Selling a rifle............

W

William Suter

Well-known member
to a friend. My bud whom I've known for years wants to buy a rifle I have, (that's really not for sale at this day and time). He said I sold a rifle out from under him years ago and in truth I did. But I also know how tight he is and he would never pay what the rifle was worth. Now he wants my Riihimaki 222 heavy barrel. Its mint and I know it will bring more than he is ever going to want to pay. I paid a ridiculously low price for this rifle and am pretty sure what its worth if I ever sell it and know its more than he would ever pay. I guess I don't have to worry about it now but I don't own much of anything that can't be bought for the right price at the right time. Just because it isn't for sale today, there's always tomorrow.

I don't like selling firearms to friends anyway. Years ago I had a Knight muzzleloader for sale. A friends son wanted to buy it so I cut him a really good deal on it. This rifle shot as good as any muzzleloader I have ever owned but I was into the Encores at the time so I didn't really need the Knight. I told the kid what bullets to buy and what powder and charge weight to use. He came back a few days later and he and his dad, whom I worked with, started telling the shop how I screwed him on the MZ. I offered the kid his money back and he refused but kept running his mouth. I asked if he got the components I told him to get and turns out he didn't. Then he asked if I would go with him and shoot the rifle. I took my bullets and powder and we headed to my club. I showed him the bullets and powder then proceeded to put three shots touching at 100yds. I turned to him and asked if he still wanted his money back. Pretty much ended the conversation and he went home with a damn nice rifle. But since then I try not to sell anything to friends. Especially firearms.
 
IKWYM, Bill; there's always one in every crowd. I've sold a number of guns to friends; guess I've been lucky. I don't swap rifles nearly as often as you, but can't remember anyone complaining over the years. I am reluctant, however, to sell a vehicle to a friend, cause ya never know when something unexpected might go wrong.
 
To me it depends on the friend and how close we are. My best friend growing up, hell. I would just give it to him if he wanted it because I know that he would do the same to me. Anyone else, I may knock a little off, but if they weren't happy with that I'd kindly explain that I think it's a fair price so either take it or leave it.

Wanna end a "friendship" fast? Let said "friend" borrow some money.
 
Anyone I call a "friend" is someone I could easily tell them what you posted... if you can't tell him this, he must not be that good of a friend.
 
My buddies would buy it for what it's worth if they wanted it. And I have a tightwad as a friend too. If he didn't, he didn't want the rifle that bad. This world sure as hell don't give you or I no handouts, why should we do the same for anyone else?Tightwad or not that's not how the world works.

I'd tell him what it's worth and he don't like it I don't guess he has to have it. It's fine in your gun safe.
 
222 mag said:
If you sell it to him cheap he may sell it later for what it's actually worth, I've had that happen, but just once. If he don't want to pay what it's worth, he's not a friend
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Yup. I sold a shotgun to a guy for a really good price because I thought he was my friend. We were at the hunting club one day and I was like "how's that shotgun". He said, "man, I sold that thing to a buddy of mine, made money off it too". That was the last gun I ever sold, period.
 
222 mag said:
If you sell it to him cheap he may sell it later for what it's actually worth, I've had that happen, but just once. If he don't want to pay what it's worth, he's not a friend
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Yeah, been there before with both guns and archery gear. I always try to be more than fair with friends and family. Try to do what I can to help them out. But then they turn around and turn a profit on the goods. Kinda sucks! Lessons learned
 
While you feel butt hurt when this happens (as would I), the real lesson that should be learned is.... once you sell or give up an item, it is no longer yours and what they do with it is their business.
I learned this with giving to homeless people. Had one guy tell me not to call him over when I offered him food. His sign read hungry, anything helps. I use to worry and their for not give because I didn't want them spending "my money" on liquor, smokes, or drugs. Finally realized that I was blessed by doing what God prompted me to do, not what they did with what was given.

Not exactly apples to apples but oranges & tangerines is close enough.
 
I learned that a long time ago. Once you sell it you no longer have any control over what happens to the item. You may not like it but that's the way it is.
 
Id rather sell a gun to a friend for a fraction of the price than deal with selling to a stranger. I have guns laying around that i dont want, just taking up space because i dont want to deal with selling them. Im flying to the east coast on friday to go visit an old friend. Hes had something, probably a yote or bobcat, killing his yard birds, and all he has is a .30-06 and a .22lr. So im bringing him a ruger american predator .223. I have no use for it. Rather give it away to a good friend then sell it to a stranger. Mounted an old vortex diamondback on it that i also have no use for, and ive had a timney trigger and a kydex cheekpiece laying around for that gun for a long time. Just installed today. Now i just gotta zero the scope, but its pissin rain today, so thats a no sail.
I dont believe for a minute hes going to turn around and sell it, but if he did, i really wouldnt care. Known the guy my whole life, cant imagine getting mad about what he does with a rifle.
 
Slagiatt said:
Id rather sell a gun to a friend for a fraction of the price than deal with selling to a stranger. I have guns laying around that i dont want, just taking up space because i dont want to deal with selling them. Im flying to the east coast on friday to go visit an old friend. Hes had something, probably a yote or bobcat, killing his yard birds, and all he has is a .30-06 and a .22lr. So im bringing him a ruger american predator .223. I have no use for it. Rather give it away to a good friend then sell it to a stranger. Mounted an old vortex diamondback on it that i also have no use for, and ive had a timney trigger and a kydex cheekpiece laying around for that gun for a long time. Just installed today. Now i just gotta zero the scope, but its pissin rain today, so thats a no sail.
I dont believe for a minute hes going to turn around and sell it, but if he did, i really wouldnt care. Known the guy my whole life, cant imagine getting mad about what he does with a rifle.
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My attitude almost exactly
 
Well I told you he was tight. I picked up a little CZ 527 Lux today at a very small gunshow. Not a super deal but what I call fair. The little CZ (222) is in nice condition but minus front and real sights and threaded for a suppressor. I called my bud and asked if he was interested in it. He said maybe, how much. When I told him all he said was WOW! But I rather have your Sako. I told him to double the price and he could have it. He didn't reply. LOL! I was actually loosing $50 on the deal and cheaper than any similar rifle priced on Gunbroker. I think he needs to get out more and check the going prices on firearms today. I didn't figure he wold buy either rifle but now he knows the prices and can't say he wasn't given an opportunity. And besides, I kinda like the little CZ. It may be a keeper.
 
He has champagne taste on a beer budget.

I knew he was just "tire kickin". I never take him very seriously because I know he won't come through. But he can't say I sold it out from under him now.
 
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