[gun sales filter] You can have my gun when you buy it from my…well, when you buy it.
May 11, 2011 12:25 PM Subscribe
I need help deciding the best way to sell my handgun. Degree of difficulty: Private Party in California
I'm the original owner of a S&W 586 revolver, but due to some dexterity issues my shooting days are over. I'd really like to sell it but, being a non-FFL in California, I have some hoops to jump through. That's fine, I just need some help figuring out which hoop will give me the most bang for my buck.
I'm going to assume that anyone answering this knows way more about guns than I ever will, but I think the key points are these:
THE GUN
Thank you!!
I'm the original owner of a S&W 586 revolver, but due to some dexterity issues my shooting days are over. I'd really like to sell it but, being a non-FFL in California, I have some hoops to jump through. That's fine, I just need some help figuring out which hoop will give me the most bang for my buck.
I'm going to assume that anyone answering this knows way more about guns than I ever will, but I think the key points are these:
THE GUN
- The 586 (which was discontinued in 1991) is highly regarded and sought-after (or at least lusted after)
- The -4 model M I have was not subject to the earlier 586 recall, does not have an internal lock like later models, and precedes the switch to MIM parts
- It was meticulously cared for and, while used regularly for a couple of years, has fired relatively few rounds
- From what I can tell, the average going price is in the $300-500 range (with no guarantees on either end, of course)
- Additional specs: 4" barrel, double action, 6-shot, double-action, chambered for .357 & .38, red ramp front sight, adjustable white outline rear sight, Hogue monogrip + original S & W black rubber grips
- I can't sell directly to a private party in California, so it looks like my only options are online auction or direct sale to gun shop (because I'm not going to get a table at a gun show unless y'all tell me I really should)
- There is only one gun store anywhere around here that will facilitate a sale via another FFL. I haven't been able to connect with them to find out what they charge for this, though, and how/if it affects shipping options and cost
- As a non-FFL, if I sell through an online auction the only shipping method I can use is a non-USPS, overnight courier like Fed-Ex or UPS
- There may be other methods of advertising locally while still going through an FFL, but my woman's intuition tells me, maybe don't set up meetings with strangers where I bring them a gun.
- Shipping costs for me will be in the $75-80 range; the majority of online buyers and sellers are either FFLs or have easy access to one, and shipping costs for them are much, much lower. This will obviously impact the number of bidders and bidding price. Other possible problems: It seems like lot of people don't want the hassle of dealing with a private party, and some won't even consider California-based transactions. Other considerations are the auction fees, the FFL fees (on both ends, I think) and the considerable time/travel involved with shipping
- The one local gun shop is notorious for low-balling gun purchases, and, based on previous dealings with them, I'd just as soon sell it to the LAPD for $200 during their illegal-gun buybacks
Thank you!!
You might try the forums at calguns.net for private party sales. You may find a willing buyer right here in SoCal, and with a little driving on the part of one or the other, you might be able to do it that way and without expensive shipping. Most of the time, buyers will pay the transfer and DROS fees.
posted by Hylas at 1:04 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by Hylas at 1:04 PM on May 11, 2011
The one local gun shop is notorious for low-balling gun purchases, and, based on previous dealings with them, I'd just as soon sell it to the LAPD for $200 during their illegal-gun buybacks
Have you checked with Gun World in Burbank? They get mixed reviews online for customer service (we've never done much more than buy ammo there, so I can't really attest to how accurate or not those reviews might be), but given their size it might be worth your while to see if they'd offer you a better price than your local store (I see from your profile you're in Santa Monica).
posted by scody at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2011
Have you checked with Gun World in Burbank? They get mixed reviews online for customer service (we've never done much more than buy ammo there, so I can't really attest to how accurate or not those reviews might be), but given their size it might be worth your while to see if they'd offer you a better price than your local store (I see from your profile you're in Santa Monica).
posted by scody at 1:10 PM on May 11, 2011
The gun shop is quick, easy, and safe. The auction takes longer, has more risk involved, and might make you more money.
A good strategy may be to discuss it's insurance value, which will always be higher, but not so in-depth as a paid appraisal, and then ask about a direct sale. You'll never get the insurance value, but it can give you some time to make a bit of a connection with the dealer, size him up, and perhaps get a better price than just coming in and directly telling him of your intent to sell.
The conversation will have two completely different versions based on how you present yourself, as comfortable, knowledgeable firearm user, or someone trying to sell a gun. As a woman, the odds of the owner placing you in the first category off the bat are lower, but some brief conversation can easily put you there. A little shop talk bonding with the potential buyer, and you may get a better price. A gun shop is a boyzone of the first degree, but by and large, once they see that you know what you're talking about, the dynamic will change a bit and your first offer will be a bit higher, just because its harder to snowjob you. You've run into this before, I'm sure, but it bears repeating, as haggling is a cutthroat business.
The shop owner's job is to get it from you for the cheapest amount possible, never forget that.
posted by chambers at 1:11 PM on May 11, 2011
A good strategy may be to discuss it's insurance value, which will always be higher, but not so in-depth as a paid appraisal, and then ask about a direct sale. You'll never get the insurance value, but it can give you some time to make a bit of a connection with the dealer, size him up, and perhaps get a better price than just coming in and directly telling him of your intent to sell.
The conversation will have two completely different versions based on how you present yourself, as comfortable, knowledgeable firearm user, or someone trying to sell a gun. As a woman, the odds of the owner placing you in the first category off the bat are lower, but some brief conversation can easily put you there. A little shop talk bonding with the potential buyer, and you may get a better price. A gun shop is a boyzone of the first degree, but by and large, once they see that you know what you're talking about, the dynamic will change a bit and your first offer will be a bit higher, just because its harder to snowjob you. You've run into this before, I'm sure, but it bears repeating, as haggling is a cutthroat business.
The shop owner's job is to get it from you for the cheapest amount possible, never forget that.
posted by chambers at 1:11 PM on May 11, 2011
My first instinct says: accepting just $200 for a Smith & Wesson .357 should be your last resort. I'm guessing you can do significantly better than that just by taking it to a few non-local gun shops. The calguns.net idea is even better, as is checking CA sportsman's clubs -- gun clubs often have classifieds, and your potential buyers are likely to be used to arranging legal private transactions (some will probably even be FFL holders).
posted by vorfeed at 1:25 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by vorfeed at 1:25 PM on May 11, 2011
vorfeed makes a good point. My local firing range has a classified bulletin board with several firearms listed for sale. You should do better than $200 if it's in good condition. Perhaps $400 to $500?
posted by Hylas at 1:39 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by Hylas at 1:39 PM on May 11, 2011
Best answer: I've sold a handgun on Calguns. It's probably your best bet, but not exactly foolproof.
You can post an FS ad here. There are a lot of gun owners in CA. I got several offers in a few hours after posting mine (at slightly below its street value).
It sounds like you have a good idea of what you are selling, which is good. You already have a description and a price. You will need to state what store you will meet the buyer at; you can use Yelp or search Calguns to see how reputable a gun store is and how close it is to you. It is not that important to you if a gun store is shady; you are getting money from the buyer. The buyer has to deal with the store (fees, waiting period, paperwork). It's probably more important to you if the store is close to you and isn't very busy - stores generally don't like PPTs because they don't make a lot of money and it has a lot of paperwork (which they can get in trouble for doing wrong). You will only meet them at a store, no alleyways or anything weird. There are people who will ask you to break the law, ignore them.
You'll set up a meeting at the store with the buyer with the gun (make sure it's unloaded). The buyer will check the gun and make sure it's as described. They won't be firing it, of course (you're in a gun shop where I assume the employees are armed). Then you'll get your money (cash only), and the store will fill out paperwork for the transfer. Other than your ID, which the store will put down on the paperwork, the buyer is the one who pays for all the fees and deals with the store. Once all the paperwork is complete, you're done (the buyer has to come back in 10 days to pick it up).
If they fail the background check - you don't care, cause technically you already sold them the handgun. They just can't pick it up.
posted by meowzilla at 2:49 PM on May 11, 2011
You can post an FS ad here. There are a lot of gun owners in CA. I got several offers in a few hours after posting mine (at slightly below its street value).
It sounds like you have a good idea of what you are selling, which is good. You already have a description and a price. You will need to state what store you will meet the buyer at; you can use Yelp or search Calguns to see how reputable a gun store is and how close it is to you. It is not that important to you if a gun store is shady; you are getting money from the buyer. The buyer has to deal with the store (fees, waiting period, paperwork). It's probably more important to you if the store is close to you and isn't very busy - stores generally don't like PPTs because they don't make a lot of money and it has a lot of paperwork (which they can get in trouble for doing wrong). You will only meet them at a store, no alleyways or anything weird. There are people who will ask you to break the law, ignore them.
You'll set up a meeting at the store with the buyer with the gun (make sure it's unloaded). The buyer will check the gun and make sure it's as described. They won't be firing it, of course (you're in a gun shop where I assume the employees are armed). Then you'll get your money (cash only), and the store will fill out paperwork for the transfer. Other than your ID, which the store will put down on the paperwork, the buyer is the one who pays for all the fees and deals with the store. Once all the paperwork is complete, you're done (the buyer has to come back in 10 days to pick it up).
If they fail the background check - you don't care, cause technically you already sold them the handgun. They just can't pick it up.
posted by meowzilla at 2:49 PM on May 11, 2011
Oh, and you are selling the buyer the handgun - but you give it to the shop and they keep it for 10 days, pending the background check. That's the only weird thing.
posted by meowzilla at 3:00 PM on May 11, 2011
posted by meowzilla at 3:00 PM on May 11, 2011
Response by poster: Oh, wow, thanks everyone! There's a slight chance I was hoping to hear lots of "Yes! Take the easy, lazy way out!" but this is great advice. I'll swing by Retting's because it's close (and because I may have a name or two to drop there for cred, thanks chambers!) but if they don't come up with a decent offer I'll go the Calguns route.
Scody: Gun World is the place I was referring to; I think it's the closest to SM but I'll check again.
I'm marking meowzilla's as the best for the hand-holding but I appreciate all the help. It'll be a few weeks before i have time to deal but I'll try to update this when I make the sale. Thanks again :)
posted by Room 641-A at 8:56 AM on May 12, 2011
Scody: Gun World is the place I was referring to; I think it's the closest to SM but I'll check again.
I'm marking meowzilla's as the best for the hand-holding but I appreciate all the help. It'll be a few weeks before i have time to deal but I'll try to update this when I make the sale. Thanks again :)
posted by Room 641-A at 8:56 AM on May 12, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cosmicbandito at 12:47 PM on May 11, 2011