Trading or Selling Pistols? What Works?

[rmclain3]

So I have a new Colt GM XSE blue .45 that I thought would be a good carry pistol. I like the way it shoots but I think I would like to carry something smaller like a Commander model. Is trading in a pistol something that alot of people do? Where is the best place to do that? Pawn shops? Carter's Country? Where can you typically get a good trade-in price assuming they have the pistol you want (like a Colt Commander)? How can you be sure you're not getting ripped off?

[KC5AV]

Typically, your best bet will be to trade or outright sale with an individual. Businesses are in the business of making money, and are going to give you as little as possible in trade.

[seamusTX]

The way I research prices is recent sales on http://www.auctionarms.com/. You have to register to search closed auctions. Registering for this site has not caused me any problems like spam.

When you look at closed auctions, only those that resulted in a sale are meaningful. Many auctions end with a single bid by the seller.

You can sell on Auction Arms. You reach a large market that way, but people pay less than they might in person because they have to pay for shipping. Selling through that site also means that you don't have to worry about selling to a prohibited person. The buyer has to receive the piece through an FFL (unless he happens to reside near you).

IMHO, you are not going to get close to the price you paid for a new piece, unless it is one of those in high demand, like the Ruger LCP.

Pawnshops and gun stores have to make a profit, and they are going to pay you as little as possible.

Your best bet might be to do a trade-in at the place where you bought your Colt.

- Jim

[RiverRat]

Found this localized (houston, austin) trading site that might be of interest. I have been looking on it, but have never used it. Suspect Jim is on the money saying your best bet is trading with the dealer that sold it to you. Might only loose 25% of your original investment.

http://www.texasguntrader.com/index/lis ... ory371.htm

[rm9792]

Could consider trading with someone on this board for what you want or try to sell outright.

[10mmillie]

Being a former FFL myself do not trade it in. You will get screwed. Either sell it outright or try to even trade it for what you want. List it here, texasguntrader, southeasttexas.com, glocktalk, AR15.com, thehighroad.org just to name a few.

[jaf]

I am in the same boat, I would like to sell a firearm (Bushmaster AR-15) but was told not to go to store locations as they are in business and do not offer the best price. Thanks for the links in this post as I am ready to sell just need the sites on where to list. I would rather sell locally (DFW) as well if possible, good information in this forum.

[KC5AV]

Of course, this site has a wonderful sale/trade forum, once you reach the requisite number of posts. I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who would be happy to deal with you.

[Rex B]

I do a lot of buying and selling as I change tastes and upgrade my collection.
The best place for advertising firearms is the classifieds forum on this board.
I have tried a number of others, but here they sell quicker and it's almost always FTF.

[smyrna]

If you can at all afford to...hang on to that Colt XSE and sell it outright later and you'll almost be guaranteed to MAKE enough money to recoup what ever you spend on a Commander and then some. That little horsey drives some people crazy.

Otherwise, I'd try to find an individual looking for a Colt and try to minimize my loss and put the funds toward the gun I wanted. As stated before, businesses are there to make money, not help you in trade. Pawn shops are worse.

[atxbandit]

Of course, this site has a wonderful sale/trade forum, once you reach the requisite number of posts. I'm sure there are plenty of folks here who would be happy to deal with you.

The required number of posts is 45. After reading this I decided to post a SW 686 I have been thinking about selling. The post was promptly removed.

[IAHGUN]

Agree on avoid pawn/store - better way for me is private sells ( and to me works the same way for cars ).

I have same problem my self, just saw a beautiful ED Brown Special Force at Carter's, and I have to say at the right price, in order to get it must sell my two Kimbers and put some money on top.

So I'll start to going around gun show and put some AD on the web.

Ciao

[boomerang]

better way for me is private sells ( and to me works the same way for cars ).

cut out the middle man