r/canadaguns • u/One-Coffee-2621 • Apr 15 '26

Misc Can someone explain why deactivated firearms cost SO much?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the historicity of particular items. I even paid a pretty penny for antiques and a Mosin-Nagant cause of its country of manufacture & individual history. However, I would think that would only go SO far for what's essentially a paper weight. I know personally I'd never bid on auction or buy from a site something I'd have to "pay for the privilege" of deactivation. I'd rather something remain in its original form then pay a premium to hold it. Am I wrong in this view? Am I a dirty poor? Both?

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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Apr 15 '26

A substantial chunk of the market for historically significant or unique firearms are people who just collect with no intention of actually shooting them. Collectors would obviously rather the guns be unaltered by deactivation but there are still enough of them that would still want to collect deactivated pieces to keep prices high. Basically the only deactivated guns that even hit auction are ones that have some sort of significance, either for history or as an interesting technological showcase.

If, for example, Savage A22s were prohibited tomorrow, there wouldn't be any real market for deactivated A22s because they aren't rare, they don't have any historical significance, and they don't showcase any interesting technology or craftsmanship.

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u/One-Coffee-2621 Apr 15 '26

I agree and understand all of that, I guess the issue I still have is it really justifies THAT high of a price. ~5k for something that doesn't function? I don't think I could ever justify that, and even for the most ardent collector I struggle bridge that gap

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u/xXxDarkSasuke1999xXx Apr 15 '26

The market sets the price unfortunately. The cost of things get nutty when you have a limited supply and an ever growing population.

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u/Own_Breadfruit_7955 May 29 '26

another 5k to reactivate the old gun

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u/PopperChopper Apr 15 '26

They will have historical significance one day, so better hold on to them!!