Dip Paint Affect on Gun's Value?

kenmack

I have a Model Seven SS that I had dip painted in the Advantage Timber camo and really like it.





I have just upgraded to a Model Seven XCR and am considering doing the same to it. I would either do the whole gun in Advantage, or dip the barreled action to match the stock like I did with this 11/87 and it's factory finished stock and forearm.



I was wondering how this would affect the gun's value. On a personal level, I would appreciate the gun more if painted completely in Advantage, but were I shopping for a M7 XCR, I might not want an altered rifle. Painting just the barreled action to match the stock, personally seems neutral or adding to the value. What do you think as a trader and as your personal impression?

RCrosby

How long do you usually keep your rifles? If it's a LONG time, do what makes you happy and enjoy.
If you tend to turn your inventory on a somewhat regular basis you'll most likely take a hit for any work you have done. You might find someone with the same tastes as you, but your chances of getting back what you put into it are slim, IMHO, and it will end up being worth less than if you hadn't altered it at all. The quality of the work done will be a factor though. Really good work, and the effect may be minimal. Ordinary to amateurish work , and you'll really feel the sting.

kenmack

Good point about the time and type of ownership. Likely, I'd hold this one for a long time as I think the 7mm-08 is the sweetspot for a deer cartridge and the Model Seven is the best platform for it. I already have a Model Seven (the painted one) from which I upgraded to the XCR model and from which there is no up. I guess I'll really find out when and if I sell the dipped M7 SS.

cpermd

Paint detracts from value.

Hides too many things.

CP

babun

quote:Originally posted by cpermd
Paint detracts from value.

Hides too many things.

CP


Not necessarily.... I bought a Mauser action sniper rifle in 7.62x51 with a 15/16" thick bull barrel BECAUSE of the imron paint that covered and hid it so well. That turkey shot gun shown should get more $$$ because of the paint.

tsr1965

I believe that the camo on a gun, if not from the factory, detracts from the value. Take a look at the auction side, and look at the ones that are factory camo, then the ones that are after market. I am to a point, that I believe camo on a shotgun might have a place, but camo on a rifle, unless one's livlihood is that of a sniper, has no value. I like stainless, that has a dull matte finish, or a Cera-Kote type finish, that does not glare on my hunting rifles. My beautiful rifles are all blue and real nice wood. Some are high polish, some are matte.

You set the rifle up the way you want it to be. Just don't expect to get what you have into it, back out of it should you decide to sell it. If you do have that expectation, you might get your feelings hurt.

Best

EDIT 1

I will tell you, that 99% of the time, my beautiful rifles never see the hunting woods. They barely make it to the range. But when they do, they shoot as good as they look. I don't believe that is the color of the rifle's hardware that game pick up on, but the glare(by the way, scope lenses have LOTS of glare), of the highly polished hardware. Most of my hunting these days, when using my beautiful rifles is done from an elevated blind, that is totally enclosed. It is all in the skill of the hunter, how he masks his profile.

Best

kenmack

Here is the link to the place that does my camo (I've had three done): http://www.camoent.com/index.htm

On my firearms, there is little to nothing to hide under the paint. The shotgun was bought second hand and had a thumbnail sized blush of rust that could have been flitzed off if you could find it. You can see the outcome in the photo. I suppose anyone could imagine what they want, but the end result is the end result.

I enjoy wood and blue, but I'm an all-weather hunter and like my zero to be constant. Also, get this irony, I don't want to spoil my firearms by water in the wood and metal. Stainless and synthetic is the way to go for me but I've found that like blued steel shines in the sun, stainless almost glows in the twilight. This is why I like to paint, that and the fact that I think they look great in full camo.

This is the rifle that I am considering painting:



It has a coating on the steel that might not "glow" like regular stainless. Perhaps I'll wait a season to see how it blends in.

So far, the consensus matches my feelings. Namely that some will like it some will not. Collectors will not find value in dip paint, a hunter will (if it is his pattern). I like it as it helps hiding, ads another level of weather protection and makes cleaning the exterior a breeze.

dfletcher

If we're talking about some sort of theoretical value, a Blue Book value then I'd say it does detract on current "normal production" guns. I think "dipping" narrows the appeal of the gun and can diminish value, if value means resale value. But I think it's a more complicated question than appears.

If you were selling this rifle "face to face" off a gun club advert the refinish might get you a few $$$ more - if you try to trade it in at a gun store in the middle of summer in an area not known for hunting I think you get less. You'll hear a lot of "if it hadn't been refinished I'd be able to sell it quicker".

The more specialized a gun is the fewer folks want it and the longer it sits - but those that want it may pay more.

I don't think we're talking about a huge amount of money anyway. It seems to me enjoy it, do what you like and that will offset any diminished resale value - hell, who makes money selling off their guns anyway - no one I know.

v35

High gloss stocks and mirror finish bluing have no place in any kind of hunting I can think of.
During the Civil War soldiers burnished their barrels for a reason that escapes me.
I'd hate to be in the field with a gun finished like a Browning, trying to be inconspicuous to game or to an enemy. They are really show guns.
They're great to fondle in your gun room or show off at the range.
Unfortunately, many gun owners aren't hunters so camaflage is a negative
except maybe on a cheap self defense gun that can be handled a lot and neglected.

He Dog

I have a beautiful Harrington and Richardson 300 Ultra Rifle that fits me like a glove and I love hunting with it. It has a lovely highly polished blue on the metal. My hunting partner tells me that barrel gleams like a mirror in the mountains. Paint it, if you plan on keeping it for a few years, then if you sell it find a buyer that will value that paint.

gearheaddad

My findings have always been that altering any factory finish effects the value of a gun.
If you are planning on keeping and using the gun for many years, who cares!
I like pretty wood and blue steel on my rifles. Most everywhere I've ever hunted, I need to wear blaze orange any way!