Classic P-Series prices, is it inflation or lunacy?

Not that long ago, Sig offered all of their classic P-series guns in a wide variety - but in my opinion, many of those options were just cheesy cosmetic variations. They've trimmed it down and focused on a few select options in each model, ditched the ugly colors, all of which I actually think is a good thing. It was getting ridiculous there for a while. I do, however, wish they had retained some of the other caliber options, but again - Sig isn't going to produce something that very few people are buying, and the reality is, very few people are buying 40 S&W or .357 Sig these days, despite what a forum like this might lead people to believe.

That said, it certainly isn't just 'kids these days' who want polymer striker guns - how many agencies or departments at this point are placing orders for metal, hammer-fired guns? Almost none. Professional demand drives a lot of this.

I think Sig will continue to offer a few options in each of the classic P-series models for a long time. But at the end of the day, they are a business that wants to grow and make a profit, and you don't do that by spending a bunch of effort and expense catering to dwindling parts of the market.

Two factors: Like the Mustang, the buying value of the dollar then vs now. I owned a '66, paid $600 for it when milk was 50c in a refundable glass jug and gas was less.

I haven't paid $4 for gas - yet - but that Mustang I sold for $1000 years ago would be $4000 today - no carpet, and interior pieces missing. I ran it as a rat rod before the term was even known.

Second factor is disposable cash in the hands of buyers. In the case of the P series, OP is the factor. He's still on a buying spree (or not) because the prices haven't tripped his assessment of worth. There are two components to that, one it the utility value, does it load and shoot a bullet, the second is the brag value to an owner, the "I have one and you don't and maybe wont ever."

Milsub 70's Rolexes going for $224,000, one of the 150 of 1200 left kinda thing. Utility value of that Rolex is no more than any other Swiss auto for telling time, about $250. The other $223, 750 is the guarantee nobody will be buying one and wearing it to the same dinner party. Nobody - except the inner circle of the other 100 or so other owners. Like Shelby Daytona Coupes - theres only 6. Thats it. The original Cobra with three different colors of paint, literally rotten leather upholstery, etc? Millions if it would ever come up and no, the family will not sell.

There are plenty of P Classics but at the interest level of the knowledgeable gun owner there are enough that one will pay $50 more than the others, and ever 6 months that ratchets up again in this economy. Obviously utility value isn't the draw - get a P365XL, you have a gun that shoots bullets. Nope, it's "I have a P series which means Im in a different social status group and you are not."

We all understand that game, the trick is to catch them when they have bottomed out. Like that Mustang - paid $600 when I got it. Or a SW 4566 TSW, $450. A lot of us have a gun that most others would have to pay double now if and when they could find one. Oh that I had picked up a German Border Guard HK P7 in red bluing when they were $450 - but the different manual of arms meant it would be a safe queen.

Ruger P89 series are still cheap. CMP 1911's can be had - no major markup over asking. It's just what asking price can fit the buyer. As they come up each gun has it's buyer group and as time goes by it's a different generation with different interests. By the way, all the early Glocks have already been collected if I hear correctly. That started 15 years ago. Buy at the bottom of the curve and you get the bargains when nobody else is looking. I'd say P series are escalating, there may be some bargains yet, but the curve is accelerating.