Fenton Estate Case Study:

Safely Selling a 26-Gun Collection Before Retirement

This local story reflects the real decisions I help families and collectors make when retirement, relocation, or estate transitions require selling firearms safely and legally in Missouri.

A longtime Fenton resident was preparing for retirement and a move to Florida. Over decades, he had built a practical, well-maintained collection of 26 firearms. After an uncomfortable attempt at a private sale in a retail parking lot, he realized the need for a structured, verified, and safe FFL process.

A Walmart Parking Lot That Changed Everything

His first attempt to sell online led to a face-to-face meeting with a buyer in a Walmart parking lot. He told me later that the exchange felt immediately uncomfortable. Nothing about the situation felt structured, verified, or safe. He did the right thing and walked away.

That night, he started researching safer alternatives. He found MDRF Enterprises, a federally licensed FFL dealer in Saint Louis with a 13-year local presence, an A+ BBB rating, and more than 80 verified Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars. Those reviews repeatedly highlighted a consistent theme: safety, documentation, compliance, and respectful in-person firearm handling.

The Professional Evaluation in Fenton

We scheduled a private in-home appointment in Fenton to inventory the collection. Unlike retail "buy-counters," we didn't guess on prices. Each firearm was:

• Photographed and logged by manufacturer and model.

• Inspected using the Photo Percentage Grading System (PPGS).

• Evaluated against verified market comps for a formal written estimate.

Fenton Collection - Part 1

Legal Resolution and Peace of Mind

We returned the next day with a certified business check and completed all ATF-compliant transfer documentation. By choosing a licensed professional with over 80 verified Google reviews and an A+ BBB rating, the seller avoided the risks of the private market and ensured a clean legal exit for his move to Florida.

No parking lots. No strangers. No unclear transfer process.

Collection Highlights

The firearms included a diverse mix of modern and classic working collection staples:

• Smith & Wesson M&P15 (2 rifles)

• Savage Axis (2 rifles)

• Mossberg Patriot (2 rifles)

• Mossberg 100 ATR

• Savage 110

• Ruger M77 MKII

• Remington 870 Tactical

• Mossberg 500, 500CT, 500 Maverick

• Stevens 94, 320

• Norinco SKS

• Winchester 1897

• Davenport Arms Company “Expert”

• ATI Bulldog

• ATI Bulldog

• Dickinson XX2T (2 shotguns)

• ATI Bulldog

A true cross-section of firearms built with purpose over time.

Fenton Collection - Part 2

Why This Story Matters

This case reinforces a critical reality for gun owners in Missouri:

Unstructured private online firearm sales create unnecessary exposure to unpredictable behavior, unverifiable buyers, unclear chain-of-custody, and avoidable safety risk. Even

when laws are not broken, uncertainty is risk.

Working with a licensed FFL dealer provides:

• Verified Fair Market Value with documented comps

• Secure certified payment

• Legally compliant firearm transfers

• Stolen-gun verification checks

• Clear chain-of-custody control

• Zero exposure to unknown private buyers

Most importantly, it provided peace of mind during a major life transition, retirement and relocation.

Retirement and relocation often require difficult decisions about firearms. Our overview of firearms during major life transitions in Missouri outlines how to downsize a collection safely, legally, and with full documentation.

Fenton Collection - Part 3