Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Soft market for used guns?

I don't, but tend to buy only when the price is average or below-average. But I profit on guns partly by writing about them: If I buy at a reasonable price, then write an article or three, then I don't mind selling it at break-even, or less.

But aside from that, don't mind selling at a little loss, just because of what I learned--and enjoyed--from the experience.

This might be one of the most true-to-me statements that I have heard from you. I am into Mannlichers right now and they are so interesting. I will be on another grail quest soon but those rifles from Austria sure are getting my attention right now.

Thats a good way to look at it. Besides, if the feds find out you are selling at a profit, they could come knocking on your door. Thats why i always "break even" on gun deals.

Yep, heck just try to buy a 39A pre safety for under 500.00. Quality pieces will always have a buyer provided you didn’t way over pay originally. Nice O/U and SxS seem to always sell

bsa,

I've had my own Federal Firearms License since 1990. "The Feds" know very well what I'm doing with it, because I accompany each 3-year renewal with a letter explaining that I primarily use it as a convenience in my profession. They're fine with that, as long as I follow the regs, and my accountant is also fine with it as well.

I don't mind paying top dollar for the best I can find. I buy junk too, just to play with. Lose money on shooters every time. Everyone already has shooters. When I sell I like to get my money back on mint stuff I can't shoot w/o ruining value.

Really?

Shaking my head...

I guess I’m getting ready to find out, I have a Sako 7 mag I need to sell. I bought an earlier one. I don’t need six, five is enough.

I've been slowly liquidating my accumulation (it never was organized enough to constitute a collection) after a heart issue last year. I'm trying to get down to things I'm going to shoot regularly and dispose of the rest.

I've found that there's relatively little interest in most of what I have for sale - revolvers (mostly 1980s or 90s era S&Ws), sxs shotguns (British and European), single shot rifles (mostly small frame Martini actions built into custom rifles) and blue steel and walnut bolt actions. My local gun dealer tells me that the hot market right now is military stuff. I've never owned any military firearms except a Stevens 416 .22 with U.S. Property markings and a couple of surplus S&W Model 1917s.

The younger guys seem to be fine with polymer and some sort of parkerized or stainless finish. I've always preferred blue steel and walnut. Guys my age are selling into a down market and true collectors seem to be liquidating their fine firearms collections at an ever increasing pace. Look at some of the higher end auction sites to see just how many collectible firearms are hitting the market and what they are bringing versus 10 years ago. It won't bring you much comfort if your collection is a key component in funding your retirement.

Fortunately, my collection is a key component in enjoying my impending retirement.

Certainly location has much to do with it. I moved a couple of hundred miles and the prices where I am now are significantly less than my old home. I've pretty much retired from rifle hunting and started shopping all my customs. I've seen at least a 25% decrease in value and not nearly the interest. When motivated I guess I'll try the Campfire.

Just a thought, but those of you who are looking to add to your collection of older firearms should be making lemonade from this lemon of a situation. Be positive.

I suspect there are quite a few members here who would be happy to find a 6.5mm other than a Creedmoor, a 270 rather than a 280. A wooden stocked rifle rather than a plastic one. Etc. The bargain hunters should be all over this reporting the great deals that they've found.

The market is determined by the buyers. Good luck trying to find one of Darcy or Melvin's rifles at a bargain price.

Marlin levers w/ JM markings are doing OK. I'm not finding any killer deals on Kimber or Barrett rifles.A matching numbers Garand or M1 A will cost you a few bucks as will a US carbine. Used rack rifles are like used cars, some are desirable, most are just used. You can make a killing on used Norinco aks


mike r

Good collectible stuff is always where the best prices are, regardless the market. Common stuff will never appreciate like the rare stuff.

True. It may be a bit harder to find a buyer on rare stuff...but those items do hold their value better.

July 2019 I owned 121 guns today I have 55. I started by selling guns that friends said they wanted if I ever sold them. That was good for 25 or so. Then I started listing on a local internet sight. Eventually a few months ago I started selling here usually listing 3 guns and a few stocks/ scopes per month. So far I have sold 19 items here. I have failed to sell only 1 rifle, a Kimber SSV. I sold 4 desirable M700 classics after they were listed less than a week. Mauser custom are very slow sellers but high end 22's went same day listed...I am now down to wood stocked customs, shot guns & a few hand guns to sell. I plan to die with about 20 guns left.


It cost about $75.00 to pack & ship a rifle by USPS. The buyer pays for insurance if they want it.

It is certainly a buyer's market for most firearm categories and I am doing my best to take advantage of that.

This. summed up nicely.

kwg

I don't know about this. You look at used firearms on GunBroker and everyone sure likes their stuff. $$$

And most of those ... aren’t moving.