Selling a firearm can be a complicated process for gun owners. We’ve compiled what dealers pay attention to in the second-hand market, how prices are determined, and how to manage expectations during the selling process.
When you’re looking to part with a firearm you own, the most important step is being able to make an accurate valuation. Knowing the factors that affect pricing when you visit a dealer or a buyer in the second-hand firearms market will help you make a more informed sale. Here are the key points you should know before selling your firearm:
How much is my gun worth?
Seasonality and demand balance
When you’re looking to dispose of a firearm, the most important step is being able to make an accurate valuation. Knowing the factors that affect pricing when you visit a dealer or buyer in the second-hand firearm market helps you make a more informed sale.
One of the first criteria a buyer or dealer will consider when valuing your firearm is current market demand. The timing of the sale directly affects the price.
For example, selling a hunting shotgun during the summer months—when the hunting season is closed—versus selling it in the fall when the season opens can make a significant difference.
If you’re selling out of season, the dealer anticipates keeping that firearm in stock for a long time, which lowers the offer they are willing to make.
Inventory status and cash flow
Another important factor affecting the price is the buyer’s current inventory.
If the dealer already has multiple units of the model you’re trying to sell, they won’t offer a high price to add another one to their stock.
Commercial dynamics also matter: Dealers often purchase goods from distributors on credit terms, but when buying from individual sellers, they must pay in cash. For items that will slow down cash flow or are unlikely to sell quickly, they typically make more conservative offers.
Price guides are not always definitive
Standard price guides used in the industry (such as the Blue Book) are not absolute “laws.”
These guides can sometimes work in the seller’s favor and sometimes against it.
Especially for discontinued models or items that have gained collector value over time, book values may lag behind the actual market. Therefore, focusing on the “current market value” rather than static listings is more advantageous.
The key to learning the true value
Using online platforms is the most reliable method for learning how much your firearm is worth. However, it’s important to avoid a very common mistake:
Look at sold prices, not asking prices.
The prices sellers list on websites do not always reflect the amounts at which items actually sell.
To see the real value, use the platforms’ “advanced search” features to look at completed sales and ended auctions. This shows the most accurate data on how much your firearm truly sold for.
Commercial profit margin
Lastly, remember that you should not expect a dealer to pay you the full final sale price you see online. If a firearm typically sells for 1,000 units on the market, a dealer must offer you less because they need to make a profit and cover operating expenses such as rent and shop overhead. This is simply part of how business works.