Gun Value/gun trade

Freezer

I've been thinking about thinning the herd. I have guns I just don't shoot and have very little need for, one of these is a S&W Mountain Gun. My late son gave it to me many years ago, and it was my OS gun when I hunted in bear and mountain lion country. Those days are now in the past. He best friend is in the market for one, and I'm considering selling it to him. Gun Broker has them around $1200 to $1500. I find that a bit unrealistic. He also has my son's Remington XP 100 in 221 Fireball, and I've always loved that gun, but I have no real need for it. I believe the two guns are about the same value and may, when I can get reloading components, shoot that more. 

Opinions please.

GrapeApe

I love my xp-100, though it'd been highly customized before I bought it.

With both having ties to your your late son, I'm not sure I could pick which I'd want.
Not familiar enough with the 221 fireball cartridge to have an opinion on it.

If you think the XP would get used more, I'd say "gopher it" 

Wambli Ska

The Mountain Gun (especially early ones without a lock) will absolutely bring the kind of money you’re seeing on GB.  It’s a HIGHLY desirable gun.  Your trade is pretty well balanced.

Elk creek

 Oth of those are very desirable guns, that are not cheap, especially in todays market. 

Bigslug

Even if you don't expect to be re-enacting The Revenant bear scene, a S&W Mountain gun loaded with .44 Specials (or throttled back .45C's) is an excellent and very portable EDC choice, massively practical and versatile overall, and chambered in something obtainable.  The XP-100 is a "what's that and what do you do with it?" toy shooting a "what's that and what do you do with it?" niche cartridge - great if you live in that niche, but not really expandable outside of it.

Weigh that against the family connection value of either, and you'll be closer to your answer.

Freezer

I'm not a sentimental person and I don't build monuments, I carry him and others I lost in my heart. As I grow older, I'm asking myself, "How much stuff do I need and or use?" Both my knees are steel, my left hip is giving out and so are my shoulders, especially the right. The more I ponder this, the more I think I'll give my late son's best friend a sweet deal.

BTW, it is a pre lock, I have the original case, paper work, lock and a couple holsters.

JKP

I've got an XP-100 chambered in 221 Fireball. It's a hoot at 100 yards and very accurate. Mine has been converted to a rifle but the original SP version should be a blast (literally) and an excellent range gun.

As others have pointed out, the 221 Fireball cartridge has some limitations. But inside it's comfort zone it's easy and cheap to load and very consistent.

Gene L

Marshal Dan would never have tolerated a thread like this.  I understand you're not trying to sell guns on the BB, but Dan didn't.  I threw up a question about selling a No 1 Ruger and he killed it.  Times change, sometimes for the better.  You have some desirable guns to sell and if you chose to sell them on an open market, you'll get far more money than if you sell them to your son's friend.

ilove22s

Freezer said:

I've been thinking about thinning the herd. I have guns I just don't shoot and have very little need for, one of these is a S&W Mountain Gun. My late son gave it to me many years ago, and it was my OS gun when I hunted in bear and mountain lion country. Those days are now in the past. He best friend is in the market for one, and I'm considering selling it to him. Gun Broker has them around $1200 to $1500. I find that a bit unrealistic. He also has my son's Remington XP 100 in 221 Fireball, and I've always loved that gun, but I have no real need for it. I believe the two guns are about the same value and may, when I can get reloading components, shoot that more. 

Opinions please.

If your sons friend is in the market for the S&W you can do what you want or however you want to do things..  give it away or sell it for whatever amount you want or see fit.

if you want to sell and have access to one of the gun auction sites, you and probably get most money from it that way.

or if you have any local gun shops, you can look/ask how much they will take/charge you and go from there.  Either sell them outright to the shop or sell on consignment.  Noting that it wont be free and since they are in the business to make money, you wont get the max amount, whatever that is.  Either way, they will want to make some money.

good luck

Japhy

This is my take: I gave away guns to two nephews in the past couple years.  The first time they were very grateful and appreciated the lineage.  the following 2 times the novelty wore off, they thanked me of course but it was not the same experience as the first time.  I am still pleased that those guns I grew up with or had for many years are now in the hands of people I know and I also know they both hunt with them. 

the point is that selling to your son's friend my be a way to keep them in known hands but do not expect the same response as the first.  A first right of refusal offer may elicit as much gratitude as a bargain sale.  Everyone is different but don't aim too high.

Wambli Ska

For that same reason my kids are not getting my whole collection.  I think they’ll appreciate a few select pieces but if they ended with a pile I’d be sold because guns are a commitment in time and attention that I don’t see either one taking in.

ilove22s

also,

if you give it away some people dont appreciate it.   So, whatever you do, just dont set your expectations too high and if your sons friends turns around to flip it, then that can be part of what happens too.

some people are in it just for the money and will do/say whatever to make the next buck.  Been there, done that.

its just how things are and people are.

I took a new kid out shooting.  he grew up in Montana, but no one took him shooting.  Sad to say this.   He's studying for 2 degrees now and so if i take his word on his studies, i already know part of his character.

our 1st outing i took out my various handguns.  From 22 to 45LC from Single shot to semi auto.  Our next outing will be long guns.  From 22 to 30-06.  When i let him shoot my 1911 war horses and some of my older handguns he was truly amazed and had to stop and consider the history he was holding in his hands.  Im sure it will be the same for the long guns too... I told him what he will have a chance to shoot too and he could not wait.

Im downsizing my collection and plan to give a few toys to him.  they wont be the best/most expensive...ect...but something he can use and shoot and have fun.  If he continues down the road, so be it.  he will have time to make (more) money and buy (more) guns if he wants.   I could just as easily give him all of what i have left, but i think he will get more by reserach/learning and figuring out what he wants out of this hobby/sport.

Freezer

Thank you for your input. As I age I have many questions I need to answer including what do I need, what do I want and how much do I need. I'm a simple man and a minimalist. This will very soon include the tools I've accumulated through my life.

I've decided against the XP 100. Though I admired it then since I was a kid, I don't shoot LR or competition. Alex is a good man and I taught him to hunt Black tail deer in N Cal. He knows why I have this gun, and it's history, he won't flip it. I'm going to sell it at a great deal with my holsters and hand loads. It's not about the money, he'll appreciate it for what it was and is. It's a very practical gun for where we once hunted together.

Thank you again for helping me think my way through a hard decision.

jbp-ohio

Almost all of the guns I have sold go to my brothers for 'family' price.....

Zee

Dude, that Mountain Gun is one of the last good good guns Smith made!!!

Zee

The XP in factory form is nothing but a donor action. 

JunkCollector

Freezer I like your decision.

Sounds like a good home for it.