The Next Big Collectibles: 10 Modern Firearms That Might Just Be Tomorrow’s Legends

Key Takeaways:

• Today’s workhorse might be tomorrow’s unicorn: Just because a gun’s still in production (or easy to find now) doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way. Limited runs, early models, or first-time ventures from big names — they’re all little breadcrumbs leading to potential collector gold down the line.
• Craftsmanship and character still matter — even in polymer: Weirdly enough, what makes a gun collectible isn’t always about age or rarity. It’s about the feel, the story, the “something different” it brings to the table. Whether it’s the smooth trigger of a VP9 or the wild modularity of a P320, details make the difference.
• Collect with your gut, not just your wallet: Trying to predict value is fine, but chasing what genuinely excites you? That’s where the real fun lives. If a gun speaks to you — the way it looks, shoots, or just makes you feel — that’s reason enough to make space in the safe.

You ever look at a firearm and think, “Yeah, that one’s gonna be big someday”? Not just in terms of performance or popularity now, but the kind of gun collectors will hunt down in 20, 30, even 50 years? That weird sixth sense some collectors have, the ability to sniff out tomorrow’s grails hiding in plain sight — it’s part art, part obsession, and part luck.

So if you’re a history teacher with a thing for steel, a weekend shooter who likes to think long-term, or just someone who loves a good story wrapped in blued metal or polymer, this one’s for you. Let’s talk about ten modern firearms that might not be “classics” just yet, but could absolutely get there.

Why Modern Guns Might Be the Next Big Thing

History in the Making

It’s easy to look at old Colts or Lugers and think, “Now that’s a collectible.” But funny enough, every classic started as something modern once. People probably laughed at the idea of a Glock being collectible back in the ’80s. Now? Gen 1s in pristine condition get treated like museum pieces.

Modern guns carry the DNA of what came before, sure — but they also push boundaries. It’s that tension — tradition vs. tech — that makes some of these newer models fascinating. Collectible? Maybe not yet. But give them time.

Craft Matters — Always Has

Let’s be real: not every gun off the shelf is destined for glory. Some are workhorses. Others? You can tell the second you pick them up — the feel of the metal, the balance, the way the trigger breaks — that someone really gave a damn. Collectors notice. They always do.

Rarity, Runs, and That Weird Thing Called Timing

Sometimes it’s about numbers. Limited runs, discontinued models, oddball versions with a cult following. And sometimes, it’s just timing. A gun tied to a specific event or moment, or adopted by some famous unit, or even just featured in a blockbuster movie? Boom. Collectibility unlocked.

The Firearms That Might Just Be Collectors’ Darlings

Let’s get into the list. No hype, no fluff — just ten modern firearms we think could have a serious second life as collectibles.

1. Colt Python (2020 Re-Release)

So here’s the deal — the original Python from the 1950s? Absolute legend. You’ve seen it in movies, video games, probably in your dreams if you’re into wheelguns. Then Colt brought it back in 2020. Cue the internet losing its collective mind.

The reboot stuck close to the original — heavy barrel, full underlug, that buttery smooth DA trigger. But they added some modern touches under the hood. CNC machining. Better steel. Tighter tolerances. Some purists scoffed, sure. But most people just wanted one. Or two.

If you missed out when it first dropped, start keeping an eye out. This re-release already feels like a modern classic — and give it a decade or two? The value’s only going up.

2. CZ Shadow 2

You ever shoot a Shadow 2? It’s like the gun knows what you’re trying to do before you do it. No joke.

Born for competition, this thing is freakishly accurate. Steel frame, low bore axis, and a trigger that breaks like glass. It’s not just a performer — it’s a statement. A gun that says, “Yeah, I take this seriously.”

And collectors are taking notice. Especially limited runs and factory-tuned versions. Add in CZ’s track record for quality, and it’s easy to see the Shadow 2 aging gracefully into a collector’s darling. Especially if you’ve got one with the cool blue grips. You know the ones.

3. Sig Sauer P320

Modular. That’s the magic word here.

The P320 is basically a Lego set for grown-ups. You can swap frames, slides, calibers — hell, you can build one gun into five if you’ve got the right parts. It’s weirdly fun. And kinda genius.

The military adoption (as the M17/M18) gave it street cred. But it’s the modularity that made people fall in love. Plus, Sig’s been dropping wild variants — X-Five, AXG, Spectre Comp — and collectors are starting to chase the rare ones.

Bet on it: some of these P320s will be unicorns someday.

4. Heckler & Koch VP9

HK doesn’t do bad guns. They just don’t. And the VP9 is peak “do it right, do it once” engineering.

It’s a striker-fired pistol — but it doesn’t feel like any other striker-fired gun. The trigger’s smooth, the grip’s insanely comfortable (thanks to those swappable backstraps and side panels), and it runs like a tank. And you can get it in OD green, grey, FDE — all the colors tactical hipsters love.

Not flashy. Not overhyped. Just solid. And that’s exactly why collectors will circle back to it.

5. Glock 44

Okay, hear me out. A .22 Glock? Yeah, it raised some eyebrows. But the G44 has quietly carved out a niche as a trainer, a plinker, and for some, a bridge into the world of Glocks without the recoil or ammo cost.

It’s not flashy. But it’s clever. And because it was Glock’s first rimfire, there’s a “first of its kind” angle that always plays well in collecting circles. Especially if Glock ever decides to kill the line.

Got a G44? Don’t beat it up too badly. In 15 years, that box-fresh one might be worth more than you think.

6. Beretta APX

This one’s a sleeper hit.

The APX launched with bold serrations, a modular grip frame, and a real sense that Beretta was finally modernizing. The looks were polarizing. Still are. But sometimes that’s a good thing — distinctive guns tend to age well in the collectible world.

And Beretta’s been experimenting: tactical models, RDO variants, competition-ready builds. The more the APX evolves, the more interesting early models become. Mark my words — this line’s gonna surprise some folks down the road.

7. Walther Q5 Match Steel Frame

If the VP9 is the smart, dependable type, the Q5 Steel Frame is the one that shows up in a tailored suit and kicks your ass anyway.

This gun was made for the range — heavy steel frame for recoil control, optics-ready slide, incredible trigger. It’s refined. Competitive shooters love it. So do folks who just want something that feels premium.

There’s already a collector buzz around the first-run SF models. Especially those with the performance upgrades or factory tuning. If Walther pulls back production in the future? Jackpot.

8. Ruger-5.7

Let’s talk caliber for a second.

The 5.7x28mm round is kinda weird. High velocity, flat shooting, and armor-penetrating under the right conditions. But ammo’s not cheap. And until recently, your only real option was FN’s Five-seveN — which costs more than some people’s first cars.

Enter Ruger with the 5.7. Affordable, reliable, and surprisingly fun to shoot. It opened the caliber up to a whole new audience. And the gun itself? Lightweight, accurate, with a cool sci-fi vibe. Collectors are watching this one closely.

9. FN 509

If you like your guns to feel overbuilt — in a good way — the FN 509’s your jam.

It’s rugged. Comes optics-ready. Shoots flat. And FN’s been rolling out variations like tactical, compact, and even suppressor-ready models. This thing was born from a military trials program, which gives it some pedigree.

It’s still under the radar compared to Glocks and SIGs, but that’s actually a good thing. Because once production slows and the market moves on? The early runs — especially in weird colors or rare configs — will start turning heads.

10. Mossberg MC2c

Okay, here’s one you probably didn’t see coming.

Mossberg’s mostly known for shotguns, right? But a few years ago, they dipped their toes into the pistol world with the MC1sc. Then came the MC2c — bigger, better, and surprisingly capable.

This isn’t a flashy gun. But it’s a big moment in Mossberg history — their first real step into handguns in a very long time. That “first” status matters. Collectors love origin stories. And this one’s still affordable enough to stash away without guilt.

So… Which One’s Worth Chasing?

All of them? None of them? The truth is, collecting is weird. It’s part prediction, part personal taste, part luck. What becomes “valuable” isn’t always what you think. Sometimes it’s the quirky model everyone ignored. Sometimes it’s the mass-produced workhorse that survives in tiny numbers.

But if any of these caught your eye — good. That’s the spark. Follow it.

Final Thoughts (Or… Slightly Disjointed Rambles)

There’s this idea that collectible firearms need to be dusty, 100 years old, and have seen a war or two. But let’s be honest — the stuff coming out now? It’s pretty amazing. And some of it will absolutely stand the test of time.

So keep your eyes open. Pay attention to what feels “different.” And maybe hang onto that pistol you almost sold — just in case.

Oh, and one more thing: collect what you love. Even if it never skyrockets in value. That connection you feel? That’s the real payoff.

Happy collecting.

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