I am going to be selling my M16 and would like some advice on how to proceed. I have had it since the early 1990’s and have had a lot of fun with it, but I hardly ever shoot it anymore and could use the money more than the gun.

My M16 is an SGW/Oly. Arms that was converted by Northwest Arms Company. It is a typical SGW lower in that it has the high deck, so that most uppers don’t fit well without a little fitting. I never bothered to send it to M60Joe to have it put into spec as I only had a couple of uppers and they were easy to fit. Magwell is not tight and mags drop out easily. It currently has a Colt 10.5” barrel and Colt lower parts. I run an H2 buffer and it runs like a champ.

I am aware of the process to sell it as I have sold several NFA items to residents of my state and they have all gone smoothly. My questions are as follow:

1. What would be a fair price to ask for it that will move it quickly?

2. Do I ask for all the funds up front? I have excellent feedback on here as well as on Oklahoma Shooters (where I sold my other NFA items), so I don’t think asking for funds up front is unreasonable, do you?

3. I would want the buyer to pay the transfer taxes. Is that fair?

4. Where would I advertise it to get serious buyers and avoid tire-kickers?

5. Should we write up a contract? If so, does anyone have some examples?

6. Anything else I should be aware of?

I appreciate any information that you have to offer. TIA

There's an old saying a friend who owns a surplus electronic components house in the Bay Area told me many years ago.

"Kiss the Patsy"


So, offer to split [or even pay] the transfer expense with the potential Buyer...

It will pay dividends letting you get a higher price for the gun...

My $0.02--



YMMV.  Good luck!

M16 Market Data
Transferable M16 machine guns and estimated market values:
RLL $15-18k
RDIAS $27-32k
RR Non-Colt Cast AR15 Conversion $17-19k
RR Non-Colt AR15 Conversion $18-20k
RR Colt AR15 SP1 Conversion $18-20k
RR Colt AR15 614 $22-24k
RR Colt M16 $22-24k
RR Colt M16A1 $24-28k
RR Colt M16A2 $28-33k
RR Colt M16A2 Commando $33-38k (Marked "Auto" instead of "Burst")

Websites to watch for good deals on machine guns:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com
http://www.atfmachinegun.com
http://www.autoweapons.com
http://www.impactguns.com
http://www.subguns.com
http://www.onlythebestfirearms.com
http://www.davidspiwak.com
http://dealernfa.com
http://www.gunbroker.com
http://www.nfasales.com
http://www.classiiidealers.com/
http://www.westernfirearms.com/
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/class-iii-full-auto/
http://www.urban-armory.com/
http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_7/118_NFA_Firearms_andamp__Parts.html
Website that tracks machine gun values:
http://www.machinegunpriceguide.com/

Websites like subguns and Sturm will let you post private ads. Others are dealers and will buy your MG at like 80% +/- market value.

You may also want to consider a consignment sale via a local Class 3 Dealer if you have them.  Saves you the trouble of 'tire kickers' and puts the gun in front of local potential buyers which could avoid the double tax and transfer time.  You or the Dealer could also simultaneously list on the internet sites noted.

Best of luck however you decide to proceed.

I just purchased my 3rd one back in February and I paid $13K for it, but that was a friend that I purchased it from, right now, they are going from $17 to $25K, you need to figure out exactly what you want for it, looking at the picture you have, I would be asking right in the $19K area for it and I would be offering to pony up 1/2 half of the fees to a prospective purchaser.  I would make sure that every single little thing on that rifle works and I would be willing to drive to meet someone so they could look at it in person.

They are not difficult to sell, there is always someone willing to purchase one, but you just need to make sure to cross your T's and dot your I's when you find a purchaser, lots of people are interested, but there are not many that have the means to spend the money.

Good luck on your sale.  Sorry you have to sell.

I sure do appreciate the info provided. It is very helpful. I do have another question though. If I sell it to someone out of state, what is the best and most secure method of shipping it to their dealer? I sure wouldn't want it "lost in the mail". I remember a thread not too long ago where the post office did lose someone's RR and they did not pay the full amount he insured it for.

Registered mail, insured at full value.  I remember the story and he did not use registered mail.

You always insure for the full amount plus, as a volatile market exists on these guns, I would not insure for less than $25K, but make sure you can track it 6 ways from Sunday.

Registered, Insured, return receipt required and delivery notification.

That is very nice of you Tony. I do appreciate it.

Just wanted to say thanks again to all who gave me advice on this transaction. As of right now it is sold. Just waiting to meet up to get the funds and start the paperwork.

Pleasure doing business with you!  Can't say enough good things about this guy everyone.  Today was the smoothest most comfortable machine gun purchase I've ever made for myself or a customer.  Thanks again!

LOL the this is not an ad that turns into an ad ;)

collegeboy is GtG tho

Thank you for helping me and your customer out. It was my smoothest deal as well and I really enjoyed meeting you.

I truly did only post this to get advice on how to go about selling my M16. I had no intention of it being a WTS post. I was writing up a WTS thread to post on several of the websites suggested when collegeboy PM'd me saying he had a customer looking for an M16.