Finding the real value of a firearm

Status
Not open for further replies.
outdoorman63

outdoorman63

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Messages
399
Location
Missouri
So how does everyone go about finding the real value of a firearm in today's market. I looked on gunbroker at completed auctions and there were none that were similar to mine. Looked at armslist. Gun values book says 1500 plus,but book values are just that.. Only other thought would be to lug it around from shop to shop.
1979 Thompson 1927a1 horizontal grip,no comp,great shape with a drum and couple stick mags.
 
Last edited:
Text book says what someone is willing to pay and what you are willing to accept. Probably a limited amount of interested buyers for that so you need to reach as big an audience as possible. Can't do that going around to local shops. First choice would be GB, setting a minimum bid, and see what happens. If no interest the next step would be to lower the minimum bid. Hopefully you got some bids on previous listings so that should give you a good idea what someone is willing to pay. This process may take a while, maybe months since this is a unique item. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself look for a GB dealer that seems reputable and let them handle it. You'll pay a fee for this but it may be a safer route since there a quite legal steps involved.
 
The best way to find out what something is worth right now is a penny start auction with as many interested bidders as possible.

The best way to do that I can think of is GB.
 
NFA items are their own headache in this regard, too.
You might have to check the high-dollar auctions like Morphy's and the like when dealing with items that sell in the thousands and tens of thousands.

And, such Thomphson things need a lot more information, too. How the magazines are labeled makes a huge difference, and their capacity as well. The drums and stick come in more than one size, and those things affect the value. These are things that can total up into many digits' difference.
 
CapnMac said:
NFA items are their own headache in this regard, too.
You might have to check the high-dollar auctions like Morphy's and the like when dealing with items that sell in the thousands and tens of thousands.

And, such Thomphson things need a lot more information, too. How the magazines are labeled makes a huge difference, and their capacity as well. The drums and stick come in more than one size, and those things affect the value. These are things that can total up into many digits' difference.
Click to expand...
It's not Nfa
 
I used to buy the gun value books but lately I just check Gunbroker. I look at the items that are getting bids not at the asking prices.
 
outdoorman63 said:
It's not Nfa
Click to expand...
That's going to further complicate things, as they are not selling that well at retail NIB.

Note that a shop, at best, is going to only be able to offer you 50% of expected retail, so you'd have to find a dealer willing to stock it on consignment.

Now, this site suggests: https://truegunvalue.com/rifle/kahr-arms-thompson-1927a-1/price-historical-value/new/1.
The value is around $1700, but, that's all New-in-ox, not Used, your mileage may vary.
 
Finding the real value of a firearm,

Such a tough question to answer.

I go by "Blue Book " value and current market. And then there may be sentimental value...

Three years ago I purchased a F.A. in 45 colt that I suspected was un-fired... It had been shot upon getting it home and cleaned. (Bummer)
I paid $1100.00 over "Book" , but it was a handgun that I figured I would never see again and wanted it very bad.
Most times it is better to stay away of the whorehouses but that sidearm will be a great inheritance to one of my kids as my wife declares it a safe queen.*..........:)

The value is in the beholder.....;)

* Do not tell anyone, but I do plan on firing a few rounds through it.shhhhhhhhh! Someday.
 
I go to Gunbroker and look at completed auctions and see if I can find some that actually sold
 
mavracer said:
I go to Gunbroker and look at completed auctions and see if I can find some that actually sold
Click to expand...
this. I don't sell much, but I do this anytime I'm shopping to get a ballpark of what I think is a fair price, and they I just find one for sale for that amount and buy it.
 
Those pseudo Tommys were not good sellers and don't typically do well on the resale market. The long barrel chases a lot of people away (imo). I would guess a $1000-$1200 price would get it sold without too much trouble. Other than that you would have to find someone who really wants one.
 
I had been trying to find a buyer for my 1927a1 Thompson for a long time then by chance
I mentioned it to my local gun shop friend who didn't offer much.
Unknown to me, my wife sneaked it out & went there then made an -even- trade for a new
Colt Python. I thought she bought it, but without any remorse on my part. It was to heavy
only had 2 sticks for it and never shot it more than 40 times in 5 years, it was in perfect
condition, more of an ammo eater than any useful purpose.
The Python had an unreasonable price on it.
I know the local guy real well, he had to have a buyer for it with profit involved, probably
a lot, you just have to know a lot of people into semi autos, maybe a local gun dealer can
help.
Just got lucky.
Edit added= She just told me she added 200 rounds of 45 auto ammo to the deal
which back then was in drought.
Never missed the ammo since, now I don't have a 45 acp.
 
Last edited:
My cousin's husband had one. He was on the drug task force with the PD.
He would put the drum mag in and go in the door first, on drug busts. 99% of the time, the druggies would see "Tommy" and give up.

I shot it a couple times. Heavy, eats ammo, not a target gun, but FUN!
I would never buy one, though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Finding Rifle Value? Remington 788
Replies
7
Views
3K
beefyz
B
C
  • Locked
Large Collection Liquidation
2 3
Replies
62
Views
4K
hAkron
hAkron
M
  • Locked
Determining "current" market value??
Replies
21
Views
643
Mickstix
M
Trey Veston
  • Locked
Selling firearms and percentage takes; math is hard.
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
CapnMac
CapnMac
Redcoat3340
  • Locked
Gunbroker, (statewide) Armslist or Local Forum????
Replies
11
Views
745
scott klaverkamp
scott klaverkamp
Back
Top