What is your take on the used gun market?

[ilbob]

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)

JMNSHO

If you sell the gun you must have thought it was a fair price at the time you sold it or you would not have sold it.

Used guns have often been relative bargains, akin to used cars. You can get a lot more gun (or car) for your money if you buy used.

gun shops have nothing in the guns since they are on consignment and are perfectly happy to put an insane price on a used gun hoping someone wants it so bad they buy it. If the owner gets antsy, they will lower the price until it sells, or give it back to the owner.

a similar phenomenon happens on the gun auction sites. I suspect there are a lot more relistings than there are of new listings. same thing you often see on ebay where because you can relist w/o penalty, people put the same stuff up at insane prices hoping someone will bite.

 

[Sniper66]

The answer to our OP's question is, "It depends". I attended the Tulsa Gun Show last weekend; probably the largest display of used guns you'll ever see. Based on having gone to that show twice a year for the last 12, I'd say the used gun market is alive and well. Talked to several vendors who said they had a good show. One vendor said they sold about half of the guns on their tables and were eager to buy more guns so they would have guns to sell. It does depend on location and venue. I've been trying to sell several guns, some for myself and some for my brother. Ads in local publications have not generated much interest. I've also wondered how the AR market is doing. In the recent past, they were selling faster than beer at a ball game, but that seems to have slowed considerably.

 

[Mark 40]

I've knowingly taken a beating on some trades at the gun store. Time is money. Have no interest in the process of a private sale. So getting cash for something I'm not using or don't like towards something I want is a compromise I'm willing to make. Sometimes I look at it like I rented the gun a number of times. I just accept my mistake and don't obsess over losing the money.

For those that do the legwork and have patience to get what they are asking, more power to ya.

 

[Sniper66]

I've knowingly taken a beating on some trades at the gun store. Time is money. Have no interest in the process of a private sale. So getting cash for something I'm not using or don't like towards something I want is a compromise I'm willing to make. Sometimes I look at it like I rented the gun a number of times. I just accept my mistake and don't obsess over losing the money.

For those that do the legwork and have patience to get what they are asking, more power to ya.

There is wisdom in this narrative. I'm currently trying to help my 80 year old brother sell some guns. But, he gets in his own way with unrealistic expectations that he is going to not only get back everything he spent on them, but will make money. I have pointed this out to him numerous times to which he responds, "I'm not going to give them away." I predict he will sell nothing!

 

[george burns]

The used gun market stinks for guns purchased over the past few years, only older classic pistols and ifles can get their price. The price war on the most common Hi-cap and single stack 9's has brought prices down. A new Shiels with rebate can be had for 250, in several gun stores. Guys were paying $)) for these guns a few years ago, Even M&P hi-cap pistoles are low 4's if you look around, it's a buyers paradice with 400 dollar AR's, except certain new guns that just hit the market, although they too shall fall.

 

[Damon555]

I've knowingly taken a beating on some trades at the gun store. Time is money. Have no interest in the process of a private sale. So getting cash for something I'm not using or don't like towards something I want is a compromise I'm willing to make. Sometimes I look at it like I rented the gun a number of times. I just accept my mistake and don't obsess over losing the money.

For those that do the legwork and have patience to get what they are asking, more power to ya.

This is exactly what I do......It works the best if you go back to the store you bought the first gun from. Every time I've done that the price offered for my used gun has been reasonable in my opinion. Of course I was also buying another one of their firearms....it works well for both sides.

 

[Ignition Override]

Just a reminder that some potential Armslist (TN) buyers act as if the retail Enfield AND Makarov markets were Closely linked with the vastly over-bloated AR market.

When did politicians threaten the surplus bolt action WW2 and hand-held Warsaw Pact guns?

We sellers are not that dumb.

 

[CZ-75BD]

I used Armslist to sold a rifle, but in IL you cannot sell FTF handgun, sold several on GB and GunActions.
Sold not for making a profit but because did not like that particular guns, never actually bought use one, all my guns was brand new. Right now selling Sig P238 listed here. Bought for my wife, but she didn't like it.

 

[tsieger]

Its tough. I've bought several of my guns new, and trying to sell them is a bear. Selling on consignment at a local store sucks because of the fee the shop gets. So you automatically want to jack the price up, but then nobody wants to buy them. I've been trying to sell a couple handguns for months, but I can't find a buyer via consignment. And I don't have much experience with the online vendors (GunBroker or Gunsamerica). And I'm not too much a fan of trading them in via Gander or Cabelas - they give next to nothing in my experience.

I like buying used if possible because - like others have said - you can get a better deal. New is nice - but you'll (most likely) lose money if you intend to turn around and sell it.

 

[Zach S]

Most of my guns came off the used market. Like buying a used car, you can save a good deal of money.