Firearms and ammo as investments

Whether something is legal or not doesn't make it worthless. Makes it far more valuable in certain circles. Maybe not practical and not something worth building a portfolio on but certainly firearms, etc. never lose value.

Machine guns have far outpaced gold in the last 20 years. At least that's my justification.

Did you not see the prices of firearms last October???

I bought several cases of Blazer 9 mm when Academy had it for $3.86 a box. It's now about $10 to $15 a box. Should have cashed in my retirement account and bought a truckload.

I also got heavy into .22 benchrest right before the shortage of that ammo. Had several cases of Wolf Match Target and similar that I bought low, but I held onto it during the shortage. I wanted the ammo more than the cash.

This was the only time I timed the market correctly, though by accident. And then I held on and didn't take the profits.

It can go south, however.

I know a guy who paid over $2,000 for an AR-15 in the shortage after Sandy Hook, and he was darned happy about it. Now some go for under $600.

Glock 15 round mags were $100 and over during the "ban". Then they dropped to $20 or so when the ban expired.

Also, some guns go out of style and don't have a collector following. You see plenty of old shotguns and rifles at gunshows that were nice in their day but just go for nominal prices now.

They can definitely be less than solid investments. And the more special or unique they are, the less liquid they are. You have to find that one guy with the interest and the cash to take that old Nambu or antique Winchester at a good price. You often see the same guns on a dealer's table at the gun shows for months or even years before they sell.

I'm surprised the market hasn't come down for the 9mm since the military is no longer in 2 active wars, plus the prices of metals have spiked and cratered since those halcyon days of CCI blazer ammo for less than $4.

Way back in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s we were buying Lugers, Belgian high powers for $75 to 100. Great shape with matching numbers.
Second generation Colt single actions for $150.
Still have a few but didn’t have the financial where-with-all to keep all.
Entry price for most of these is prohibitive now.
If you like it buy it but never expect to make a profit. Do it for you not for money.

At first glance, I thought you were talking about the stock price of Smith & Wesson, and others.

quote:

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never sold regardless of how valuable they become.

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LOL. My dad better not have a H&H ready to hand down when he dies.

If you need the money...I guess.

Guns/hunting/2a is a big part of my family I'd never dream of selling them. Heck I'd never sell any of my parents' personal possessions passed on to me.