My eyes and brain tell me we are at the precipice of or are now entering a new era of of used gun pricing. I feel a change in the air. Prices are going down. A bad time to sell and a good time to buy.

I offer no scientific evidence, it’s just an observation and my opinion. Many are upon hard times, the economy, inflation, high interest rates, etc. but it really seems like it’s much more noticeable than before, the “chickens are coming home to roost so to speak” and it’s clearly reflected in gun pricing!

I’m aware this is a common thread topic, but I do feel we’re are entering a new era of used gun pricing. Doth mine eyes deceive me?

I see the first-time buyers selling stuff they never really wanted, but just didn’t stop and think. They let themselves get carried away. Now every gunshop is flooded with plastic handguns and quite a few AR15s. If you’re interested in those types, yes, I think now is likely a good time to buy. I have not seen any quality guns selling at “bargain” prices, and don’t expect to, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong. It won’t be the first time!

My observations as a seller that has used guns as a primary revenue stream are that it really depends on the market segment.

There are certain areas of the market that still have very strong demand, and I think that will continue. Notably, used handguns suitable for personal defense. For a lot of new/first time buyers, if they are going to buy just one gun, it will be in this segment. As crime continues to escalate in major cities, the demand will stay strong in this area.

Used handguns that are more of a collectible may see a dip in prices, as the economy continues to struggle, and there is less excess funds for many people to spend on non-necessities.

This also is just the time of year when hunting firearms take center stage, so it is likely those looking to purchase a new firearm may spend there money on a new hunting gun.

We saw a glut of .40 S&W guns hit the market when LEOs started dumping them to go back to 9mm. Lots of Glocks and M&Ps showed up at cheap prices.

As previously stated, the guns that were bought by new gun owners during the BLM-driven run will probably hit the market. However, those will be tupperware 9MMs and ARs.

For those of us into revolvers and non-plastic semi autos, those guns are hard to sell at the typical LGS, so we can get them at decent prices. I don't think that this will drive a market shift.

Based on articles published in the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN, 9mm anythings still have a very strong following. I may be tired of seeing such writeups, but the majority of readers aren't. Most issues of this publication in recent years have a piece on some new 9mm. Apparently, like hot sauces and salsas in Texas, there is always room for one more, no matter how crowded the field is. Revolvers and more conventional pistols and cartridges are very secondary these days. The newschoolers run the current market.

Three weeks ago, I was in the market for a nice 1st gen. Colt SAA. I placed a lowball bid on 3 of them on Gunjoker just to see where they would go, knowing that I was going to get outbid. 1st gen Colts in good condition like these, 4 3/4" .45 Colt caliber, have been selling for $3500 and up for the last several months. I about had a heart attack when I won the first one, and was instantly worried about the other 2, which of course I won as well. I won all three three for significantly less than $2000 apiece. OH HOLY ****! I had only intended on spending $2500, not $5500. Oh, well, I guess I'll have to enjoy all three. I guess I have time to figure out which one I want to sell when the market comes back.

Market has always been volatile. Also local variations can have a big impact as well. I'm still seeing deals, tho perhaps not as many.

I feel ya....
Few weeks ago, I place a low ball bid on a Colt Sheriff's model.
$1300 near NIB.... and won.
I think the market will show little change on vintage Smith N and/or K frames.

I agree with rockquarry on this. If there are five articles on handguns in a magazine, normally 3-4 are for the 9MM.

AJ

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Hilarious, I’ve done the same thing and luckily only won one. Looking back I wish I’d had won both.

Yes, these are the same folks who read the space-filler "9mm VS .45" articles.

Nowadays, I read only AR (never more than a few minutes) and HANDLOADER and RIFLE. I don't what else is being paper-published and much of the online stuff is second rate material so I don't bother with it.

However, I didn't know the 9mm vs. .45 debate was still going on. I thought that fad died out in the '60s. The .45 always won; hard to see how the argument could continue to the present day.

Been there, done that. First time was about 2005 with a Howa 1500 and a FAL. Like an idiot I let my FFL talk me out of the FAL for what I had in it, $600. I know, I know.

Second time I was after an Arisaka stock for a restoration so bid on one with a supposedly jammed action and another rough but complete gun. Won them both. The "jammed" gun I fixed in five minutes with some knowledge and a replacement safety. The other turned out to be in way better shape than the pictures suggested. Two more milsurps for barely $250, so what's not to like? Any complete milsurp stock set on Ebay is usually more.

Third time was when looking for a Sig P238 for my wife. Two live auctions over the Web on a Saturday morning. Both guns were knocked down to me at my top electronic bid. Stepson#2 owns one them now.

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Release the Kraken

Getting back on topic...

I suspect the used price thing is very variable depending on location. Guns have always been a bit pricey in Vegas because they have you by the short hairs. Not a lot of other nearby towns so a cartel mentality sets in

That said, last time I visited my transfer FFL, there were signs that COVID-buy polymer guns were coming on the market. 9mm is definitely the most popular caliber, as others have noted. The prices were down on earlier times, but still too much for me to be interested. Following local auctions shows that 9mm Glocks still fetch money, but other calibers can be had quite cheap. Other makes rarely do as well as Glocks, with M&Ps and Ruger Security 9s selling very cheap. I scored an RIA STK100 for $275 earlier this year. I only bought it because I like weird guns, and the STK design is up there. That it takes Glock mags doesn't hurt, either.

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Release the Kraken

Why wouldn't the price of used guns (or new ones) be considerably higher than they were a few years ago? Everything else is higher as well.

Was wondering mainly about used hunting type shotguns/rifles in different areas of the country. Figured prices may be up higher than in the past for guns like a used Rem.1100 or a Model 700 rifle. I know lever action like Marlin guns are bringing good money now on the used market. Anyone notice price increases lately on these types of guns?

The Biden administration has just put the interest back on student loans. Many pretty well off younger to middle aged people are hit with the 7% interest now. My oldest son spends more on the interest of his student loans than for his mortgage and now most his money goes into paying the loans off quickly.
Besides of that, it is still demand and supply. In the current economy where many people max out their credit cards to maintain a life style that they got used to, they try to sell excess goods. Not just guns - and I think this is not going to be over for a long time. House prices in the Dallas area dropped by about 20% in the last year ...

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FFL08

I was monitoring a beautiful Browning B78 1885 7mm rem mag on GB that went for $800. That is unheard of! I’ve not seen one sell for under a thousand in a very long time!

I’m noticing vintage rifles, shotguns, S&W and Colt revolvers going cheaply on online auctions.

Good time to buy?

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Even older, even crankier....

Aimsurplus is selling LE trade-in Glock 22s for the same price they were pre-COVID. If you just "need a gun" now is the time to buy. For collector stuff, it's all over the map.

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Release the Kraken

The best way to check the market is to do a gunbroker advanced search and search by completed items. The most recent auctions from the big houses will probably also be a good indicator. I picked up a 586 almost 2 years ago for about $900 otd, and I've seen some sell on gb in the last 90 days in about the same condition in the $600-$700 bid range, so about $700-800 otd. Some S&Ws with poor search engine optimization, or models that are less well known can be had for fair prices. Like others have said, collectibles & niche market guns aren't really subject to many of the same ebbs and flows of the NEW gun market. speaking of I think the NEW gun market right now is the best it will be for the next 4 years. If you want a current production gun, AR 15 better buy one now before the cycle starts again.

This is one example in price reduction I have
note.

What I like is Česká Zbrojovka USA/Colt redesigned
and reintroduced the Python 357mag and Anaconda
44mag!

I’ve always wanted them but in no way was I going to
pay the outrageous prices for an original.

Now that the Python/Anaconda are plentiful and I’ve
seen them in Gun Shops regularly, some under
MSRP.

Earlier this spring one store had 10% of all guns.
They had all three barrel lengths at the time.

I’ve also found some nice Rifles at very reasonable
prices, not the inflated prices as Revolvers/Pistols.

I believe we are entering a new era.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

All during their production , a new Colt single action revolver has always had equal fair market value to a common $20 gold piece, or an ounce of gold. Used ones in excellent condition included.
Was true in the 1870’s; still true today.
They are good investments.

All during their production , a new Colt single action revolver has always had equal value to a common $20 gold piece, or an ounce of gold. Used ones in excellent condition included.
Was true in the 1870’s; still true today.
They are good investments.

If one can afford to, yes, there are some good deals to be had across the spectrum.

Well, perhaps they should be if one considers the devaluation of the dollar, but my eyes tell me no!

because they were artificially even higher in the 2020-2021 covid/riot/election year etc era. think PSA AR 15s, which were selling for $300 in 2019, going for a grand or maybe even more at the peak covid/riot/election year stage. this is just the market correcting itself and also coinciding with the typical 3rd year presidential term slump. election years they go back up, depending on who wins they either maintain or gain, then they maintain, then they drop 3rd year, then it starts over. plus or minus for any hot button issue crops up in between those usual ebbs and flows.

I was speaking of the used gun market in general, not specifically the very basic and plentiful implement-type gun as described in your post. However, you have a good point; maybe now is the time to buy such guns.

There is a glut of ARs where I shop, way too many of them. Two of my favorite shops are not buying any more of them from customers at any price; exceptions to that for good customers and very low prices of course, but basically they have way more than they want already, and aren't selling many new ones.

One shop owner told me last week "nothing is selling, and hasn't all summer." I visited six shops last week, saw a few S&Ws but nothing I really wanted. Did buy a six inch nickel 27-2 a few weeks ago for $811 out the door but that seemed more a fluke than indicative of broadly lower prices.

But no one has many nice older S&Ws. I've been expecting them to start showing up in pawnshops and LGSs but most seem to sell as fast as they show up if the prices are at all reasonable. Haven't been to a gun show for awhile so can't speak to S&Ws there or prices.

I don't see much, if any, price change in quality engraved pieces.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I’ve been thinning the herd lately, and yes prices are way down.

Additional datapoint for the hypothesis of lowered prices…

Won two Gunbrokers in the last two weeks, both were what I thought were pretty lowball bids.

1) SIG hammer-fired 9mm at a pre-pandemic price, 18 bids total
2) 686+ at a pre-pandemic price - 8 bids total

My fun money is gone for awhile… But seem like plenty fair prices

I'm finding lots of great deals on both new & used guns at my local FFL Pawn Shop.
I recently picked up a 629-3 6" and a DB-10 16" ODG .308

New/modern stuff may be down, but milsurps are still worth some money. Mosins are ~400+ K31s are 550+, Russian Capture K98s are 800+ Finn M39s are 900+.

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Thread Killer.

I think it's a space filler when they need to fill a couple of more pages before going to press. There's nothing new to learn. And the .45 does always win.

I have been selling centerfire handguns and the selling prices have been lower the last 18 months than any other time period.
The good news is I have found .22 rimfire handguns in prices that I feel are reasonable.

I just sold my pristine M84 Springfield trapdoor rifle with bayonet and sling for $3200. I think that price set a new high for that type firearm.

I believe there are exceptions from what I’ve seen, especially with rare firearms. Recently, a S&W Registered Magnum with documented historical FBI provenance sold at Auction for $50,000 I believe as posted on this forum. There are still those collectors who have the means and ability to get what they want regardless of price! I happen to know some but it certainly doesn’t apply to me and most collectors!

Things are probably cooling down now from the China Virus freakout and the supply chain issues. I've heard from my LGS that he's slowed down. He characterized it like this:

We are about 50% down from the pandemic timeframe, but that is still +25% from pre-pandemic levels.

GB just started collecting taxes for Missouri at the start of 2023 so, for me, all their prices are sudddenly 8% higher. I bought a beautiful 60-3 LadySmith for a good price but after tax, shipping, and transfer fee, the deal was just OK, not good.

Seeing as I got two of the best deals of my life this year on used firearms, and have seen many more since which I was regrettably unable to take advantage of, I'm inclined to agree.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

The economy is in trouble.
Credit Card Debt is at an all time high.
Many folks are living Paycheck to Paycheck.
Most every day item costs more.
Student debt repayments are restarting.
So there’s less money available for ‘toys’ like Guns.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

The market has been circling the drain for a while now. I'm not sure when we'll call the time of death?

Plenty of guns in every store I go into, and most Pawns I go to will haggle. It sucks if you're a seller right now. Unless it's something unique, in demand, or rare. .40's are probably the cheapest right now. And I've also seen good deals on off-brand 1911's.

But in general, it's a buyers market.

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Watch & Pray

The market does go in cycles, usually caused by political forces. There were years where guns were flying off the shelf, and then the manufacturers complained because there was a downturn after that. Guns aren't like consumables like bread and butter. At some point, you can only own so many, no matter how much we try.

My local FFL is selling everything for $10 over cost just to get some stuff going. People aren't spending money on non-essentials right now.

For some additional perspective:

The NSSF's adjusted NICS numbers show that September 2023 NICS checks were lower than September in 2020, 2021, or 2022. However, they were still higher than any other September pre-2020. It is the 50th straight month of over 1 million checks.

There is also a fair amount of info out there about the changing demographics of firearms buyers, particularly first time buyers. Segments that appeal to those customer groups continue to have strong demand.

I think it is a combination of the economic downturn, the drying up of most of the “stimulus” funding and the decrease in impulse (panic) buying. I also agree that discretionary spending must be lower on all fronts, not just sporting goods or collectibles. It may take a major uptick in the economy for the market to come back.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I find shows & dealers clogged with plastic, black and low end stuff. I don’t find the prices soft on classic handguns. Rifles and shotguns are all over the map. In most cases shotguns in shooter grade are soft. Younger generation going to by that new action hero gun before they pay the same for a classic in shooter grade.
22s are harder to figure out. Brisk movement in them because for a lot of people shooting is recreational and 22 is only thing affordable today.
Was hitting shops in WVa. over weekend. Never even came close to a deal.
They were certainly proud of their firearms. Didn’t matter they were less than 50% condition, they went straight for top dollar. The only way this makes sense is they have it displayed where some pilgrim with more dollars than sense might deal on it. The other angle is not wanting to sell it for reasonable price when they can spin the wheel of fortune and put them in online auctions. I always hear pilgrims bragging about winning auctions.

I agree that the market, in general, may be softening a little, but most of my deals are situational. Depends on the particular gun, seller and venue.

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213th FBINA

I recently won two items on an auction site with a minimum bid. I was the only bidder on both. The minimums weren't unreasonable either.

I'm not sure this indicates sales of used firearms have slowed, but I got what I wanted without having to compete with stupid bidders. I've avoided that particular site for the longest time because of that.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Well have noticed a drop off in Trap/Skeet shooting at my club on Sundays. Most that show up are the reloaders. Seems price of shotgun shells have gone up substantially. Used to get em for under $7 and now have seen 12 gauge ammo going for almost $12 or more depending on brand. Center fire ammo prices are really eye-opening