Used guns for a fund-raising auction?

[Monkeyleg]

For our July 18th fund-raising banquet featuring Massad Ayoob, we're going to be getting guns at cost from a couple of local shops, and having an auction.

At first I was thinking about having new guns. But a friend who's done a lot of fund-raisers suggested having desireable used guns. He said that people will already know how much they could buy a certain gun for at a store, and won't bid much if anything over that.

There's only going to be so many collectible type firearms that I'll be able to get. Other used guns would be more mainstream, such a 1980's vintage Smith's, perhaps a Python or maybe two, etc.

We may also be able to get a bunch of police trade-in Glocks at cost from a police supply company (low mileage, but showing holster wear).

I'd appreciate any and all ideas on this.

 

[BigFatKen]

I'd pay $50 to shoot one mag of those Glock fullly autos.

 

[Majic]

Do you really think you would make much money on a bunch of police trade-ins not matter who the maker is?

 

[Stickjockey]

While you my not make as much on use das youe would new, as long as they're marked as such I don't see a problem.

 

[BozemanMT]

The last FNRA banquent I was at had a couple used ones (that people had donated) and they went pretty high at auction. I'd have no problem with used guns as long as it was clearly disclosed.
I wouldn't go for holster wear ones, there should be enough nice used guns around that you should be ok.
Also, try the donation route, you never know what you might find.

 

[Connecticut Yankee]

Donations from "Check Your Safe" - Not Only Firearms

1. You could yourself and ask others to check their safes to see what they might have. Many might have a firearms that they no longer want nor need but that they would be willing to donate. Do they have an extra Luger with mis-matched numbers? A clean H&R 22 revolver that they have never shot? One too many 10/22s? Ask your fellow shooters what they would be interested in bidding on.

Also, don't forget the accessories. Does someone have a Leupold scope he never mounted and doesn't need? An extra spotting scope? Binoculars? An extra case of white box 223 or 9mm? Six boxes of 270 Winchester but he doesn't own the rifle any more? Knives?

You have to be careful only in that you don't want to get loaded down with a lot of small i.e. numerous items which will take a long time to auction for the event with Mas. However, consider taking all donations and using the rest of them for another, later auction for your CCW group or even for the youth rifle teams or the Boy Scout team.

2. For auctions that I have been involved with for non-profits there have been things that have stood out as generating interest in the past couple of years:

a. Kel-Tec folder in 223
b. The Glock or A1 conversion kit that turns the pistol into a carbine
c. I have heard of one auction where a shop owner cleared out a dozen or more old 22s - the money raised wasn't all that much but it was reported to me as having been a lot of fun for everyone
d. My impression is that the type of items that always go quickly and with spirited bidding are 10/22s, 30/30s, a good bolt rifle in '06 and a good 12 ga pump or semi with a vari-choke, firearms that someone will use, not collect or display.

3. If you are a non-profit don't forget to mention the tax-deductibility of any donation.

 

[kfranz]

Used Glocks seem pretty appropriate considering the CCW underpinings of the event.

 

[Zen21Tao]

You might also consider raffling off some mil-surp rifles like Mosins, Mausers, etc. If you set the raffle price at $5/ticket you would pay for the Mosin in just 15 tickets.

 

[oneshooter]

Several years ago I was involved in a fund raising event for a Boy Scout that had been paralysed in an accident. There was a BBQ, games, dancing, and an auction. I donated a Swedish Mauser w/dies, brass (100rds),and bullets(200rds). My total cost was $150, the rifle sold for $550!!! The lady that bought it asked if her husband, a shooter/collector/reloader would like it. I told her that I believed that he would. She said that he better like it, she used HIS money to buy it!!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas