Gun trading

[marksman13]

I buy, sell and trade all the time. My goal is not to own all the guns, but to have at least OWNED all of them once. I buy a gun at a decent price. If I love it, I keep it. If I don’t, I trade it off for something else of equal value unless I can sell it. Selling seems to be a rarity these days and no one ever has cash for expensive firearms and I don’t buy many cheap guns. I can’t say that I’ve ever come out on the bad end of a trade, nor have I ever cheated anyone on a trade. I just enjoy making deals and meeting other gun folks.

 

[Buzznrose]

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?

I’ve done this before. No, I don’t think my gun is worth more as a trade. For me, it’s about having options.

When I sell guns, I have a cash price in mind, based on current market prices and conditions. With cash, I have flexibility to take the money and use it in different ways.

But many times, I’ll be approached with counter offers in barter (trades). And often, the trader will be overpriced based on what the gun is worth to me.

If I am open to the idea of a trade when I post the ad, I will use this technique. I do this because I generally price guns for good prices and quick sales. I have rarely taken more than a week, and two at most, to sell a gun. I mainly sell guns using the www.texasguntrader.com website. Otherwise, I sell to friends. I’ve never sold a gun on the auction sites.

And I take this into consideration when I commit to a price for my gun openly while a person who is offering a trade comes unseen from out of the web.

You can argue that it really doesn’t matter since I’m free to accept or reject offers, and you would be correct. But the “cash price versus trade value” sets the expectations for the negotiations from my POV up front.

“Cash is king” because it’s only a medium between exchanges...but a very flexible medium. I can flip cash into a lot of things easily...not just another gun. I can’t generally take a CZ75 to Costco and trade for a TV if that’s my objective.

I am not saying this is the best process for all, and it may not make sense to some folks since you could argue it’s illogical. I won’t contest that...but it makes sense and works me.

YMMV

 

[Archie]

Way back when you could go to gunshows and buy and sell handguns without background checks...

In Nebraska, one can sell or dispose of one's personal property without permission from the government. Which is to say I can sell my own firearms like I can sell my car, furniture or old shoes. I am not an FFL holder, but I do usually have a table at the gun show run by our club. I and to my knowledge the bulk of other vendors who are not FFL holders and not required to keep records for government use at need are not required to 'blah-blah-blah'.
However, no one of whom I know sells a firearm to an 'unknown' person or without personal being convinced the buyer is morally and mentally qualified to possess a firearm.

Especially if he or she lives down the street.

The idea criminals can buy firearms without question at gun shows is largely a scare tactic by the gun haters.

I have traded for another firearm. Usually it has taken the course of a three way trade where several people want something of someone else but also want something the something doesn't have. I cannot remember all the details, but I traded off something for which I had no need or desire and ended up with something I wanted for no cash outlay. But it is rare for me. I'm a collector and presumable 'end user', so I look for specific items or at least one that fits a criteria. And I don't have to 'make money' on every transaction. Not that I'm giving away my items willy nilly.

 

[armedwalleye]

Years ago traded a wood stocked crossbow (think 1970's models) for a Colt Lawman with a 4" barrel. Only gun trade I ever did, and I think I did OK.....

 

[DustyGmt]

I've done alot of Gun/knife trading over the years. I have always made good deals except for one glaring exception that I still think about from time to time even though it's been over 10 years. Traded a Colt Woodsman for a Llama .45. Also one other trade I made that I wasn't really thrilled with after the deal was done was I traded a Wasr10 for a Keltec PF9 +$250. I was even more upset with that trade when I found out that the person that I traded with eventually turned to drugs and didn't have the Wasr 10 anymore. Just unsettling. Thought I knew the guy well enough. Lesson learned.

 

[Archie]

I will offer this bit of experience. AFTER having made a trade, purchase or sell of most anything, do not continue looking for prices on the item you acquired.
You will always find just exactly what you wanted, but cheaper. Makes one nuts.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've never traded a firearm for another firearm, but I did trade a pellet pistol for a bolt action .22 rifle.
It was so long ago that the trade occurred in a trade day that was held in a Los Angeles high school auditorium... .
I still have that old rifle, by the way.

 

[anothernewb]

I've done a few trades between people I know. We both knew the value we wanted out of each of ours and so the exchange was fair. I see nothing wrong with a little horse trading - over anything really, guns included. I suppose it comes down to what you value your item at and if you feel you're getting a fair shake back. That was how it was done before the concept of money. Still works today.

 

[Sniper66]

Recently had a conversation with a guy who said he prefers to trade when he can because trades do not require background checks or sales tax and you don't have to carry a wad of cash. I've considered trades but had to say no to an offer to trade a $150 Ford pick-up for a $500 shotgun. The guy assured me that his truck "runs real good" and I'm sure was worth every penny