Are we entering a new era of used gun pricing?

brendonjames65 · Oct 3, 2023

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?

M29since14 · Oct 3, 2023

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!

NewLiberty · Oct 3, 2023

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.

Borderboss · Oct 3, 2023

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.

rockquarry · Oct 3, 2023

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.

Dvus · Oct 3, 2023

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.

Ameshawki · Oct 3, 2023

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.

Xfuzz · Oct 3, 2023

Dvus said:
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.

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.

AJ · Oct 3, 2023

rockquarry said:
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.

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

AJ

Bald1 · Oct 3, 2023

Dvus said:
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.

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

Borderboss · Oct 3, 2023

rockquarry said:
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.

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

rockquarry · Oct 3, 2023

Borderboss said:
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.

LVSteve · Oct 3, 2023

Dvus said:
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.

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.

LVSteve · Oct 3, 2023

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.

rockquarry · Oct 3, 2023

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.

mauser9 · Oct 3, 2023

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?

Andyd · Oct 3, 2023

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 ...

brendonjames65 · Oct 3, 2023

mauser9 said:
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?

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.

A10 · Oct 3, 2023

Good time to buy?

LVSteve · Oct 3, 2023

rockquarry said:
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.

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.

Are we entering a new era of used gun pricing?

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