Just an example I am familiar with since I bought one of mine only a few years ago for $400 on consignment at a shop and my first one at Cabelas in 1999 for $350 NIB.
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Per an inflation calculator, $350 in 1999 is worth $656 today. (After Biden inflation, you better get used to using an inflation calculator) . Obviously $656 is not $2,125.00. Yogi Beri:
"Its tough to make predictions, especially of the future" . There are a number of "legendary" firearms that have gone up in value once they are out of production. I always thought the LeMat was a cool pistol, but it was several orders of magnitude more than a M1858 Remington, and for the money, I could buy a S&W or Ruger centerfire revolver. So I missed out once the supply dried up.
I remember the hoozana's over
Randall 1911's, and they must have a collectiblity among those old enough to also want Bren Ten's because of the TV show of Miami Vice. I wil predict, sometime in the future, the wow factor of something that went out of production in 1985 will diminish, because new generations will have new hero's. Anyone claimering for a Model A Ford? The things may go 55 mph, but only if the engine is well balanced internally. My Uncle was a Model A collector, the cars were something he remembered as a kid. His generation is almost gone, and so are the childhood memories.
Yesterday I was at the Local Gunstore and there are lots of 1911's on the shelves. The price was between $369 for a Tisas M1911A1, up to thousands. A Standard Manufacturing was well over a thousand. (EEK!) Rock Islands were in the $400 range. If the evil gun ban Democrats ban importation of Turkish firearms, such as they have done with Chinese 1911's, etc, the price on Tisas's will go up, but they will always be bumping against the price of a Rock Island, assuming the evil gun ban Democrats don't find some ideological reason to ban importation of firearms from the Philippines. Tryannical ideologies can find reasons to hate anything, (
Aesop The Lamb and the Wolf) so don't put it past them.
There are lots of basic 1911's in production, with modern CNC machinery a 1911 is easiler to make than ever, and a 1911 is a very simple pistol, few parts. Back in the 1970's when Glock used polymers and stampings, he had a real cost advantage. Now, CNC machines can chew parts out of bar stock, of higher quality than stamped or cast, and are cost competitive. Tisas promotional videos show a modern CNC factory, and I am just amazed on how fast they can machine a barrel.
I am not going to worry about a huge price increase on Tisas pistols, as long as the competition continues to make cheap, reliable, well built 1911's. I am sure, for the cosplay people, someone will fill the void with a modern reproduction.
I am going to say, $369 in 2024 bucks, has the buying power of $125 in 1985 bucks. Some of the geezers here remember that $100 back then would buy a zinc 25ACP Raven, or some die cast Jennings. You could not touch a Colt 1911 for a $125 bucks back then, assuming you could find one! These Tisas's are a bargin, get them while you can.