Greetings,
I have been meaning to ask this question for a while. I normally post on the antique machinery part of the forum only. The question I have is where can I sell an old military rifle? The rifle belonged to my father and was given to me a number of years ago and I do not have a need for the it and would like to sell it. Not being familiar with the selling of firearms I am in need of advice on an outlet to sell. I hope I am inbounds of asking this question.
George
Normaly, person to person sales of long arms are not restricted. You can put an add in the paper and just sell it to the first person over 18 who comes up with the cash. It needs to be transfered to someone who resides in the same state as you and would not otherwise be unalbe to purchase a firearm (over 18 in most states, higher in some). If they obviously have a drug problem, or a mental defect, its in all our interests not to supply them with a gun. I know of no obligation for a private citizen to do a formal background check.
I said normaly, I see your in Michigan and you porbably need to double check the states regulations as well as the federal. I recall that Michigan has some restrictions beyond the Federal restrictions.
As to how to sell it, most old mil spec rifles usualy are not particuarly valuable or rare. Have a friend who knows something about guns take a look at it. Figure out the make and model. Go on line and look at several of the gun auction sights and get a feal for the going prices. Also, some mill speck stuff comands a premium. A very unusual manufacturer like singer sewing machine or a special unit stamp can command a large premium on an otherwise ordanary gun. This is where the knowledgable friend comes in handy, but chances are you dont have anything like that.
If you dont want to deal with the public, you can sell it to pawn brokers through a small gun shops. Some will even consign a piece.
Another option is to take it to a gun show, put a price tag on it and walk around for an hour or two. If the price is slightly below fair, it will move quickly.
If you want to use one of those sights to sell the gun, you will need someone with an Federal Firearms Dealers Licence to handle the transaction. With most millitary pieces, the small fees charged by a dealer to handle the transaction and auction sights fees will not be offset by any premium on the price you get. Most mill spec stuff is just too common.