I need help buying a hand gun?

Question

Probably an auto but maybe a revolver. I would like to have a gun that will not depreciate in value, and will some day be a collectors item. But it still needs to be affordable and practical today.
I'm looking for something larger than a 9mm.
I would love to hear from some gun collectors, but any help would be appreciated.

Between $350 and $600

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

If you are looking to purchase a handgun that will increase in value over time, as an investment, you do not want to purchase a handgun that is mass produced and is flooding the market. A wiser choice is a limited production handgun. Keep in mind the more you use it, the greater the chances are that you will reduce the value of the gun. Some guns that are "limited production" and desirable to own will include:
1. a Seecamp .32 ACP (highly desirable, guaranteed to increase in value)
2. a Smith & Wesson Model 34 Kit Gun in .22 LR
3. any Lew Horton special issue Smith & Wesson revolver
4. any commemorative Smith & Wesson or Colt revolver
5. a Colt Python with 2 1/5, 4 or 6 inch barrel
6. any Colt Single Action Army or New Frontier.

Handguns purchased used, such as a Model 34, should be in very good condition with at least 95% or better original finish. Be advised, there will be very little available for $600 that you could expect to increase in value over time unless, of course, it's production and availability are curtailed due to a total ban.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Some handguns do appreciate in value, but you have to know what you're buying, take good care of it, and buy (gently) used to avoid taking the initial depreciation of the gun going from a new good to a used one.

Generally, a Sig Sauer will maintain its' value very well, as will a 3rd generation Glock, Springfield xd/1911, or good used S&W revolver (NOT their autos).

There are only a couple of brands which will increase in value, such as a Colt 1911 or Colt Python or other revolver, or any handgun by H&K. H&K routinely discontinues importation of their guns for no good reason other than market manipulation and their firearms have always risen in value, sometimes very substantially. Importation of the H&K USP Compact pistol was recently discontinued and the prices of them are already going up.

High end 1911 style pistols such as Caspian, Wilson combat, etc. will not rise in value considerably over time, although they will hold their value well. If you buy a $1500+ pistol new you will almost never recoup the initial selling price because the resale market for expensive guns is just too small. Generally, people who are that serious about their shooting will buy new because they're after a superior shooting gun, not necessarily an investment.

Current production handguns that are still being made or imported in great numbers are unlikely to rise in value due to the supply meeting demand. Also, guns that are used in mass quantities by police departments will never rise in value because when the department puts all the pistols on the wholesale market they are sold very cheaply and flood the market. Examples include all S&W autos, Beretta 92/96, generation 1 & 2 Glocks, etc.

If you want to invest in firearms then there are some areas where you can do VERY well, but handguns are not it. Start buying Class-III machineguns (legally with a tax stamp), or stripped AR-15 receivers, or hi-cap magazines and put the receivers and mags away for the next assault weapon ban which will almost assuredly come no matter who wins in 08.

If you buy the receivers in quantity you can get them for ~$90 each and they will appreciate in value over time as the demand goes up. You could easily resell them immediately in private party transactions for ~$100, thus making a 11% profit overnight, but you should hold on to them until the next ban is about to pass, then the value will go through the roof. FYI: during the 94-04 ban the value of a virgin, pre-ban AR-15 receiver that had never been assembled was about $800. In 1994 you could buy them for $80. The value of the assembled pre-ban rifle during the ban was ~$1400 (carbine), whereas the purchase price in 1994 would have been ~$700. Purchasing just the receiver yielded 5-times the return (1000% vs. 200%).

Hi-cap glock mags could be bought in 1994 for $15 and were worth $75 during the ban. They’re $18-$20 today and are small enough to pack 100 of them in a box in the closet and forget about them for a few years while their value goes up after the next ban passes.

Answer 3

You could take a look at a Ruger P90. Its in 45 ACP holds 8 rounds, can be gotten for around $450 new and less if used. Its a reliable and good semi auto handgun. You just wouldn't want to sell it within a few years after buying it, because you lose a good amount of resale value on used rugers especially the P89 and P90.

You will run into trouble with your request. $300-600 won't buy much that is collectable, bigger than 9mm and practical. The only handgun I can think of that meets the 3 requirements is a USGI 1911 but price will be atleast double what you specified.

Answer 4

I like how everyone is recommending 1k and 2k guns for the guy who wants 350 to 600...

For that price, you're not going to get an auto that will be much of a collectible. That's solidly in Glock/crappy 1911 range. Both go down in value the second they are bought.

You'd do best buying a Smith and Wesson revolver for that price. For it to gain value, you'll have to own it for decades, though, and probably won't be able to shoot it much.

Handguns are for shooting...investing, not so much.

Answer 5

For collectors value and home defense a 1911 is good, Kimber ($$) is nice and so is Wilson ($$$$).
If you're looking for a more practical gun, Glock makes good 40 and 45 cal. models. 45 caliber will stop almost anyone, 40 caliber will do almost as well. Just depends if you're looking more for a collectable or a shooter.

Answer 6

you should get a Springfield xd (xtream duty) .45 ACP 4 inch it will fit in your hand nicely they have a lifetime warranty it is in your price range the recoil is nothing like anything it almost feels like a 9mm and you can put just about any ammo thru that thing and it will not jam on you they are very good guns they have got very good ratings

Answer 7

If you are looking for an investment / personal protection handgun, one that is top of the line, go with a Wilson combat 1911 model .cal. 45.
Another super nice 45 auto is the Springfield F.B.I. Special.
Both of these guns will set you back a couple of grand but they will only increase in value as long as you take care of them.

Answer 8

A Colt Anaconda. It is a 44 mag revolver. It might be in the 800 range though for a good used one. It wont lose in value. I would buy a used one in good condition.

Answer 9

Just buy a nice 1911

Answer 10

I just got a Springfield XD 45 and love it.