ORIGINAL: devil dog
Well to start, Colt, S&W, Kimber, 1911A1s, DPMS, Rock River & ets.A/R 15 rifles, high end Browning, C Z, WinchesterO/U shotguns, just for example, you just need to look at the higher end of the spectrum. An old saying comes to mind, " you get what you pay for", you spend 250.00 to 400.00 for a firearm, your going to receive a low quallity weapon prone to jams, rough actions, triggers that break like rubbing two peices of 80 grit together poor finish, when you start paying on the upper scale you will get higher quallity weapon. One that comes to mind is a Colt 1991A1 that I purchased in 1992, purchased for 450.00, good platform, spent another 500.00 and alot of labor to make it right, today I can purchase a high end 1911A1 from various manufactures and not have to put a dime into it for not much more money, BTW, I am talking dealler price not marked up!. Point is technology and materials used today is much better than it was 25 years ago.
Im talking model to model. I've got a Colt series 80 in stainless, from 1988. The last one I saw had the entire gun bead blasted. I would'nt say they've improved, quite rough. 1911's in general, sure. Kimber and STI lead the way. I'dput STI at the top.ParaOrdinance is up there too, but mainly because I like Todd Jarrett. I've spent enough ona 1911 to buy a newKimber.
Typically highend guns stay highend. No doubt.My Citoriis about as good as its gets, for me anyway. I havent seen where there havebeen major changes other than choke tubes.
I've noticed though, that older Rem 700's, Model 70's, and Tang-Safety Rugers seem toreally hold their value.