S&W revolvers and Inflation.

[THEmodelof1989]

It is often said that "you can never pay too much for a s&w revolver, only too soon". This saying implies that If you over pay for a S&W revolver, you can wait, and eventually the value of the revolver will have caught up to what you initially paid. Generally speaking, this phrase cannot be further from the truth.

Follow me...

- In 1973 the suggested retail on a 4" model 19 was $150.

- $1 in 1973 has the same value as $5.77 in 2019 due to inflation.

- 150 multiplied by 5.77 equals 865.50.

Therefore, if you bought a model 19 in 1973 at retail and sell it this year for less than $865.50, you will lose money on your "investment". What many S&W fanboys think of as a gain in value, is nothing more than an adjustment for inflation. Generally speaking, S&W revolvers are poor investments, but they sure are pretty huh?

 

[tlawler]

Shhhhhh....my wife might hear you

 

[kaaskop49]

Back in NYC, some of us informally measured inflation by the cost of a newspaper and a subway token. It proved reasonably reliable. I've never used such guidelines as the $ of a gun.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[ken158]

I wholeheartedly agree with the OP and have stated so several times. Buy the guns you want guys, but they won't replace an IRA.

 

[Pizza Bob]

If you are buying guns as an investment, you're doing it wrong.

The cliche about buying too soon is stated with tongue firmly in cheek.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Nightowl]

Maybe not, but I get to own it during that time. AND, so you don't really lose a lot of money. I buy as set of fit golf clubs for, say $2000, and as soon as I walk out the door, I would be lucky to get $500 for them. In ten years, they are worthless. So how does that compare?

I know that I get to enjoy them while I am here, can pass them on to the kids, and they will not be worthless!

 

[Old cop]

In 1968 a new Chief Special airweight cost $65 new, Colt Cobra $85 (I bought the Colt). Today both are valued over $350 but I'm too dumb to peg that to our inflation index.

 

[white cloud]

You will never see a nice M-19 around here for $865. Usually a lot more.

 

[diyj98]

I've argued with several people that as a general rule, firearms aren't an investment. I buy them because I like them, not as an investment. That's what the stock market is for.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

You will never see a nice M-19 around here for $865. Usually a lot more.

I've bought SEVERAL nice m-19s for much less than $865. Perhaps you are shopping in the wrong place.

 

[BC38]

The OP's logic can't really be disputed - if you're buying new guns or paying top of the market prices. I refuse to do either. I only buy guns that can be had for a price significantly below full market value - like 10% or more below market value.

Unless the prices actually go down a lot, there is no way I'm getting hurt on any of my purchases.

 

[dmthomp32]

I agree to an extent. My general goal is to always buy a firearm for less money than I can sell it for at that moment. New guns aren't going anywhere in terms of an investment and lose money immediately unless there is a major outside impact like Sandy Hook and the AR market. However if you shop around and buy smart, I think there are certain firearms that can gain value. It's like the stock market though, you need to know when to sell and when to buy and you have to pay attention to current prices and trends. I was about to take some time away from guns due to what I consider to be a slightly softening market, but then I sold two guns this week and made almost $2,000 in profit. Now that doesn't happen often but I've done alright and I know others have been doing real well.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[rubiranch]

E F Hutton told me years ago that guns were not a good investment and I listened.

 

[tenntex32]

Dats why I wait'm out cheap! (Most of the time anyways...…)

Dale

 

[BC38]

Dats why I wait'm out cheap! (Most of the time anyways...…)

Dale

Yup. I don't shop for a specific gun - I shop for bargains in the calibers I already shoot & reload. I don't buy new either. I think I've bought two new guns out of the 60 or so I've owned. One of those was my recent purchase of an AR-15 upper with a lower parts kit and a separate lower. But AR-15's prices are pretty much at the bottom of the market right now.

 

[CapnB]

Where are all these alleged "S&W fanboys"? I, for one, have never heard anyone say that guns are a good investment. At least not with a straight face.
Good shootin',
Doug

 

[hkcavalier]

An investment? No. A store of value? Sure. And is there a more fun store of value than a quality firearm?

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Where are all these alleged "S&W fanboys"? I, for one, have never heard anyone say that guns are a good investment. At least not with a straight face.
Good shootin',
Doug

And do you see a lot of people's faces as you're reading their comments on this site?

 

[oink]

I almost always have bought my guns below market price. I also always lose financially. It's due in large part to my well using most every gun I've bought. I don't really have any safe queens. Most handguns have served, at least for awhile, as either duty, backup, or off duty carry guns and now civilian CCW guns. I'm OK with that.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I don't know about inflation but the S&W's I bought in the 1950's sure have given me & my kids many happy hours just shooting them. By the way I did not buy them for investment, just pleasure.