Many historical pieces in gun collections are expensive not because of their make or materials, but rather because of the stories they were involved in. For instance, a golden gun may cost upwards of $100,000, but the most expensive gun ever sold was the revolver that killed Billy the Kid (which sold for $6.03 million).
If you love history, sound investments, and guns, then you’ll love the hobby of gun collecting. It can be an interesting and profitable hobby, but there are pitfalls to avoid. Check out this handy guide for the top five tips.
- Your Self-Defense Guns Should Be Separate From Your Collection
Your defense arsenal should be made of guns you’re okay with bumping and scraping. In the same way that high-end hunting rifles aren’t as good as a pistol for protection, your gun collection shouldn’t be your go-to for self-defense.
If you’re collecting guns and especially valuable and rare ones, you want to keep your prized pieces separate from your defense kit. This way they won’t be damaged by daily carrying and regular target practice. If you’re looking for new collectibles or self-defense tools, click here!
- Invest in a Good Vault
Gun storage should serve two purposes. First, it should keep your guns from ending up in the wrong hands. Second, your safe should also protect your guns from moisture and be fireproof.
If you have an extensive gun collection that you want to display in part or fully, it’s important to make sure you can secure the room they’ll be in. It would be worthwhile to install locking gates, burglar bars, and safety glass displays.
- Keep Ammo Separate From Guns
It’s essential that you keep your guns unloaded unless you’re using them. Intruders can use ready-loaded guns against you if they somehow find them. Ammunition could also explode in the gun if there’s a freak fire.
This counts especially if you have guns on display. You don’t want anyone to be able to fire off round in your house.
Also, note that practicing this habit doesn’t exempt you from treating guns as if they’re always loaded. The four rules of firearm safety apply to all guns, loaded and unloaded.
- Certify Your Pieces
If your niche interest is buying interesting guns that come with good stories, you may have to invest a little extra in an expert who can certify the pieces’ authenticity. Alternatively, you can simply stick to dealers who have a good reputation for honest sourcing. Either way, it’s imperative that you make sure that you don’t get cheated on your purchases.
- Keep Your Gun Collecting Legal
Interpreting ATF regulations is sometimes more of a mystic art than a science, and if you have guns with interesting designs in your safe they may require special tax stamps just because of their shape or attachments. When you’re buying a new gun, make sure you check what the legal rules and regulations are.
Get Collecting Today
Collecting guns can be a rewarding hobby if you do it right. Just remember to keep your collection apart from your self-defense gear and to store your guns and ammo safely. Also, make sure that your gun collecting satisfies the legal requirements to avoid trouble with the ATF.
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