RoscoeTurner Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Based on the NRA's promises in 1986 to work to repeal the Hughes Amendment I did not have long to wait for the registry to reopen. Needless to say they have been on the ball working on that since they made those promises. They, however, leave out the fact the registry was closed with a nod from Uncle Wayne. The high prices are a problem for most. I am all for opening up the registry. Let normal market forces determine price.Original Colt's, AO ,ect will still demand a premium. But a new Mfg 1928 would be what, $1500? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancer Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Some here talk of buying Class 3 as if it is a wise investment. I for one do not believe this to be the case. While many can talk about how much their guns have gone up in value, the NFA registered MG market has all the signs of a bubble waiting to burst. A stroke of the pen and your investment could be wiped out. A word of warning to anyone wise enough to look at the hobby objectively.......DON'T "invest" more than you can afford to lose. And BTY, MY mutual funds don't under perform.....they have more than doubled my net worth in the last 5 yrs., not so my MG. My .02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elbow Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I got mine as a DIVORCE SPECIAL. Nice and cheap. Most of his weapons went to the trash can before he got his hands on them again. Crazy>>>> As a matter of fact I think most all my guns came from him, what was left. Guns for cash for a lawyer. No NFA gun were lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman1957 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Until the bubble bursts, NFA in general is an exclusive club where BATFE vets membership. For a long time running... when you sell your membership, it normally covers your initial investment. Ammo, on the other hand is like gas in a outboard fishing boat... cost of doing business. New bumper sticker "Machineguns for Free" (buy em, enjoy em, sell em) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 I bought a WH M1 in 1999 for $3500, IIRC. What's frightening is that I dropped almost the same amount ($3k) on an artillery Luger just recently.... Like a few other posters, I'd wanted a Thompson ever since watching re-runs of Combat! and Rat Patrol (I know, the Rat Patrol guys' guns weren't really Thompsons, but at 7 or 8 years old, does it matter?) My best friend had no health insurance and was diagnosed with terminal cancer back in 1998.He left me with $4k and his motorcycle and instructed me to "sell my bike and yours, and use this (the money) to buy you a new Harley, or buy that Thompson gun you've been talking about for years." I bought the Thompson. I sold his bike some years back, and still have the same Honda I was riding back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphinvet Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Some here talk of buying Class 3 as if it is a wise investment. I for one do not believe this to be the case. While many can talk about how much their guns have gone up in value, the NFA registered MG market has all the signs of a bubble waiting to burst. A stroke of the pen and your investment could be wiped out. A word of warning to anyone wise enough to look at the hobby objectively.......DON'T "invest" more than you can afford to lose. And BTY, MY mutual funds don't under perform.....they have more than doubled my net worth in the last 5 yrs., not so my MG. My .02It's my understanding that this type of scenario would have to be approved through Congress, not just a stroke of the President's pen. With elections coming up shortly, and gun control/confiscation at a very unpopular level, I see this as not a real possibility. Countrywide confiscation schemes would raise the specter of civil war. Personally I see fluctuations in the value of machine guns both up and down, but I don't believe they are going to skyrocket in value they way they did after the initial ban. Their value will go up and down with popularity, regional availability, and inflation. Unless you pay way too much for one or damage it inadvertently, it isn't going to lose value. True your gun may not appreciate in value like a good mutual fund, but that wasn't the reason you bought it I hope. It certainly wasn't mine. I purchased my machine guns because I like them, enough said there. I bought houses to make money and not mutual funds for investments but that's me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancer Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) It's my understanding that this type of scenario would have to be approved through Congress, not just a stroke of the President's pen. With elections coming up shortly, and gun control/confiscation at a very unpopular level, I see this as not a real possibility. Countrywide confiscation schemes would raise the specter of civil war. Personally I see fluctuations in the value of machine guns both up and down, but I don't believe they are going to skyrocket in value they way they did after the initial ban. Their value will go up and down with popularity, regional availability, and inflation. Unless you pay way too much for one or damage it inadvertently, it isn't going to lose value. True your gun may not appreciate in value like a good mutual fund, but that wasn't the reason you bought it I hope. It certainly wasn't mine. I purchased my machine guns because I like them, enough said there. I bought houses to make money and not mutual funds for investments but that's me. The problem with your "understanding" is that the Obama Administration is routinely ignoring laws, even changing laws by use of Executive Orders and bureaucratic rule changes. You can argue he does not have the Constitutional authority to do this but the problem here is twofold. First, in order to stop him, SOMEONE WITH DEEP POCKETS is going to have to take it through the court system, ultimately to the U.S. Supreme Court where the ruling could go either way and take years. Second, what politician.....pro-gun or not is going to stand up and defend the right to own machine guns? So.....in the end, you can preach to the choir about how it "can't happen here" and maybe it won't but world history does not support that argument. As for me. When it comes to firearms and NFA in particular .....I'm only "investing" what I can afford to lose which means about 5% of my assets and I view it as the riskiest asset I own. Edited January 24, 2014 by Lancer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Some here talk of buying Class 3 as if it is a wise investment. I for one do not believe this to be the case. While many can talk about how much their guns have gone up in value, the NFA registered MG market has all the signs of a bubble waiting to burst. A stroke of the pen and your investment could be wiped out. A word of warning to anyone wise enough to look at the hobby objectively.......DON'T "invest" more than you can afford to lose. And BTY, MY mutual funds don't under perform.....they have more than doubled my net worth in the last 5 yrs., not so my MG. My .02 Put another way for every dollar you had in a NASDAQ index account in 1999, congratulations, you have just broke even or are still down a lot factoring in the companies that dropped out and commissions. I bought and M14 for $3600, have enjoyed it and used it for that same time period and I believe there are folks here who would be here in minutes if I offered it up for $6000. One stroke of the pen and your "fund", because it's huge, is the prime target of redistributionists. I'm certain they are coming for your (our) money long before they show up at the door looking for guns. That's my take. Aside from guns I'd go back to rental property again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkummer Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 (edited) I would advise to make sure you want a Thompson (OK, I may be stepping on some toes) by shooting as many different subguns as you can. While I always somewhat wanted a Thompson, there were many others that came along and sometimes for a really good price for the time. So the Thompson was my 7th subgun purchase out of 10. What Lage and Alliance armament has done for the MAC series of guns by slowing them down is wonderful and the upward trend of there pricing is noted. In 2001 at Kieslers Police Supply in So. Indiana, when one would walk in the back room and see what Martha Brown had for sale, I had the opportunity to pick up a savage M1A1 Thompson, M3 grease gun and Colt M16A1. All for around 5K each. I bought the 2 I really wanted, the M16 and the M3. Sure I should have bought the savage also but my point was that the others appealed to me best (maybe because the Thompson is heavy the first time it is held?). For $16999 right now a M3 grease gun is for sale, that is a bargain waiting for someone. If you have a friend with a Thompson and you have something that he likes to fire (everyone smiles when they shoot a grease gun for the first time), then just shoot each others gun every now and then. While I would love to have a P51 mustang, I can still enjoy one without owning one. as usual just my .02 I currently believe the legislation we live with right now is what makes full autos worth what they are bringing and at the highest they can be worth. So any change at all if for worse or better only makes the price drop. If it gets more restricted like Canada (only current prohibited owners can own prohibited weapons) or worse that only heirs can inherit etc.. OR and it would be a better situation is that 922 (O) is repealed, then Karh arms would maybe be selling these for $1500. Macs would be $500. Vector Uzis 1K. Of course another amnesty would soften the market for a few years also and is long long overdue of which would pass congress easier than overturning 922(o). Edited January 25, 2014 by smkummer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim c 351 Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 smkummer,A person doesn't buy a Thompson because its the most modern, lightest, easiest to control, user friendly gun a person could buy.You buy a Thompson because its a Thompson. Its buying a piece of America. All other subguns fight for third place.Jim C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkummer Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Jim C, you are absolutely correct. I step aside! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 (edited) Right on Jim C!!!!!!!!!I just purchased my third tommy this week, its about the history to me. Edited January 26, 2014 by joseph12297 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcpd34 Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Building my first one now. Piece by piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnshooter Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Right on Jim C!!!!!!!!!I just purchased my third tommy this week, its about the history to me. Third one this week? How many do you buy in a year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojeep Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I own two Semi's (NJ), But a friend in Pa, at the same time bought a Group Industry 1928A1 for $3,500 in 1998.I know this 1928A1 had a twin (Group Ind) owned by another friend.Serial numbers one or two difference. I think the Twin is still for sale through Dennis Todd, Class 3 Dealer in Pa. At the time some prices for other subguns were,M1A1 Thompson $3,000 MP40 $2,500Grease Guns $1,800 to 2,200Sten $700 to 850 As prices go up because of demand, it's better then any Stock or Bond.I need to move to Pa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Lol!!!!! Third one..........I already had a 21AC and M1A1, I purchased a Navy Overstamp this week Edited January 28, 2014 by joseph12297 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Lol!!!!! Third one..........I already had a 21AC and M1A1, I purchased a Navy Overstamp this week Everybody is joining the Navy these days.... That's a good thing. OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Yup OCM, Actually a couple months ago you and I were on a post OCM, and I felt the pressure to get an Overstamp. Thought you might offer to help fund it . Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphinvet Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 Yup OCM, Actually a couple months ago you and I were on a post OCM, and I felt the pressure to get an Overstamp. Thought you might offer to help fund it . LolIf it's the one I think it is, you beat me to it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I dunno....Send me a PM DVet....lets find out.Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shattered Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 I paid cash... two decades ago. $1000 for the 28, $1700 for the M1A1. Still have both. Still shoot both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce L Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 I bought my 1928 WH in the spring of 1994 from a Polaroid photo of the gun. Paid $1600.00. Immediately set about replacing and upgrading parts, a nice hand polishing and rebluing. Wife thought I was insane for spending that kind of money on a gun. It's brought countless hours of enjoyment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waffen Und Bier Posted September 13, 2015 Report Share Posted September 13, 2015 Every way possible since 1985, buying other guns that appreciated in value and sold and/ or traded up for what I wanted more; loans; immersing myself in a network of friends, dealers, and customers who come across need cash now bargains; cashing out investments for immediate cash; insurance settlements (don't recommend that route as not all my broken bones have completely healed); willingness to take a risk and buy sight unseen; and sometimes just right place right time. Deal fairly with people and they will remember you when it comes time to sell something else at a fair price (or refer friends to you for the same). I know it's a lot of generalities, but they worked for me. In 2008/9, I had to sell my GI Savage M1A1 (which I acquired cheap in 199O) for kids' college expenses. Prior to the housing bubble pop, they were $20k. I was lucky to get $14k for it. In 2013, I found one for $15k locally, which I jumped on. Basically, got my old one out of a four year pawn for $1000 more. Hope my sons appreciate them (or the money they bring) when I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopper28 Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 (edited) Paid $650 for a NIB WH 28 in 1978 from a dealer in AL. and still have it. Sent to PK many years ago. Looks and runs perfectly. Edited September 15, 2015 by Chopper28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wv1928 Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) I shot my first Thompson when I was 12 years old with my dad on board his ship he was in the navy at the time in San Diego Ca. Ever since that day, i was in love with the Thompson vowing one day to own one. I set aside a little money each week just to buy one. In 2004 I finally bought a WH. So I didn't feel any pain when i bought it. I am 70 years old now and am still in love with it. No regrets what so ever. I paid 13,000 for it back then. Maybe to much back then but I had to have one. Edited September 21, 2015 by wv1928 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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