I'm considering selling all of my AR-15 related stuff

[Scoundrel]

I'm considering selling all of my AR-15 related stuff.
I have other guns and ammo that I will be keeping.
I've owned it for 1 year (almost exactly), have done some training with it, but don't shoot it much anymore because ammo is expensive (BEFORE the freakout).

Talk me out of selling it for a reasonable (not gouging but higher than what I paid for it) profit while this high-demand, low-supply market is hot.

BUT, please do so without ANY of the following:
* The word "zombie".
* Fear-mongering about the government taking away all of my freedoms.
* Fear-mongering about society collapsing and brigands stealing my prepared resources.
* Hyperbole that would cause most of the world to roll their eyes, and some people to call for psychiatric evaluation.
* Guilt-inducing statements about destroying the market and backstabbing all gun owners.

I want to hear some reasoned arguments in practical terms about how I can benefit by having an AR-15, a dozen magazines, and several thousand rounds of ammunition gathering dust in my armory.

Please, while you do so, keep the forum rules (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1) in mind, particularly the third rule ("treat one another with respect and civility at all times").

If you're not willing to put for the effort for more than a single short sentence, then please don't bother replying at all.

Thanks in advance for a positive, enlightening discussion.

[muggsy]

You may need it some day. That's reason enough.

[Scoundrel]

Can anyone do better?

[Bawanna]

It's better than a 401K right now and probably well into the future. I'm not an AR fan, in fact sold a perfect hardly shot Colt probably a year ago. I knew it was a mistake then and really know it now. Gave away the Pmags I had too.


If you sell let me know what you got and what kind of numbers your looking for emphasis on not gouging.

I'm poor but for the right model and money I'd find a way.

Lets see, did I meet any of the criteria? Probably not but I made an effort.

[Scoundrel]

You did make an effort and I appreciate it.

It's very difficult for me to be on the fence about something, because I'm usually pretty decisive.

I posted it up for sale a couple days ago, but at a crazy unreasonable price. Call it splitting hairs, but I think this is beyond gouging. What I have put out there is crazy talk. If someone wants the stuff bad enough to pay ridiculous prices for it, I'll be their resource. It I were asking, say, 150% of my purchase price, that might be gouging because someone of limited means might actually buy it for that.

I guess I'm hoping that someone who has more money than brain cells will go for it, or nobody will go for it and I'll have to keep it.


Knowing your scenario, Bawanna, I would not want to sell to you. I'd feel like I was taking advantage, for sure. :)

[Barth]

If you have buyers remorse and see no value in ownership?
Then by all means sell it off.

But keeping it till after the inevitable ban.
And selling at the post ban market price.
Will likely culminate in the best dollar for dollar return on investment you can possible make.

It's just business...

[Bawanna]

The thing is it's supply and demand. 150% of your purchase price is probably not gouging in the least. It's what they are selling for now.

Kind of a walk or make payments type of deal. Like you say people with more money than sense will pay huge.

During the first Clinton ban guys bought dozens of guns known to be on the upcoming list and they made a pile of money on them. I bought a very nice Russian made SKS for 99 bucks, didn't even want one but they said I wouldn't be able to have one. Still have it, never shot it. When was the last time you saw a good quality SKS for 99 bucks?

Maybe that's capitalism.

The local dept store, you know Fred Meyer in Monroe, had a Windham, just what I been wanting for 999 on a Sunday, first time I been there since they sell guns again. One of the guys here saw the same gun, same spot on the rack on Thursday and it was 799. My son went by the following Monday after I saw it and it was gone.

The sad part is all this hysteria bleeds over to Law Enforcement too, ammo cost, price and availability of AR's, I may be able to get one someday via LE but all sources say it's gonna be a while with no predicted date.

[getsome]

Barth is right, it's just the American way of doing business...Prices of any commodity is controlled by supply and demand...Right now there is a huge demand for an item you happen to have possession of....I would put my top dollar crazy price figure out there and wouldn't feel bad at all for taking someone's money who wanted it more than you do whether they had it to spend or not, thats their issue not yours....If it makes you feel better sell it and tithe extra to your church or give some of the profits to you favorite charity but I wouldn't feel bad or worry one bit about the price you ask for it now....

I almost bought a Ruger Mini-14 last summer and thought I wanted it real bad and this was even before the Colorado "Batman" shooting and any talk of a ban so that wasn't even part of the equation, I just WANTED the thing but then after sleeping on it a while and really soul searching I came to the conclusion that I didn't really need it I just wanted it and now with the price of .223 if you can find it I'm glad I didn't spring for it....I have two other rifles more suitable for hunting game that would also do for self defense if SHTF so now I'm really glad I didn't buy the Mini-14....

Sleep on it a while because you don't have to make a decision today and really give it some objective thought and whatever you do in the end feel good about your decision...

[knkali]

I would not sell it because you have a great platform that might not be available in the future. It is a lightweight, great CQC weapon and can go from 10 to 300 meters(or more) depending on glass and training. Keep it. It costs nothing to stay in the safe/closet. I would only consider selling if you are a dedicated handgunner who has his sights on another got to have gun.

[Scoundrel]

Thanks for the input so far. I posted this thread on another forum (NOT AR-15.com, I am not that masochistic), and am enduring all kinds of abuse.

Whichever way it goes, I am giving it a lot of thought. Probably too much.

Eventually, my long term plan is to sell my house, buy a really nice diesel pickup and toy hauler, and go full time RVing around the country. The wife is slowly coming on board with this plan. It's probably 10 years out at this point.

When that happens, carrying an AR-15 and a supply of ammo for it around would be prohibitively difficult, possibly even illegal depending on where I go. We'll have a storage unit, but it seems wasteful to leave it there. Even more wasteful than where it sits today.

[Tinman507]

Wait until the smoke clears on this, and it will to some extent, then decide.
It's an emotional decision right now. Wait and make a business decision.

[JohnR]

Unless you're destitute and really need the money, just keep it. You'll kick yourself one day if you sell it.

[MikeyKahr]

I'm not sure what I would do right now were I in your shoes. I see wisdom in selling and in keeping. In my situation, very little need for it. But, it would be nice to own. :D Let's see if you get an offer on it, I wouldn't be surprised if you do.

[Scoundrel]

It has one bid (well below reserve) and 6 watchers right now.
No bites on the magazines. Did get one e-mail ridiculing me about the magazines.

I am going to sell some of the ammo for about twice what I paid for it. Probably going to remove the rest of the ammo from the market until I decide about the AR.

[MikeyKahr]

We'll see what happens once the clock runs out on your posting. I may be in the minority (I am, I know), but I do see some wisdom in selling. But ONLY if your needs are met in other weapons. A lot of RV highways run through the land of Lincoln and you know you and the missus want to go see some Sequoias. :beer:

The major question would be when to sell, as Barth mentioned. Pretty soon I'm going to start buying HKs and wearing long coats. :rolleyes: There may come a time where it could be worth its weight in Gold. Literally. One more mass shooting and some actual legislation and you may be looking at 5 figures.

[Bawanna]

Your grounded nephew for even thinking those thoughts.

Go back and read the rules on the initial post. Go to your room.

[gunmut]

the only reason to sell it now would be: you need the money, or you want to make a big profit due the current climate. There is nothing wrong with making a big profit. the only time that is wrong is if you are selling something necessary like food, water etc to people who need it, not want it.....
Don't buy into the PC concept that profit is a bad thing, you are selling something people want but don't have to have.:D:33:

[GROTMAN]

I say better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. That being said it.. if you don't use it and don't plan to..selling it is a good way to make a good profit and you can always use the money to get what you will use. You might also think of the good karma you would have with all the Kahrtalk members if you just put it up on the pay forward thread..:D
just sayin

[Bawanna]

I'm definitely down for that and I'll name my next dog after ya respectfully and I'm local.

Have I mentioned lately what a swell fella I think you are, not in any mano mano way ya understand.

And I mention DQ Blizzards say weekly for a year? That was a cheap shot and I know your weakness's.

[Scoundrel]

And I mention DQ Blizzards say weekly for a year? That was a cheap shot and I know your weakness's.

Yer a funny guy.

If I "paid it forward" I'd make ONE KahrTalk member very happy, and piss off the rest of them.

Maybe I could pay forward one round for every KahrTalk member. I think I even still have a .38 special round laying around.

[ORSalesRep]

Unless you're destitute and really need the money, just keep it. You'll kick yourself one day if you sell it.

+1!!! This is a great point! You don't want to be regretting your decision to sell if a ban does occur. I personally believe that one will. Unless you need the money, keep it. Heck, I was lucky enough to find an LWRC M6A2 SPR at a local gun store last week. It was their last AR. They sold 45 ARs from Monday to Thursday, right after Sandy Hooks. I ended up paying $2800.00, which wasn't bad at all for that make and model. When I got home, I looked at Gunbroker and the same rifle was going for $3700.00. Hell, I also have a SCAR 16S and have seen those actually SELLING on Gunbroker for 6-7K.

[ORSalesRep]

the only reason to sell it now would be: you need the money, or you want to make a big profit due the current climate. There is nothing wrong with making a big profit. the only time that is wrong is if you are selling something necessary like food, water etc to people who need it, not want it.....
Don't buy into the PC concept that profit is a bad thing, you are selling something people want but don't have to have.:D:33:

Agreed! If someone is willing to pay an outrageous price, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Especially since the item we are talking about is a "nice to have" and not a "need to have" item.

[Bawanna]

Yer a funny guy.

If I "paid it forward" I'd make ONE KahrTalk member very happy, and piss off the rest of them.

Maybe I could pay forward one round for every KahrTalk member. I think I even still have a .38 special round laying around.

This will be no contest, anybody in but me gets banned. Easy.

Anything else on your radar your wanting? I didn't look for your posting, guess I really don't want to know that bad. Wifes been speaking to me for almost a week now so don't want to mess that up.

I'll spring for a Blizzard anytime though, no strings attached.

[addictedhealer]

Well, I don't have one and wish I did. With that said if it was a matter of a sweet 1911 and a sweet revolver over the ar I'll take the 1911 and gp100. The price you could get out of it will serve more purpose with a couple handguns.

Then again wish I had a AR, but it isn't on the soon to buy list. Don't really have a place to shoot so that adds to my reason.

List to buy.
MK9
SR1911
GP100.

[Scoundrel]

Anything else on your radar your wanting? I didn't look for your posting, guess I really don't want to know that bad. Wifes been speaking to me for almost a week now so don't want to mess that up.

I'll spring for a Blizzard anytime though, no strings attached.

I want a decent gun safe (one that won't crash through the floor but can't be popped open with a pocket-sized crowbar), a threaded barrel for my PPQ, and a suppressor for my PPQ.

The suppressor is on its way. I might have it by August.
The threaded barrel has been ordered. Jarvis might make one for me in February sometime.

The listing is here (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=324351039). I started the listing at $800. The Buy It Now is at $1600. I'm not telling where the reserve is. I paid $700 plus tax for it one year ago.

I'm not an easy guy to buy presents for. My financial position is such that when I want something that is inexpensive enough to reasonably expect someone to give it to me as a gift, I just go and buy it. So that only leaves the big items, and most of the time I just end up buying those too.

I can fund blizzards indefinitely with the change that comes out of my pocket and goes into a glass jar on my desk.

[yqtszhj]

It will be a collectors item soon enough.

And even if you don't want to hear it, if stuff goes bad you might want it for hunting or other things.

[melissa5]

LOL I listed my Sport on gunbroker for about 15 minutes. Started thinking that I might NEED it more than money some time down the road to trade for other stuff if our money becomes no good.

[Scoundrel]

LOL I listed my Sport on gunbroker for about 15 minutes. Started thinking that I might NEED it more than money some time down the road to trade for other stuff if our money becomes no good.

That's the big turmoil inside. I like to plan for the positive, and be prepared for the negative and not obsess about it.

I also like to retain a little hope for enlightenment in humans, so we'd never get to that societal collapse everyone on gun forums talks about.
But then I read on the news about the really nasty things we humans do to one another - and not just one on one.

I believe that the more negative energy we all put out, the more it influences others, and the same with the positive energy.
Try walking down a busy street one day, smiling, nodding, and making eye contact with everyone you pass going the other direction.
Then turn around and walk back the way you came, throwing everyone you meet surly, suspicious looks.

Tell me how that worked out for you.
Then tell me about how many weapons and ammo you have stored away in case the SHTF.


So I want to sing "Kumbaya" and "Shiny Happy People" and give out free hugs to everyone. But I want to have a big stick in my hand just in case.
Some people will say that these things are not mutually exclusive, and they might be right, but the majority of people can't manage to do them both.

[Bawanna]

Your doing it right Scoundrel. I agree.

Even the Doc that worked on me told me hope for the best, plan for the worst.

It works and it can be done but it ain't for everybody.

[7shot]

Unless you're destitute and really need the money, just keep it. You'll kick yourself one day if you sell it.

Couldn't have said it better...my thoughts exactly.

[rjt123]

If you have buyers remorse and see no value in ownership?
Then by all means sell it off.

But keeping it till after the inevitable ban.
And selling at the post ban market price.
Will likely culminate in the best dollar for dollar return on investment you can possible make.

It's just business...

Barth's point is well made. Not to violate the fear mongering prohibitions for the thread, but...

If the "no transfers" part of Feinstein's proposed bill is passed, you won't be ABLE to legally sell it "after the ban".

[Scoundrel]

Oh, and I would NEVER violate a fresh, unpopular law by selling something for 15x its original value within a week of that law passing.

No way, not me.

[yqtszhj]

That's the big turmoil inside. I like to plan for the positive, and be prepared for the negative and not obsess about it.

I also like to retain a little hope for enlightenment in humans, so we'd never get to that societal collapse everyone on gun forums talks about.
But then I read on the news about the really nasty things we humans do to one another - and not just one on one.


Exactly why you should keep it. I think you answered your own question.

[muggsy]

Like I said in the beginning, you might need your AR some day. Never act on emotion. Act on rational thought. If you sell your AR you'll probably spend the money on something worth a lot less and won't have it for nearly as long. If in the future you decide that you'd like to have another you will probably pay dearly for it. Sin in haste repent at your leisure.

[Charlie98]

My AR's are just tools, I've decided to keep them. I've been on the fence for a few years about selling my Colt H-Bar... it wasn't what I wanted and it's a Big Pin so mods were more difficult than a normal AR. My wife, who doesn't care one way or the other, talked me out of it. I'm glad she did... so now I have 2 AR's... my H-Bar and my carbine I built. Best of both AR worlds (as far as I'm concerned.)

On the other hand, I've sold a bunch of other stuff for different reasons. Some I was just tired of, others didn't see much use. If your AR falls into one of those categories, sell it. I'll temper that with the fact that I realllllly regret 2 particular arms I sold off... a Smith 657 and a Browning 1886, but it's too late for that. Right now is a seller's market... I wouldn't think twice about selling your AR if you indeed just want to get rid of it. And there is no such thing as price gouging... if you find someone willing to pay $10000 for your AR, that's fine (as long as you are not coerceing them, misrepresenting what you have, or using The Force to control their minds or something.)

Just understand there is probably no going back. I can't afford to buy another 1886... it's gone and so is the money... and the fact it would take almost twice what I sold it for to recover one in the condition mine was in, let alone all the junk I had with it. Chances are you won't be able to find another AR, let alone the mags for it, for a reasonable price for a very long time... if ever.

[Scoundrel]

Thanks to everyone again for the input.

I made the decision. I am keeping the AR. I canceled the auction and removed the magazine and ammo ads.

The underlying concern about whether it's doing any good collecting dust in my armory is still there, and I may not shoot it, especially now that ammo prices are going to be through the roof for a while.

However, my decision to NOT sell it right now hinges on two key factors:

1. I HATE having externally imposed limitations. I like having choices, and those choices not being restricted. If I sell the AR now, and then change my mind about it, I will not have an option to buy an AR or probably even an AK again for some time because of the market craziness. When they do become available again, the pricing may never again be as low as it was last year. If you doubt this, I suggest that you look at the history of gasoline prices. Finally (on this point), if a ban does go through before the market recovers enough for me to re-buy at a reasonable price, I'd be S.O.L.

2. It is possible that, if these things are banned, I could get a VERY sweet price for it later - a price that could take a really large bite out of my mortgage debt. That's an investment worth hanging onto it for. Right now, I could get double what I paid for it, due to speculation about the possible ban and the resulting supply/demand issues. But if a ban goes into effect, I might be able to get fifteen times what I paid for it.

Of course, if the ban that got passed into law included restrictions on the private sale of said firearm, then there's just no way I'd ever violate that fresh and very unpopular law within a week of it being passed. Nope, I'd never, ever do that.


I am going to go through with a sale of SOME of the ammo that I have already negotiated with someone about. I'm doubling my money on that ammo, and that guy will be able to have some ammo for his shiny new AR, so it's good for both of us. I'll still have plenty of ammo left.

I'll use the money from that sale to go buy a gun safe, which I will promptly forget the contents of and the combination for.

[Scoundrel]

I suppose I should ask:

Does the current market craziness extend to gun safes as well? Because, that would just piss me off.

[MW surveyor]

I suppose I should ask:

Does the current market craziness extend to gun safes as well? Because, that would just piss me off.

Only if the safe is high capacity*.

*A term which is presently undefined.

[itsthelaw]

I was "given" a safe by my wife for Christmas, so now I have to find and buy it. Having looked into a few different models, they seem to be available. Supplies have gone down a bit, but the prices still seem the same as before Christmas. Due to size contraints of the door into my closet, I am purchasing a Winchester Ranger 31. I found a smaller Liberty in stock at my LGS. The Winchester gives me the biggest safe that will slide through my door.

[ltxi]

Well damn. I was hoping to get another one of my unpopular opinions in before you made your decision, Scoundrel. But here's some of it/them anyway.....

There's no shame in making a profit. Current market value isn't determined by/has nothing to do with initial purchase price.

If you don't like or care for the gun then you don't like or care for the gun no matter anyone else's opinion.

My first military training rifle was an M1 Garand. My first military duty rifle was an M14. I also was an almost victim of the first M16s. Finely built, accurate rifles with the practical reliability of a Yugo and utterly inferior to anything .30/7.62 in close combat brush.

I personally have little to no use for ARs. Never will and don't care who knows it. Like the adoption of the 9mm I consider 5.56 an unfortunate concession to children who can't handle real weapons.

[Scoundrel]

Well damn. I was hoping to get another one of my unpopular opinions in before you made your decision, Scoundrel. But here's some of it/them anyway.....

Sorry to be so short-fused! :)

It's not that I don't like the gun. I like the portability, the weight, the recoil, and while the power of the round is not awe-inspiring, it is at least adequate and (relatively) inexpensive.

It's just that I don't really have much practical use for it, and it takes up a lot of space compared to pistols.


I didn't buy a safe today. I did buy a toolbox though.
The M&P 15 and M&P 15/22 uppers fit in the top compartment, and the lowers handily fit in the top drawer. Plenty of room in the rest of the drawers for all of my pistols, holsters, magazines, loaders, and a few boxes of rounds of each caliber.

It's not as secure as a gun safe would be, but also not as conspicuous. Nobody's going to look twice at a red Stanley toolbox bolted to the floor in the back of a Toy Hauler, unless they're considering trying to steal the tools.

[ltxi]

Sorry to be so short-fused! :)

It's not that I don't like the gun. ...............It's just that I don't really have much practical use for it, and it takes up a lot of space .......



I currently own upwards of 50 firearms. And this describes at least half of them perfectly!

[Scoundrel]

Just looked at a bunch of M&P 15 Sports I had "Watched" on GunBroker. One, with some extras, sold for $1500. One Kalifornia compliant one went for $1825. Couple others went for about $1200. One did not sell. The last bid was $1500 and did not meet reserve.

I wouldn't have sold for less than $1400, so maybe it would have ended without a purchase after all.

I'm actually kinda of pleased to see that these did not all sell for $2000+.
It shows that maybe things aren't as crazy as all that.

[ltxi]

If I were to feel the need for a 5.56, the M&P Sports would be what I'd buy. Basic and useful. If I recall correctly, which may well be in error, they were going for around $800 new six or so months ago.

[Bawanna]

Less than that as I recall. I could get a Windham or several other slightly higher tier versions for 800.

I passed up a Windham for 786 after the overnight panic hit. Boy I can be so dumb sometimes.

I'm just not a big AR fan and I didn't have the 786 so it wasn't a tough call but I'd still like to have it just cause.

[Scoundrel]

It was $700 on 1/31/2012.

This is the one I drove 75 miles to what was the nearest Cabela's at the time to get.
This is the one where I pissed off my LGS because they wanted me to pay $500 more for the next closest model to what I wanted, instead of getting exactly what I wanted, for the price I wanted to pay for it.

Oh, and while we're on the subject, here's the cracked hammer I found when I took it apart. When the LGS refused to sell me a replacement hammer because they were pissed at me (I KNOW they had one because they showed it to me when they were telling me how I could get parts anywhere for an AR), I drove back down to Cabela's and sweet-talked the manager into letting me return the AR and get a different one (which I stripped in the store before buying).

The LGS would not have been able to do that, because they would have ordered a single one. Cabela's had 3 of them.

[ltxi]

Less than that as I recall. I could get a Windham or several other slightly higher tier versions for 800.

I passed up a Windham for 786 after the overnight panic hit. Boy I can be so dumb sometimes.

I'm just not a big AR fan and I didn't have the 786 so it wasn't a tough call but I'd still like to have it just cause.

Not dumb....just didn't buy something you really didn't want or need.

Oh, wait....I forgot we're talking about guns here....I have the same disease.

[Scoundrel]

Not dumb....just didn't buy something you really didn't want or need.

Oh, wait....I forgot we're talking about guns here....I have the same disease.

No kidding. I saw some folks talking about the Ruger SR22, went and looked at it again, and was tempted to buy one.

I have a Walther P22 that works great, and a couple of Ruger MK III 22/45s (one Target, one with threaded barrel), and a S&W 317 revolver - so what the heck do I need a Ruger SR22 for? Nothing. I don't. but I kinda want one. Especially if I can get it with a threaded barrel.

[ltxi]

Like the Magnum Research magnum lite .22 I accidently bought yesterday....with the black pepper stock no less. I really, really needed another .22lr rifle...'specially an expensive 10/22 variation...not!

[Scoundrel]

How did you accidentally buy a gun?

[ltxi]

The same way I accidentally bought a new car last week. Too much time on my hands over the holidays. Excessive amounts of time off can get freaking expensive.