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Old February 14, 2013, 09:35 AM   #1
tcritter
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Which 1911 ??

I'm looking to get my first 1911 and need a little help deciding. I'm not going to shot it alot, it is more a future investment. I'm would like a colt but would consider others. Which gun in 30 years will have gained in value. I'm looking at about 1300$ being the top of my budget. What are the diffences with the colt brand. I would like a fullsize 1911. Any info would help.
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Old February 14, 2013, 09:57 AM   #2
NJgunowner
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Buying any gun and expecting it go gain value is a losing proposition. Buy something you'll enjoy. Colts tend to HOLD their value better than most.
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Old February 14, 2013, 10:10 AM   #3
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I agree. There is no gun that I know of that will gain in value. Colts and Kimbers seem to hold their value fairly well though. Get something that you like and will enjoy shooting or just looking at. Both of these brands make some pretty guns. Sig and Springfield also make some nice shooting and lookig 1911's. Not sure how well these will hold their value in comparison to Kimbers and Colts though.
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Old February 14, 2013, 10:13 AM   #4
southjk
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I think the most you can hope for is for your gun to RETAIN it's value in 30 years. Unless you buy a limited edition or collectors model the odds of it increasing in value are slim.
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Old February 14, 2013, 10:28 AM   #5
Fishbed77
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When in doubt... COLT! Everything else is just a clone.

Here is a photo of my Government XSE:

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Old February 14, 2013, 03:59 PM   #6
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For that price range, I think a used DW would be an excellent choice. If you want to spend more, I recommend the EB. I love mine, just ordered a second one.

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Old February 14, 2013, 04:54 PM   #7
TxFlyFish
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Colts do gain value just look at 6920. Those were selling above KAC prices side by side during panic. Colt Rail Guns and O1911 black oxide and carbonia blues are gaining value every year. The next Colt to gain value is the limited custom shop marine 1911
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Old February 14, 2013, 05:02 PM   #8
alex0535
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The best you are really going to be able to hope for is buying one that will retain its value over the years unless you get something that is a limited edition or collector model. Frankly the Colts 1911's worth more in 30+ years will be the colts that have gone up in value over the last 30 years and they are going to be out of your price range.

Go with a Colt 1911, shoot it, take care of it, and it will provide you and future owners more than a century of dependable use. Don't get something you are less than willing to shoot, Colt 1911s are built to be shot. I think that taking it out and shooting it will ensure that the gun is cleaned, oiled, and loved the way it was meant to be loved.

Consider it to be an investment in a cherished family heirloom that you can pass on to your children that they can one day give to their children. That sort of thing will make even an ordinary 1911 worth more than what its monetary value.
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Old February 14, 2013, 05:13 PM   #9
TxFlyFish
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scroll to the bottom to find links to Colt's 2013 catalog that will list the differences. The big one is ~80mb

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols.aspx

Generally speaking, when you buy a Colt you (and those who value Colt's) look for sentimental value. THINK PREMIUM AND TRADITIONAL. So don't go with base models or obscure rollmarks
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Old February 14, 2013, 07:34 PM   #10
KyJim
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I agree that buying guns as investments is pretty iffy. Buy something you can shoot and enjoy but take care of it. Long term, Colts have an appeal that most manufacturers don't have. That doesn't mean its the best 1911 out there for that price but Colt is making good guns right now. I would stay away from the highly stylized commemorative models as a lot of collectors don't care for them. Some of the "plainer" commemorative models like the the centennial models seem to keep their appeal.
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Old February 14, 2013, 07:41 PM   #11
BigJimP
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In that price range.....I think a Colt is probably a decent gun...not a great gun / but they're making solid guns.

Buying guns as an investment isn't smart ...not even if you keep them unfired in a box ( and that's no fun )....
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Old February 14, 2013, 11:49 PM   #12
ClydeFrog
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My picks....

Cabot Les Baer Larry Vickers Cylinder & Slide Wilson Combat Colt Mk45 or maybe a National Match Gold Cup, DL Sports/Dave Lauck, Ruger SR1911.
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Old February 15, 2013, 12:01 AM   #13
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colt value, springfield for everyday use

I bought my 80 series national match gold cup at Gun show for 900.00 new, I hardly shoot it, colts dont go down in value. I also bought a springfield armory Range officer 1911 to shoot all the time I paid about 800.00 for it. If you want something for value then dont shoot it alot, so inother words have guns you collect, then guns you shoot. Its like a vintage old car you dont drive those things everyday samething with firearms.

Good Luck
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Old February 15, 2013, 12:04 AM   #14
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A firearm you intend to shoot is not an "investment" that is likely to earn a "return" for the owner. Extremely rare examples of firearms become valuable but the market for them is very small. Having bought and sold firearms (not a dealer) for about 45 years I am happy to have incurred only small financial losses on my purchases and subsequent sales.
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Old February 15, 2013, 12:08 AM   #15
HKFan9
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I'd say look for a used Dan Wesson, but don't expect it to be an investment... sadly guns aren't great at going up in value.
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Old February 15, 2013, 12:29 AM   #16
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Historically, the handguns that typically appreciated in value where considered expensive or high end when new, and for them to see a real gain in value the model typically has to be discontinued or undergo some sort of drastic change. Think Colt Python. That said, a quality gun will typically hold its value if you keep it in good shape and don't do any irreversible modifications. However, they rarely see a real return on their investment when you adjust the original purchase price for inflation.

Colt's typically hold their value, with some rare limited edition models that increase in value if they become popular enough. The closest that I can recommend as a real investment piece will be their upcoming O1913 Reproduction model. The previous WWI repro's have appreciated since their limited runs have ended since they became very popular and the O1913 model is promising to be the most authentic reproduction yet.
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Old February 15, 2013, 12:57 AM   #17
ScottRiqui
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Quote:
don't expect it to be an investment... sadly guns aren't great at going up in value.
True. Thirty years ago, if you had thrown $1000 into a stock portfolio that was indexed off of the S&P 500 and just forgotten about it, it would be worth almost $18,000 today. How many current $1000 guns do you think will be worth $18,000 thirty years from now? And more importantly, do you think you could pick them out today?
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Old February 15, 2013, 03:02 AM   #18
edfrompa
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Springfield is also a favorable firearm.
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Old February 15, 2013, 07:28 AM   #19
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Im happy with my kimber stainless gold match. Not the top of the line, but well worth the 1300. And the way the laws are going, all firearms are likely to be worth quite a bit in 30 years.
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Old February 15, 2013, 05:35 PM   #20
shafter
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Buy something highcap if you want to take a chance on increasing value. A 1911 doesn't fit the bill.
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Old February 15, 2013, 06:03 PM   #21
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I bought my first 1911 last year for range use. My budget was less than yours. I ended up buying a Springfield Range Officer, since I didn't need it for carry or HD. The Range Officer met all of my criteria for a 1911 shooter @ $750.00. If I had been trying to burn $1300 I could have ended up with a Dan Wesson, or an ounce of gold if I had wanted a good investment.
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Old February 15, 2013, 07:50 PM   #22
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I love 1911's but definitely not as an investment. In the $1300 range I'd look for a good used Dan Wesson CBOB or VBOB. Second choice would be one of the Kimbers that go through their custom shop.
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Old February 15, 2013, 07:55 PM   #23
hodaka
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Forget the investment plan. Buy a shooter and you will probably get your money back if you sell it but a mutual fund would be a better investment, or gold or silver 10 years ago. No one has mentioned a Smith and Wesson. Mine is very satisfactory to shoot and extremely accurate.
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Old February 15, 2013, 08:27 PM   #24
1927Roadster
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Newbie to the forum and a new 1911 owner

I just purchased my first 1911 and it is a ruger sr1911 cmd - i had looked at the s&w (round butt) very hard but i went with ruger because of price ($699) and the fact that they changed the firing block setup - if all goes as planned i hope to purchase the s&w down the road at some juncture as well - i hope to take it to the range this week - i have an m&p 45 as well but the weight of the gun give's a considerable amount of recoil which i hope is much better with the ss ruger - just my $.02 and it is nice to be on the forum - looking forward to learning from you 1911 veteran's
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Old February 15, 2013, 09:35 PM   #25
Super Sneaky Steve
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I'd get the SR1911 and spend the rest on ammo and a good holster.
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