Inherited 50 guns

Cannon 2019 said:

I'm a gunsmith & FFL dealer in Cedar Park, just NW of Austin. My shop premises is not zoned for retail, so I can do no retail gun trading/dealing there. I get friends and customers coming in with similar story & need. Friends die and their widow needs to liquidate. Some want to do so immediately, and typically leave half or more of fair market value on the table.

Understanding what you have is a fundamental requirement for you and is a completely overwhelming challenge to any newby or novice. The Blue Book is a way to pursue this. Checking actual current listings and sales on Gun Broker helps rationalize this. These take investment of time, energy and patience, or a resource you can trust.

Then how to sell them..

1. Sell to a FFL dealer:
Most pawn shops may be willing to give about half of wholesale value, if anything. Most gunshops will offer wholesale or maybe a bit less. These folks are in the business and deserve to make a profit.

2. Put the word out and see what happens. You've just begun this journey. I suggest you take some pictures. Full length and receiver area; both sides. Be ready and able to send these by email.
Unfortunately, you must watch out for "gun dealers" who prey on folks in your situation. Some "collectors", too. There are rotten apples in every sort of trade.

3. GunBroker or Guns International (online auction, sort of like eBay). You sign up, go thru the site's training; provide description/pictures; fill out the online paperwork; generate listings; watch for questions from buyers; handle all the paperwork required; receive funds; pack & ship to an FFL; receive confirmation of receipt; wait thru the required 3 day return period; then (all things falling into place) consider the gun sold.

4. Gun show...used to be my best and favorite way to trade guns; now not so much.

5. Auction house
These guys move a lot of guns. At live auctions. often with online bidding. You are at their mercy for how they choose to describe your guns, and must take whatever they can get for each gun, minus their commission and fees. You may receive pawnshop prices (or even less) for normal guns in normal condition. OTOH you may well get premium prices for particularly desirable guns (IF two or more folks do battle over getting your gun!) This takes several months to complete and get you your money. Auction houses I know are overloaded with inventory these days.

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but the fact is that the resale gun market in way overloaded with inventory these days. I.E. supply exceeds demand.

I'd be glad to talk with you more if you are close by and want to come to my (dirty) gunsmith shop.

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AmandaDeeann said:

Yall are too funny ❤

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Cannon 2019 said:

I'm a gunsmith & FFL dealer in Cedar Park, just NW of Austin. My shop premises is not zoned for retail, so I can do no retail gun trading/dealing there. I get friends and customers coming in with similar story & need. Friends die and their widow needs to liquidate. Some want to do so immediately, and typically leave half or more of fair market value on the table.

Understanding what you have is a fundamental requirement for you and is a completely overwhelming challenge to any newby or novice. The Blue Book is a way to pursue this. Checking actual current listings and sales on Gun Broker helps rationalize this. These take investment of time, energy and patience, or a resource you can trust.

Then how to sell them..

1. Sell to a FFL dealer:
Most pawn shops may be willing to give about half of wholesale value, if anything. Most gunshops will offer wholesale or maybe a bit less. These folks are in the business and deserve to make a profit.

2. Put the word out and see what happens. You've just begun this journey. I suggest you take some pictures. Full length and receiver area; both sides. Be ready and able to send these by email.
Unfortunately, you must watch out for "gun dealers" who prey on folks in your situation. Some "collectors", too. There are rotten apples in every sort of trade.

3. GunBroker or Guns International (online auction, sort of like eBay). You sign up, go thru the site's training; provide description/pictures; fill out the online paperwork; generate listings; watch for questions from buyers; handle all the paperwork required; receive funds; pack & ship to an FFL; receive confirmation of receipt; wait thru the required 3 day return period; then (all things falling into place) consider the gun sold.

4. Gun show...used to be my best and favorite way to trade guns; now not so much.

5. Auction house
These guys move a lot of guns. At live auctions. often with online bidding. You are at their mercy for how they choose to describe your guns, and must take whatever they can get for each gun, minus their commission and fees. You may receive pawnshop prices (or even less) for normal guns in normal condition. OTOH you may well get premium prices for particularly desirable guns (IF two or more folks do battle over getting your gun!) This takes several months to complete and get you your money. Auction houses I know are overloaded with inventory these days.

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but the fact is that the resale gun market in way overloaded with inventory these days. I.E. supply exceeds demand.

I'd be glad to talk with you more if you are close by and want to come to my (dirty) gunsmith shop.

Click to expand...

Southpaw said:

One thing this whole thing has me doing is getting my own collection better documented. I couldn't imagine my wife and daughter getting it done without at least a good starting point.

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Southpaw said:

One thing this whole thing has me doing is getting my own collection better documented. I couldn't imagine my wife and daughter getting it done without at least a good starting point.

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Coiled said:

After you sell a couple, you wanna go to dinner? I like anything that tastes good and you pay for.

Glad you hung around, I honestly thought some of last night's crap may have spooked you. GLWTSs.

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Southpaw said:

One thing this whole thing has me doing is getting my own collection better documented. I couldn't imagine my wife and daughter getting it done without at least a good starting point.

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AmandaDeeann said:

Funny. I can hang with the toughest if they dont cry too soon

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TX OMFS said:

Ok, ok! I'll do $21/lb.

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AmandaDeeann said:

I'm on to you.... although they are so heavy... it sorta seems like this could work out in my favor....

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Southpaw said:

Careful! He'd be walking away with a $175 Cooper.

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Southpaw said:

Careful! He'd be walking away with a $175 Cooper.

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AmandaDeeann said:

Yall are too funny

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Mohawk600 said:

You guys have no shame.

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AmandaDeeann said:

It's common knowledge that yall pretend to be in charge while silently taking orders from the queen.... we let yall do that

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AmandaDeeann said:

Whoopie night? If I have to start pre planning this we have a huge problem.

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