Starting an M&P collection!

[Scoreguy]

If I want to create a collection for myself now and something that my son will be proud to inherit someday, I'm considering doing so with those fine guns that have been branded M&P through the years. Please advise me on how difficult, costly, etc. this would be. I'm not insinuating that it has to be a complete collection but at least a good represtative of the various era's, calibers, etc. Is this a common niche'? What guns would I want to set my sights on acquiring?

I should also say, I'm just an average blue collar guy who might take years to finish this goal, I'm never going to be able to just go out and buy something whenever I want but isn't the search part of the fun of doing something like this?

 

[mikepriwer]

I think that part of your approach is not a good idea. Specifically, putting
together something that your children can inherit. Who knows what
your children will want, or not want ? Rest assured that a very large
number of inherited guns wind up, very very quickly, being sold at
auction, or in a gun shop. The kids just don't always want them -
what they want is the money, to buy what they want.

If you are intent on leaving something tangible for your kids, leave them
gold. It can always be sold easily, and its much simpler to store.

There is also the notion about what really constitutes a family heirloom.
Guns that you buy, for a collection, that are never used by you, really
do not have any family significance. If you were a LEO, and used the
gun daily, or if your father was a LEO, and did the same thing, then
the gun has family significance.

Bottom line is that you should buy what you like, and don't worry about
the kids.

There are lots of considerations here. First, what years of production
might you be interested in. Second, what caliber. Third, what about
various engineering changes. Fourth, do you want to distingish between
a fixed-sighted gun and an adjustable-sighted gun. Fifth, do you have
any interest in imporant guns with a significant provenance, and/or
do you care about the percent-remaining-original-finish ? Sixth, what
manufacturers are you interested in . And the list goes on and on.

Resolving a lot of these questions early-on is what distinguishes
collectors from accumulators. Eventually, for some accumulators, they
realize they own too many guns, and go through the thinking process
somewhat belatedly.

Hope this gives you some idea about things to be concerned with.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[murphydog]

Well, get ready for a lot of suggestions and photos

Fortunately, you have chosen a field where literally millions of guns have been produced, and is still a relatively inexpensive niche with nice specimens readily available. Here is a basic list of significant models in roughly chronologic order:

1899 (the first one, no forward locking point for the ejector rod)
1905 in .32-20 (pre-WW II)
1905 in .38 Special (ditto). plus a pre-war Target
Victory Models in .38 S & W and Special (from WW II, not named M & P but historically significant)
5-, 4- and 3-screw post-WW II examples, in both steel and Airweight (models 10 and 12 after 1957)
A model 64 in .38, and a 13 and 65 in .357
A model 58 in .41 Magnum

Very small numbers were made in .22 and .32 S & W Long. These would probably mean winning a lottery, or depriving yourself of lunch money for a year or two.

Then to finish things off, a current production M & P 15 rifle, semiauto pistol, and 360 revolver in .357.

Enjoy the search!

 

[opoefc]

Scoreguy, It's been a long time since I've ever seen so many words of truth & wisdom, as posted above by Mike Priwer. Collect what you want for you, not for your son. If he is interested in gun collecting, let him particiapte in your collecting endeavors, etc. and you will find out if the bug has bitten him or not. In my own case, I know family heirloom firearms are much more desired by my sons, and they will be passed on to them, and there isn't a S&W among them (except the Victory Model I carried) . Guns used and carried by ancestors who fought in the American Revolution, Civil war, Indian wars, western migrations, WW1 & 2, Korea, etc. will carry much more appeal than a minty K38 you bought at Walmart. Just my opinion. Ed.

 

[pace40]

Cool...an M&P collector.

It does my heart good to hear of someone wanting to specialize in M&Ps. Very sound advice by those above and I'll add a few thoughts.

You've chosen a model that has been in continuous production for 111 years. Thats a lot a guns. Finding your niche within that span can be done 2 ways.

1) Read and study everything you can find about the model and pick a characteristic that suits you and go for it. (cheaper) You'll get days of reading by doing an M&P search on this board. Also suggested by Mr. Priwer.

2) Buy good condition M&Ps as they become available and study them then go find another. (expensive)

Two things I always think of when chasing M&Ps...

- There were millions of this model made. A slight downgrade in condition decreases value exponentially. The exception to this a gun with verifyable provenance to a famous individual or event. Additionally, the 1899's hold a greater value in lessor condition simply because of the few made and fewer survivors.

- Always buy the best condition you can afford.

and.....Relish the Quest!



http://smith-wessonforum.com/blogs/pace40/25-my-bookshelf.html


http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/pace40-albums-few-m-p-s.html

 

[S&W 10]

A few years ago I set out on a similar quest only to find what murphydog stated to be very true; there are hundreds of variants. Being uneducated in "Smithology" I quickly found that the common versions would show up quite readily and usually for a good price; as I attempted to find up the less common and higher condition versions...Well, I wanted to pull what's left of my hair out; a little over one hundred revolvers later I still hadn't made a dent in the M&P variants that were produced.

After lurking/learning here I've began to realize the statements made by Mr. Priwer are some of the best pieces of advice and information made by a knowledgeable collector. I just wish I'd known about this forum before I bit off more than I could chew.

These days I just buy the S&W's I like and can enjoy. I no longer beat myself up over not sticking to a specific model; I guess that makes me an accumulator, which is fine with me; although I do envy those that have the patients and stick-to-it-ness to be true collector

 

[Combat]

My little two cent opinion,yes there are thousands of M&P's out there to be had.If you take your time and look around you can get some really nice guns at a good price.They are not as popular as some models right now and I think in the future a hundred year old M&P will be something anyone would be proud to own.Take your children shooting with you,tell them about S&W lore.I believe anyone would be happy to show off an old M&P and say that this old gun is the one Dad gave me.Like I said,these are just my thoughts on this subject and reality may vary.

 

[sw357nm]

M&P Collection

The words of advice are all excellent, but I might add that there really isn't anything wrong with being an accumulator. Just buy the guns that you fancy and don't get overly worried about whether you are a collector or an accumulator.
John

 

[Scoreguy]

Gadzooks, I do have a lot to learn! Collector/accumulator, I don't think I even considered those labels when I made this post! :>) I do appreciate everyone's wisdom though and am grateful for your responses.

I'd like to elaborate about myself and my question a little more. I come from a family with a history of military service although, I, myself chose a different career path serving the public in state government employment. My son is graduating from college this spring with a degree in criminology and has hopes his future will find him working in governmental law enforcement or corrections of some kind. Guns have been a part of both mine and my son's lives since a very early age. Guns that I inherited from my deceased father, some which came from his father are held in high regard as some of my families most prized possesions. The monetary value of these are of no concern to me, nor will they be to my son when he calls them his someday. Guns that are passed down in my family aren't done so out of any relevance to what anyone of us has done with them or what they're going to be worth. Only that the person before us thought they were good enought to earn the title as a "keeper". There are several guns I know my dad owned at one time or another that I wish he would have kept and I've probably done the same with a few that my son will say that about. My dad bought, sold and traded alot of guns and I have too but the ones we kept are the ones that are important. So where does that leave me? I'm still not sure if I'm a collector or accumulator but I do know I'm an inheritor and my son will be too. So with those thoughts and my high regard for the S&W heritage, I am going to do everything I can to learn more about M&P's and find a few "keepers"! I hope I have reason to call upon all of you more in the future. Again, thanks for the good advice and if anything else comes to mind please reply!