Do low cost class III autos retain their value?

[A45acp1911]

Question for those who own, collect, shoot, and/or otherwise know about the values of class III automatic firearms.

Do the (relatively) low cost automatic firearms retain their value?

For example, Gunsamerica lists various automatic M11s for three thousand or so. Could they be sold in a few years, if desired, for essentially the current purchase price?

Do higher priced automatic firearms better retaining their value?

Thanks for any information,
PJH

 

[PMDW]

All transferable automatic weapons are going up in value. A friend of mine bought a Powder Springs M10/45 in 2003 for $1,500. Try to find one for under $3,000 now.

 

[tankertom]

I don't think anything has gone up much faster than the M11 in price except perhaps the M16

New in box M11/9s were $595 in 1999. Now $3K is common.

tt

 

[DrDremel]

I bought my S&W76 for $2200 5 years ago. They go for about $6000 now. There is no full-auto that will ever lose money.

 

[nhhillbilly]

I can hope they will lose their value in that the law will change allowing new builds. I can dream can't I. Less Laws on the books.

 

[CleverNickname]

Just one request:

If you're buying machineguns because you like to shoot them, great. If you're buying machineguns because you're a collector and interested in their history, great. If you're buying machineguns because you think they're going to go up in value and you'll make a bundle, don't. Go buy some stocks or something and leave the machineguns to people who like the guns for their own sake, not a financial one. There's plenty of other places to invest your money.

 

[Psssniper]

Yes they sure will until the NFA & GCA '68 are rejected as unconstitutional

 

[Dave R]

I have a buddy who is a Class III collector and he would agree whith everything that's been said. He says he has no investment that has appreciated better than his machine guns.

But the risk is they will become worthless either by being declared illegal, or they will drop in value by being deregulated.

He doesn't see wither scenario as being likely in the foreseeable future.

 

[AK103K]

I can hope they will lose their value in that the law will change allowing new builds.

I hope so too.
On the other hand, I paid $800 for my MP5 conversion in 86 and you have an idea what they are now worth. I also paid $225 for my M11/9mm in 85. So, are they worth the investment? Yup, just as long as they remain legal. They can be worthless with the wave of a pen.

 

[Bubbles]

If the USSC agrees to hear the Stewart case and upholds the 9th Circuit's decision, I wouldn't shed a single tear over the decrease in value of the Class III firearms I've purchased over the years.

 

[roo_ster]

If the USSC agrees to hear the Stewart case and upholds the 9th Circuit's decision, I wouldn't shed a single tear over the decrease in value of the Class III firearms I've purchased over the years.

That's...just beautiful.

 

[tankertom]

Gotta agree that, I would take wide availability over any value that has accrued.

tt

 

[Onmilo]

There are still low price Class 3 firearms available?? !!

 

[Hkmp5sd]

There are still low price Class 3 firearms available?? !!

The entry level machineguns are the Mac-10/11s and they are around $3,000. The next level up is the Uzi at about $6,000.

I would gladly watch the value of my MGs fall through the floor if they repealed the '86 ban and hopefully the '68 "sporting" clause on imports also.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

you guys are great!~

I would love to get a S&W 760 smg, or an UZI, and I'd also like to get an AC556 KF.

Course an M4 would be cool too!

 

[Kingknives]

If the USSC agrees to hear the Stewart case and upholds the 9th Circuit's decision, I wouldn't shed a single tear over the decrease in value of the Class III firearms I've purchased over the years.

Could you please elaborate? I'm not sure what your refering to.

Thanks

 

[Hkmp5sd]

The wishful thinking is that if Stewart is upheld, homemade machineguns will be legal as they do not travel in "interstate commerce" and therefore, the federal government doesn't have any jurisdiction over them.

Even should this happen, it still doesn't do much of anything. Most states that allow machineguns, such as Florida, have the law written in a way that only machineguns registered in the NFA are legal for possession. Homemade machineguns would still be illegal.

 

[Cortland]

Even should this happen, it still doesn't do much of anything. Most states that allow machineguns, such as Florida, have the law written in a way that only machineguns registered in the NFA are legal for possession.

But not Virginia !!!!!!

Our machine gun laws make no mention of the NFA or federal registration. I'd love to have a machine gun, but at current prices there are other things I'd much rather spend that kind of money on.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Before I give my opinion, let me clarify. I bought a new AO Thompson for $1800 in 1988. Prior to the 1986 FOPA, AO Thompsons were going for about $900.

There was the price surge...at least for the time being.

For several years after, prices held steady. For reasons too boring to detail here, I decided to put my Thompson on the market, with a Class III dealer advertising for me.

Along about 1996 or so, he found a buyer. The buyer paid me what I paid for the gun, plus extra dollars for extra accessories I'd found.

The dealer had a really nice AC556 for $750. But I was looking for a semi-benchrest rifle, not a burn-through-the-ammo subgun.

Well, prices took off after that. Big time. I couldn't buy my Thompson back for less than $6 to $8K.

But I've seen these boom and bust times in other areas as well. Anyone who owned a vintage muscle or foreign sports car around 1990 saw the value shoot up, and then take a huge nosedive.

I won't ever again use guns as an investment, except as an investment in my own physical security.

 

[buttrap]

I have a idea that the MG laws in Virgina are based on the fed laws...like most states it probably says as by NFA act..that gets amended most state law changes. If not it they could not bust you for having a MG.

 

[Cortland]

I have a idea that the MG laws in Virgina are based on the fed laws...like most states it probably says as by NFA act

Well you'd be wrong. Virginia's machine gun laws require registration with the state, but they make no mention of the NFA or federal registration.