Unwanted guns

[PocketSand]

Hello all, I'm looking for creative solutions for what I can do with a cluster of guns I was "gifted" by a relative. What I suspect happened was he know there wasn't much value and wanted to make space in his collection, so now I have a stack of non-functional long guns and revolvers. I have pretty limited space and I don't know that I'll ever invest the money needed to get the pieces fixed up. The guns are pieces like an arisaka rifle with a glued together stock, muzzle loading SxS shotgun, a late 19 century .32 revolver with free spinning cylinder, etc. There is some novelty value to what he gave me, but I'd like to not have to deal with them.

I bet I'd have a hard time selling them, but I don't think throwing them out is the right way either. What do you fellas do when garbage ends up in your collection?

 

[Jim Watson]

The Arisaka would have some value if a "glued together stock" is its only fault.
The muzzleloader is not Federally regulated and somebody would likely give a bit for it as a wall hanger.
I bet somebody would like to tinker with an old .32 or strip it for parts.

Some of the gun boards have "karma" posts, giving away unwanted low value items.

 

[George P]

Or you call a place like GunPartsCorp (aka Numrich) and talk to them; they'll want a list and some pics. They buy old guns for the parts and then resell parts to folks looking for that oddball piece for an old gun they have

 

[stonebuster]

Selling them as non functional "parts" guns may be an option.

 

[theotherwaldo]

You might put them on the 'For Sale' part of this forum for local pick up only, possibly for a nominal fee for your trouble.

 

[jmr40]

Taking them to a gun "buy back" program will net you the most money. Or call your local Police dept and have them pick them up and dispose of them.

 

[Bandit67]

You should PM @WestKentucky about that .32 revolver.

 

[PocketSand]

Yeah, those were just some examples. There's also a pocket percussion pistol, a stevens shotgun, a Thai mauser and a Vetterli M78 in addition to a few other undesirables. The last two are pretty cool pieces actually.

 

[DocRock]

The Siamese Mauser is of interest and will sell on GB. Depending on the Stevens shotgun, it may too.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I go to a local show in Phoenix once each year, or less, for the very scenario (more or less) that you describe.

Every now and again, to get something I want, I have to take something I didn't.

I let then sit around a bit to make certain I don't want parts or to tinker with them and then sell them as *project guns* at the show.

You never know that one of your guns won't have just the part that no one has available and yet the part is highly sought after.

Todd.

 

[Howland937]

I'd contemplated trying to round up a pile of old clunkers just for a "buyback", but haven't.

Please don't give them away for disposal though. Depending on where you live, regarding laws and such, posting them for sale could be a great option. Make someone a package deal and be done.

Like others mention, you may have the piece someone's been looking years for.

 

[CapnMac]

might put them on the 'For Sale' part of this forum

Excellent idea--he'll need a few more posts to get in, though.
And, it really would be ideal, too, as we are probably more likely to have folk interested in oddballs.
And far better than a "buyback" which gets them sent to the smelter or chopper.

 

[Jim Watson]

And far better than a "buyback" which gets them sent to the smelter or chopper.

And mostly generates antigun propaganda.

 

[Rubone]

Early Iver Johson top break revolvers "free wheel" the cylinder until cocked. I was gifted one because the owner thought it was broken.

 

[PocketSand]

Excellent idea--he'll need a few more posts to get in, though.
And, it really would be ideal, too, as we are probably more likely to have folk interested in oddballs.
And far better than a "buyback" which gets them sent to the smelter or chopper.

I had an account back around 2004 but I've long ago forgotten my username or associated email account. Any way, I hesitate to list on gunbroker or online because selling them and shipping through an FFL seems like a huge pain, but maybe I'm making a bigger deal in my head than the actual hassle. I've considered the gun buyback, but I might rather drop them off a boat than give them to the state, even for a few pieces of silver.

 

[bullseye308]

Find a gunsmith in training, a gunsmithing school, or parts seller like Numrich to buy them and make use of them.

 

[WestKentucky]

You should PM @WestKentucky about that .32 revolver.

He should pm me about the whole pile. It’s all right up my alley.

 

[MacAR]

If you're interested, pm me about the old muzzleoading sxs. I've looked for an old wallhanger for a long time, but they're unavailable locally and out of my price range online.

Mac

 

[Wildbillz]

Gunbroker, list them as parts guns.

WB

 

[CapnMac]

Any way, I hesitate to list on gunbroker or online because selling them and shipping

You are probably correct in your hesitation. GB has fees, and you are probably going to be at low numbers, which may attract the parasites and scammers.
Armslist is pay-to-play anymore; and was more scammer than actual buyers.

Only thing an Auction gets you is the possibility that two people who want your one thing will beat each other up to get it, rather than beat you down. But, that's a big if.

The FFL part is in knowing a good LGS. You ask them for the best contact number/method, and tell the buyer to send the needed info to that contact.

Or, just talk to West Kentucky []

 

[Scooter22]

Why don,t you post some pics of what you have instead of a guessing game. They maybe as you say. Or junk. Or MAYBE something worth much more. A pictures worth 1000 words.

 

[Encoreman]

There are budding gunsmiths that look for non functioning guns to practice on. Put on the classifieds here and just put in the ad, pick them up only no shipping.

 

[samtron]

If you are in the Dallas area I'd be intrested in the Arisaka

 

[unklebuck]

Hello all, I'm looking for creative solutions for what I can do with a cluster of guns I was "gifted" by a relative. What I suspect happened was he know there wasn't much value and wanted to make space in his collection, so now I have a stack of non-functional long guns and revolvers. I have pretty limited space and I don't know that I'll ever invest the money needed to get the pieces fixed up. The guns are pieces like an arisaka rifle with a glued together stock, muzzle loading SxS shotgun, a late 19 century .32 revolver with free spinning cylinder, etc. There is some novelty value to what he gave me, but I'd like to not have to deal with them.

I bet I'd have a hard time selling them, but I don't think throwing them out is the right way either. What do you fellas do when garbage ends up in your collection?

I make long guns into floor lamps and hand guns into table lamps. And I leave no wires showing.

 

[Mosin77]

If a gun is in functioning condition no matter how unexciting, it does have some value. Even a rusty Stevens single shot shotgun (common as dirt but not seen much anymore because they’re not sexy and live in folks’ closets rather than the racks at the gunshop) is going to sell for $50 on Gunbroker and $65 at a show. Maybe more at this point in time.

If you happened to be in St. Louis I’d suggest you bring ‘em into the shop where I work for a look-see. That said, the Thai Mauser if unmolested and not terrible condition is definitely worth a few hundred, and the Vetterlis usually bring a couple hundred as well. They’re not gonna pay for retirement but not worthless junk either.