What is your take on the used gun market?

[Hokkmike]

If you are like me you have traded and perhaps sold a few guns you'd like to have back. But that aside, do you think that you are getting a fair value for the guns you have sold or do you find yourself discounting them far more than you like just sell them?

With all of the new caliber developments, innovations, twists in design, and new lighter stronger materials, especially in the niche of semi auto handguns and lighter "mountain" rifles, it seems like the frenzy to pitch and sell new models is at an all time high. AR's are in a category all by themselves with new models appearing almost daily. Sure, there are classics in all categories that always seem to hold their value and maybe even increase some. But I think there is a huge range of the reliable and everyday gun that is taking a beating on the used market.

What is your take on this? (and..thanks)

 

[C5rider]

Interesting concept for a thread.

I've always held that the only people who stand a chance at getting burned would be those who purchase something simply for the investment value. If you buy something because you like it and want it, then it doesn't matter how much you paid, even if it was more than what others would have shelled out. If you want it, then you're not banking on the fickle market of others' future desires.

That said, there's nothing wrong with getting a good deal on something. I've bought "cheap" guns that others wouldn't even pay attention to and I've had a lot of fun with them. I have others that are fairly desirable that I got for a good price. I looked at the purchase of these items as saving some money, not increasing my profits down the road. IF that were to happen, then of course, that's a good thing too! Just not my motivation for doing it. My .000002, it's worth every penny you paid for it. LOL!

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes, interesting question. At this stage, I rarely buy new guns (I made an exception for the new GP100 in .44 Special ... ). I've developed a fair sense of value in the used gun market and always have my eyes open for a good deal. The only time I feel like I've taken a bath on the sale of a gun was when I sold one I bought new. For the most part, I've made a few dollars on the sale of guns I bought used.

Things differ by locale. I moved to Texas from southwest PA a couple of years ago. My observation is that the used market here in TX is far more expensive than PA. I've had a much harder time finding good deals here. So I don't have the impression that "everyday guns" are taking a beating on the local used market ... much to my (buying) regret!

 

[Captcurt]

I have found that I can make more off of the sales of used guns. With the market like it is, a small gun shop has to compete with large chain stores and the internet. I have had people look at my guns at a gun show and pull out their phones to check the online prices. Selling other peoples guns online has worked better for me. I don't have the overhead and I make a little even if they don't sell. It is hard for me to make over 5% on a new gun. Hardly worth the effort.

 

[JJE]

I've only owned about 15 guns and only bought one used: a 1976 New Model Ruger Blackhawk. This is the only gun I'd actually be able to sell for more than I paid, just because prices have gone up quite a bit. All my other guns are high quality and well-cared for but they aren't collectible, so I'd expect to lose 25% or 33%, since I'd just consign them and pay the gun shop percentage. I've recently started to sell guns that I don't shoot because they don't fit my hands well or because the sights are bad for me and not easily upgraded (I really need some kind of optic for my old eyes). I could get more money if I was willing to sell them myself, but since I'm going to sell a total of 7 or 8, and only plan to buy, at most, 3 new guns in the forseeable future I don't need to make every possible buck on the sales, and I'd rather go shooting than be a used gun salesman.

I bought the Ruger used because it was a pretty good deal and looked new, but after finding out how many people poke around inside their guns to "improve" them, I don't think I'd buy used again.

 

[grampajack]

I trade guns a lot, and I feel like I usually get the better end of the deal. Occasionally I'll take a loss on one just to get rid of it, but I really have to hate a gun to want to unload it that badly. I got one of those LCPs a while back that I traded for a crate of ammo, and may have lost a few bucks I don't know. I was so happy to get rid of the little bugger I didn't care. A couple ARs I had built I may have lost a few pennies on, but I was ready to move on to bigger and better things and had long since built a better AR, making them pretty much dead weight in my collection.

I've kind of got three categories of guns. One is guns I will never sell because of their collector or sentimental value to me. The second is guns that I would sell or trade for the right deal, if it gets me closer to guns I would rather have more (but I would never take a loss on them and would be happy to keep them in my collection forever). The third category is working guns, which I consider to be somewhat disposable. This would include my carry guns and house guns. If something better comes along then I would have no problem taking a small loss on them. It's no different than upgrading cars, electronics, whatever, except that the loss I take on those guns isn't nearly as substantial as what the average person loses upgrading their danged iphone. I can go through 10 carry pieces for what it would cost me to upgrade to the iphone 7 so I'm not really sweating it.

Of course there's a fourth category, my SHTF guns so to speak, that I keep back for that seemingly inevitable day when either guns are outlawed or the economy finally capsizes. I have cheap lowers, hi cap magazines, ammo, and cheap used pump shotguns. None of it's collectible by any stretch of the imagination, but it's stuff I would never sell and add to whenever I see stuff on sale.

 

[bannockburn]

Hokkmike

The last few times I sold guns I did it at a local gun shop on consignment. This way I get the price I want and the shop gets a fair amount for handling the sale (a certain percentage of the sale price). When looking for used guns to buy I find the local gun shows to be pretty decent in terms of selection but not always on price. Usually I will just bide my time til I find the right deal. I have also done some buying and selling online and have always done alright in both types of transactions.

 

[Airman Basic]

Bought and sold several. Only thing for sure; I've never sold one that I wasn't sorry about later!

 

[22-rimfire]

I think everything depends on whole quickly you want to convert that firearm to cash assuming you're pricing things close to market for the condition. Firearms aren't very liquid. I used to have fun buying and selling but never really made any money selling... $20 here, occasionally $50, but often a small loss or what I consider breaking even. I used to trade a good bit. It kept me interested and in the game. Now, I pretty much sit on the sidelines.

 

[bikemutt]

Depends on the gun. I just traded off a semi-auto bullpup I just about couldn't give away. When I bought it they were hard to find, now you have to be careful not to trip over one in a gun store. In the end I took it in the shorts but, there are degrees of shorts-taking, mine was the standard kind. And, I got something I really wanted out of the trade.

There have been a few I regret selling, a pre-14 S&W model 14 comes to mind, maybe a few snake guns too.

In any event, I don't see where good used guns are going for low prices around here, especially handguns and shotguns.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a fair handle on the value of firearms locally. That said I will always bide my time and only buy for a fair to good deal whether new or used. Interestingly I have only purchased a stripped AR lower in the last 8 years. Without exception everything that I own now has at least kept up with inflation and some are stellar performers. If I had to sell everything today I could mark it down 25% from current sales value and still average a 20%-25% profit. BUT had I realized what a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle was going to be worth today I MIGHT have purchased more of them off the LGS used rack at $250 or less each about 12 years ago.Ditto for the $45 SKS that worked.

 

[drband]

I buy guns I want to shoot so I guess I'm not a "collector." New prices are really competitive now (good) and used are taking a hit in price in my area (also good, unless you're selling).

I think there are really deals to be had in both new and used if you can be patient! Trouble is... I'm not very patient!

 

[Ks5shooter]

A firearm is worth what someone will pay for it. Most high dollar collectible stuff is being held on to for investment or to pass on to kids,grandkids etc. That being said there is a lot of"barrett -Jackson syndrome"out there, thinking everything is worth a ton of money. New or recent guns are like the baseball cards,they make a ton of them and are no longer worth collecting...mho

 

[grampajack]

I think everything depends on whole quickly you want to convert that firearm to cash assuming you're pricing things close to market for the condition. Firearms aren't very liquid. I used to have fun buying and selling but never really made any money selling... $20 here, occasionally $50, but often a small loss or what I consider breaking even. I used to trade a good bit. It kept me interested and in the game. Now, I pretty much sit on the sidelines.

This. Guns are a great investment if you know which ones to buy, but you can't expect them to provide you with "emergency funds." You'll lose every time if you try to sell a gun in a certain time frame.

 

[22-rimfire]

This. Guns are a great investment if you know which ones to buy, but you can't expect them to provide you with "emergency funds." You'll lose every time if you try to sell a gun in a certain time frame.

I agree. I used to buy guns just for the fun of it at what I thought were good prices (shows mostly). People who feel they have to sell almost always loose. Better to build up an emergency fund (cash perhaps in an envelope since interest rates are so low) and only buy guns that you want to shoot or you feel are a good investment. Picking firearm investments is tough and it is mostly luck of the draw because you were interested in those guns when prices were a lot lower and all of a sudden, interest and the value increases.

 

[Hokkmike]

Thanks all, for your replies so far......

 

[243winxb]

Some are hot, some are not. S&W hot. Win. M12 not. Paying 20% 0ff selling price for auction or consignment fees is a lot to pay. But may be worth it, not having to deal with buyers.

I have only lost money on 1 gun, so far. By selling them myself and in no hurry to move it.

http://www.horstauction.com/guns i like to follow selling prices here in Ephrata, PA.

 

[loose noose]

I've sold a few guns, however none of the guns that I bought new. I generally buy used if available. I did purchase several new firearms that I got a great price on after checking the used price on the same arms. Normally I don't like to sell any firearms as I'm a collector, however I've found pretty good deals on used rifles, and several pistols around here lately and enjoy bartering with the perspective seller on price.

 

[jmr40]

Over the years I've bought/sold/traded a bunch. I've lost count, but over 100. In my youth I made some bad decisions and lost money on some that I either should have kept, or never bought. But as I gained experience I started doing better. Virtually all of the guns currently in my safe as well as most bought over the years were bought used. I found that If I bought a new gun and didn't like it I'd end up selling it for about the same price I could have bought it for used.

I still didn't always break even, but I'd lose a lot less when I let one go and I've made a small profit a handful of times. A lot depends on how long you keep them. Unless you find a motivated seller it is hard to break even or come out ahead in the short run. But I've bought guns, kept them several years before deciding they just weren't what I wanted and did OK when selling or trading them.

I've never thought of guns as an investment. I'd buy often buy a gun just to try something new. I just knew I'd hate a Glock, until I bought a used one cheap. I just knew I'd love the HK-45, until I bought a used one cheap. Hated the HK, but since I didn't have much in it came out OK when I sold it.

 

[Laphroaig]

If I was in any mind to sell, my milsurps would be the only ones I would profit much from. CMP garands, springfields, carbines. Also bought a couple K31's and a M96 Swede. But I'm not into those for the money.

 

[22-rimfire]

....I've never thought of guns as an investment. I'd buy often buy a gun just to try something new. I just knew I'd hate a Glock, until I bought a used one cheap. I just knew I'd love the HK-45, until I bought a used one cheap. Hated the HK, but since I didn't have much in it came out OK when I sold it.

The gun I thought I would like was an Uzi... not for me. Sold it off in about a year. I felt the same way about Glocks until I bought one. They just work really well and they point naturally for me. I really don't think of guns as an investment either. I collected stuff I liked and if I make a bit of coin selling eventually, so be it. But I would have done better in the stock market.

 

[Twiki357]

I can’t speak to the general gun market. For the last 10+ years all I have purchased are used Smith & Wesson revolvers and in the last year or two those prices seem to have skyrocketed. All my 40+ S&Ws are shooters, although I do have a few collectables. It seems like the only ones that haven’t gone up are the model 10 and 64 LEO turn-ins.

I’ve never sold a gun and am not planning on doing so, so the recent value increases don’t mean much to me. I will say that every gun I bought new in the last 10/15 years is now worth less than what I paid for it. All non-S&Ws.

 

[grampajack]

Some are hot, some are not. S&W hot. Win. M12 not. Paying 20% 0ff selling price for auction or consignment fees is a lot to pay. But may be worth it, not having to deal with buyers.

I have only lost money on 1 gun, so far. By selling them myself and in no hurry to move it.

http://www.horstauction.com/guns i like to follow selling prices here in Ephrata, PA.

Gunbroker is 5% for the first 50 dollars, and 2.5% after that. Very reasonable in my opinion, especially with the more often than not absurd prices they seem to fetch for the seller.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I have always been in Acquisition Mode and never in sell mode. All buying has been new and none sold.

 

[Ignition Override]

Have you guys used Armslist? This has been the only method to find a wide selection of guns to buy in person/FTF.
I've sold at least five.

****How does one compare the used market for a Bulgy Makarov, or Enfield #4 with a lightly-used S&W M&P 'AR'? Somebody will suggest that the value of all of these might be 20-30% less than you see elsewhere for the same condition.

They now wait like vultures for Deflation to bring most ARs down to the new standard of $550.

Without Armslist to sell or buy ten of my guns, the only Local method to sell would be to take a major loss selling to a gun shop at 'their' wholesale price. Or a guy offering you half of its value (based on 'Completed Bid' prices on GB) at a gun show.

without