Is this the time to sell???

[4T5GUY]

I understand there are so very many variables but to me it seems prices might have “peaked”

I never considered any of my firearms to be a great investment. Retirement/future funds were never my intent. I got what interested me or was high/as new condition at a low price. When I see like condition, as new “T” Series HiPowers, HKP9s Sport Group III’s, (and many others,) selling for three times what I paid I’m thinking this might be a good time to sell. Even the British contract Walther L66A1’s are selling for four times what I paid.

I’m lucky in that I had a FFL for a long time and took advantage of it buying both new and used. The many “surplus” pistols I originally got for $89.00 in the early ‘90’s are selling everyday for $300.00 and more.

I like and enjoy my current “library” of examples and am not attached to most. I’m just wondering if this is the time to sell some if not many. There’s no crystal ball but I can’t imagine prices going higher.

Any thoughts?

Jim

 

[Sevens]

Everything you said makes good sense UNTIL you said that you cannot imagine prices going higher. BWAHAHAHA!!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

If I needed the money I'd sell some guns. Since I don't, then I won't. For instance, I have a pre-war .38-44 (see my avatar) that is likely worth 4 times what I paid for it. But, presently, I can't make myself part with it and I never actually shoot it. I just like knowing "it's there".

For firearms aficionados I don't think there's ever a time to sell - that's what your heirs do.

Which is not to say I never sold any guns but I never did it because "the time was right". Other conditions were right; timing was not involved.

 

[Dieseltech56]

Whatever you sell you’re not going to be able to get one any cheaper so think about it before you do

 

[ken158]

Generally speaking, guns are not good investments. Making a couple hundred bucks on something you bought years ago is not a big deal when you compare the same amount of cash invested in an account with compound interest. Invest $100 and add $10 a month for 20 years compounded annually at only 2%, you will have over $3000 bucks. You cant do that with guns.

 

[4T5GUY]

Generally speaking, guns are not good investments. Invest $100 and add $10 a month for 20 years compounded annually at only 2%, you will have over $3000 bucks. You cant do that with guns.

Yes of course you are totally correct and I understand. Except if a “few” of the firearms that were acquired, 4-5 years ago, (or longer,) for ridiculously low prices are selling now for ridiculously high prices. Three times (or more,) of the initial investment seems like an outstanding gain. I’m not talking about the ones I paid ridiculously high prices for. Those I won’t part with.

Jim

 

[wood714]

Generally speaking, guns are not good investments. Making a couple hundred bucks on something you bought years ago is not a big deal when you compare the same amount of cash invested in an account with compound interest. Invest $100 and add $10 a month for 20 years compounded annually at only 2%, you will have over $3000 bucks. You cant do that with guns.

Kids....

In 20 years if I'm not dead and bloated, I'll be 84 years old.

I've sold a few, but only to buy another gun I liked/wanted more at the time.

 

[Bro. Dave]

I don't think I would sell a gun just because it would sell for significantly more than I paid unless I needed the funds. I would sell a gun if I no longer enjoyed owning it.

Of course, I would then spend those funds on a firearm I would enjoy owning. Sometimes interests change, but unless I needed the money to put elsewhere, I wouldn't be influenced by the current selling prices going up. Just my personal take.

 

[Frailer]

The buying frenzy of the past couple of years seems to have waned, so I suspect that if someone was looking to sell unwanted guns now would probably be a reasonably good time.

 

[Buick]

For some reason

During the last few years i started to look at many of my firearms as just things that were taking up space, and in actuality were a liability in that to insure them all was fairly expensive, and it was becoming sort of a chore to keep them all wiped down.

I had a lot of guns.

I wasnt shooting anything but the 3 or 4.

I just decided to sell them and put the money into other things.

They sell easily. I have not regretted my decision, or missed them at all. Ive made several collectors very happy.

I still buy an occasional gun here and there.

Its still fun.

 

[ladder13]

Depends on what your goals are and personal situation. Are you planning to leave them to someone? Do you need the money? Do you want to make life easier for your survivors?
Do you shoot them or just like to look at them? Do you have them just to brag on gun forums of what you have?

It gets complicated, the decision is personal. One thing is for sure, you’re not taking them with you.

 

[pharman]

My Father's advice...

Dad always told me "the time to sell something is when someone really wants to buy it" not just when you want to sell it...look at the antique market collapse...time to sell is when buying prices are high...


SELL THEM NOW!

 

[M29since14]

As others have said, I think most of us eventually reach a threshold where we have mostly what we want and have tried most of what interests us. When you get to that point, it’s probably just natural to think about ridding yourself of stuff you don’t really use or need. I do that from time to time, but usually use the money to buy something different.

In my own case, I’m a little put off by the direction most of the major manufacturers have taken. I understand they have to make money and they say they are just supplying what the market demands. I get that. But it doesn’t matter to me. I am sick to death of ugly guns that show no sense of tradition and aesthetics, no beautiful machining, polishing, and finishing, and (particularly in rifles) no attractive wood stocks. Who really enjoys looking at a rack full of AR15s, or a case full of plastic pistols? This overpowering, smothering fixation with these types of weapons does tend to cool my interest in looking for and buying new guns. I’ve got all of the black plastic I can stand. Thank God you can still find over-under and side-by-side shotguns that don’t follow this pattern and, while not inexpensive, are priced within reach of most persons who would like to own one.

 

[stansdds]

The buying frenzy has been on the decline, either people who had nothing and wanted something or anything that goes "bang" now have at least something. Prices have started to drift downward, but don't look for prices to ever return to pre-pandemic levels. All the money the feds pumped into the economy as a result of the pandemic are now causing the value of each dollar to decline. This is called inflation. With reduced buying power, expect the cost of ammo and firearms to stabilize and probably drift upward again until the feds stop pumping money into the economy.


Is now a good time to sell? Probably, but I have, so far, in my life parted with exactly two handguns. One was a Dan Wesson 15-2, the other was a S&W 39-2. I missed them enough that years later I bought another DW 15-2 and a S&W 439.

 

[diyj98]

Generally speaking, guns are not good investments. Making a couple hundred bucks on something you bought years ago is not a big deal when you compare the same amount of cash invested in an account with compound interest. Invest $100 and add $10 a month for 20 years compounded annually at only 2%, you will have over $3000 bucks. You cant do that with guns.

I agree and have debated that point with a lot of people. We can all tell stories about the Remchester .18 mag with the 52" barrel that we bought for $100 and it's now worth $1,000, but in general the stock market will outperform firearms. I buy guns because I enjoy them, not for an investment.

 

[diyj98]

Dad always told me "the time to sell something is when someone really wants to buy it" not just when you want to sell it...look at the antique market collapse...time to sell is when buying prices are high...


SELL THEM NOW!

I agree with your dad. Warren Buffett once said that it is wise for investors to be “fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” In other words "buy when others are selling, and sell when others are buying".

 

[Bullet Bob]

I've got a bunch of stuff to get rid of before leaving the living. I figure I'll dither about doing so until there's an economic down cycle so I can get the least amount of money for them.

 

[mikerjf]

I feel like I’m seeing some top in the market - not that I’m any kind of expert, just judging from the few things I follow.

The other side of the story... what will you sell them for? Dollars??? Now THERE is something overpriced and on the cusp of a big slide!

So sell if you like, but I’d say find something undervalued to move the funds into, pronto.

 

[Chukar60]

There is no really good or bad time to sell a gun unless you are on the fence about selling a particular gun or collection.
Make sure it is what you really want to do before proceeding.
If you are like me and do not buy or own guns just to have them sell them and put the proceeds where your current interests lie.
The only timing issue I can think of is a change in which party controls congress. If that changes there may be a reduction in demand and therefore, a price decrease in the commodity guns. I doubt you will see collector and vintage gun prices roll back.

 

[max]

I watched an auction this past weekend and I thought Smiths were bringing good money. I am going to be 75 in a few weeks and my kids have no interest in my collection. I have a number of guns earmarked for friends and my brother. Why should I burden my wife with the rest of them?

I have sold a few over the past years and will accelerate the process.