Used "upgraded" gun prices

[JRH6856]

Sights, grips, holsters, and magazines are the only things for which I would consider paying or asking extra.

About the only thing there that adds value for me would be magazines. Sights would have to be an upgrade of fixed to adjustable or open to optical, and even then the new ones would have to be really high end. Grips and holsters generally don't do anything for me as I am left handed and have relatively small hands. But if it happens to be a left handed holster, that is a plus.

 

[Ed Ames]

Holsters, it seems have much less resale value compared to new prices but they do still add some value

I have picked up a few holsters that were tossed in with used guns. Frankly they have zero value in the deal. I haven't and won't pay a dollar extra to get the holster. Why? There is some weird psychology involved because if I saw the same holster at a yard sale for $2 I would probably buy it, and if they were selling it alone they would never accept what I actually paid extra (over what I would have paid for the gun without the holster) - $0.

E.g. someone tossed a Bianchi 100 Professional in with a gun I bought. That holster would cost you $45ish from Amazon. I wouldn't buy it though - it isn't a style of holster I like (single clip IWB is not my thing). They would have been far better off selling it separately. I even offered to let them keep the holster but they were set on including it in the deal.

I think the reason is that the holster is more of a personal choice. For any given gun there are a dozen types of holster and what one person hates another might love. We all have holster boxes and want to avoid yet more clutter.

 

[JRH6856]

There is one guy I often encounter browsing the used rifle racks at Cabela's. He is looking at the glass, not the guns. He claims that every so often, he finds a gun with a premium scope still attached, buys it, and resells both separately, often getting more for the scope than the gun.

 

[mgkdrgn]

A significant number of gun owners think every thing they own is "gold plated", and is worth every dime they put into it (at retail) plus some profit to them.

Sometimes they find some sucker out there that agrees with them.

Most of the time they don't and have to accept taking a big bite of reality to get their stuff sold.

Classic example, "Ducks Unlimited" shotguns. So, you paid $1300 for that Rem 1100 at the Ducks Unlimited auction. Good for you, money went to a good cause.

However, that doesn't mean it's worth that, or more, to someone else that hasn't been eating (and DRINKING) for the last 3 hours and isn't in a bidding fever with 4 other guys.

 

[OilyPablo]

"Threw some 2014 rubber grips on and lost the 19XX wooden grips."

Agree a real turn off. And as with most things, it depends. Maybe you can find the real original grips maybe you can't, but if the guy selling it was the same fellow who changed grips and he didn't keep the original........or sold them off.........argh.......well that should be good for a hefty discount!

As for hack jobs? It depends but I will buy a basketcase at the right price. I have some nice guns doing this. Marlin Camp 9. Bubba Kiddo Hack Job III. Under $100. Barrel was OK, just needed to be stripped and blued, bought a few new parts. Colt Trooper nearly same deal. But this thread is about newer guns over NIB price.......yeah I would pass.

 

[mgkdrgn]

There is one guy I often encounter browsing the used rifle racks at Cabela's. He is looking at the glass, not the guns. He claims that every so often, he finds a gun with a premium scope still attached, buys it, and resells both separately, often getting more for the scope than the gun.

Not very often I would wager. Used optics prices are pennies on the dollar. Just look at all the glass that is =not selling= on GunBroker.

 

[mgmorden]

Not very often I would wager. Used optics prices are pennies on the dollar. Just look at all the glass that is =not selling= on GunBroker.

For your run of the mill Konus and Simmons that's true, but certain brands they still sell pretty well. My Winchester Mod 70 .270 I negotiated down to $275 at the pawn shop I bought it from. It had a Leupold VariX-II atop it. I've watched that scope sell pretty consistently for $125 to 150 on Gunbroker used - that's still half what the VX-II's are new.

I debated selling the scope myself thinking "You know, if I get $150 out of the scope I basically got that rifle for $125). Then I remember that if I plan on keeping the rifle I'd just have to buy another scope myself and I nix the idea .

True to the spirit of the thread though - the rifle with the scope didn't really sell for that much more together and I wouldn't have bought it if it'd been priced to reflect that scope on it. They're still worth more separately.

 

[FireInCairo]

I agree. I am very leary of guns which have had trigger work done to them. You never know who did it and whether it was done right. In general, and this goes for anything you're reselling, modding it (even at great cost) does not raise the value.

 

[JRH6856]

Not very often I would wager. Used optics prices are pennies on the dollar. Just look at all the glass that is =not selling= on GunBroker.

I said "every so often", not "every time". I know I've never found one.

 

[tallpaul]

I’m so sick and tired of having to spend extra cash to get rid of the recycled tires masquerading as grips. I wish that when someone has to but those on a gun that they would keep the original wood grips for when they sell it.

The factory smith stocks used to be worthless to most for actual shooting- I laugh at all the guys like you that have to run out n get "original" grips for the guns to enjoy them. Pachmeyers tend to shoot better for most although I am favoring aftermarket wood/laminate for mine to shoot. I remember when most just tossed the original smith grips

 

[sgt127]

If I'm buying a used gun, the less work, the better. A stainless revolver that someone has"polished" to a mirror finish is worth considerably less than the unmolested one, with honest wear, sitting beside it.

Some things that add a little value to me are a good durable finish (like hard chrome) on a used gun that I would do anyway. But it adds very little in my mind. Maybe a quarter of the value of the finish if I had it done.

 

[Anmut]

Agree with the OP - just because you can install a $24 trigger and butt plug on a Glock doesn't make it worth $100 over retail.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The OP is surely correct. Two things that I do feel add some extra value are night sights (if they're still bright) and trigger work done by a known and respected smith. I'm thinking specifically of Bruce Gray's work on HKs.

 

[Elkins45]

The factory smith stocks used to be worthless to most for actual shooting- I laugh at all the guys like you that have to run out n get "original" grips for the guns to enjoy them. Pachmeyers tend to shoot better for most although I am favoring aftermarket wood/laminate for mine to shoot. I remember when most just tossed the original smith grips

Thank you for saving me the trouble of having to type the same thing.

 

[ID-shooting]

Doesnt the blue book state modified guns loose half value to original configuration?

I get into it now and then on a local gun trade forum when some kid's sks or mosin got raped by the Tapco rep and all the original parts are gone yet they ask double retail of the gun trying to get their money back.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Generally speaking, upgrades don't add a lot to the value of the gun, unless you happen across a buyer looking for something similar. Gun upgrades are personal choices.

 

[mgmorden]

The factory smith stocks used to be worthless to most for actual shooting- I laugh at all the guys like you that have to run out n get "original" grips for the guns to enjoy them. Pachmeyers tend to shoot better for most although I am favoring aftermarket wood/laminate for mine to shoot. I remember when most just tossed the original smith grips

It's still personal preference. I absolutely loathe the feel of rubber on my hands - I also can't stand finger grooves on a gun. I still shoot my Model 64 with the stock S&W grips and wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[OilyPablo]

The factory smith stocks used to be worthless to most for actual shooting- I laugh at all the guys like you that have to run out n get "original" grips for the guns to enjoy them. Pachmeyers tend to shoot better for most although I am favoring aftermarket wood/laminate for mine to shoot. I remember when most just tossed the original smith grips

I was referring to Colt grips. People tossed Python and Trooper wood grips. Main point was, you should at least keep them with the gun. Crazy to throw away any grips really.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I would handle this much the same way I would for a car that had after market mods.

Namely, if that's what I'm looking for, then great...and I'm more amenable to a comensurate price negotiation.

If it's not...then I'll either pass it by or see if the seller is willing to haggle down somewhat.

I don't agree that every modification to a gun necessarily needs to be performed by a certified gunsmith any more than I believe every modification to a car requires a certified mechanic. And the value of a gun, like a car, is based on a variety of factors, and after market modifications DO figure into this.

A fair price is whatever both the seller and the buyer agree on, regardless of the circumstances (assuming no fraud, of course).

So you'll just have to decide for yourself what these things are (or are not) worth to you in your bargaining...and whether the seller agrees or not is up to him.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

A significant number of gun owners think every thing they own is "gold plated", and is worth every dime they put into it (at retail) plus some profit to them.

Sometimes they find some sucker out there that agrees with them.

Most of the time they don't and have to accept taking a big bite of reality to get their stuff sold.

Of COURSE their guns are gold plated to them. Just like mine are gold plated to me for a variety of reasons. That's a reality for everybody, to one extent or another.



The question is whether or not there is a buyer out there who agrees with the gold plating for any given gun + mods being sold. If not...then he's likely to take something of a loss on his personal assessment of value, whether it was realistic or not.

I've seen plenty I've rolled my eyes on...and a few that, had I been in the market to buy at the time, I would have picked up for a higher price than someone else would likely pay.

 

[CraigC]

Totally depends on what it is, what was done, how well and by whom. That's the only generalizations one can safely make. A 629MG with aftermarket springs is one thing. A 629MG with a professional action job by Bob Munden with the papers to prove it, is something else entirely. Same for optics, holsters, everything. An Uncle Mike's nylon holster is worth next to nothing. A floral carved Heiser or Lawrence is another matter entirely. A brand new Tasco is worthless while a well used Leupold adds value. A set of rubber Hogue grips will detract from the value of an older S&W that came with checkered walnut. Exhibition grade French walnut by Roy Fishpaw will easily bring full replacement cost or even more because he's not taking on new customers. Same for finish work. A factory reblue adds nothing, a basement cold blue reduces value. A full refinish in Turnbull case colors or charcoal blue definitely adds value.

The old wisdom about custom guns and modifications does not necessarily hold true any more. Custom guns by reputable `smith's are holding their value very, very well.

 

[orionengnr]

I have paid extra for an "upgraded" firearm exactly once.

It was a 4" S&W M-25 (.45LC) that had been through by Hamilton Bowen's shop and had some work done (and had the receipts to go along with it). I paid $1000 for that revolver, and it was the sweetest action I have ever experienced. It was also beautiful...too beautiful to carry. The fact that I had its twin in a newer -13 model meant I carried it instead.

So, in accordance with my longstanding rule (if I don't carry it or shoot it regularly, it's gone) I sold it.

And of all the guns I have bought and sold, that is the one I regret selling.

 

[peacebutready]

This is something I've wondered about myself. That is, how much more is a gun worth if it has upgrades/mods done by a known and respected 'smith, with the receipts to prove it. An example of this is if the Springfield Armory Custom Shop were to do work to a 1911 (or XD), how much would the value go up for every dollar you spend on upgrades/mods? I guess it depends on the upgrade/mod. Anyone wish to speculate on what upgrades/mods would increase value the most per dollar spent? Which upgrades/mods increase value the least per dollar spent?

 

[JRH6856]

This is something I've wondered about myself. That is, how much more is a gun worth if it has upgrades/mods done by a known and respected 'smith, with the receipts to prove it. An example of this is if the Springfield Armory Custom Shop were to do work to a 1911 (or XD), how much would the value go up for every dollar you spend on upgrades/mods? I guess it depends on the upgrade/mod. Anyone wish to speculate on what upgrades/mods would increase value the most per dollar spent? Which upgrades/mods increase value the least per dollar spent?

What ever mod is done only makes the gun worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Not a $ more or less. Not every prospective buyer will see the same value or be willing to pay the same price.

 

[peacebutready]

What ever mod is done only makes the gun worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Not a $ more or less. Not every prospective buyer will see the same value or be willing to pay the same price.

There is some kind of book for used gun values. I don't know if they say to add more value if the gun has a certain upgrade. I don't think it does.