Selling my AR

[Lakedaemonian]

So I'm looking at selling one of my custom builds & I was wondering on how I should go about it. I don't have an account on an online gun broker or anything & don't intend to do so. Should I just put in the paper? (Which would be completely legal in my state). Here is what's on the table...

JD Machine Co lower
M4 milspec upper
Daniel defense 1:7 chrome linned barrel 16"
Daniel defense 10" lite rail
FSC 556 comp
Larue/troy flip up front sight
Milspec flip up rear sight
Chip mcCormik tac trigger unit
Kns anti-walk trigger pins
Magpul MIAD
Magpul BAD
Magpul alluminum trigger guard
BCM bolt & carrier unit
Vltor EMOD stock & buffer tube/spring
H2 buffer
CQD single point sling plate
CQD two point sling attachment

I think that covers everything, any ideas on appraisal? What do you think I should be able to get out of it?

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't know what that build would go for, looks like a $1k+ gun depending on condition.

If you end up deciding to part it out I'd like to buy these:

Magpul BAD
Magpul alluminum trigger guard
H2 buffer
CQD single point sling plate

 

[Mags]

It looks like a 1k plus gun and I am sure it is. Your problem lies in the fact that it is a build, a good build at that and unless the gun was built by a custom shop like Nighthawk, Wilson or Baer it will only demand around the going price for sub-par ARs. 750 would be what I would expect but I would ask or list it for 950 and see if you get any bites.

 

[kwelz]

Good build. I would put it up for sale on a couple Firearms sites. Here, AR15.com, and M4carbine.net are all good places to start. It is a good build. If I was in the market it is the kind of thing I would be looking for.

But be warned. The Black Rifle market has tanked lately. You may have better luck parting it out that selling it complete.

 

[TonyAngel]

What does "milspec upper" mean? These days milspec seems to be an over used term. Do you know who the manufacturer is?

Is that Daniel Defense barrel hammer forged or is it the older standard barrel?

Who did the assembly? If you did it, how many rifles have you built? Does the rifle run with all appropriate ammunition? Any little quirks?

All of these are questions likely to be asked. Playing devil's advocate, a used rifle is just that, used. The no name upper and lower aren't going to help your cause. The if the Daniel Defense barrel isn't hammer forged, their older non hammer forged barrels were selling for around $175 and don't command much of a price consideration since the hammer forged versions were released.

You may be better off taking it apart and selling it off in pieces.

 

[ny32182]

This is a bad time to sell an AR.... prices are at a low bottom.

Sounds like all good parts; it might get dinged slightly for non-"matching" upper and lower. I'd figure up what you have in it and see if you get any takers at 20% below that, but it is likely that you will have to come down more than that if you really want to sell it.

Add me to the list who would part it out if I had to right now.

 

[Sky]

Guys sell guns at THR all the time. Do some pictures and a post here or some of the other places listed; put a fair price on it or a price you would let it go for and see what happens.

 

[ForumSurfer]

But be warned. The Black Rifle market has tanked lately.

Well that's just great. I just noticed that lots of very nice AR's are going for right around $1000 in the trading posts, with accessories. I just finished building one myself (bushmaster lower, bcm everything else with an eotech). I got it built, put a couple hundred rounds through it and decided that I just don't like it.

I was contemplating offering it for trade for a rifle more to my liking (lever gun or a mildly tricked out 10/22), but I guess I'll just put it in the back of the safe.

 

[Quentin]

I agree with much that has been said - great build, the important components are well chosen.

But I fear the unknown lower will really hurt you. Now if it had a Daniel Defense, BCM, S&W, etc. rollmark the value would increase even though I suspect your lower functionally is as good as the big names. I see many build threads where someone gets the cheapest lower they can find (because they know that most lowers are plenty good) then pours money into the rest of the gun. Unfortuately for you this probably is a lesson for all of us that an extra $50 or so in the lower's rollmark makes a huge difference in the perceived value of a home build.

Anyway, good luck and I hope it turns out well for you but parting it out may be the best way price wise.

 

[ants]

Might not be such a bad deal for someone wanting a quality rifle.

For what it's worth, JD Machine Tech http://www.jdmachinetech.com/ would not appear to be an "unknown" manufacturer of AR lowers.

In addition to their own brand, they also made lower receivers and parts for Spikes and Noveske as subcontractor. Their web site says they have a former SEAL armorer on staff, offering complete guns for sale in addition to components.

I know you may get less than you have into the rifle (happens to all of us) but I bet you can find someone who wants quality at a good price. Have you shot it off a rest with match ammo? Demonstrating excellent groups at 100 yards may be the key, regardless of where the parts came from.

 

[Lakedaemonian]

Thanks for the input. To answer a few questions... the upper is actually military stockpile sold through Bravo Company. The builder is me, with the help of a Special Warfare Armorer. So the build is extremly legit. The condition is 600 rounds through it. The barrel IS hammer forged. From the sounds of it... it be best off keeping it huh? I don't wanna part it out. I'd just like to find someone with enough sense to know its actual worth & not that its (just another black rifle)

 

[taliv]

my advice is to take it apart and sell the pieces individually

 

[NWCP]

I never put a firearm in the paper.Too many oddballs and otherwise nefarious characters out there to be selling to someone I don't know. I usually sell through my gun club, or at a gun show. If I have time and the fee is right I'll put it on consignment with my local gun shop. If possible I really like to know if the buyer has a CPL. At least that way I figure the sheriff isn't out looking for him as he buys a firearm from me. The last thing I want to be doing is selling a weapon to someone with less than honorable intentions for its use. JMHO

 

[Lakedaemonian]

Consignment.... gun show... didn't think of either of those! Thanks!!

 

[TonyAngel]

Maybe a good approach would be to get on Spike's or BCM's website and see what a similar rifle goes for new. Not exactly, but similar. That should give you at least an idea.

 

[FlyinBryan]

home builds just arent as attractive to new buyers as factory builds. build quality is always in the back of anyones mind if they dont know you personally.

i would agree with those that have said to part it out, otherwise it wouldnt surprise me to see it fail to crack 800