I'm thinking of selling some of my lesser used guns- some advice please.

[cpileri]

that selling plasma/platelets idea has merit...

Have you considered selling to a 'wealthier' friend? one who could purchase the guns, and is likely to sell the ones you find you miss back to you when your cashflow issues are stabilized?

I'd help square you away, but I don't live in MD anymore. (and I am NOT going back!)

C-

 

[Alphazulu6]

Hate to tell you to sell any firearm. BUT if I had to this would be my criteria grouping selection.

#1 That firearm you dont like (you have done it already)
#2 The firearms that are doubled up on (like 2x .45 cal tactical pistols, etc)
#3 The firearms that you dont shoot very often

Obviously these would not be those with large sentimental value or your absolute favorites/antique types that you could not readily replace at your local gun shop next year.

 

[chaim]

Several people suggested a 2nd (and possibly even a 2nd and 3rd job), unfortunately that isn't really an option. For the summer I have been working at a psychiatric hospital with mixed shifts (sometimes 7a-3:30p, sometimes 7a-7:30p, sometimes 3p-11:30p, sometimes 11a-11:30p) along with occasional mandation (being told at the end of the shift that you have to work a double due to someone calling out and not having minimum staffing levels for the next shift). Few employers would accept an applicant with that kind of schedule uncertainty.

For the next 2 1/2 weeks I can't work at all. I'm taking a regular 3 credit college course (for my full teaching certification) that is condensed into 2 1/2 weeks. The class includes as many assignments as it would in a full 3 month semester (today at 4pm is the first class but the syllabus was online so I already know the expectations). That is very time intensive and since I need good grades so I can get into graduate school I just don't have time for anything else for the next couple weeks.

During the school year I work as a teacher- with lesson planning, grading, meetings, etc. it usually works out to about a 50 hour week. With that, many teachers do work 2nd jobs, but my degree isn't in education, it is psychology, so I have two years (with one year left) to take the coursework I need to be fully certified (2-3 classes a semester).

Another consideration is that once the year is really underway (by mid to late Oct) my finances will be fine. The problem is that during the beginning of my 1st year of teaching I didn't put aside enough to compensate for not having a paycheck over the summer so my money is currently limited (a mistake I'm not making next year). At the same time, I have to pay for a trip to see my grandfather this summer as it may be my last chance (though hopefully, G-d willing, he'll live a lot longer), and I'm moving in October so I have a lot of upcoming one-time expenses that I shouldn't have again for a few years. So, to cover things I need another $1200-2200 and I can't do a second job, but it isn't a recurring or perminant problem (in fact, by late fall or early winter I should be able to start replacing some of the guns I sell, if I want to).

A second job also becomes less likely when you consider that I am an Orthodox Jew. That means I cannot work on the sabbath- Friday nights and Saturdays. I am already unavailable several evenings a week (during this summer due to working some evenings, during the year due to classes I'm taking) and I can't work weekends except for Sunday. Few employers would accept that (my only option is waiting until I'm finished my coursework and fully certified, but then I'll be starting graduate school).

 

[chaim]

I would never sell the Winchesters for the simple reason that they don't make them anymore...

I agree that everyone should own at least one Winchester 94. Lever rifles are my favorite type of gun. The 30-30 isn't my first rifle or gun, but it is my first lever rifle and as the first of a type I enjoy it has some additional value to me. Selling either isn't really my first choice. However, I'm thinking about it for several reasons. With all Winchester 94s I've been reading lately that prices are up quite a bit right now since production has shut down. So, the prices I should get may be decent right now with the possibility that the market may have calmed down (at least on recent production models like mine) by the time I replace it. If I sell the 30-30 myself to a local buyer (so I'm dealing with local market forces) I may be able to replace it later for the same or similar price (maybe less if the market calms down). If I sell the .45LC I won't be replacing it with a duplicate. I'll replace it with a .357 or .44mag and possibly with a Rossi or Marlin instead of a Winchester. Since I'd replace it with something a bit different, I'd prefer selling the .45LC except I don't get to the rifle range much so selling the .45LC without replacing it right away isn't an option. So, I'll likely sell the 30-30 unless, due to current premiums for Winchesters, I can sell the .45LC for enough to buy a .357 or .44 Marlin or Rossi and still have $100 or more left to put towards my finances.

Being away from grandpa stinks I know that for sure. Ever think about finding a teaching job near grandpa?

I like thinking outside the box. This would be an option, but not for now. My degree is in psychology and not education, so I am about another year from regular teaching certification. Until then, it makes it even harder to move from state to state (and normally, with a state certified/licensed profession like teaching, it can involve jumping through a lot of hoops and take a bit of time). Additionally, I've already committed to another year with my current employer, and to walk out on a teaching contract can involve the loss of certification altogether. So, realistically it will be a year or two before I can move to MN (which is otherwise on my list of states to consider if/when I leave MD) and by then my grandfather probably won't be around. Also, I don't want to leave the area while my aunt is fighting cancer (she lives nearby and probably has slightly lower than a 50/50 chance).

 

[chaim]

Have you considered selling to a 'wealthier' friend? one who could purchase the guns, and is likely to sell the ones you find you miss back to you when your cashflow issues are stabilized?

I'd help square you away, but I don't live in MD anymore. (and I am NOT going back!)

Good to hear from you. How is the military treating you? Are you sure you want to stay in free America and not come back to MD?

Anyway, my best friend (who has a great job) probably would help me out, but his wife won't really let him buy more guns. He has a few, but now to buy another he has to sell something he already has. Rarely he can buy a gun without selling, but it takes a lot of work to convince her (and a lot of buying her toys she wants). He also has to buy her jewelry equal to or greater than the price of the guns (so he probably won't want to buy a gun just to sell it back later). Those criteria basically stop him from buying anything else. My other friends either don't have much money or aren't into guns (and a couple fit in both groups).

Hate to tell you to sell any firearm. BUT if I had to this would be my criteria grouping selection.

#1 That firearm you dont like (you have done it already)
#2 The firearms that are doubled up on (like 2x .45 cal tactical pistols, etc)
#3 The firearms that you dont shoot very often

Obviously these would not be those with large sentimental value or your absolute favorites/antique types that you could not readily replace at your local gun shop next year.

Basically, that is the same as my thinking. I guess great minds think alike

1) The Bersa isn't really disliked, but I don't like it as much as other alternatives I've already bought to basically replace it. The Ruger isn't much liked (unreliable piece of junk). I'm not sure I dislike the Benelli, but it is a bit of a disappointment, and I know I like the less expensive Mossberg 500 much more.

2) Yes and no. These are more likely to be on the list, but it doesn't automatically put them on the list. I have 2 Win 94 lever rifles so I'm considering selling either the .45LC or 30-30. I have 2 full-size "high-cap" 9mm service pistols (CZ 75B and SIG 226) so one of them will probably go, but it isn't likely that both will. However, neither of my 1911s, K-frame .357s, or small framed snubs are on my list (though it could be argued that they aren't in the same catagory- one full-sized steel 1911 and one Commander sized scandium S&W 1911SC, one 3" stainless S&W 65 and one 4" blued S&W 19, and one steel framed DAO snub and one aluminum framed DAO snub).

3) Definately a major catagory. The AR is liked, but rarely shot and is too much money to have tied up in such a seldom used gun. The 586 rarely goes since I have much more liked guns in the same (or similar) catagories. While I love my S&W 57 I've put it on the list due to the combination of its value and the fact that I rarely shoot it due to ammo costs and availability. The time since the Bersa was shot could be counted in years. Etc.