Can I sell a gun without a dealer in Missouri?

Missouri allows private sales in many situations, but federal rules still apply. For safety and legal compliance I recommend using a licensed FFL to handle transfers and paperwork.

How long does an FFL transfer usually take?

Local FFL transfers commonly complete same day to a few days depending on background checks and dealer workload. Online buyers add shipping and inspection time.

What should I bring when I sell a firearm?

Bring a valid photo ID, the firearm make and model, serial number, and any paperwork you have. Photos and service records speed the process and improve offers.

How can I get the best price for my firearm?

Prepare clean photos, document condition and provenance, and get market comps from recent sales or auctions. For rare pieces get a professional appraisal before deciding between auction or private sale.

Can I ship a gun to an online buyer myself?

Shipping firearms must follow federal and carrier rules and often requires an FFL at both ends. Many sellers use an FFL to pack and ship or to receive the firearm and complete the transfer.

Best Places to Sell Firearms Near Me (St. Louis)

Drew McDermott
Oct 10
5 min read

Updated: Nov 8

Local Buyers, Pawn Shops, Online Options & Auctions

I buy and appraise firearms around St. Louis every week. If you are wondering “where can I sell firearms near me?” you want three things at once: a fair price, a legal and safe transaction, and a process that does not make your life harder. Different selling routes give you different mixes of those three. Below I walk you through practical choices, how I evaluate offers, and exactly what I do when I am buying from a family, executor, or collector.

Quick summary, pick the right route for your goal

Want same-day cash and a legal, documented transfer?
- Local licensed FFL buyers are usually the best balance.
Need top dollar for a collectible?
- Auctions and specialized consignment often return the most, but they take time and charge fees.
Want convenience and nationwide exposure?
- Online buyers give reach, but shipping and inspection add time and uncertainty.
Need fast cash with no fuss?
- Pawn shops will pay quickly, usually at the lower end of fair market value.

Local licensed FFL buyer, safest for estates and solid for value

When estates, attorneys, or families call me, they want the sale done right, and they want it fast. A licensed FFL buyer handles the required paperwork and completes transfers legally, and a proper buyer documents the sale with a written offer. If you are an executor or heir that needs to close probate or document value for an inventory, this matters.

What I look for before making an offer

Clear, well lit photos and serial numbers.
Service history and provenance when available.
Condition grading, using a repeatable visual system so values are consistent.
Market comps from auction results and recent resale data. I explain my comps in writing so you can see how I arrived at the number.

If you want a written offer that shows the comps I used, ask for that up front. A transparent offer makes comparisons simple.

Pawn shops, fast cash and conservative pricing

Pawn shops are attractive because they usually pay immediately. That speed comes with a cost; pawn shops need margins and they often price conservatively so they can resell. If speed and cash in hand are your top priorities and the firearm is not collectible, a pawn shop is an acceptable choice. If you suspect collectible value or clean provenance, get at least one appraisal first.

Local gun shop or range, a practical middle ground

Many local gun shops and ranges buy firearms outright or take them on consignment. Their advantage is local customer traffic and the ability to inspect the firearm in person. That often produces a fairer offer than a pawn shop and a faster turnaround than an auction. If you want a middle ground between fast but low, and slow but high, this route is worth exploring.

Online buyers and consignment services, reach with variable offers

Online services have matured. Companies that accept shipments, inspect, and pay remove a lot of friction. They will ask for photos, specs, and sometimes an ID scan. After inspection they may adjust the offer. The upside is access to a national demand pool; the downside is variable offers and the wait for inspection and payment. If you use an online buyer, be prepared to package and ship safely, and accept that the final price may differ from the initial quote.

When to consider online buyers

Common, non collectible firearms where broad competition helps price.
Sellers who cannot or do not want to meet local buyers in person.
Items where convenience and national reach outweigh shipping time and inspection holdbacks.

Auctions and consignment, best for rare and collectible firearms

If a firearm is rare, highly collectible, or has strong provenance, auctions typically get the highest final price. Expect commission fees and a longer timeline. For estate work we sometimes recommend auction or specialized consignment when the piece is truly marketable to collectors. If you are unsure whether a gun is collectible, get a professional appraisal before sending it to auction.

How to prepare a firearm for sale

Take four clean photos, right side, left side, serial, and a close up of any condition issues.
Record make, model, caliber, and serial number in a note or spreadsheet.
Include any paperwork, original box, manuals, or service invoices.
Disclose mechanical issues up front; honesty avoids post sale disputes.
For estate work, preserve chain of custody and ownership documentation. A clear inventory with photos is cheap insurance.

How I price things so you can compare offers

I compare three data points:

Recent auction final sale prices for the same model and condition.
Recent marketplace sales for similar items.
Local retail and resale listings to test the “floor price.”

If you get three offers, compare them to the best recent comps and ask each buyer to show their comps. A written offer that cites comparables is far easier to evaluate than a verbal number.

Safety and legal notes you must know

Licensed dealers in Missouri must follow federal transfer rules. Use an FFL for transfers to protect both buyer and seller.
NFA items require specialized paperwork and SOT handling. As a licensed FFL and SOT holder I can handle those items legally, but they require additional steps and patience.

Local examples of how sellers decide

Families often need an appraisal for probate. In that case I provide documentation and a written offer for certain items, while consigning collectible pieces to auction. This gives immediate cash for bulk items and maximizes proceeds for collectibles. That approach speeds the estate closing process and documents value correctly for the court.
Collectors with a single high value piece usually do better with an appraisal then consignment or auction. The small fee for an appraisal can pay for itself in realized sale price.

Final checklist before you sell

Photos, serials, and condition notes ready.
Ask for a written offer that cites comps.
Confirm the buyer will complete the legal transfer and provide a receipt.
If you are an executor, get written appraisal confirmation for probate records.
If the firearm may be collectible, get an appraisal before you choose auction or private sale.

Call to action

If you want a clear, no surprise written offer in St. Louis, call me at (314) 397-0942 or request an offer through my contact page. I will walk you through the paperwork, show you the market comps I used, and explain the pros and cons of each route so you can make the best decision. If you prefer, I will come to the house, inventory the guns, and deliver a written appraisal you can use for probate or insurance.