Will USFAs retain their value?

RRio · August 04, 2005, 02:51:49 PM

I would say... ...YES!

I just checked the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on both of mine.

My nickeled 4 3/4" .45 would now cost $1734.00 (MSRP) to replace it. It cost me $800 about 3 or 4 years ago. It was one of the first "all made in the U.S.A" models.

And the blue/cch 4 3/4".45, that I bought new a year and a half ago is now $1075.00. I paid $835 new for that one.

IMHO, you're not gonna lose money with a USFA.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · August 05, 2005, 11:16:07 PM

Interesting question Rawhide. I own several USFA guns, from the 4 & 3/4" to a 16" Buntline. I have nickel plated guns, I have blue/CCH guns. I also own one of the very few (less than 35 I am told) 1851 Navy, .38 cal., Richards Mason conversions.
I don't look upon these guns as investments yet, as far as appreciation goes. Maybe someday. I do believe that it is very safe to say that you are not going to lose any money on a USFA gun.
If nothing else, USFA has gained a reputation for superior quality in the past few years. If they keep it up, that reputation will carry them a long way. Who knows? Years from now collectors may be bidding against each other for prime examples of those first "Made in the USA" USFA guns. Look what has happened with the old Great Western Arms guns - they were only around for 5 or 6 years back in the late 50's/early 60's. I recently saw one of their derringer models sell at auction for almost as much as an authentic Remington derringer.
I also have several Colt SAA's as well. If I had to trust my life to an untried, "out of the box" gun, I would go with USFA.

Virginia Gentleman · September 07, 2005, 12:39:45 PM

If looking back 40-50 years ago with the Great Westerns that were never supposed to be worth anything, go see what a nice example brings at a gunshow or auction. In some cases they can be worth more than a 2nd Generation Colt. If the GW is a barometer of how good SAAs other than Colt, retain their value, I would suggest to anyone that US Firearms guns will be worth more than their original selling price in the future. I agree in the long run you will never lose money with US Firearms. I also think that unless they get sloppy and greedy, they will be here to stay for the long run. I cherish my 4 3/4" USFA SAA so much, that I went and purchased a Cimarron to shoot on a regular basis and not worry about beating it up. Coltaholics don't want to face up to the fact that they pay too much for a name with too little quality for the money.

RRio · September 07, 2005, 02:04:17 PM

QuoteIf I had to trust my life to an untried, "out of the box" gun, I would go with USFA.

I couldn't agree more.

QuoteI would suggest to anyone that US Firearms guns will be worth more than their original selling price in the future. I agree in the long run you will never lose money with US Firearms. I also think that unless they get sloppy and greedy, they will be here to stay for the long run.

This is something they need to be very careful with. The last price increase, plus the fact that Colt lowered the price of their SAA and went back to the removable bushing, could make folks lean toward the Colt. Although in my experiance doing action jobs on SAAs, the USFAs are superior in QC.

QuoteI cherish my 4 3/4" USFA SAA so much, that I went and purchased a Cimarron to shoot on a regular basis and not worry about beating it up.

Know the feeling. I have done the same thing. I now shoot the matches with my "Colt-ized" New Dakota and a Colt Cowboy.

QuoteColtaholics don't want to face up to the fact that they pay too much for a name with too little quality for the money.

Very true.

Virginia Gentleman · September 07, 2005, 05:18:11 PM

I am even going so far as buying a 5 1/2" Cimarron to keep the miles off my next USFA gun, either a lend lease with a spare .45 Colt cylinder, or a Turnbull finished 5 1/2" USFA in .45 Colt with a spare .45 ACP cylinder. USFA should not push the price envelope too much, or they will find themselves in a similar situation as Colt is now.

Ottawa Creek Bill · October 12, 2005, 01:41:02 PM

Rawhide,
Just ordered this morning a new USFA for my son's Chrstmas present. Black powder frame, bullseye ejector, pinched frame, CCH frame, new cost me $918.99 through my dealer in Greenwood Indiana. Two week delivery time.

Bill

RRio · October 12, 2005, 02:13:45 PM

Quote from: Ottawa Creek Bill on October 12, 2005, 01:41:02 PM
Rawhide,
Just ordered this morning a new USFA for my son's Chrstmas present. Black powder frame, bullseye ejector, pinched frame, CCH frame, new cost me $918.99 through my dealer in Greenwood Indiana. Two week delivery time.

Bill

Wanna adopt me??

That was a great price! And one heck of a Christmas present. I would like to see his face when he opens that one!

Virginia Gentleman · November 17, 2005, 02:20:06 PM

I forgot to mention that I had a friend offer me $250.00 more than I paid for mine when he saw it after it came back from the factory for some warranty work and a new .45 ACP cylinder fitted with a new cylinder bushing. Now I think they not only will hold their value, but will go up in price.

RRio · November 20, 2005, 02:06:51 PM

Quote from: Rawhide Rio on August 04, 2005, 02:51:49 PM
I would say... ...YES!

I just checked the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on both of mine.

My nickeled 4 3/4" .45 would now cost $1734.00 (MSRP) to replace it. It cost me $800 about 3 or 4 years ago.

IMHO, you're not gonna lose money with a USFA.

Looked at their site again, and my nickeled one is a "Pre-War" model and the replacement cost is actually $2105.00 (MSRP).

RRio

Virginia Gentleman · December 01, 2005, 11:26:51 AM

Man, that is incredible. I just hope USFA doesn't price themselves out of the market like Colt seems intent on doing.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · December 02, 2005, 12:27:09 AM

Not long ago I received a special order gun that USFA has listed at $1532.00 . My dealer charged me $1195.00. Just about any reputable dealer is going to knock about 20% off of those MSRP's.
The way I see it, those MSRP's listed on the USFA site aren't saying, "here is what you are going to pay," as much as they are saying, "You're nuts if you pay more than this."

Virginia Gentleman · December 02, 2005, 11:12:18 AM

This is true, with a good dealer you know they can be had at less than MSRP. The big concern I have is will USFA push the envelope too much by raising prices like they have? I personally think the guns are the best made and deserve a price that is competitive with Colt, but they shouldn't price them too close as there are people that will still choose the pony inspite of the fact that the USFA is a better gun. On the positive side, prices for older US FAs are going up and like us, people see the value in collecting them. I really like mine and would never trade it for any 2nd or 3rd generation Colt.