Posted on 02/17/2009 7:40:02 PM PST by Plutarch
I noted that gold went up today 2.96% , while the US Dollar also went up against other currencies. This seems to be part of a flight to safety, wherein as safety goes: Gold >> US Dollar > other currencies.
This makes me wonder about guns as in investment. When the price gold is rising out of security fears, so too must be guns. Both are hedges against hyperinflation and disorder. The gold ad says "gold is an asset that doesn't depend on anybody's promise to repay". Likewise for guns, but in addition guns are an asset that you can depend on to encourage anyone's promise to repay. ;-)
So, if a newbie is interested in investing in guns as an appreciating asset, or at least store of value, what would be the strategy? Which guns to purchase? New or used? Purchase new, and never fire? Purchase that which is likely to be banned? Please discuss!
First, A .22 Revolver. Cheap gun, cheap ammo, no safety. Just row the trigger.
A 12 gauge shotgun. When the grocery store goes belly up, good to get squirrels, rabbits and deer (with slugs). OO buck is devastating against bad guys at close range.
.22 bolt action rifle with good scope. Get those squirrels with .05 cent ammo vs. .50 cent 12 gauge.
.357 Mag revolver. Again, just pull the trigger. Fill it with wimpy .38 Specials if the missus is gonna use it. .357 Hollow points for you.
Bolt action .30-06. If you ever need long range punch. .308 as an alternate. (Military caliber).
Big pistol is next. .40 or .45 ACP. Kimber, Colt, Beretta, etc. When they gotta go down on the first shot.
.223 Semi-auto. AR-15, Mini-14, many others. Good to have a piece that uses current military caliber. Might have to access unorthodox ammo resupply chain.
I'll stop here but the chain goes on forever. Don't forget ammo for all of the above. Especially .22 and shotgun. Your neighbors have them and you'll be able to trade a handful for good stuff.
If nothing happens, you'll be out a couple of grand and have a nice collection. If it does, you and your family may survive.
Putting on flame suit now.
I'm not a super-enthusiast, but just get the mainstream firearms that most people like. The value just keeps going up. I bought a used Colt Combat Commander in satin nickel for $295, and a couple of years later, a guy bought it for $500. I could get more for it now, but got a Glock, and it fits my hand better. I wouldn't get into it for money, I just get the stuff I want, and when I'm tired of it, it's usually worth more. I take care of them, though.
I wouldn't buy anything I wouldn't shoot.
Buy two at the new price, sell one when the price rises enough to pay the difference for the one you keep.
Old price AR15, 900. new price 1300.
Buy two, sell one when price reaches 1700+.
You have spent 2600 for 2,
you have sold 1700 for 1,
Net cost for 1 900. You have one new gun for the ‘old’ price!
Believe me they will be selling for $1700 soon from inflation alone. They sold for $1500 during the Clinton gun ban 16 years ago, they should be $2000 now from inflation!
Shotguns, 12 guage, automatics and pumps.
Knowledge is power.
Yes gold. Is anyone considering out of banks and markets and going to this ?
In a Mad Max future, guns will be easy to get. They'll be laying all over the place.
The private sale of firearms is already under attack in the Congress. HR 45.
Congress can also set a price limit or prohibit the trade in gold & silver. They set the price before and recall that FDR forced everyone to turn in their gold in ‘32 or ‘33. Whatever you decide to do, keep quiet about it.
I bought the same thing (.45 Combat Commander, nickle) for $275 in 1981 and saw one at a gun show last weekend. They were asking $895 for it. It's done me better than my IRA's have.
We really need some sort of check on the Fed to prevent runaway inflation. A WSJ article a few days ago mentioned a bill in the Indiana House that would allow citizens to conduct all their business with the state, giving and receiving, in silver or gold instead of U.S. dollars. I forwarded it to my Missouri State House Rep - we’ll see what happens.
“Buy all you can, while you can. Ammo too, it has a shelf life longer than yours.
Stick to common calibers, avoid oddballs and orphans. Buy with both hands. BLOAT.”
And buy a .22 and metric $hit tons of ammo for it to practice with. Save your more expensive rounds, of course put a few down the barrels occasionally to verify function and proficiency. And wait....
ammo....AKA ‘ballistic wampum’ as the late J. Cooper called it, even the lowly (lowly only in the minds of those who are not paying attention).22lr cartridge.
Personally, I prefer to keep the required ammo variations down. I know guys that have weapons that serve the same need in about five different calibers. Requires a ton of ammo. I'd rather have a large stock of ammo in a few calibers.
My only holes are a 12 gauge, and I don't have a .223. I wouldn't mind one, but it's not high on my priority list. The 12 gauge is.
I wouldn't mind having a .30-30 saddle gun, but with a 30.06, there's really no need. At least for me.
Agreed. Bare bones - .22, 12 gauge, .30-06. Load up on those and the rest are bonus balls. I’m convinced the .22 LR will be the quarter of the Apocalypse.
No kidding. I went to a funeral today for a guy that apparently accidentally shot himself cleaning a pistol. I have five rules:
1. It's ALWAYS loaded.
2. Every time you pick it up, check it.
3. Even after you check it, NEVER point it at anything if you'd be upset if there was a bullet hole in it.
4. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
I also have two corollaries:
NEVER leave one lying around.
NEVER agree to go shooting with someone until you've seen them handle their firearm.
Pretty simple, but I've never shot anything I didn't intend to shoot. Or gotten shot.
Way too many guys mix drinking and shooting. It's a deadly combination.
Ha, I keep replying to your posts. Noticed that the last one I replied to on learning safety rules was also yours. I agree on the .22 LR. Cheap as all get out, and a very versatile shell. Placement is easier with smaller calibers. Probably because I shot a BB gun forever, but I can generally nail anything with a good .22 rifle. Not so much with larger calibers. I’m not that great with a pistol. A short rifle is my favorite shooting tool.
Don’t forget lots of spare magazines and cleaning kits. A well maintained gun is a happy gun.
There’s a bullion exchange in Fresno I’m planning on visiting tomorrow. I was thinking silver ‘cause it seems to me that it would be more useful/convenient if things really do go south.
Thanks for the reply!!
GREAT list RK!!... a few of mine....all/any live ammo in a diff. room during ANY cleaning or routine mait...safety glasses always during anything reg. firearms. ears when on line, even .22lr. FEC at the bench when any hand jive is happening.
Holy cow! We have everything on that list of yours’! And most of the variety was my idea, and I’m just a girl. :o) We do have a Glock 9mm in addition to our Sig .40 and our two .22 rifles don’t have scopes, yet.
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