Do Quality PCP Airguns Retain Value?

I usually find myself buying high and selling low ( if I want to actually sell it )

I usually find myself buying high and selling low ( if I want to actually sell it )

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Exactly. There is no scarcity value with quality airguns. So once you purchase new, there is an immediate depreciation hit. That said, it isn’t that large and quality guns usually sell pretty quickly if the price is reasonable.

R

Sounds legit....

I would say it depends on the model and if theres new updated models recently released or being released in the near future. Take the Daystate lines for an example. The wolverine and regal lines held pretty good value thru the years until Daystate decided to add side lever and regulated models this year. Once those were released the value of the older models dropped a bit. You could say the same of the Air Arms Sxx models. They always held high value due to the history of trouble free performance and accuracy. Then AA decided to add a bulpup which didnt set on fire but put a slight ding in resale of older models. The real value killer on the resale of the 5xx and 4xx lines happened when AA also released regulated versions of those non regulated classics. Its allot harder to sell a used 5xx or 4xx AA thats unregulated without dropping the price considerably because you can buy new regulated versions. FX always has a new model coming out and I dont follow them closely but I have seen some very good deals on models that are 1 to 2 years old and even better deals on even older models.

I also think the used market value as a whole for airguns has dropped recently. I think thats also due to so many offerings out and new ones coming out all the time by the whole industry. Thats only bad if you bought something at its highest and wanted to re sell a year or two later. 

I think in air guns, even quality air guns, you'll see a price drip right now. Reason, the market is changing so quickly. Target rifles in the Powder Burner world are pretty mature, not a lot of innovation at the moment. Air guns, even the FX Impact you buy today is different from the Impact from 2 years ago. New barrel, new regulator, new other stuff as well. The simple progression of air guns means older models will depreciate more than in the more stable powder burner world.

Just my thought

Only the "latest greatest" ( often not the greatest tho ) has resale value % anywhere near where it used to be. With only a few exceptions like adding "Tyrolean" to an FWB300. Regular 300 you'll find a deal, same with say the 124 selling low these days except specialty models/issues.

The airgun market is saturated period. Even when price started doping people were still interested in airguns with proven accuracy ( maybe a proven 1st place finishing rifle) but if it's a single shot your resale market just dropped about 95%, people "need" clip feed.

If you've not been to an actual airgun show you just might want to set a budget and get to one, DEALS!



John

Doesn't help when you get the $299 and under budget guns available now days that could give the high dollar high end guns a run for their money accuracy wise. Too many airguns out there today and many new ones so I would think folks would like to try newest whether budget priced or the latest and greatest for themselves for pleasure or frustration (the latter not by choice though) but they do come with a warranty if not tinkered with for added piece of mind.

CA

Dennis Quackebush once told me, "If you want to make a small fortune in airguns, start with a large one". After buying and selling airguns for the last 25 years or so, I have to agree. A few classics have held their value but only when in mint condition. The rest are shooters. That said, I have had a ball in this hobby. The people make it fun and that is very rewarding.

Bob in WV

I usually find myself buying high and selling low ( if I want to actually sell it )

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That's funny. I have always said my motto is "buy high sell low". I guess a lot of us are in that club. I always figure all the enjoyment I get out of an rifle or other objects is worth something & don't beat myself up if I lose money on it.

 I think the Airgun market is saturated too. It has grow by leaps and bounds since the eighties when I first got interested.

i bought a few new guns and sold a few mid priced and always lost money - thats normal.

now im buying only used guns but more on the high price side and they retain value - if you thread them good

but im not a collector and only looking for the perfect gun for myself.

When you buy figure on keeping. Maybe the High Dollar guns will return 50%

Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that airguns will wear, and they have to be rebuilt sometime. I have a couple firearms from the 50's that are in excellent condition and they still perform like they did the day they were made. Something that bothers me and could relate to value is the fact that We the airgun community let the makers get away with selling sub par guns. I cringe when I read a post about a safety not working on a new gun. As long as we buy poor quality they will make it. But maybe Im wrong it does seem quality is a going away. You can buy a shovel that breaks the first time its used. Sorry didn't mean to be an old man rant.



Jim

Like the other poster above, I highly recommend going to an airgun show. There are often great bargains to be had. With the general nature of shows, bargains will vary as will the selection. Never the same ones twice. I missed out on a couple at the past Hickory show, due to having to be on a different schedule than the one I usually adopt for shows.

If there’s something in particular you have decided on, you can always post a wanted ad. It’s likely that someone here has what you want and may be willing to sell at a favorable price. If you’re more flexible, a show is likely to be your best bet, esp. if you live fairly nearby. Even if you don’t find what you want, a day talking to the exhibitors can expand your knowledge substantially.

Jack

I like the quote, If you want to make a small fortune in air guns, start with a big one. Sounds about right.

I bought a used FX Impact for $1500. It was manufactured in February 2017, so about 15 months old when I bought it. 25% discount, and I'm sure AoA paid less than the $1500 I paid them for the gun. Seller probably took a 40% hit is my guess on a 15 month old, high end, gun.

Considering one of the most sought after guns on the market dropped between 25% and 40% in a year, low end guns will probably drop by half or more.

that's a chunk of change

Yes you are going to loose money. New guns 25% out the door. High quality near new guns bought right you probably will not loose too much. It's worth it . It's a hobby and if you can't afford to take a big hit you can still enjoy the hobby. A decent springer can be had used for a couple hundred bucks. These are not investments. If you are buying guns FOR investment purposes that's a totally different subject .

Yes, an investment gun is something totally different from something you use. At the local Cabella's, they had a couple investment guns that were beautiful, but useless because if you fire a shot, you destroy immense value. My favorite was a Winchester Model 62, pump .22. Production stopped in the late 1950's if I remember correctly. It had all the whistles and bells including the octagonal barrel if I remember correctly. Was a couple thousand $$, still in the box, perfect condition. That's a collectors gun!

My model 62 might be worth a couple hundred $$. Same gun, but well used, needs complete refinish, and the rest. Works like a charm and I get way more enjoyment out of that gun than I would the perfect in box gun, because I can use it.

If you want to make a small fortune in air guns, start with a big one

Do Quality PCP Airguns Retain Value?

No, they do not. Many reasons: continual evolution being the reason, internal regulators, side cocking, electronics, smooth twist, slugs, shrouds, magazines, external adjustments ( tuning) etc, etc. 

PCP's have reservoirs that I was told have a 10 year life. ( according to AoA / about my AA S 200) 

PCP have Orings that are going to fail.. i.e. maintenance..