arik]

Never bought project gun or guns I wanted to modify. I have changed out minor stuff like grips but that's it. I only buy if it has what I want that way I don't keep putting money into it.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Sounds like the world of the Ruger 10-22s, ask me how I know! Regards Ernie

 

[Cpo1944]

Sounds like an Old Horse trader I once knew. When the animal was his ; It as a "Little Jewel" but as soon as it was sold and taken away it suddenly became an "Old Scab"! My guns sometimes seem that way too. I have a lot of 'Old Scabs".

 

[Muss Muggins]

I just don't sell guns any more. I've weaned out what I don't like, and I just accumulate now. I've regretted selling or trading every gun I've parted with . . .

 

[Stevie]

If I liked a gun enough to put $250 into it above the $250 purchase cost(unless it was a Perazzi shotgun or the like)...probably wouldn't be selling it

 

[TTSH]

I learned my lesson the hard way. Buying project guns is, more often than not, a losing proposition. Now I only buy used guns in a condition that I can live with... with only minor cleaning/restoration or inexpensive upgrades required, if that. I found it is worth paying more (and sometimes a lot more) up front than trying to buy low and renovate.

 

[Stevie]

I'm not saying that I don't over-spend for a gun I want. Or that I don't end-up with a project-gun I have too much money tied up in.

I'm just saying that I try to buy something I'll be keeping for a long-while.

As a youth..I bought and traded for quite a few firearms...and kept a rare few I could never part with. Sold or traded the rest and probably lost money on every one!

I try to be smarter now..and still buy quite a few firearms. I just buy stuff I want to keep or pass on to the kids....

 

[twobit601]

The only guns I ever sold were bought in the 1980's and sold after 2000. They had become safe queens. Value almost tripled and I bought other guns with the proceeds. I also have family guns that I would not sell for 100 times their actual value.

 

[DR505]

Here is one such gun...started life as a .40 S&W Bright Stainless Commemorative, but was "blemished" and so cost me $250. I sent it to Alan Harton, along with $400, and it came back as a 10mm with J-Frame sights and a nice bead blasted finish. I went into this knowing full-well I might not be able to recoup the cost, but my son will one day have a one-of-a-kind, yet very practical, revolver.

 

[ejeli]

Recently I bought a Glock. I then spent an equal amount of money trying to make it into a S&W. It is still a Glock but now very expensive.
e.

 

[Rastoff]

I have some friends that I don't think have ever lost a penny on a gun sold or traded.

I bet those same friends never lose any money in Vegas either.

Guns are almost always a losing investment. It's rare that a gun appreciates. There are only two ways to make money on guns; be a dealer or find those rare "garage" finds where the owner doesn't know what they have. I couldn't bring myself to take advantage of an ignorant owner so, I won't be making any money that way.

I've lost money on guns. I've made money on guns. I've broke even on some guns. That's the life of a gun enthusiast.

Here is one such gun...started life as a .40 S&W Bright Stainless Commemorative, but was "blemished" and so cost me $250. I sent it to Alan Harton, along with $400, and it came back as a 10mm with J-Frame sights and a nice bead blasted finish. I went into this knowing full-well I might not be able to recoup the cost, but my son will one day have a one-of-a-kind, yet very practical, revolver.

Brother, I'd pay you $650 in a heart beat for a 10mm Vaquero.

 

[H Richard]

You really don't want to put money into a firearm for custom features unless you are certain you have a need for those features and will for a long time to come, and know you will never get your investment back. Buying a gun with those features done by a "recognized" expert may net you some of the money back and may actually cost you less in the long run. When is the last time you saw a Richard Heinie 1911 for sale?