Category Archives: Collectors Pieces

When considering how to start a gun collection, one of the initial choices that enthusiasts have to make is whether to collect modern or antique firearms. Both bring special strengths, different appeal, and a different relationship to the past and performance. At Collectors Firearms, we think you do not have to settle on one. This is why our gun store has both the ancient firearms of centuries ago and the most recently used firearms and modern models, so that every collector can get their match. 

Understanding Modern Firearms 

Contemporary firearms are developed on the basis of the latest technology, modern materials, and advanced features, maximizing performance, safety, and ease of operation. Modern firearms are designed with efficiency in mind, whether they be precision-engineered handguns, tactical rifles, or high-capacity shotguns. 

The Pros of Modern Firearms 

1. Dependability in Any Environment: These firearms are made with modern materials such as stainless steel, synthetic stocks, and corrosion-resistant coating; therefore, they are rugged and require minimal maintenance. 
2. Advanced Features: Optics-ready slides, modular grips, and better ergonomics give the shooter the ability to customize their gun to their comfort and performance. 
3. Improved Availability of Ammunition: There is improved availability of modern calibers, making it simple to train, hunt, or compete without the need to face the hassle of finding rare ammo. 

Modern firearms are practical in daily use, be it sport shooting, home defense, or hunting. 

Understanding Antique Firearms 

Antique firearms are not only firearms but also a piece of history. Each has an account, a symbol of the creativity and civilization of its time. Whether a Colt revolver out of the antique West or a rifle used during the Civil War, these artifacts are priceless historically or collectively. 

The Pros of Antique Firearms 

1. Historical Significance: Purchasing an antique gun is similar to having a part of history in your hands. 
2. Workmanship and Design: Antique firearms frequently have hand-engraved decoration, delicate carvings, and mechanical cleverness not usually seen in modern mass-produced firearms. 
3. Investment Potential: Antiques that have been well taken care of have the potential to increase in value with time; hence, they are coveted by collectors. 

As a fervent collector, the idea of antique firearms is not all about shooting, but a legacy. 

Why Collectors Firearms Offers Both 

At Collectors Firearms, we have a philosophy that is both simple and true: every collector is unique in his/her passion. This is why our gun store boasts one of the broadest assortments of modern and antique firearms in the world, with over 12,000 firearms in stock at any one time. 

Satisfying the Needs of All Collectors 

• Modern Shooter: We have the newest firearms in handguns, rifles, and shotguns by well-known brands such as Glock, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer, not to mention used firearms offering quality at affordable prices. 
• To the History Buff: Our antique section is full of rare and museum-grade items from classic makers like Colt, Winchester, and Remington, as well as military surplus and antique Western collectibles. 

Catering to any Price Bracket 

Whether a few hundred dollars or a high-end investment item valued in excess of half a million dollars, our inventory is so large that a novice buyer and an established collector alike will find something to fit their needs and price range. 

Modern vs. Antique: Which one to choose? 

Whether you want to acquire a modern or an antique gun is mostly determined by the intended use. 

Go Modern If: 

• You intend to use the gun for sport shooting, home protection, or hunting. 
• You desire the newest safety options and materials. 
• You want convenience in the supply of ammunition and parts. 

Go Antique If: 

• You appreciate historical authenticity and craftsmanship. 
• You would like to buy firearms, which could grow in value. 
• You like the legend and history of every item. 

Why Not Both? 

Most experienced collectors mix modern and antique firearms so they can have the best of both worlds: a modern gun that works and an antique gun that is aesthetically interesting. Our professionals will assist you in building a balanced collection that is beneficial to you and communicating your story as a collector at Collectors Firearms. 

The Collectors Firearms Difference 

Collectors Firearms is unlike many other retailers, where customers may only find specialization in a single form of firearm, as it incorporates both the excitement of modern shooting and the admiration of historical collectibles. Our experienced staff loves to assist you in finding the right item to get you started or the prized item of your collection. 

It is also very convenient to purchase, sell, or trade used firearms so that you can always improve your collection hassle-free. 

 Conclusion 

Is it the clean lines and speed of a contemporary rifle that excites you, or the classic styling of an antique revolver? Collectors Firearms can satisfy your tastes. Want to know why we are the gun store of choice for enthusiasts the world over? Browse our huge inventory now and find out. 

Come to Collectors Firearms and begin your new life as a collector of modern, antique, or both. 

This is our 50th year in business, specializing in collectors’ guns and gun collectors in general. Quite often, we are asked by someone who comes into our store or visits our website what they should collect. It can be overwhelming with all of the options out there. Taking aside the aspect of what you can afford, we believe there are four main factors that determine a true collector’s piece:  

1.) Do you like it?

The most important of the four is whether it appeals to you. I can show you what I think is a really fantastic Winchester, Colt, Smith and Wesson, M1 Garand, or whatever else I think is particularly neat at the time, but if you are a Tactical Rifle guy, then none of that is going to hold any interest to you. There is a saying in the art business of “Don’t buy a painting of an ugly woman, because no one wants to look at an ugly woman,” and my advice is similar on guns. If you think of a Winchester as the ugly woman, you are not going to want to see it on your wall. 

2.) Desirability 

This is the second most important part of collecting. Why something is desirable can be for numerous reasons. Some guns are because they had a low production amount. In a lot of these cases, it is because a gun was brought into production and there was some feature that was not working out, so it was eliminated, and so the early models with this feature become something a collector desires. At other times, it is a case where it is not necessarily rare, but it has mass appeal. Take the Henry Rifle, for example. Approximately 14,000 of these guns were produced, so it is not a rare gun by any means. The Henry was the predecessor to the Winchester firearms legacy, so every big Winchester collector desires a Henry. The Henry Rifles were produced from 1860 until 1866. This was one of the most technologically advanced guns for its time. It had a self-contained cartridge that reliably fired 14 rounds in one tubular magazine. These were used throughout the Civil War. So, someone who is collecting Winchesters, the evolution of firearms, and the Civil War all want a Henry rifle.

3.) Rarity

This is a double-edged sword. Without the desirability factor, it really does not mean much. If you have the desirability factor, then the prices can go absolutely insane for a very rare, desirable piece. There are a lot of rare guns, even one-of-a-kind guns, out there that no one cares about. This is not to say you should not collect it if you like it.

4.) Condition

This is an important one. I always advise someone to buy the best gun they can find or afford. There are some guns out there that are particularly hard to find in really good condition, such as Colt Walkers, Confederate guns, Revolutionary War guns, or even say Remington or Winchester prewar 22 caliber rifles. All of these categories are guns that were used and used a lot. If you are trying to collect one of these categories, very often you hear a collector say something to the effect of “I have this one until I can upgrade to a better one.” A lot of the time, in this case, the rarity factor is the condition itself.  

Please reach out to us if we can ever help you with your collection, whatever it may be, or even if you need some advice, we would love to talk to you.