I'm trying to sell one of my handguns in to fund a rifle purchase. Which gun shop out here in the Seattle to Olympia area will give me the most for my gun? I was going to be buying an AR over at Larrys Guns in Lacey and if anyone has any experience with selling guns to them, please chime in. I'd like to get as much as I can for the pistol. (two tone Llamma Mini-Max .45 in mint condition) Before I buy the AR this Saturday. Thanks.
WA residents, which shop to sell my gun to?
- Thread starter Ari
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I think you can get a lot more if you sell it to a private party in the state. WHy dont you advertise it in the "for sale" section on this board? For a reasonable price im sure that someone will jump on it pretty quick. If i wasnt REAL broke at the moment i would be willing to take it off your hands. As far as gunshops go, ive never sold to one of them so i cant help you there.
Marty Hayes
Member
If one buys a new gun for $300, then the gun shop paid $250 for it. The same gun, in good but used condition should sell for about $240 at that gun shop. So, in order for the gun shop to make any money on purchasing a gun, the would give no more than $200. And this is for a high volume gunshop, where the guns do not hang around too long. That's the economics of trading in guns, and assuming that the gun is something that people want. If it is a piece of crap, or otherwise unpopular, you will get less.
As far as Larry's, I have known Larry for a long time, and have had some friends work there. He is a good guy, and will give you as good a deal as anyone, I believe. If you are buying a rifle there, then by all means, trade in the gun there. I would NEVER sell a gun to a private party, but instead, would always have the transaction go through an FFL dealer. Too much potential for problems.
As far as Larry's, I have known Larry for a long time, and have had some friends work there. He is a good guy, and will give you as good a deal as anyone, I believe. If you are buying a rifle there, then by all means, trade in the gun there. I would NEVER sell a gun to a private party, but instead, would always have the transaction go through an FFL dealer. Too much potential for problems.
priv8ter
Member
Hmmmm
With looking to do the deal this Saturday, you are cutting it close.
But, in dealing with a gun shop, you are gonna take it in the shorts. Not because gun shops are owned by bad people(although some are) but they need to make a profit.
Person to person is a much better deal for all involced, the seller and the buyer.
For instance, I am getting rid of an H&K USP....you see them around for $575ish...the gun store near me told me they would give me $375...instead, a fellow High Roader is getting it for a good deal, and I'm getting more for it than they would give me at the store.
With looking to do the deal this Saturday, you are cutting it close.
But, in dealing with a gun shop, you are gonna take it in the shorts. Not because gun shops are owned by bad people(although some are) but they need to make a profit.
Person to person is a much better deal for all involced, the seller and the buyer.
For instance, I am getting rid of an H&K USP....you see them around for $575ish...the gun store near me told me they would give me $375...instead, a fellow High Roader is getting it for a good deal, and I'm getting more for it than they would give me at the store.
Hey Marty,
I appreciate the input. I've never done a private sale. And that was what I was afraid of. I don't want to screw up and wind up in hot water. You are actually the 2nd person to recommend Larry, so I think I'll give him a try. I'll let him know you recommended him. Thanks.
I appreciate the input. I've never done a private sale. And that was what I was afraid of. I don't want to screw up and wind up in hot water. You are actually the 2nd person to recommend Larry, so I think I'll give him a try. I'll let him know you recommended him. Thanks.
ImJustRick
Member
Could you please elaborate?
I'm also in Seattle, and I also want to sell my current piece to fund something new. I understand that in Washington, private sales are totally legal and don't require any sort of paperwork, but when you say:
...it makes me nervous. What sort of problems?
Also, on a related topic, what's the best way to figure a fair price for a (slightly) used handgun? I can compare it to what's on GunBroker or AuctionArms, but one never knows if the asking prices are realistic, fair, and if they even sell.
Thanks
-Rick
I'm also in Seattle, and I also want to sell my current piece to fund something new. I understand that in Washington, private sales are totally legal and don't require any sort of paperwork, but when you say:
...it makes me nervous. What sort of problems?
Also, on a related topic, what's the best way to figure a fair price for a (slightly) used handgun? I can compare it to what's on GunBroker or AuctionArms, but one never knows if the asking prices are realistic, fair, and if they even sell.
Thanks
-Rick
ImJustRick
Member
Oh! Almost forgot-
Here's a rundown of the shops I frequent in the Seattle area, and my take on them-
Butch's on 99 - hmmm, well, I have been a customer of theirs, but they aren't the friendliest place. Nor do they offer the best prices. Nor do they seem 100% ethical. But they do sell a lot of Lorcins, Accu-Teks, and other gangsta guns. So I go in there to look because it's closeby, but I take my business elsewhere. If for no other reason than that they're rude.
Lynwood Gun & Ammo - The owner once tried to push a Standard Arms Sa9 on me when I was looking at a KelTec, saying it was the same thing. I walked out right then, never been back. That was irresponsible and totally shady.
Stan Baker's on Lake City Way - don't know much about this place; he doesn't have a lot of handguns in stockbut has a ton of long guns. Who knows? It's always busy when I'm in there, but his stock doesn't interest me much. YMMV
On the eastside, there's Wade's - a well-stocked shop, though I have no idea if they buy.
WSI is great. They will sell on consignment and the people are friendly, though their stock has been up and down lately. It seems like feast or famine over there.
So that's what I know. Best of luck... you must be excited.
-Rick
Here's a rundown of the shops I frequent in the Seattle area, and my take on them-
Butch's on 99 - hmmm, well, I have been a customer of theirs, but they aren't the friendliest place. Nor do they offer the best prices. Nor do they seem 100% ethical. But they do sell a lot of Lorcins, Accu-Teks, and other gangsta guns. So I go in there to look because it's closeby, but I take my business elsewhere. If for no other reason than that they're rude.
Lynwood Gun & Ammo - The owner once tried to push a Standard Arms Sa9 on me when I was looking at a KelTec, saying it was the same thing. I walked out right then, never been back. That was irresponsible and totally shady.
Stan Baker's on Lake City Way - don't know much about this place; he doesn't have a lot of handguns in stockbut has a ton of long guns. Who knows? It's always busy when I'm in there, but his stock doesn't interest me much. YMMV
On the eastside, there's Wade's - a well-stocked shop, though I have no idea if they buy.
WSI is great. They will sell on consignment and the people are friendly, though their stock has been up and down lately. It seems like feast or famine over there.
So that's what I know. Best of luck... you must be excited.
-Rick
tomkatz
Member
I only sell to Washington Arms Collectors members, and when I have sold to someone else, I want id and a concealed weapons permit, and they have to be willing to do the short firearms transfer which I then send to Olympia, there is a record of what transpired. Federal Way Discount Guns doesn't give you alot for your gun either, but they consign and if it is a popular gun they sell VERY quickly as they are a really busy store. The best place I have found for an outright buy is the Marksman off hiway 512 south of tacoma. All that being said, I agree, trade it in on the next one, most folks give a little better deal if you are buying one from them......tom
Marty Hayes
Member
...it makes me nervous. What sort of problems?
Like possibly selling your gun to a convicted felon, or a mentally disturbed person. I don't need the aggravation. That gun which you purchased over the counter in WA State is de-facto registered to you, in the "not supposed to be there" state data base. I don't want SPD showing up on my doorstep one night wanting to know why a gun traced to me was used to kill someone. The few extra bucks I might make by selling direct isn't worth the risk. A gun isn't a bicycle or a used car. it's a deadly weapon.
You want to get sued? Just sell a gun to a convicted felon who murders a judges son. You are going to get slapped with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for providing a felon with a deadly weapon. (I know, it's not right, but it is reality), and while you may beat it in court, the $50k it's going to take to defeat the lawsuit sure makes that extra $40 look foolish.
Like possibly selling your gun to a convicted felon, or a mentally disturbed person. I don't need the aggravation. That gun which you purchased over the counter in WA State is de-facto registered to you, in the "not supposed to be there" state data base. I don't want SPD showing up on my doorstep one night wanting to know why a gun traced to me was used to kill someone. The few extra bucks I might make by selling direct isn't worth the risk. A gun isn't a bicycle or a used car. it's a deadly weapon.
You want to get sued? Just sell a gun to a convicted felon who murders a judges son. You are going to get slapped with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for providing a felon with a deadly weapon. (I know, it's not right, but it is reality), and while you may beat it in court, the $50k it's going to take to defeat the lawsuit sure makes that extra $40 look foolish.
priv8ter
Member
Not sure what he means...
Imjustrick:
quote:
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I would NEVER sell a gun to a private party, but instead, would always have the transaction go through an FFL dealer. Too much potential for problems.
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...it makes me nervous. What sort of problems?
I'm not sure what he is refering too exactly. I guess you could worry that someone will use your former gun to commit a crime. And then they could trace the number to you...
I function by the CYOA principle. Use your computer, print up some kind of Bill of Sale with the guns serial number and the name of each party, and both of you sign each copy.
That's what I do, and if one of my former guns get's used for something wrong, I am willing to trust that to keep me out of trouble.
I suppose going through a FFL generates a bit 'harder' of a paper trail, I just don't feel like giving someone else money I don't have to. Give's me Heart Burn.
As far as figuring out a price...I did some looking on Gunbroker.com, and most importantly, asked a gun shop what THEY would give me for it. Then I just set a price somewhere between the two values that I didn't think would upset either the buyer, or the seller.
Besides...negotiating is half the fun...
By the way, what you selling?
Imjustrick:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would NEVER sell a gun to a private party, but instead, would always have the transaction go through an FFL dealer. Too much potential for problems.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...it makes me nervous. What sort of problems?
I'm not sure what he is refering too exactly. I guess you could worry that someone will use your former gun to commit a crime. And then they could trace the number to you...
I function by the CYOA principle. Use your computer, print up some kind of Bill of Sale with the guns serial number and the name of each party, and both of you sign each copy.
That's what I do, and if one of my former guns get's used for something wrong, I am willing to trust that to keep me out of trouble.
I suppose going through a FFL generates a bit 'harder' of a paper trail, I just don't feel like giving someone else money I don't have to. Give's me Heart Burn.
As far as figuring out a price...I did some looking on Gunbroker.com, and most importantly, asked a gun shop what THEY would give me for it. Then I just set a price somewhere between the two values that I didn't think would upset either the buyer, or the seller.
Besides...negotiating is half the fun...
By the way, what you selling?
ImJustRick
Member
What I have to sell
I'd like to sell my Ruger P95. It's been really reliable and I've taken obsessively good care of it, but I can't conceal it at work (where CCW is verboten).
So I'm looking at the Kahr MK9... but I'll hate to see the Ruger go!
We have a one-gun rule in my household. Seeing as how my better half is opposed to any and I'm opposed to none, that's the best compromise she and I could come up with.
What do you suppose a good price is?
-R
I'd like to sell my Ruger P95. It's been really reliable and I've taken obsessively good care of it, but I can't conceal it at work (where CCW is verboten).
So I'm looking at the Kahr MK9... but I'll hate to see the Ruger go!
We have a one-gun rule in my household. Seeing as how my better half is opposed to any and I'm opposed to none, that's the best compromise she and I could come up with.
What do you suppose a good price is?
-R
braindead0
Member
$50
Jeff OTMG
Member
I have done a number of face to face transfers in the last 25 years, no problems. Just make sure the person is of legal age, doesn't appear intoxicated, doesn't appear to be a foreigner, and isn't making comments that he is going to go out and commit a crime. If the gun gets used in a crime at some point down the road and ATF is called in for a trace via the yellow sheet, all you have to tell them is that you sold the gun. If a face to face sale between private parties is legal then you have nothing to worry about. KEEP IT LEGAL. The information that ATF gets from the yellow sheet is confidential and not public information. I will not show my complete ID to anyone that I buy a gun from because I do not want them to have my home address. If I own one I probably own more and I don't want to be the target of a burglary.
HBK
member
I've dealt with Larry several times. He always gave me a very fair deal, especially with trades. I think the way to go is a trade because you will get more value in a trade than in cash. Plus, dealing with a gun shop gives you absolute proof that the gun is out of your hands.
1
12.7x99mm
Guest
If you dont have a membership to WAC (Washington State Arms Collectors) Get one for the shows in Puyallup and Monroe. You can usally part with items for a decent price there.
Or post them up here like mentioned above
Or up on auctionarms.com you would be supprised what people pay on that site.
Or post them up here like mentioned above
Or up on auctionarms.com you would be supprised what people pay on that site.
commygun
Member
I've bought and traded in quite a few used guns at Larry's and
always felt I was getting a balanced deal. Larry is obviously
not forgetting his bottom line when he makes an offer on your
trade in but he doesn't turn around and sell it for a grossly
inflated price like some gunshow huckster. It's a square shop
and hopefully he's in business for a long time. I'm guessing
that $200 is about right for what he'll allow in trade for
your Llama. Let us know how it goes.
always felt I was getting a balanced deal. Larry is obviously
not forgetting his bottom line when he makes an offer on your
trade in but he doesn't turn around and sell it for a grossly
inflated price like some gunshow huckster. It's a square shop
and hopefully he's in business for a long time. I'm guessing
that $200 is about right for what he'll allow in trade for
your Llama. Let us know how it goes.
Gordy Wesen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2003
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Adventure Sports in Edmonds, WA on Hwy 99 has a great bunch of guys who will give you as good a deal as any.
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