Redcoat3340
Member
It's been a few years I've been buying and selling firearms for my "collection" (accumulation?) Mostly milsurps for long gun and pistols (9mm and .38 special).
I got a C&R for my milsurps and buy and sell locally and via auction for modern stuff (pistols and revolvers).
Here's what I'm thinking: Gunbroker is great for finding whatever it is you want. But, you'll probably pay market price for it. Occasionally a bargain, but mostly, 'cause there's so many knowledgeable folks bidding, you're not going to get a "steal." (That said, I picked up a S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman for hundreds less than the usually going rate, but that was a rarity). So lots of guns but not lots of hot prices.
On my local Armslist, on the other hand, not a lot of selection (except for Glock, but who cares about that)...but more than occasionally a great deal, as the folks listing don't seem as knowledgeable as those on gunbroker, nor are there as many people looking and no bidding. Just "for sale.". I've gotten more than a few good deals there (just picked up a like-new Browning Hi Power Practical with Spegel grips for $550)
Same pretty much holds true for my local state gun forum, not a great selection but no less than honest prices and more than an occasional bargain. They generally have more knowledgeable folks listing.
Finally there are the gun forums such as the Smith & Wesson, Sig, Walther, Beretta, etc. Not a lot of bargains there (an occasional one but ya gotta be the first person to respond)....but absolutely fair value, good condition, honest pricing, knowledgeable people and the kind of folks ya wanna do business with.
Of course there are the local gun shops and pawn places...but that's a matter of geography. I've got a good one here in Western Washington...but back in NY when I lived there, not so much.
Wadda ya think....is your experience about the same?
I got a C&R for my milsurps and buy and sell locally and via auction for modern stuff (pistols and revolvers).
Here's what I'm thinking: Gunbroker is great for finding whatever it is you want. But, you'll probably pay market price for it. Occasionally a bargain, but mostly, 'cause there's so many knowledgeable folks bidding, you're not going to get a "steal." (That said, I picked up a S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman for hundreds less than the usually going rate, but that was a rarity). So lots of guns but not lots of hot prices.
On my local Armslist, on the other hand, not a lot of selection (except for Glock, but who cares about that)...but more than occasionally a great deal, as the folks listing don't seem as knowledgeable as those on gunbroker, nor are there as many people looking and no bidding. Just "for sale.". I've gotten more than a few good deals there (just picked up a like-new Browning Hi Power Practical with Spegel grips for $550)
Same pretty much holds true for my local state gun forum, not a great selection but no less than honest prices and more than an occasional bargain. They generally have more knowledgeable folks listing.
Finally there are the gun forums such as the Smith & Wesson, Sig, Walther, Beretta, etc. Not a lot of bargains there (an occasional one but ya gotta be the first person to respond)....but absolutely fair value, good condition, honest pricing, knowledgeable people and the kind of folks ya wanna do business with.
Of course there are the local gun shops and pawn places...but that's a matter of geography. I've got a good one here in Western Washington...but back in NY when I lived there, not so much.
Wadda ya think....is your experience about the same?
