A buddy of mine's uncle has passed away. He has about x30 firearms (most super common stuff / nothing fancy).

What would be the easiest way for the family to move these firearms to get money for the family? They'd like a one stop shop if possible versus trying to gun show or manage gunbroker / GunsAmerica auctions them selves.

Edit to add: Family is in Ashville, NC if that helps. If we happen to have a local FFL on the board.

Sell to trusted friends and acquaintances off the grid. I wouldn’t breathe a word more about it.

Quick sell, likely less $, I'd guess just about any LGS.
Slower sell, more $, list somewhere like here
Surely a third option out there, too.

quote:

Quick sell, likely less $, I'd guess just about any LGS.
Slower sell, more $, list somewhere like here
Surely a third option out there, too.

Third option would be consignment.

It sounds like the family doesn't know much about guns and doesn't care to keep them.
But to maximize results, a trusted friend [maybe you] could sell the better ones individually rather than taking an offer for the lot.

Do they have other things to sell for the Estate? if so then find an estate sale organization that will handle firearms, they will sell off the odds and ends of the estate, cars, furniture, painting/art, guns, collections etc.

Otherwise did the Uncle have any friends that were close, went shooting with him, was he a member of a club/range see if they will sell off his firearms for him by listing them for sale.

Otherwise, a good gun shop will buy them but at a huge discount, probably 50% or less of what they are worth.

There are FFL's that specialize in that. They research the arms and post them on auction sites. They receive a commission that is a percentage of what is earned so their interest parallel the seller. They pretty much handle everything, and the seller gets a check.
I would think this would be better than the local pawn shop, but not as good as finding close relatives to give them to.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:
There are FFL's that specialize in that. They research the arms and post them on auction sites. They receive a commission that is a percentage of what is earned so their interest parallel the seller. They pretty much handle everything, and the seller gets a check.
I would think this would be better than the local pawn shop, but not as good as finding close relatives to give them to.

good advice

I'm a FFL/SOT that specializes in Milsurps and Estates,
however your friend is a bit far from me to help out


re the others, shop around the local FFL's, there may be someone near that does the same,

or online, LS&B mostly on Gunbroker) or Jack the Dog (gun auctions.com IIRC) both have good reps online,

My brother in law is a gun store owner here in my area and he will buy entire collections like you mention. I think his biggest purchases was over 100 firearms.

OF course, the bigger and nicer collection, the bigger the investment that is needed upfront, so your average gun shop may not be able to help out with the entire collection in one transaction, but it is worth a few phone calls to check. Start with the bigger and nicer independent shops that seem to have a lot of inventory (as opposed to the little guy who just orders things as customers come in looking for them).

Good luck.

You've already posted on a public forum so ignore those telling you to do it illegally. You have to use an FFL now but find someone like Dury's in San Antonio. They'll buy the collection. You could try Rock Island auction company.


Why you need an FFL

Check for local auction houses that have an FFL.

Thanks for some of the advice. I have found a local auction house that's going to call me back. They do have a FFL. So that'll be a possible option.

Family doesn't' want them. Sounds like weird political stuff with who want's the money / guns. I'm just trying to give them a option where they can find a one stop shop to drop them off. Then collect the money when they sell.

Asheville is a very liberal enclave.

If they were to drive to a place like Shelby, NC, to the local gun store, it might be better financially.

I had to handle a sale like this with 30-40 guns a few years ago. I had Robert Burke ship them all to a FFL here on SigForum and he sold them all. I was dealing with a wife whose husband had recently passed. She was up a creek financially because of this, had to sell the family home, so I, Robert, and David here on the forum stepped in to help her. IMO best to ship to someone who can sell them all for the family.

You’d be shock how well guns sell on estate sales or via auction. People go ga ga over it. There is a local auction house…I watch the gun auctions and even bid a few times… stuff always go for astronomical prices. Even the pedestrian stuff.

Not Sure in your Area. But an Estate auction with guns brings a crowd. And from i have seen at auctions even common guns go for stupid high prices .

quote:

Originally posted by IndianaMike:
Not Sure in your Area. But an Estate auction with guns brings a crowd. And from i have seen at auctions even common guns go for stupid high prices .

Hit the nail on the head. Constantly I see used, run of the mill handguns, shotguns, and rifles, bring above what you can buy the same model for new.

Email sent

I have done this several times for various reasons.
My recommendation is to consign then to an auction house that specializes in firearms for auction. While most places take 20% or so, they usually advertise nationally and get absolutely the best price possible in most cases.
In a lot of cases, I have seen even garden variety guns get top dollar, often close to what a brand new one would cost.
I have a local auction house in AZ that is my go to. Every time I have used them I have easily gotten more out of the gun than I paid for it. In some cases much more. I have done this with a hundred guns or so over the years, and only broke even on one.
Easier way for the family. Deliver guns to auction house ( in many cases the auction house will come to you to pick up) they take care of advertising, collecting payment shipping ffl and all the rest

quote:

Originally posted by sunburn:
Email sent

Thanks for your time today!

This place is awesome. Why I keep coming back. So many generous members willing to help out their "imaginary internet friends".

How about this.
Offer him $4,500.00 for all thirty.

Once in your possession,you undertake the pains taking task of selling them.

After ninty days you give him the rest of the money.

You can either give him the total balance.
Or
Keep a piece or four
As payment for your hard work.
Or
Keep some money and sell all of the guns in exchange for you time and trouble.