Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles predicting the future -- collectible rifles

I'll be putting together a nice walnut/blue M70 for my son to get the day he becomes a father. Too often "dad" is forgotten when that happens. To a degree, rightfully so but for the next 18 years - he's probably the one asked to make the most sacrifices to provide for baby and mom so I want to give him something special that I know he can't/wont do for himself.

Original Remington Mountain Rifles, Original Rem Classics, Rem 7, "Winchester", Ruger 77, Especially Hawkeye, "JM".

The most collectable are those the least manufactured or desired when they were made.

A lot of truth to the last part of that statement - look at some of the older rifles - anything in .30-06 is typically the least desired nowadays while the odd chamberings command premiums. Things like Ruger’s new Super Redhawk in .22 Hornet will likely be sought after in 20-30 years - unless there is a market I’m not seeing? Made some good “investments” with odd balls over the years.

PennDog

Guns are like art - buy what you like and appreciate it.
If you are looking for investments there are better places to put money into than either of those items unless you are lucky.

drover

Coopers
Kimbers
Model 70 Winchesters
#1 and #3 Rugers

I don't see the plastic stocked bargain basement bolt guns and AR15s Bubba built in his garage gaining a lot of traction.

This seem consistent with what I have observed.

"Rich" is in the eye of the beholder and many here understand that. "Rich" for me is pursuing a hobby that I truly enjoy (probably from genetics as well as environment), not bankrupting my other responsibilities to family, retirement planning, etc., and ensuring (to the best of my ability) that future generations, close to me or even not, can have an opportunity to enjoy a "good" thing from the past.
"Smart" buying does not guarantee that outcome but at least makes it "possible". Other forces are out of our control at some level. A "balanced" portfolio is a smart thing in an uncertain environment which applies to almost everything. I have sold plenty of firearms that just did not inspire me (rich?) that have become quite collectable since (rich?) and probably should not have been sold based on that one parameter... common thread on the 'fire for a reason.

One of the guys I have seen at some of our local "shows" who has some of the nicest, more "collectible", valuable items on his table just happens to be the same guy who puts on the shows and profits from all the attendees entrance fees. He collects and profits! He enjoys it. Not even sure he shoots or hunts that much but I don't know that for sure. He has turned collecting into profiting for himself obviously but he travels, organizes, lives out of a suitcase, etc. and has for some time. Lots of different strategies and "rewards" out there! Thank goodness for freedoms... for now anyway.

And if you like and enjoy it, there is a better chance others will desire it in the future.

I see lots of estates getting blown out for 50 cent dollars. They would have been more rich if they hadn’t died.

Opposite here. Recent private estate of 117 guns brought $143,000. Mixed through that was your typical old beat up single shot 22's and shotguns that only brought $75-$150, so the other stuff brought real good money.

I doubt that old gent had a clue his collection of guns would bring that kind of money. It was primarily guns that would've never been high dollar when he bought them. quite a few 760's, some 7600's, a few model 6's, Remington 870 wingmasters that some brought surprisingly high prices, some older Model 7's, some hard to get Model 14's, etc.

Not a single so called high dollar gun like a Sako, not even any M700's or Winchester M70's, all lower tiered guns so to speak. I guarantee that old boy made some money.

Canada doesn’t quite have the gun culture the US has. And the used prices here represent that.

I have no clue of the future, who knows what laws and the market will look like. But, based on everything I've seen here as a steady trend for 15 + yrs since just prior to Obama, were I to sell out, I'd be WAY ahead of the game.

European rifles in real blued steel.
The disposal cost is so high because of the BS environmental regulations that true blued guns are being priced out of existence.

One I’ve thought was odd and will become rare rare if it isn’t from day 1 is the Ruger Hawkeye hunter in .204.

Generally I would agree, but I think the AAA French Super Grades might.

I doubt it. If any of you all have any, let me know and I'll take them at a discount so you don't need to look at them loosing value in your safe

You're a good man and friend Scott.

God bless you.

I try to pull my weight for humanity.

No rifle that is currently mass produced will ever be a true “collectible”

Lost track of this thread, forgot I had even posted in it.



Another thought along my previous comment about younger generations
not being interested in "Our" classics.


Born in 69, a gun nut since I was single digits.
I very well, remember the obsession with Model 88s and Model 12s.

Seeing them bring $600 or more, in early 1980s dollars.
Lotta Model 12s aren't bringing much over that, in today's worthless money.
Model 88s have come close to meeting inflation.


SKSs, AK-47s have skyrocketed from their early 90s costs.

Probably, but some will remain very desirable because they work and shoot well.