I’ve been deeply embroiled in ARs, modern pistols, and modern bolt action rifles for years, but I’m considering starting a gun collection based on my interests, specifically post-WWII semi-autos. Sadly, I only own one semi-auto that’s not a 10/22 or an AR- an original and pristine Russian SKS from 1954.
If one were to begin a collection, where should I start, i.e., what would be a good top 10 (or 10+) list with a hypothetical initial investment of, say $50K?
Thanks.
FAL
G3
AK (period correct)
M14
Sig 220 9mm heel release
Sig 210
Beretta 92s
HK P7 and variants
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Are looking semi auto rifle or pistols, or both?
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I’m thinking rifles for now. Even newer models that may no longer be imported or likely to cease importation.
Fifty big ones is a lot of money. Don’t be tempted to blow any of it on the “cool” factor unless it’s something really worthy, like a collectible firearm with vetted provenance for example.
–Don’t buy used unless it’s a rare or uncommon surplus item, like a Rashid rifle for example. I have wasted more money than I care to contemplate on used firearms that were suffering from major issues that the former owner didn’t want to fix.
–Do your research on what constitutes a good investment on a particular make and model of firearm. For example, if you want the civilian version of the M-14, do your research as to which ones are considered quality builds, and which ones are slapped together junk. This may take you a while to really dig into which ones were built with quality components and which ones are simply glorified range toys.
–Don’t buy sight unseen if you don’t have to, unless it’s from a dealer with a sterling reputation
–Find out what you are truly interested in. It does no good to buy a firearm just because it’s “collectible”. What an item is worth is often a subject of much debate. If you just have to have an East German Makarov, buy it because you like Makarovs, not just because someone told you it’s “cool” to have one or that it will be worth a lot of money someday. Some people collect nothing but German Lugers because they love the weapon. Others collect pre-ban AK’s because they love AK’s. Don’t collect something on the hope it will vastly increase in value (a lot of guns will but many won’t). Collect guns based on your interests.
–If you are a shooter, plan on buying firearms that you can actually find ammo, magazines, and accessories for. I remember a collector who bought a Tokarev rifle, only to find it needed a replacement part he couldn’t find.
Are you looking for military rifles or civilian or both?
Anyway what I posted above plus
MAS 49/56
Hakim rifle 8mm Mauser.
FN49
BM59
Sig 510
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Very helpful Doc. I’d definitely want to shoot these and have no real expectations on vast increases in value and would not want blow the whole wad just because. I enjoy shooting firearms of all types with different manuals of arms and appreciate pieces that have particular relevance to innovations in design and history.
I will second what he said. Now there are a few stand by collector guns like Garands and pre ban stuff. Step one would be what type of semi autos you want. Do you want military style rifles, or hunting/sporting type rifles. Most guys go with the the military style stuff due ease of getting parts and ammo.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I initially replied “both” but I probably prefer military pieces or civie versions thereof. I guess I have P7M8 that’s worthy of hanging onto given it’s condition (Sterling VA stamp with original manual, box, fired case, etc), but again primarily interested in long guns.
I would second this and I would add some other 5.56 rifles to the list given your desire to focus on rifles despite them not being in the immediate post war period as it is a bit of a golden era for buying some of this stuff.
FNC
AUG
Galil
Scar
I would be remiss not to ask the obvious as well:
What resources should I seek to better understand the historical significance, quality, quantity and manufacture for commencing such a collection?
Such a collection usually runs in the six figures plus just to get to a basic level. It’s also a pain in the ass to maintain, service because many of the weapons would require skilled gunsmiths to work on the items- pre-ban era HK’s for example. Worse many of the original components are drying up- FAL’s especially are hit with this. Sure you can scrounge together a nice collection but then it’s just creating a logistical nightmare dividing up bins of various magazines, parts that you have to keep on hand just in case all while stocking up on ammo that some of which is proprietary for certain specific rifles. I would completely advise against it. Stick with only current manufactured modern stuff that is widely circulated and outfit it with modern accessories. Far less of a headache and you don’t feel like your collection is a museum.
7n6
I concur.
Collecting is fun but you become a slave to it.
If it were me, I’d spend a hefty amount on top-of-the-line modern weapons: M4’s, Glocks, Berettas, SIG’s, Benelli’s–tuned to your preferences and only the highest quality M4’s (Colt, BCM) by the way.
Then I’d spend a reasonable sum on mags, ammo, spare parts, optics, accessories as needed.
THEN, I’d spend some money on TRAINING. It’s not enough to own a carbine that shoots rapidly and accurately. You also have to be able to USE the weapon rapidly and accurately
We live in a dangerous world, and just knowing you can probably outshoot a home invader is worth a heckuva lot more than knowing you have the last M1 Garand that was deployed to the Pacific Theater in WW2 or something.
Just MHO.
I have no expectations of building a collection rivaling “proper” collectors, rather one or two examples or so of some well regarded semi-autos that I can enjoy shooting from time to time with friends and family. I can go deep into the six figures, if necessary. but I’d rather keep the bulk my investments where they are in having a expected rate of return. From what I gather, it’s quite difficult to make money on firearm collections, so this would be purely for personal enjoyment. A more modern collection, might serve well too and may make more sense from a reliability and serviceability perspective.
Got the quality M4, Glock, ammo and training part covered and I reload. No Bushmasters in my safes, but I do have a several Aero Precision builds I use for varmint and hog hunting.
Somewhat agree. Depends on how often and how much you shoot them. Either you use them a lot or like me, enjoy the history and occasionally shoot.
I don’t have any big collections and some I’ve sold off but personally I never shot them much so I never bothered with bins of spare parts or large amount of mags. Those I shot it would be between 20 and 200 rounds a year. Just occasionally something different.
On the other hand if you plan on using it them a lot then definitely what 7N6 said
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I would put that $50k into transferable machineguns. Fleming, Qualified, or S&H HK sear or registered HK trigger frame and some hosts. Add a M16, Thompson, mp40, AUG, or something else. Voila…around $50k and far more enjoyable than any number of semiautos.
Doc Glockster had some good advice in his post. You really got to be careful when starting a collection like that. Do your homework is the main thing…you can get taken to the cleaners pretty quick otherwise.
Indeed he does. Make no mistake, I’m not wanting to plop down $50K+ all at once, rather acquire one piece at a time after employing a lot of research and patience. I would like to allocate the assets though. Ultimately, I guess the overall investment is a personal choice in terms of how deep I want to go into the rabbit hole.
I’d second what’s been said. FN49, FAL, SVT40, Hakim, M1, M1 Carbine, etc. Yep, got em all, but I started 30 years ago and I had an FFL back then. As has been mentioned, care and feeding of such a collection can be a burden.
I say if you are going to collect, go with ultra modern stuff, new designs from the 2000’s on up.
7n6