09-Sep-2026
“How much is my gun worth?” is one of the most common questions typed into search boxes and AI assistants by UK shooters, and the honest answer is always “it depends”. A gun’s value is set by the same handful of factors every time: what it is, what condition it is in, what similar guns are actually selling for, and how quickly you want the money, but most owners have never had those factors spelt out. This guide answers the ten questions we see most often from people about to sell, so you can price realistically and choose the right route to a buyer.
Working out what your gun is worth
1. How much is my gun worth?
Start with what it is: make, model, gauge or calibre, barrel length, choke, stock grade and age. A Beretta 686 and a Beretta 687 EELL share an action but sit in very different price brackets; a 20-bore of either commands more than a 12. Then look at what comparable guns are listed for right now, not what a magazine said three years ago. Guns hold their value better than most consumer goods, and premium makes, Beretta, Browning, Miroku, Air Arms, Weihrauch, Sako, Tikka, best English guns, hold it best. Budget makes lose proportionally more. Add or subtract for condition, originality, and included extras, and you have a sensible asking price.
2. How do I find out what my gun is worth without guessing?
Three sources, in order. First, compare live listings for the same model on a specialist marketplace; that tells you the asking price in today’s market, and you can gauge where your gun sits by condition. Second, use a valuation tool such as Rightgun.uk’s gun valuation calculator to get a quick, model-based estimate. Third, ask a registered firearms dealer for an appraisal; they see the trade price daily and will be candid, though remember a dealer’s offer to buy will be below what a private buyer pays because they need a margin.
3. Does the price new matter?
Only as a ceiling. A gun rarely sells used for more than a current new example unless it is discontinued, collectable, or in exceptional original condition. What matters more is the gap between the new price and what used examples fetch, which varies enormously by make. Knowing the new price tells you what a buyer is weighing your gun against.
Browse: Gun valuation calculator · All guns for sale · Shotguns · Rifles · Air rifles
What changes the value
4. How much is it worth second-hand compared with new?
As a rule of thumb, a well-kept gun from a respected maker loses a modest slice of its value in the first few years and then flattens out; a twenty-year-old Miroku or Weihrauch that has been looked after can fetch a surprisingly high proportion of a new one. Guns from makers with thin dealer support or a reputation for problems drop faster and are harder to sell at any price. Air rifles follow the same pattern: premium British PCPs and Weihrauch springers hold value, entry-level imports do not.
5. Does condition, originality, and paperwork change the price?
Enormously. Buyers pay for guns that are tight on the face, have clean bores and crisp chequering, and retain their original finish. Refinished stocks, reblued barrels and non-original parts reduce value to a knowledgeable buyer even if they look smart. Original boxes, manuals, choke sets, choke keys and proof or service paperwork all help, as does a documented service history for PCP air rifles. Be honest about faults: a marked stock disclosed up front is a negotiating point, whereas one discovered on collection kills the sale.
6. What about the scope, moderator and extras?
Accessories rarely add their full cost to the price of a gun. A quality scope or thermal sight often sells for more on its own than as part of a package, so consider listing it separately. Moderators are different: on a Section 1 rifle the moderator is itself controlled and is usually best sold with the rifle. Slings, bipods, cases and cleaning kit are worth including as sweeteners rather than pricing individually.
Browse: Thermal and optics · Moderators · Gun parts and accessories · Safes and cabinets
Where and how to sell
7. Where can I sell my gun in the UK?
You have four realistic routes. A registered firearms dealer will buy outright or take the gun in part-exchange, which is quick but pays least. An auction house will reach collectors for unusual or high-value guns but takes commission and can be slow. A private sale to another certificate holder pays the most and gives you control of the price. And a dedicated online marketplace such as Rightgun.uk puts your gun in front of thousands of UK buyers actively searching for that model, which is how most private sales now start.
8. Where is the best place to sell online?
Generic classifieds and social media are poor places to sell a gun: audiences are untargeted, listings get removed, and you spend your time filtering time-wasters. A specialist firearms marketplace attracts buyers who already know what a 687 or an HW100 is and what it should cost, so listings sell faster and closer to the asking price. Good photographs from several angles, an honest description and a realistic price do most of the work.
9. How do I sell a gun privately and legally?
The principle is simple even if the details vary by gun type: the buyer must hold the appropriate certificate for what you are selling, the transfer must be recorded and notified as required, and the gun should be handed over in person or through a registered dealer. Most sellers find the RFD route easiest for a buyer who lives some distance away. Air rifles below the legal power limit do not need a certificate in England and Wales but do in Scotland, and can only be sold face to face or via a dealer. If you are unsure of the process for your specific gun, ask a local dealer before you list.
10. How long will it take to sell?
Popular models in good condition at a fair price typically find a buyer within days on a specialist marketplace, particularly in the autumn and winter when demand is highest. Unusual guns, high-value guns and anything priced above the market take longer. If your listing has had plenty of views but no enquiries after two or three weeks, the price is the problem, not the gun.
Browse: Sell on Rightgun.uk · Find a registered dealer · Second-hand shotguns · Second-hand air rifles · Second-hand rifles
Ready to list?
Rightgun.uk is the UK’s dedicated marketplace for guns and shooting equipment. Check what your model is currently listed for, run it through the valuation calculator, then create your listing in a few minutes and reach buyers who are already looking for exactly what you have.
Further reading: What is my gun worth? A UK valuation guide, Buying and selling guns online in the UK, Second-hand shotguns: the UK’s best buys, and Good practice when buying a firearm or shotgun from an RFD.
