Best Value-Holding Pistols: It’s an Investment!

Ever tried to convince yourself, or maybe convince a significant other, that the gun you just want to buy is an investment?

While some handguns can hold their value or even increase in value over time, not all guns do. Knowing which guns are going to be worth something in a few years and which ones lose a ton of value as soon as you sign on the dotted line can be huge.

If you are wondering how to determine whether a specific gun investment is worthwhile, you're in luck! We are going to cover a few of the key reasons that certain guns maintain their value. And on top of that, we have done some research to compile a small list of guns that should hold their value for years to come.

While we could make an extensive list of ultra-rare investment handguns, we decided to stick to a more manageable list of current production handguns that you can still buy.

How We Chose the Best Value-Holding Pistols

Our team crunched data from GunBroker.com, sales forums, and various manufacturer websites. We looked at the initial starting MSRP and common street price before comparing it to the prices from completed sales.

Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list, but rather a small slice of some of the easiest current-production handguns to grab across a few different price points.

Best Current Production Value-Holding Handguns

1. HK Mark 23 - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

HK Mark 23

$2343

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$2343 at Kygunco

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Action: Semi-auto, DA/SA
• Capacity: 12+1
• Barrel Length: 5.2"
• Overall Length: 9.65"
• Height: 5.91"
• Width: 1.54"
• Weight: 31.2 oz.

Whether someone wants to LARP as a Navy SEAL, is a massive Metal Gear Solid fan, or just wants a .45 pistol the size of a Desert Eagle, the HK Mark 23 is waiting for them in the wings.

The Mark 23 is a supremely cool pistol, but it is expensive and suffers from sporadic production runs and relatively lower overall production numbers.

People tend to associate the HK name with quality and a certain level of exclusivity. This sentiment is amplified even more when it comes to the Mark 23. Of all the current production HK handguns, it is the most expensive.

Even when these guns are in current production, used prices rarely dip below $2,000. And when they are in between production runs? Expect to see used prices ranging anywhere from the original new prices up to $2,800.

Furthermore, the new prices for Mark 23s have been trending upward for the past few years, despite the dated design.

2. Beretta 92FS Inox - Best All-Arounder

Best All-Arounder

Beretta 92FS Inox

$759

at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

Prices accurate at time of writing

$759 at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

Kygunco (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, DA/SA
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4.9"
• Overall Length: 8.5"
• Height: 5.4"
• Width: 1.5"
• Weight: 33.3 oz.

This one may come as a shocker to some, but if you know, you know.

While there are a ton of Beretta 92s and M9 variants on the used market at any given time, few command the second-hand prices that the ultra-sexy stainless “Inox” versions do.

Seriously, just peek on GunBroker and look at the price difference between a used standard Beretta 92 and an Inox, it is pretty wild.

Like the Mark 23, Beretta has been known to roll out far fewer Inox guns far less often than its standard counterpart. It's got a bit of rarity, some dashing good looks, the John Woo cool factor (yes, we know they are actually PT-92s), and even some fans from the anime world.

Buy one and you will not only feel cool, but if you get tired of it or need the money, you will get most or all of your cash back – especially if they aren’t in stock at the time.

What do you think of the Beretta? Rate it below!

3. Colt Delta Elite - Easiest to Resell

Easiest to Resell

Colt Delta Elite

$1134

at Classic Firearms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1134 at Classic Firearms

Brownells (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: 10mm
• Action: Semi-auto, SAO
• Capacity: 8+1
• Barrel Length: 5"
• Overall Length: 8.3"
• Height: 5.7"
• Width: 1.26"
• Weight: 35.9 oz.

There will be die-hard Colt collectors and fans out there until the world moves on to laser guns, and even then, they will still probably be around.

While Colt doesn’t have too many crazy cool models available outside of the custom shop right now, the Delta Elite is still up for easy grabs.

Colt? Check. Stainless finish? Check. 1911? Check. 10mm? Check.

These are the OG 10mm 1911s, and as such, they have remained popular. You aren’t going to see these dip much under $1000, which is pretty damn close to where they are priced now.

And you guessed it, like the Mark 23 and the Inox 92, Colt kind of rolls these out in waves. If you sell during a dry period, you can expect to make your money back or snag a bit of extra coin on top.

4. Taran Tactical TTI JW4 Pit Viper - Best Movie Gun

Best Movie Gun

Taran Tactical TTI JW4 Pit Viper

$7499

at Taran Tactical

Prices accurate at time of writing

$7499 at Taran Tactical

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, SAO
• Capacity: 17+1, 21+1
• Barrel Length: 5"
• Weight: ~35 oz.

Despite it being 11 years (I refuse to believe it) since the first John Wick movie came out, the franchise and character have remained a fixture in pop culture.

As the franchise grew, specialized weapons were created specifically for the movies. Of all the handguns that John Wick uses, the Taran Tactical Innovations Pit Viper from the fourth film may be the coolest.

Not only are these guns immortalized through film, but they are actually badass from a performance standpoint.

These are hand-fitted 2011s that have been crafted to be some of the fattest, flattest-shooting pistols ever made, with triggers in the 1.75-lb to 2.25-lb range. With the Pit Viper, you can flex your cool movie gun while also having something that will stack up to even the finest of competition pistols.

Production numbers are limited, and these guns are incredibly expensive. But at the end of the day, they hold their value both on the virtue of their performance and their movie providence.

5. Walther P99 AS Final Edition - Most Affordable

Most Affordable

Walther P99 AS Final Edition

$599

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$599 at Palmetto State Armory

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, striker-fired DA/SA
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4"
• Overall Length: 7.1"
• Height: 5.3"
• Width: 1.3"
• Weight: 24 oz.

When Walther quietly discontinued the P99, the gun community took notice and complained. Walther responded by reintroducing the P99 AS Final Edition, marking what they described as a long farewell to one of the most significant handguns of the last 30 years.

They have outright said that once the demand dwindles enough, the P99 will be gone for good. And, like any discontinued gun, the price is sure to increase. Even during the short period of time after the initial discontinuation, used prices jumped by $200-300 overnight!

The P99 AS Final Edition comes with a nice case and a challenge coin. But the best part? These guns originally sold for around $750-800 but have since dropped to $550-650.

You can hardly even find a clean used 9mm P99 for much under $500 these days, let alone a collector's edition. Buy the dip!

The unique yet great trigger, solid ergonomics, outstanding accuracy, and the trademark Walther reliability make the P99 more than a good investment; it's simply a great gun, period.

Even if Walther is fooling us and plans to keep the P99 around, you will barely lose any money, if at all, if you buy one at the current prices. And if they discontinue them? Who knows where prices will end up — all I know is that it will be a chunk more than you paid for it.

6. Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Half Lug - Best Value Potential Revolver

Best Value Potential Revolver

Ruger SP101 .327 Federal 3″ Half-Lug

$695

at Firearms Depot

Prices accurate at time of writing

$695 at Firearms Depot

GrabAGun (see price)

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum
• Action: Double-action revolver
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 3"
• Overall Length: 8"
• Weight: 27 oz.

Why such a specific revolver, you ask? Great question, let me enlighten you.

Ruger frequently works with wholesale gun distributors such as Lipsey’s and Davidson’s to create special models and configurations. Many of these are produced in limited quantities and only stick around for a year or two.

There is a fairly sizable sect of people who go absolutely bonkers for these rare configurations.

To put it into perspective, I bought a Davidson’s Exclusive version of the Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .41 Magnum with the Bisley grip for $750 about six years ago. Want one today? You are looking at $1,400 plus.

Currently, the neatest odd configuration that Ruger has on tap is the SP101 in .327 Federal, featuring an uncommon-for-the-caliber half-lug barrel and adjustable rear sight.

Aside from being unique, these are sweet guns. I have a standard 3-inch .327 Federal SP101, and it is one of the best carry revolvers ever made. It is the perfect balance of power, concealability, shootability, and size.

This is a Lipsey’s exclusive that I don’t expect to stick around for a terribly long time. And like just about any discontinued exclusive revolver, you can be sure that you can squeeze some extra dollars out of the discerning boomer who wants that model and nothing else.

7. Laugo Alien Creator Evolution Kit - Biggest Value Gain Potential

Biggest Value Gain Potential

Laugo Alien Creator Evolution Full Kit

$5900

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$5900 at Palmetto State Armory

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto, hammer-fired SAO
• Capacity: 17+1
• Barrel Length: 4.8"
• Overall Length: 8.2"
• Height: 5.8"
• Width: 1.1"
• Weight: 39.6 oz.

I saved the strangest gun for last — the Laugo Alien.

The original Laugo Alien was released in 2019 and instantly captured the imagination of many curious gun owners.

It is an absolutely wild design, being a gas-delayed blowback, fixed barrel, non-reciprocating optic, ultra-low bore axis pistol. These are boutique guns designed to be mind-meltingly fast shooters.

The Alien is so cool that Ian McCollum from Forgotten Weapons dropped a video on it despite it being a current production gun.

Yes, they are expensive, but yes, they have been holding their value pretty well. The specific model we are looking at is the Laugo Alien Creator Evolution Kit. These full kits, which include all accessories, magazines, optics, and a holster, will give you the best chance of having something that retains maximum value moving forward.

However, to be honest, the market for a niche $6,000 pistol will likely lead to its discontinuation within the next few years.

You can bet that once the Alien is gone, its reputation as a technical marvel and oddity will almost assuredly cause prices to skyrocket, similar to something like the HK P7.

What Makes a Gun Stay Valuable?

Things that get used tend to depreciate in value, and guns are no exception. But like many other things, guns can either hold or increase in value based on a number of factors.

Original Packaging and Documentation

Many collectors and enthusiasts place great importance on the original box, accessories, manuals, and documentation that originally came with the gun. Having the complete package in good condition almost always guarantees that you can get top dollar for your gun.

Rarity

Supply and demand is huge here. Once something is deemed rare or exclusive by the gun community, people invariably want those items more than ever.

Discontinued guns from popular manufacturers, ones that are likely to be discontinued, and guns that have sporadic production runs are usually at the top of the list when it comes to guns that maintain or increase in value.

Condition

While some rare guns can still command staggering prices in even the worst shape, most guns won't. It goes without saying that the better condition the gun is in, the more it will be worth.

Magazines

Having additional factory magazines can be a massive selling point when it comes to moving a gun.

Selling a gun with two or three magazines sets you apart from sellers who only include one, or worse, none. If the gun has more than one type of magazine, such as a flush and a factory extended mag, having both types will help immensely.

This is especially true for guns with magazines that can be difficult to source or aren’t always in constant production.

Meet the Experts

Updating this article is Pew Pew Tactical Editor, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor and also has experience as a competition shooter and avid hunter. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. His firearm collection has lent him unique insight into the buying and selling aspects of the gun market and the pricing shifts over the last 20 years.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Not all guns are meant to be investments. And not all investment guns are meant to be safe queens that you can never shoot.

There are plenty of guns out there that you can purchase right now, enjoy them, and provided you take good care of them, end up making money on later. Like we mentioned earlier, this isn't an exhaustive list by any means, just a few current gems that might be worth a bit of cheese down the road.

But hey, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this list, as well as some other current guns that you feel are solid investments! Let us know in the comments below! Is investment talk a bit too much? Don't worry, be sure to check out the other end of the spectrum with our article and video on the Best Budget Handguns!