Do "extras" increase value of a used gun

C

camsdaddy

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I am considering selling my Glock 26 because we dont get along. I have a Ghost connector, NY1 spring, and XS big dot nitesites as well as 3 mags with various base configs (+2, concealable control, stock) . I am wondering if those will add to the value of the gun or if I should sell the gun stock, put the aftermarket stuff on my 19, sell the two extra mags seperately. Just curious how much does extra stuff add or take away from the value of a gun you are looking at
 
When I'm in the market for a gun I have a price in mind. As long as you don't try to get to much of your money back with the add ons you might get your price. I also get a little leary when people tell me what all they've done to the gun. I don't know if they made a good gun better or made a bad gun good enough to try and sell.
 
IMHO, I would sell it stock, with two magazines. Throw in the third magazine if it will close the sale.

I can't see you getting what their worth out of the extras.
 
I guess Im just trying to decide if I should take the stuff off and put on my 19 and just throw the extra mags etc in or sell it like it is. I didnt throw all this stuff on at once. More of Ive had the gun 5 years and just sorta added here and there. No biggie either way. May sell the gun and 2 mags stock put the other stuff on my 19 and donate the rest of my 26 stuff to a local cop.
 
I you're selling to an individual give it a go. So many people like different things and could save them the time and effort of adding on themselves. If selling or tradeing with a gun store take back stock.
 
On a trade, I don't think it increases the value at all. On a private sale, only if the person you're selling to wanted to make those mods as well. Overall, I think better off selling without mods unless you get lucky and find the right person.

Personally, I stay away from guns with mods because they usually don't work right. My stock mainspring for my used HK comes in the mail tomorrow so it can hopefully start firing double action after someone else tried to improve the trigger :)
 
Internal extras don't do much adding, unless its something desirable to the mainstream, and done by a recognised smith, and documented (like an action job, etc)

Sight can add value, if they are something special and good, but again, only if the potential customer is looking for something like that. AND, if you don't try to get MSRP value for them.

Holsters, spare mags, box, papers, these kind of extras add value to the used price, but again, don't think that they are worth MSRP or even close. After all, they are used.
 
I personally think a good rule of thumb is about 40% to 60% on things like holsters and mags.

Sights all depends on what kind they are and how they were installed. I see 1911 sights that have not been cut properly all the time on "custom" builds and the IMHO detract from the value vs add value.

The XS big dot often will appeal to only a small segment of the shooting population. If you have time to wait for that right buyer then there is extra value but to the avg person looking at the add not so much.

Internal things like triggers jobs are only positive when they are documented and done by a know source. Someone with a known reputation not you or your brother or some unnamed person.

I would sell the gun stock add an option for the additional mags to the buyer of the gun as a slight discount if they do not sell then sell them seperately. Keep the extras which you like.
 
Personally, I stay away from guns with mods because they usually don't work right.
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And, what 44AMP said.

Over time, excepting grips, I've usually rolled back to stock from every single handgun accessory I've ever bought. In terms of general functioning, they just haven't been an improvement over stock.

My Glock 19 came with Trijicon sights. They stay, because they have a very conventional sight picture.

XS express sights, from gunboard hearsay ("Your Mileage May Vary"), may or may not work for any given individual for all his uses. Ditto the oft recommend Glock NY1 spring/"-" connector combo -- I didn't like it at all, and took it right off at the shooting bench. I've modified the grip (sanding down the finger grooves so my fat two finger grip is comfortable), and if I ever sell, I'll probably take a hit on that account.
 
To me, not very much. Some of the stuff may worth something to you, but not to some one who's looking for just the gun. An extra mag helps some too, but you won't get an extra 200$ because you have 8 extra mags. And like was mentioned before, grips are an exception. I would give a few extra dollars for some good/nice grips
 
You've asked a good question. I belong to a state wide gun organization that has a great on line site. One of the topics is Buy/Sell. I'm always amazed at some of the prices folks ask for. Sometimes it is over retail "Because I've added so many improvements." Most of those go unanswered.

If they take that same gun to an LGS and try to trade, that dealer will offer closer to retail, minus 40 percent. And they don't care if the sights are neon and the springs are hand made by elves.

If you can use your upgrades on another pistol, I'd do it. And then offer the price you feel comfortable with for a pistol in XXX condition. I suspect you'll sell it more quickly.
 
It's the word "extra" that's the key & it would depend on the buyer & what has been added or done to the gun. Some people won't even buy a gun if any extras have been added because they either want the gun as it came from the factory or they may not trust that the work or extras were done correctly. Items like grips, extra mags, lasers, & sites may add some value. Trigger jobs, light hammer springs, Ghost trigger bars, etc...probably won't add any resale value at all because unless the gun is stripped and parts checked or the pistol is test fired for performance, most people just shrug it off. Sometimes it's better to make the gun as stock as possible and sell the extra items seperately or offer them as an option when selling or trading your gun.
 
Allow me to answer this question from a more global perspective.

I learned at an early age that selling a modified motorcycle or car narrows the field of prospective buyers. The more you "personalize" an object, the fewer people share your "vision". To paraphrase a contemporary (many years ago), "A home-made chopper and Whistler's Mother are both works of art, but neither is particularly useable."

The better approach may be to return it to as-delivered condition, whereby you broaden your customer base. Sell it to someone who is interested in a standard item, especially if it is in good condition.

Sell your aftermarket "hot-rod" items separately. More work, but quicker sale of the base unit and better yield overall.
 
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You have to look at it like a motorcycle... sure people will buy them used.. but a lot of times they aren't looking to pay top dollar because the bike is set up for you and your tastes... they are gonna set it up for their tastes.

Just noticed.... what he said above me^^ lol
 
Selling extras with a gun is a great way to get rid of those extras, but I wouldn't jack up the price much. Extras can help sell the gun as long as the price is good to begin with. "Hey, it's only $499, and it comes with a holster, 3 extra mags, and an extra set of grips. Let's buy it." Sounds good.

Versus, "It comes with a holster, extra mags, and an extra set of grips, but it's priced at $539. What's wrong with it? I don't want to spend $539 and find out there's something wrong with this gun."
 
My experience has been that the next guy got all the extra goodies for free, especially if the next guy was a dealer. I suggest returning the pistol to stock and keeping the extras for later sale or donation.
 
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