Gun trading

[CapnMac]

FTF trade is probably the best way to get perceived value for perceived value.

Trade to a dealer is always lopsided as the dealer needs a lower value to make a profit.

Dude1 thinks his shooter is worth $nnn and Dude2 thinks his is worth ±$nnn, they are likely going to be able to trade and be happy.
Unless Dude1 things Dude2's shooter is is actually worth $nnn-$yyy, then there will be problems.

 

[SeanSw]

I love trading as a stepping stone. I have turned lesser guns into a Browning HP, CZ Scorpion, and a Sig P229 Scorpion. Sure, I had to add cash in some cases but it was still strongly in my favor. I would have been a fool not to make the trades strictly from a value standpoint.

 

[lsudave]

I haven't made a trade, but I see nothing inherently wrong with it. I'd say among peers, it might actually be the best way to go. Not necessarily the monetary angle, but the "hey I want one of those" angle. Let's say I liked CZ's and bought a few surplus CZ 75's at a good price a few years ago , and you liked Sigs and picked up a few of the P226 police trade-ins. We each have more than one of said gun, in comparable condition. Now, let's say I now want a P226 for my collection, and you want a CZ 75 for yours. Do a straight swap, we each get something we like. Win-win.
Or more recently, I've heard of people swapping, say, a handgun for rifle. An Armscor 1911, for a PSA AR... not a bad deal on either end, nobody gets cheated, just opens up new options for both parties.

 

[JR24]

I've traded a number of times, usually because I want a specific gun, know what my trade in was worth, and was able to get the gun I wanted for a good price on the gun I had.

A few times it was doubly helpful to the other guy because he paid less for the gun I wantd through a LEO discount or similar.

Since I only really ever get rid of a gun if I want something else, so trading the gun I as going to sell for he gun i want makes sense, especially since the trade value is usually higher than what I can actually sell the thing for on the open market.

Unless this thread meant gun shop trades, those are certainly tougher but I've been able to get better than normal used Glock market value twice on Glocks, again to get a model I wanted anyway pretty much straight up.

 

[stillquietvoice]

I sold a 12 ga shotgun to get a rem 742 in 308 and straight up traded it for a Winchester model 88 in 308. Liked the full walnut stock.

 

[jmr40]

I've lost count, but I've owned 200-300 different firearms in my lifetime. Usually no more than roughly 50 at any given time. The vast majority have been used when I acquired them and I've traded many, many times. To be fair, when I got started in this hobby in my early 20's I made some bad decisions and ended up losing too much money on some. But with experience I've learned from my mistakes.

The nice thing about buying/selling/trading with pre-owned guns is that a used gun is worth just as much as you paid for it later, often more if you keep it long enough. A new gun may take 20 years before its used value matches it's initial cost. I've bought or traded for several guns with the intent of flipping them within just a few hours.

Many years ago I had a well worn Beretta 92. It was accurate, and reliable, but looked like it had been kept in a box of rocks that was shaken regularly. I ran across a like new Beretta at a local pawnshop at a great price. I knew the owner, and knew he hated Beretta's and priced them accordingly. I also knew he loved Ruger P series pistols and would pay a premium for one. I drove to another pawn shop and traded my Beretta even on a Ruger P90. Went back to the 1st pawn shop and traded the Ruger + $20 on the like new Beretta. I only had the Ruger about 45 minutes. That was my fastest flip, but I've done similar things on other occasions.

With today's political climate I'm a little hesitant to sell to an individual any longer. In September I decided to thin the herd a bit and took 12 guns to a local gun store and sold them for $6000. Now if I'd gone to the trouble to sell them to individuals I might have gotten $6500. But that is a lot of work and hassle in addition to the possibility of selling to someone who couldn't legally own a gun. And the legal ramifications thereof.

Of the 12 guns I lost about $50 on one that I'd bought new fairly recently. The others I'd had up to 20 years and I made a nice profit on them. I had about $3500 invested in all of them combined.

 

[Jimbo80]

With today's political climate I'm a little hesitant to sell to an individual any longer. .

.

Very common these days and shops make a lot of money because of it. The used gun market is where shops really boost profits.

There's not a gunshop anywhere that would pay $6K for $6500 worth of guns. I suspect you may have lost way more than $50. Typically a shop will pay $.50 on the dollar for trade ins.

 

[TomJ]

I've traded two guns that I can remember and do my best to make sure they're fair trades. Not too long ago I traded my Hellcat for a 43X. The Hellcat was great, but I liked the 43X better and it's now my primary carry gun. A couple of years ago I traded a .45 SA compact 1911 for a stainless CZ 75. We both walked away happy. Like JMR40 I'm hesitant to sell a gun now. I'll do so only to someone I know or to a member of my gun club, as they screen applicants pretty closely. That being said I'm happy with what I own and have no plans to sell or trade anything now.

 

[jmace57]

I traded a NIB CZ-85 Combat for a 1974 NIB S&W Model 14 about 5 years ago. I had won the CZ-85 cheap in an auction ($260) and was more than happy with the trade. So was the other person.

 

[FROGO207]

Only traded two times over the years. Both times the firearms were not what I wanted and had small problems that I disclosed. Both times the others were quite happy as well so we both made out well.

 

[Paul R Zartman]

Trading in the gun world ia a ART, not a SIENCE, weather I have it or I want it is not a true exchange, it is a true want or desire.
I have done multiple trades for guns or other items that ultimately led to the desired gun or item I wanted.
Its the Transaction we desire the most, not the items traded.
Contact Me....

 

[MacAR]

I've traded more guns than I've owned. Traded as high as five or six times in one day, just to see what I could come up with. I've swapped guns for farm machinery, tools, animals, etc. And I've swapped all the above for guns and ammunition. Poor folk got poor ways, I guess. But I'd rather trade as out-right buy something, and I don't care if its a gun, a horse, or a pickup truck. Trading is a lot of fun, and its by no means a "race to the bottom"; anyone who thinks that is either foolish or doesn't know how to swap.

Mac

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I think trading is fine if both parties are happy. I've sold guns in lots of two and three to fund a gun I really wanted more that was quite a bit more expensive. Have I lost money doing this? Yes. Do I care? No. I'm going to die some day so I want what I want, and if the money I've lost on guns means I work and extra month before retiring, I'll never equate that loss to my gun habits. It'll just me making an appropriate choice of when to stop working.

 

[Ignition Override]

For some of us, trading something for a very high quality gun is not a matter of “Oh, I got the better part of the deal”, or trying to feel smarter than the other person.

Our objective is to acquire a first-class product which we simply want to Have.

 

[shafter]

I don't trade, but I do like to buy from a position of power. I won't deceive anyone but it's not my job to do the research for them. I simply offer what I'm willing to pay and it's up to them to say yes or no. I've never bought from someone who wasn't perfectly capable of doing their homework.

 

[Buzznrose]

What’s the thing where I keep both firearms?
That’s what I try to do...

It’s called armed robbery if you do it the wrong way...play nice!

 

[magyars4]

I think trading is fine if both parties are happy. I've sold guns in lots of two and three to fund a gun I really wanted more that was quite a bit more expensive. Have I lost money doing this? Yes. Do I care? No. I'm going to die some day so I want what I want, and if the money I've lost on guns means I work and extra month before retiring, I'll never equate that loss to my gun habits. It'll just me making an appropriate choice of when to stop working.

Well said.....I've been buying. Selling and trading for close to 40 years, sometimes I've done very well. Sometime not so much.....

 

[Buzznrose]

Trading guns is simply barter. A Barter system is alive and well in this country although not formally recognized.

I am a big fan of barter when it works out for both parties. Buyers and Sellers Remorse can happen with cash transactions as easy as it can happen in a barter.

I think the trick is to know your limitations and what the items are inherently worth. But in the end, it’s still “Caveat Emptor”.

YMMV

 

[Reloadron]

I guess with a trade as long as both parties come away happy with the deal then it was a good trade. Personally I like trading for cash.

As to a gun shop? I made it clear up front I take guns in for one reason and only one reason and that is to resell the gun or whatever it was. If I figured I could move the gun fast and make a 20% to 25% margin then cool with me. Anyway, here nor there as it always goes back to both parties being happy with the deal. Happy is a good thing. Nobody I know of ever had their arm twisted to make a trade and come away unhappy.

Ron

 

[tarosean]

Ive done a few trades over the decades... It doesnt matter if I made a few bucks or lost a few bucks it is what I wanted..

That said.. The one thing that does irk me, is for Sale ads like
For Sale: $500.. trade value: $600...(whatever $$$$) ..

Why do these people think their gun is worth more in trade than an outright sale?

 

[Reloadron]

Why do these people think their gun is worth more in trade than an outright sale?

Any gun on any given day is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. No more and no less. An endless line of people would walk into my shop, plop a gun down and tell me what it was worth. Now if you figure your gun is worth $500 then get out there and sell it to someone for $500. Today your gun is worth to me $400 so take it or leave it because it matters not to me. Be it $400 in cash or trade that is as good as it gets. Oh, your friend told you it was worth $500? Cool with me, then sell or trade it to your friend and soon it will only be worth $350 so make up your mind. Thank You & Have a Nice Day....

Ron

 

[tarosean]

Any gun on any given day is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. No more and no less. An endless line of people would walk into my shop, plop a gun down and tell me what it was worth. Now if you figure your gun is worth $500 then get out there and sell it to someone for $500. Today your gun is worth to me $400 so take it or leave it because it matters not to me. Be it $400 in cash or trade that is as good as it gets. Oh, your friend told you it was worth $500? Cool with me, then sell or trade it to your friend and soon it will only be worth $350 so make up your mind. Thank You & Have a Nice Day....

Ron

Understandable if your in the business and behind the counter.

I am talking about Joe Schmoe and his "4 Sell" ads on many online sites/boards. You see it all the time. $xxx for sale. or trade $xxxx. Its just odd IMO...

I could probably find examples here on THR if I bothered to look.

 

[CapnMac]

hat said.. The one thing that does irk me, is for Sale ads like
For Sale: $500.. trade value: $600...(whatever $$$$) ..

Why do these people think their gun is worth more in trade than an outright sale?

It's probably from a flawed understanding of what firearms are actually worth, and just how much "profit" is "fair." And a poor understanding of business overhead.

In my firearms spreadsheet, I have a very deliberate column that sets the cash value of the arm at 50% of what I paid for it, as that's likely the best price I can get for it. I also track replacement price, too. And the CPI adjusted value of what I spent, which can be an excellent way to keep track of things. So, $400 in 2000 is $616 in 2020 dollars, which can inform a person if replacement value of the same thing is $600.

Now, in some fairness, those folks in the greensheet classified ads are probably used to getting lowball offers f things worth $250 as a "trade" for the offered $500 item. That, and there are more than enough folk out there who imagine that their $350 shooter is actually worth $500; $600 in trade.

 

[nipprdog]

I traded an extra Marlin 1895CB for a Remington 7615 last year straight up. At the time, it was in the other guys favor monetarily. Probably $700 for the CB and $600 for the 7615.

Now I might have a slight edge. Last 7615 I saw on GB went for $1500. Dunno about the CBS but it most definitely is into the thousands.

There were 2 separate 7615s sold on GB last year, that each went for $1525. That's more than 3 times what I paid for mine.One of them had a real nice wood stock set up.

 

[Reloadron]

Understandable if your in the business and behind the counter.

I am talking about Joe Schmoe and his "4 Sell" ads on many online sites/boards. You see it all the time. $xxx for sale. or trade $xxxx. Its just odd IMO...

I could probably find examples here on THR if I bothered to look.

Agreed but it seems more often people seem to think something they have is worth more, sometimes much more that it is actually worth. Gun dealers aside on that note. Any gun on any given day be it a trade or sale is pretty much worth what someone will take for it. No more and no less and again with a trade, no matter what it is, if both parties come away happy then it was a good deal for all concerned. This even holds true for a nail gun.

Ron