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Posted: 8/3/2025 9:58:27 PM EDT
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Afternoon gents, Over the past few years I have picked up a few M-1 rifles when I make my annual pilgrimage to Camp Perry for the National Matches. The CMP Store always has a real nice selection of M-1 rifles - and others - for sale. I have two "expert grade" M-1s - one is a Winchester and the other is a IHC. The "expert grades" have a new walnut stock and a new Criterion barrel. Receiver and other parts are military for the most part. My receivers are spotless. Based on the manufacturer these cost between $1,150 - $1,350. I personally think these M-1s are a bargain - and they are beautiful rifles. I see prices of the M-1s "all over the board" on the web and at toy shows. I know the "expert grade" rifles are not "collector" rifles but will they hold their value in the future ? I would like to pick up one more - in 308 - but don't want to be making a poor investment. So -- what say you ? Thanks ! |
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I've got one as well, it's frickin gorgeous. It's a .308... And it's too dang pretty to shoot. I believe it will climb in value, but at a much slower rate. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By BankerBilly: I know the "expert grade" rifles are not "collector" rifles but will they hold their value in the future ? I would like to pick up one more - in 308 - but don't want to be making a poor investment. Should gain a little value too, but I wouldn't consider it to be an investment. |
 I picked this barreled receiver, 1943 Winchester, stock is Korean surplus return, gas system was picked up in Belgium, sling is Italian. CMP receiver, small spot weld, and I’ve lived in all three countries. It prints….no issues on paper….any 2/5 Marines….reach out… |
Saablook….SAAB look, former hobby of 1967-1973 Mod 96, 95, and Sonnets…
| At the prices they're currently charging, I doubt you'd make anything in the future factoring in inflation. Investing in guns is a silly venture in this day in age. Most guns appreciate quite slowly or not at all and prices are not low enough for big growth like back in the salad days of surplus. |
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Originally Posted By texas_mustang_01: At the prices they're currently charging, I doubt you'd make anything in the future factoring in inflation. Investing in guns is a silly venture in this day in age. Most guns appreciate quite slowly or not at all and prices are not low enough for big growth like back in the salad days of surplus. I second this - even after having 30 years to "invest" in milsurp, there are much better opportunities to make money. There's no guarantee if collections will be worth anything over time. Use your collections for personal interest not finance. |
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Originally Posted By texas_mustang_01: At the prices they're currently charging, I doubt you'd make anything in the future factoring in inflation. Investing in guns is a silly venture in this day in age. Most guns appreciate quite slowly or not at all and prices are not low enough for big growth like back in the salad days of surplus. I agree. I picked up a really nice, 6-digit CMP M1 with all mfg/period correct parts. An older collector sold it to me at his original cost. Beautiful rifle, but I don't see the market appreciating any time soon. I wanted a piece of history that spent time in WWII and I got it. I'm building a display for it now. |
"History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives."-Abba Eban
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
"I like it both ways, but still mainly mouth it" -gonzo_beyondo
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol: IMO, the rebuilt rifles with new barrels are the way to go. I don't care that they may not retain collector value, I want the best possible rifle to keep. Modern barrels are way better than anything Uncle Sam bought over 70 years ago. I don't know about that, I have a Navy Trophy and it's a hell of a shooter. I also have a SA with a VAR barrel that does quite well. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
| The quoted cost of making new M1s is somewhere about 2k. So long as demand keeps up, a functional rifle at almost half that price should retain it's value. You bought well below replacement cost. The only thing to worry about is if the massive boomer collections get liquidated in the next 20 years. But that may just suppress the value of the more collectible rifles because that is what most of the collections/hoards are comprised of. |
| To the shooter, the expert grade is the way to go but they are definitely not going to appreciate like an original. Even if the parts all didn't come out of the factory on the same rifle, if they're in the same era like a 1943 receiver with a 1943 barrel and a GI stock it's going to be worth more. |
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Thanks for all the replies gents ! ! "investment" might have been a poor choice of words. Guess I should have said something like "I don't want to lose money". If some day - IF - I have to sell off my collection and break-even I'll be happy. My small collection of M-1s is to enjoy them and shoot them from time to time. Some day maybe my kids will get to fight over them. That all being said - they are a joy to shoot ! My local range has steel out to 600 yards. 24 inch plate sure likes to ring  |
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol: IMO, the rebuilt rifles with new barrels are the way to go. I don't care that they may not retain collector value, I want the best possible rifle to keep. Modern barrels are way better than anything Uncle Sam bought over 70 years ago.  Expiration Day  
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Originally Posted By BankerBilly: Thanks for all the replies gents ! ! "investment" might have been a poor choice of words. Guess I should have said something like "I don't want to lose money". If some day - IF - I have to sell off my collection and break-even I'll be happy. My small collection of M-1s is to enjoy them and shoot them from time to time. Some day maybe my kids will get to fight over them. That all being said - they are a joy to shoot ! My local range has steel out to 600 yards. 24 inch plate sure likes to ring You won't even lose money off the reclaims. |
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