Buying From a Friend

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CTGunner

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A friend of mine just lost his job and needs to sell a few guns to raise cash. I offered to give him some money to help him out but he won't accept it. He did however offer to sell me his Colt Match Target AR-15. I already have almost the exact same rifle but I'm entertaining the idea because I do like the gun. I asked him how much he wants and he said 'just give me whatever you think it's worth'. Keeping in mind that my intention is not to take advantage of his situation, what should I offer? I cant' seem to get a good gauge on the value from gunbroker etc. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Ask him if he would take $200 to $300 less than what he had bought it, and let him know that he can always buy it back from you for the same price he let it go. Try not to use it. If after a couple of years it seems that he does not want it, well you still made out with a great rifle at a reasonable price knowing that you were not taking advantage of your friend's dilemma. People will always remember those who tried to screw them and those who truly helped without offering charity. A man's pride will drive him to hunger, but it is the only thing that picks him back up and allows him to look himself in the mirror every morning.
 
Does 1k seem fair? I asked what he paid and he kind of avoided answering. No one locally has these in stock but the local dealer said that when they get them in they sell fast and at a premium. It's still stock, no rail or anything. The carry handle is removable. I doubt he's shot it more than 500 rounds.
 
...he may have gotten a great deal or traded for it...I'd offer him 850 and let him tell you if he thinks that's fair...can't see why else he'd hem and haw around when you asked what he paid....
 
Ask him if he would take $200 to $300 less than what he had bought it, and let him know that he can always buy it back from you for the same price he let it go. Try not to use it. If after a couple of years it seems that he does not want it, well you still made out with a great rifle at a reasonable price knowing that you were not taking advantage of your friend's dilemma. People will always remember those who tried to screw them and those who truly helped without offering charity. A man's pride will drive him to hunger, but it is the only thing that picks him back up and allows him to look himself in the mirror every morning.
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I can't add to that.
 
I'd badger him for a price and let him know that he can always buy it back from ya. That way he is happy and doesn't feel like you are taking advantage of him.

I just picked up an AR that my friend built out of spare parts. It's about $850 in parts to build it and he sold it to me for $500. Same situation, out of work and needs cash. I picked up another lower with parts kit and a collapsing stock for another $230 from him. I don't know that the lower setup was the best deal or not, but I was happy to give him some money. I felt the AR deal was a good enough deal that I didn't want to argue with the other price.

Sorry for the story. But I let him set the price. He asked me a week later if I sold it yet (I don't keep things long) and told him nah, and I didn't have any intention to. He reiterated that he got out of it what he wanted and didn't care if I bought it just to flip it, he was happy with what he got out of it. I didn't offer him to let him buy it back as he has like 7 more and this one was pieced together from spare parts. He was happy with the sale, I was happy with the purchase price.
 
Brand new these colts normally go for $1100 to $1250 brand new dependening on barrel length and rifle twist. I would offer as sheepdog and iibdsiil suggested $850, seems a fair price and about enough for a mortgage payment.
 
ms6852 said:
Ask him if he would take $200 to $300 less than what he had bought it, and let him know that he can always buy it back from you for the same price he let it go. Try not to use it. If after a couple of years it seems that he does not want it, well you still made out with a great rifle at a reasonable price knowing that you were not taking advantage of your friend's dilemma. People will always remember those who tried to screw them and those who truly helped without offering charity. A man's pride will drive him to hunger, but it is the only thing that picks him back up and allows him to look himself in the mirror every morning.
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This is an excellent idea. I've done it a few times, and it's worked out very well for everyone.
 
Since you already have almost the exact same gun, you already should know it's worth to you. That's what I would offer. Your friend refused a loan.......High Road of him, cause most of the time, money loaned to friends ends up bad. In the same light, you will never be happy if you give him more than the gun is worth, thinking he will at some point buy it back, and it don't happen. It's just a gun, they make more of them everyday, and since it has no sentimental value to him, he can always buy another if his financial situation changes. Good friends are much harder to come by.
 
Ask him if he would take $200 to $300 less than what he had bought it, and let him know that he can always buy it back from you for the same price he let it go. Try not to use it. If after a couple of years it seems that he does not want it, well you still made out with a great rifle at a reasonable price knowing that you were not taking advantage of your friend's dilemma. People will always remember those who tried to screw them and those who truly helped without offering charity. A man's pride will drive him to hunger, but it is the only thing that picks him back up and allows him to look himself in the mirror every morning..
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This. I always remember the people who helped me when I was going through a rough patch.
 
CT gunner as in Connecticut?

"Colt AR15" is specifically banned in CT. If you are in CT you can not take possesion of that rifle except through bequest, and then only if the rifle has a CT certificate of possesion.

Otherwise, risk felony prosecution...and if you friend is a CT resident with said rifle and does not have a certificate of possession its also a felony.

tread carefully.
 
He said Colt Match Target AR-15...I think it's safe to say he's referring to the "Match Target", not the "Colt AR-15 and Sporter" as defined in statute. The Match Target is allowed.

They are a bit scarce, but it is a used post CT ban gun....offer him $750.
 
beatcop,

Just sayin, be careful. If the receiver is stamped "Colt AR15", then the AWB applies and is taboo.

I am by no means an expert on the CT AWB and the even greyer pre/post ban issues, but by all means, if you are in CT, please be aware!
 
If you have the cash to get it, like i have done for a friend in need it hold the rifle and let him make payments back towards getting his rifle back. sort of like a pawn. but with less (NO) interest in repayment and longer time to repay (at his liesure).

This way he isnt giving up his firearm and you as a real friend, you are helping him out in needy times.
 
Personally id offer him $500. Bsically think of it as a pawn thing. He can buy it back when he has the funds for what he paid plus interest of after a certain time you can sell it off and make a profit
 
Personally id offer him $500. Bsically think of it as a pawn thing. He can buy it back when he has the funds for what he paid plus interest of after a certain time you can sell it off and make a profit
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If I were in the OP's friend's position, this would be insulting to me. You did catch that this is a friend we're talking about here, right? If this were the best course of action, the OP's friend should just be taking his rifle to a pawn shop in the first place.

CTGunner, I'd do as others have said and offer him $800-850 for it, with the option to buy it back at a later date. I'd keep it in original condition, and if he doesn't mention it after his circumstances have changed, casually remind him that you'd still sell it back for what you paid if he still wants it. If he doesn't want it back, you can do what you please with it with a clean conscience. As someone who has depended on the generosity of friends (though not under the same circumstances), I can really appreciate what you're trying to do here.
 
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