Where is the best place to sell my guns?

[APPDMike]

I’m trying to sell some pistols so that I can upgrade to better ones. Is there a good site that will help me get a good price besides gunbroker?

[Joe in PNG]

You could also check CDNN (https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms.html), JG (https://www.jgsales.com/product-category/firearms/), Bud's (https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/firearms/cond/used), or AIM (https://aimsurplus.com/categories/firearm/handgun) for a general idea of what things are generally running for these days.

A browse around your local gunshops is also worthwhile. You can not only see what similar things are going for, but also what is commonly available. So, if you are wanting to sell something that everyone has a lot of, you shouldn't expect too much.

And as a rule, 'cheap' guns tend to not get as much as the more 'normal' guns on the used market.

[okie john]

I find that a private local sale, face-to-face if possible, will net you the most.

Consignment pays well but can take a while.

gunbroker.com and similar are OK if you're willing to deal with their policies.

Trading is the least lucrative.


Okie John

[Scrabble]

GunsInternational.com can be good if it's more of a collector type item.

[5pins]

https://www.webuyguns.com/

I have used them a few times. You won't get top dollar because they are a dealer and trying to make a profit, but it's an option.

[MGW]

I hesitated to post this because it’s embarrassing to me. I got a call from my FFL the other day. He received a trace request on a firearm that I purchased. I sold said firearm several months ago, face to face, to a local gentleman through ARMSLIST. Seemed like a standup guy and I’m sure he was. I’m going to assume that he sold it to someone else shortly after. Who knows where it went after that. I’m sure I’ll receive a call or visit in the near future. I don’t believe I’ll be selling anything from now on unless it goes through an FFL transfer.

[mmc45414]

I find that a private local sale, face-to-face if possible, will net you the most.

A year or two ago I decided I wanted some different things (including a Dillon RL1100) and purged a lot of stuff. I managed to do all of it without selling anything to anybody that wasn't at least a friend of a friend (or a well-established member/admin of P-F). I just put the word out and worked on it for a while.

Another thing is if you are realistic about what stuff costs. Seems like locally people will go pay retail at one of the more expensive stores in town, and then when they go to try and sell it they are upside down, just like a car that has depreciated. In may case I am just realistic what I can get for stuff without holding out for top dollar, unless it is something that is special. Things that are available and can still be purchased new are simply commodities and will likely have depreciated some.

So I typically go look at https://www.wikiarms.com/ .

[Robinson]

I did some business with one of the major sellers on Gunbroker recently. They helped me sell a few guns, and they were very efficient and made it easy on my end.

However, the experience made it obvious that this is not the best market for selling used guns. You will not get the prices you would have just a year or two ago, even on higher end stuff. So unfortunately you need to be prepared to take a loss unless you are lucky or selling a special item that is in demand.

[Guerrero]

APPDMike you might consider getting a Site Supporter membership here and listing them in the "For Sale or Trade" sub-forum. You might be surprised what people here want.

[pangloss]

Most everything I've sold has been via consignment at a local gun store I frequent. One 1911 took close to a year to sell, but it was a hassle free experience. I've sold other guns via forums and Gunbroker. I got my local FFL to ship those for me, which simplified things.

[Andy T]

Check out ar15.com. They have a decent for sale section and you can review asking/sold prices on firearms.

[HCM]

You could also check CDNN (https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms.html), JG (https://www.jgsales.com/product-category/firearms/), Bud's (https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/firearms/cond/used), or AIM (https://aimsurplus.com/categories/firearm/handgun) for a general idea of what things are generally running for these days.

A browse around your local gunshops is also worthwhile. You can not only see what similar things are going for, but also what is commonly available. So, if you are wanting to sell something that everyone has a lot of, you shouldn't expect too much.

And as a rule, 'cheap' guns tend to not get as much as the more 'normal' guns on the used market.

For pricing I do what my FFL buddy does: Log into Gunbroker, do and advanced search for "completed" auctions and see what similar guns actually sold for.

Given the current state of the firearms market anything not premium / rare needs to be priced reasonably to sell.

[Darth_Uno]

I hesitated to post this because it’s embarrassing to me. I got a call from my FFL the other day. He received a trace request on a firearm that I purchased. I sold said firearm several months ago, face to face, to a local gentleman through ARMSLIST. Seemed like a standup guy and I’m sure he was. I’m going to assume that he sold it to someone else shortly after. Who knows where it went after that. I’m sure I’ll receive a call or visit in the near future. I don’t believe I’ll be selling anything from now on unless it goes through an FFL transfer.

Wow. I've never heard of that.

I mean I have, but it's never happened to anybody I know.

[Joe in PNG]

Generally, I'll only sell face to face to people I know and trust.

[bofe954]

If you can buy what you want somewhere that will take your stuff on trade, I'd at least try.

Yes, you will probably feel ripped off. You will have what you want quickly, you won't have waste time taking pictures of stuff, emailing, texting, talking to people. Driving to meet people, or shipping guns. You will also pay less sales tax on what you get.

Especially if it's common stuff, glocks, P320's etc.

Face to face you'll make the most. Posting online you can do OK, but keep in mind you'll have to pay to ship. Your buyer will have to pay to transfer on their end, and that will reduce the amount they are willing to pay.

[Joe in PNG]

As well noted, selling will involve taking a hit on depreciation. Even if I'm selling to a trusted friend, I discount the price, and add in any accessories I happen to have- holsters, extra mags, ect.

If I can't find an interested friend, and if nobody here wants to bite, I'll just put it on consignment at a local shop. Personally, I'd rather not deal with the shenanigans of Gubbroker.

[Robinson]

Personally, I'd rather not deal with the shenanigans of Gubbroker.

Dealing with one of the major stores on GB isolates you from all the shenanigans. When I did that they sent me a shipping label, I boxed up the guns with the label and sent it to them. They reported back to me the inventory, took great pictures of the guns, and sold them pretty quickly. You just have to go into it with realistic expectations regarding the money you will receive.

[mmc45414]

As well noted, selling will involve taking a hit on depreciation. Even if I'm selling to a trusted friend, I discount the price, and add in any accessories I happen to have- holsters, extra mags, ect.

One thing I do is just consciously assign a cost associated to just being MMc45414.
Some people spend money buying season tickets to pro sports or pay a lotta greens fees, I spend money on guns and ammo, the total costs are not that much.
If I have a gun that I am selling to fund the acquisition of another gun, that is well out of the need category and firmly in the desire category, and desires typically just cost money... :cool:

[Glenn E. Meyer]

I only sold to a private person if I knew that person for many years. Others I put on consignment in a LGS. About the price, I sold things as they were surplus and we were moving. I didn't want to fart around with individuals. I adopted this attitude. Lets say I bought a Glock for $450. I got a quick sale for $375 and out of my hair. So I 'lost' $75. I had the gun for 15 years. Thus, I 'rented' it for $5 a year. I spend $75 for a quality dinner for my wife and I easily.

Now, if you want to squeeze every dime out or have something that is more than generic, you might put in more effort. When we set the consignment price, the LGS and I looked at the big gun sales sites to get a good price.

A friend of mine wanted to sell a 40SW Sigma. He went to the local gun show and while on line to get in, sum dood came up and offered him more that he thought he would get at the show. He took sum dood's money and was soooo happy. I wouldn't have done that.

[1slow]

Any new thoughts on this ?

[okie john]

Since my last post, I’ve learned that there's a LOT to be said for working with an auction house.

I've used Lock, Stock, and Barrel Investments (https://lsbauctions.com/) twice. They take 25%, but I didn't have to write the ads, deal with tire kickers, ship guns through an increasingly crazy logistics system, or handle any of the transfers and background checks.

Their auctions have no reserve, so there's no relisting or any of that foolishness. They list on a Sunday and the gavel falls two Sundays later. The price on the second Sunday is the sale price, and 15-30 days later, you get a check.

On my first batch, I had a pretty good idea of what each piece would bring. Some sold for more and others for less, but the total was what I expected. With the second batch, the total was a bit more than expected.

Use them in confidence.


Okie John

[DamonL]

This reminded me of another thread on PF about brokers. Here is a link to it.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?47072-Consignment-brokers-on-Gunbroker/page2

[Crazy Dane]

This thread may be of some use Consignment brokers on Gunbroker (pistol-forum.com) (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?47072-Consignment-brokers-on-Gunbroker)


I have it bookmarked for the purpose of offloading several of my Handi rifles when the time comes.

[DamonL]

Jinx! LOL