Thread: The secondhand rifle market

On another note, clean your guns before selling them ffs. If I rock up to inspect a firearm and it is dirty or has rust that wasn't previously described or shown clearly in pictures, I will automatically try to lowball the seller. If it is grubby upon sale, then I bet it has been kept grubby its entire life. Amazes me how many people will feverishly clean their car before a sale but cant take 20 minutes to clean a firearm.

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

Tikka T3 / T3x - $1100-1200

Sako 85 - $ 2000-$2600

Howa 1500 (including mini-action) - $700-$900

Browning X-Bolt - $800-1100

Ruger American - $800-$1000

Bergara B14 - $900 -$1100

At a rough guess depends on caliber and condition

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The last two tikkas I’ve bought were that money including suppressors. Albeit, the Buzzman factor was involved

50-75% of new price. 50% for the cheaper rifles or less popular, like Howa, Browning and Ruger American. 70-755 for a Sako.
Rarer chambering further discounted. Just picked up a 7x64 in a T3 for $600 where as a .223 or .308 would be 1100 - 1200.

I’m in two minds about buying secondhand firearms…..
All of the new guns I’ve ever bought have worked perfectly out of the box , been acceptably accurate, done their job without any hassle or heartache.
About half of the “ Bargain “ secondhand guns Ive purchased have come with hidden problems in the way they function or perform accuracy wise etc .
When you don’t know their history or what “ Bubba “ has been working on it , you’re flipping a coin .
All the guns Ive sold have been moved on for a reason , and that reason isn’t because they are extremely accurate and function perfectly.
Now when I walk out of the door of the gun shop with my new firearm, I’m very aware that I am taking an immediate hit on the purchase price , but I don’t plan to sell it . I have researched and made a decision that it is the tool for the job and will be with me for a long time .
When I come home with a secondhand firearm one of the first things going through my mind is “ will it work , and how long will I own it “.
Because of that nagging doubt in my brain I’m very hesitant to pay more than 60% of new price and that’s in very good to excellent condition.
If I’m buying sight unseen apart from a few grainy photos then that drops down significantly.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Interesting. I can buy a new Howa 1500 from Broncos for about $1,200 bare rifle (threaded) and I guess a new Tikka is gonna be $2k. Both standard plastic stocks.

Seems that the secondhand value of Tikkas is under the most pressure from what I've seen. Is that a fair comment?

Yip second hand Tikka are overpriced I paid less for a Sako than some are wanting for a Tikka

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I was looking at second hand 308's then found a new Mauser M18 threaded for a shade under 1k

Last 2 centrefire rifles I bought were Ruger Americans, both with with scope and suppressor - $650 and $700. Market is good if you have some money. One had the Ruger problem of poor feed from mag but that only cost a different mag to solve.

there are many who are unrealistic. no1 and no4 full wood enfield prices have crashed back to mid 2010's prices. 400 bucks (with exceptions for rarity) was what they sold for at the last auction yet 308 converted mauser full woods sold for 1200-1300.

Looking at the ATA in 308 that is being reviewed currently by @aPackofWildDogs@ - if the rifle in question turns out ok then it may drop a bit of the floor out from under the existing price that people are willing to pay for a basic hunting rifle

I remember driving around in shitty overpriced unreliable british cars that got out-competed by the japanese

Originally Posted by Ground Control

All the guns Ive sold have been moved on for a reason , and that reason isn’t because they are extremely accurate and function perfectly.

Note to self: Don't buy any s/h rifles from @Ground Control

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Note to self: Don't buy any s/h rifles from @Ground Control

They are worth whatever someone is prepared to pay on the day ...

That is the part that sellers have difficulty understanding.

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’m in two minds about buying secondhand firearms…..
All of the new guns I’ve ever bought have worked perfectly out of the box , been acceptably accurate, done their job without any hassle or heartache.
About half of the “ Bargain “ secondhand guns Ive purchased have come with hidden problems in the way they function or perform accuracy wise etc .
When you don’t know their history or what “ Bubba “ has been working on it , you’re flipping a coin .
All the guns Ive sold have been moved on for a reason , and that reason isn’t because they are extremely accurate and function perfectly.
Now when I walk out of the door of the gun shop with my new firearm, I’m very aware that I am taking an immediate hit on the purchase price , but I don’t plan to sell it . I have researched and made a decision that it is the tool for the job and will be with me for a long time .
When I come home with a secondhand firearm one of the first things going through my mind is “ will it work , and how long will I own it “.
Because of that nagging doubt in my brain I’m very hesitant to pay more than 60% of new price and that’s in very good to excellent condition.
If I’m buying sight unseen apart from a few grainy photos then that drops down significantly.

I think there’s a lot of truth in that comment. Often (but not always) things get sold because there’s a problem with them and rifles are no different. And with rifles often those problems are not that obvious, and are only found later on. “Does it shoot alright?” “Fuck yeah, does under an inch with everything I’ve put through it!”. Oh really.

I’ll jump in as a buyer - I’ve posted and been looking for a 223 Sako or Tikka super light.

I’ve been offered Howa and Bergara - and it was from really decent sellers- but not really what I’m after.

Maybe people are holding on to their ‘old-er’ f’arms at the moment. To date I haven’t had any prices to compare between second hand and new on those brands.

A new Tikka super light/cerakote/camo 223 can be had for $2200. I still think that’s acceptable, although those prices have crept up.

So it may be a new gun purchase instead of a secondhand rifle.


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