If you’re looking for a used gun, one you intend to shoot often, you might not care about blemishes as much as gun barrel condition and throat/chamber wear. Learn all you can about a gun’s history and specific idiosyncrasies, so you know what parts tend to show wear or break. For collectible guns - let’s define them as firearms purchased for rarity or as long-term investments - the difference in price between an “excellent” grade firearm and one in “very good” condition can be substantial. “Then one day Webleys caught on for some reason and values doubled and tripled, seemingly overnight.”Ĭondition is key to gun values.

“Believe it or not, there was a day when Webley commercial revolvers could be had for well under $100, even adjusted for inflation,” writes gun collecting expert Phillip Peterson in the Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values, 16th Edition.

While their supply is more or less fixed, less obvious trends and niche interests in gun collecting can influence what people are willing to pay. Vintage guns or collectible firearms are particularly difficult to value. Political winds of change, such as the proposed “Assault Weapons” ban, results in astronomical spikes in demand spurred by panic-buying, which creates shortages of AR-15 rifles and semi-auto handguns (as well as ammunition for these guns). You should be aware of a firearm Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) as a starting point but the ultimate factors affecting military gun prices versus antique gun values, for instance, are as varied as the types of guns that are out there on the market.įirearm prices fluctuate based on demand, availability and condition. What is a Gun Worth? Factors Influencing Gun Values The key is research, and whether you’re a serious gun collector or occasional gun buyer there are many resources available to learn gun values. The same is true if you’re selling a gun. They’re not something you can buy at the five-and-dime store, so the first step in making a purchasing decision is figuring out gun values.

No matter how you look at it, guns are a serious purchase. Resources and tips for finding firearm values using trusted references or getting free online gun values

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