Thinning The Accumulation - How?

[BigBL87]

Gunbroker and Armslist for online options.

In addition, if you can find a firearm forum specific to your state/region (as an example, I am on illinoiscarry.com) that is a great option. The nice thing is it kind of helps filter out some of the weirdos and scammers you run into on Armslist. That has actually been where I have had the greatest success selling. I also crosspost what I'm selling to every forum I'm on that allows the selling firearms and/or firearm related things to cast a wider net.

 

[Climb14er]

I've been thinning my quantity of guns over the last few years, using Armslist, face to face at a nearby FFL for the transaction. In Colorado, all firearm sales are FTF so the Armslist worked well. ABSOLUTELY did not ship on Armslist! The FTF is a better option if you have patience. CASH ONLY TOO!

 

[CDMCKY]

I've used Armslist.com (locally, for free) with great success and I used to use
Backpage.com before it was seized by The Feds, for their ridiculous porn/sex
ads. I've been using the new Backpagegun.com, (which is just like the old
Backpage.com), but it's only for selling guns; it's very good too (and free).

 

[wickedsprint]

I only kept guns that filled a specific need.

CCW / Home defense

 

[22250Rem]

Thinned out the collection a bit this past Sat.... Per my original post in this thread; that No. 1 Mk. III Lee-Enfield sold at that auction house for $475. and I believe they get 25% of that, ( I had previously mentioned 20% ). Was hoping for a little more but I'm happy because I didn't have to mess around trying to sell it . Took it down there a few months ago. They handled everything and gave me a receipt and now I should soon be getting a check in the mail. So the whole process for me was very easy. Might even let them do another gun that I'm thinking of selling as I downsize. They also sold the bayonet & scabbard separately for either 50 or 55 bucks ( They sold two identical ones and I'm not sure which was mine). Here's a screen shot from their web site listing it as sold.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Nothing to do with the topic, but as a 46 year member of ATC and almost end to ender, good luck on your hike.

First off, thanks! I have an uncle who did it with a friend in 1975, I think he's also equally excited about the prospect of another member of the family doing it. My current girlfriend has also made me swear that I won't find any excuses to not go. (Yes, she's a keeper! )

Honestly, anymore my gun trading/buying habits do not revolve much about a gun's "value". I don't have any desire to be robbed or swindled, but to me, since I have a decent job and can pay my bills, I simply figure out what I want more, and then trade guns to my local gun shop for about 60-65% of what they would cost new. They can then turn around and sell them for about 80 to 85% of new price, because I take good care of my guns and take them in clean. This helps support a wonderful LGS, keeps me in good standing as a well liked customer that they like to deal with, and I get the guns I want, and get rid of the ones I don't. To me it's win win.

I view guns I own as money already spent, not really any sort of investment or asset, and if they aren't really getting shot, or being used for a specific purpose, or bringing me some sort of happiness, then that money is sitting idle anyway. So I don't really care if I lose a little money? I'd rather trade a few guns toward a higher end model I really want, as I am not spending additional money, and ultimately I don't really feel I'm losing out. Over a lifetime I suppose it will add up to a few thousand dollars of lost value, but maybe I should be more concerned about the wasted gasoline I use and payed for in my truck to drive to the liquor store, when I could easily walk there. Maybe I drink less too, so I'm not pissing money away on a luxury when that cash should be going into my savings account.

If you are really not in the best financial spot, my way of thinking may not apply. But if guns you just enjoy having are part of your life at all, I suspect you've got your finances figured out.

So I guess my point is I'd figure out what I do want, and use guns you want to do away with as layaway payments for those. Just my stance. There's undoubtedly a lot of people who would see it as wasteful.

Next up, you're correct about having the finances worked out. The guns (and other objects) are going not to fund the project, but to put them with folks who will either use them or are OK leaving them in the safe to take out and look at occasionally. What I've learned over the years is that I am NOT the best person to do the second part of that. Mostly.

Again, thanks for the ideas all. And for the curious at home, the not-rare guns are some CZ-452s and a couple of early 80s vintage S&W revolvers. I may consign the CZ452FS at the LGS fairly soon. The CZs are actually very nice rifles, particularly for the price point, but my real desire for a nice .22 sporter is one Anschutz 54 sporter.

Lastly, I'm not in complete sell-off mode either. Just the other week I snagged the first Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32 ACP I've ever seen in person. Look out for a thread on that in the Autoloaders forum later this weekend. I've also been considering grabbing a CZ Scorpion carbine once a few other items have been moved along...

 

[bikerdoc]

The THR trading post gets good results

 

[dh1633pm]

A couple people mentioned it right away. If you want things to sell, then price them as such. I am moving very shortly (next week or so, just waiting on a closing date). I had to pack up everything. I had to make the house look like a gun owner didn't live there. Try doing that in between work trips. Including one to Germany for two weeks. Add int reloading supplies and ammo and you have a bunch to move about. Got it done by selling some things and moving others. Non gun related stuff that we didn't want to move, we sold. Things priced right sell fast.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
He's right. Too many of us tend to price items at the high end to sell but we like to buy at the low end.
What I've sold recently I've priced in the middle with a bit of "wiggle room" factored in.
Could I have gotten more..? Maybe... but "maybe" ain't cash.

 

[Sniper66]

I've tried consignment with ZERO success. Sold a few thru a local advertising flyer called the Trading Post. But, by far the most success has come from networking, networking, networking!! Today I just sold a 3rd gun to my neighbor's father; all 3 sight-unseen. I've sent photos and a description. The guy has come to trust the pics and description. Can't tell you how many copies of my list I've emailed and snail-mailed. Tomorrow I'm trying a Swap Meet at my gun club. My strong favorite is selling thru networking. I get to know the buyers and I've made some new friends. By the way, I don't do this as a business as that would require a FFL. It's a hobby...guns and shooting....buying and selling goes with the territory. I am trying to sell guns I have ceased using and helping out a couple of friends.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

As Mr Sniper66 and I were discussing over coffee yesterday finding buyers is not as easy as one would hope.
Another problem that I am looking at is the accumulation of traditional muzzle loaders that I have and who and where to sell them..?
Talk about a limited interest market...

 

[Flintshooter]

As Mr Sniper66 and I were discussing over coffee yesterday finding buyers is not as easy as one would hope.
Another problem that I am looking at is the accumulation of traditional muzzle loaders that I have and who and where to sell them..?
Talk about a limited interest market...

With traditional muzzleloaders it can be a matter of how good and where. It can be very difficult to get rid of a high end one. However, if that’s what you have Track of the Wolf is an option (even for production guns) and Clay Smith is practically begging for consignment guns right now but he tends to offer hand built only. Depending on where you live there are antique arms shows and trade fairs that can be good for moving guns.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Another problem that I am looking at is the accumulation of traditional muzzle loaders that I have and who and where to sell them..?
Talk about a limited interest market...

Depends on what you have, and the quality of them. Civil War stuff I'd put on the N-SSA bulletin board. Anything else I'd put on gunBroker. Or try to sell at the Baltimore Antique Gun Show. The big problem is setting a price - I've seen too many people try to flog off third-rate guns for a first-rate price.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Well Kansas is a limited market but the KMA does have a sale/show at their annual convention.
TOW is an idea to consider but shipping them up there could get expensive. I am a long way from the Maryland show but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[22250Rem]

Update to my previous post..... Got a check in the mail this week from the auction house. Commission was 20%. Got paid in less than 2 weeks. $475. for the rifle and $50. for the bayonet and scabbard. $525. total.... After the $105. commission I got 420 bucks. The whole deal was easy for me... They basically handled everything and then sent me the check. Here's part of the invoice.