I want to sell some guns. Mostly S&W revolvers. What is the best way to sell them. Want to get a fair price and not give them away. Local gun store offered low amount. Not sure that I want to ship to out of area, but could since relative is a licensed dealer.
Best way to sell guns.
- Thread starter MR.G
- Start date
List them on here.
nachogrande
Well-known member
DITTO, HERE.
You could use this site, with pics/numbers to get a good idea of the value and sell them here. You very well MAY get more $ from a big internet sight. You would likely be treated better & more honestly here, IMO. ????
You could use this site, with pics/numbers to get a good idea of the value and sell them here. You very well MAY get more $ from a big internet sight. You would likely be treated better & more honestly here, IMO. ????
oneounceload
Well-known member
Face to Face if legal where you live
Cardboard_killer
Well-known member
It all depends on how much work you want to do. If you just want to get rid of an abundance quickly, the LGS is the way to go. He/She will offer a low amount because they have to make a profit in resale. Basically you are paying them for for their store, employees, licenses, advertisement, etc. everything that makes them a store.
If you want to get top dollar and are just selling a collection, I would recommend listing them on a few local web sites. You won't sell very fast, but you will make the highest dollar.
If you have a way to ship easily and cheaply, then I would recommend online auction sites. You will probably maximize you dollars. Shipping is the problem with handguns if you aren't an FFL holder. There is a lot of information on the web for you to read. I take my handguns to a local FFL to ship; he charges me $45 flat. Longguns I ship myself via the USPS, but I have to ship to an FFL holder (if out of state, read the rules) either way.
And all this assumes you are not planning on making this a business, as then you will need to get a license and do a lot of bookkeeping. What a business is is the milion dollar question. Talk to a CPA and an attorney.
I'll suggest another option, might not maximize your sales but will minimize your effort and, in my experience anyway, will get you pretty close to market value. If you have a good relationship with an FFL (LGS, pawn shop, etc.) you may be able to consign your guns with them. If you want to consign one gun with a shop with whom you have no relationship it might cost you 25% of the sales price. If you know someone well, maybe have bought a few guns from them over the years, and let them know you'll be selling multiple guns, you can probably negotiate a pretty good deal. Sometimes you can name the minimum you'll accept and the shop owner can try to get as much over that price as he can. Another option is to set up at a gun show and sell them yourself assuming you live in a state where that is an option. I've done that but if you don't want to spend several weekends (and the cost of table, travel, etc.) I've found the consignment route to get about what I'd expect to sell them for at a gun show; my guy will sell them for as little as $50 a gun whether its a $500 or $1500 gun. Auction sites are fine but if you don't have feedback and a reputation its not all that easy to get top dollar. Selling them here is fine too, and we'd love to have a chance at your S&Ws. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
List them here.
Gunbroker.
Local ads
Get a table or share one at a gun show or 2 if that is possible near you.
Gunbroker.
Local ads
Get a table or share one at a gun show or 2 if that is possible near you.
mrchuck
Well-known member
Take them to your local gun show.
oneounceload
Well-known member
If they are the rare and desirable ones, then Rock Island or James Julia auctions will get you you dollar (minus their cut). If they're just good old guns with modest values, face to face, gun shows, website ads (like here) will usually get you the most.
Also, if you belong to any gun clubs, they usually have a bulletin board for members to post things for sale.
Also, if you belong to any gun clubs, they usually have a bulletin board for members to post things for sale.
bigggbbruce
Well-known member
I use Armslist for local sales... but have shipped to buyers.
Gunbroker for guns I want more money.
Gunbroker for guns I want more money.
bob in texas
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2008
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In your o/p you mentioned a relative with an FFL do they have a storefront or do business at a venue to sell guns ? If they are close to you why not work a deal with them to help sell them for a fee. They could help research,market ,sell and transfer. As mentioned by others here maybe give a list for input by members as to value, your location is unknown and prices vary from area to area.
cgt4570
SWCA Member
Rent a table for $50 at a local gun show and set fair prices.
nachogrande
Well-known member
"THE BEST WAY"
Much would depend on you, your knowledge/experience/ willing to wait for the best price, tolerance of time wasters wanting endless pictures & back and forth emails/phone calls, the "meet me FTF 1/2 ways" that may show up late if at all... I'd recommend starting with knowing what you have & a solid idea of what they are worth before continuing.
Much would depend on you, your knowledge/experience/ willing to wait for the best price, tolerance of time wasters wanting endless pictures & back and forth emails/phone calls, the "meet me FTF 1/2 ways" that may show up late if at all... I'd recommend starting with knowing what you have & a solid idea of what they are worth before continuing.
The best way to sell guns is to me.
Maybe someone said this and I missed it but, first, post them one by one here, in the correct Forum, and simply ask for opinions on price. We all have opinions, we love to share them, you'll get a good idea fairly quickly about FMV. Then you can decide what you want for them and POST THE S&Ws HERE FIRST! Let the Forum members have first crack at them! 
Then use your FFL buddy to ship them - you should pay for the shipping so add a few dollars to the price and give "free" shipping!
Then use your FFL buddy to ship them - you should pay for the shipping so add a few dollars to the price and give "free" shipping!
Weimar
US Veteran
I've sold a few guns, but lots of ebay and a number of gunbroker items
Its not that hard to look at gunbroker and on-line dealers (but don't expect to get that amount) and decide what actually SOLD FOR and not just asking price.
The biggest mistake you make is when you under-offer shipping
You check and then say, $45 shipped 2nd day air and it costs $65...
Also, when selling, I always say - if this has to go through an FFL (most of the time you can ship direct and yes it is cheaper to go through an FFLf), but if their dealer won't accept from me as a collector, then I say in the ad - ADD $50 if I have to go through an FFL 01 dealer. -- note - since a dealer can ship via USPS to another FFL 01 its cheaper, but shipping costs and dealer cost can add up to more than shipping it yourself
And suggest you say, actual shipping cost - but then either ignore the many requests by folks who say, I am in 07241 zip, how much to ship to me? I generally don't ignore them, but say, probably $50, but lets see AFTER you win the item.
Take lots of clear pictures, do a good description and some idiots will still ask for additional pictures, especially if you have very few positive feedback - and on armslist, folks kinda assume its a scam until you prove otherwise
Its not that hard to look at gunbroker and on-line dealers (but don't expect to get that amount) and decide what actually SOLD FOR and not just asking price.
The biggest mistake you make is when you under-offer shipping
You check and then say, $45 shipped 2nd day air and it costs $65... Also, when selling, I always say - if this has to go through an FFL (most of the time you can ship direct and yes it is cheaper to go through an FFLf), but if their dealer won't accept from me as a collector, then I say in the ad - ADD $50 if I have to go through an FFL 01 dealer. -- note - since a dealer can ship via USPS to another FFL 01 its cheaper, but shipping costs and dealer cost can add up to more than shipping it yourself
And suggest you say, actual shipping cost - but then either ignore the many requests by folks who say, I am in 07241 zip, how much to ship to me? I generally don't ignore them, but say, probably $50, but lets see AFTER you win the item.
Take lots of clear pictures, do a good description and some idiots will still ask for additional pictures, especially if you have very few positive feedback - and on armslist, folks kinda assume its a scam until you prove otherwise
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bigggbbruce
Well-known member
Here's a free site I've recently found and used.. Listings under sports equipment, it's mostly guns and gun stuff at least around me..classifieds for apts, jobs, and items for sale
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