View Full Version : Putting back small pistols for post event trading, thoughts?
madmax_fal
03-13-20, 22:40
I'd like to put back around 10 or so small, easily concealable handguns for post collapse trading. Right now I'm leaning toward a few Ruger LCPs, MP Bodyguard, and maybe one or two of the new mossberg mc1. Should I be looking at how common mags, parts, ammo etc are? Or just go with the cheapest options and be sure to have a few hundred rounds and spare mags to go with each one?
To be clear, I'm keeping my glock 21 for personal use, I don't plan on using these ones for anything but barter.
If the guns are just for barter, parts and maintenance stuff isn’t really your concern- unless you stock the parts also and barter for them when the guns break down.
Overall, doesn’t sound like a terrible idea to me.
Beat Trash
03-14-20, 09:45
To each his own.
I don’t want to barter weapons that someone could use to rob me of the rest of my barter inventory.
To each his own.
I don’t want to barter weapons that someone could use to rob me of the rest of my barter inventory.
For this reason I would buy Hi-points.
Not sure barter is going to make a comeback, IMHO. I would guess if barter becomes a thing, open carry, not concealed will become more prevalent along with the carry of long guns openly.
Ammunition will probably be most easily used and accepted currency.
LMT Shooter
03-15-20, 11:49
Pint & 1/2 pint bottles of liquor would be better for barter. Too much value in any firearm to make it your base item for barter, and as others have stated, it's dangerous to arm people you don't know.
Small cheap revolvers like the S&W 642 Airweight would be perfect in my opinion. Cheap, reliable, and most inportantly... for someone who has no firearm - it's their best option if bartering to get one.
If someone's trying to barter for a firearm after the SHTF already I suspect they'd trade their left nut for whatever you're offering. Stock up on 38 special to trade with it too.
Plus, you wouldn't be arming someone up who can potentially come back after you with it...642 would obviously just be defensive.
Don't waste your money, buy more ammo. If societal collapse becomes a thing, ammo is currency imo.
Evel Baldgui
03-15-20, 15:41
Barter? Madmax barter town scenario. Seriously ??? The level of bat shit crazy has just escalated to absurd.
Not spending over $1000 on 10 barter guns! That's not small change for something that's going to lay around forever.
Rather spend $200 on 20 bottles of liquor.
RetroRevolver77
03-16-20, 02:19
Delete.
Gold and silver are useless. You cant eat it and it doesn't keep you warm.
Pint & 1/2 pint bottles of liquor would be better for barter. Too much value in any firearm to make it your base item for barter, and as others have stated, it's dangerous to arm people you don't know.
My feeling about booze for barter, you are feeding an addiction and you are letting addicts know you have a supply of something they want more of. If you dole it out in small amounts they are going to get buzzed and come back for more and likely to get violent if they don't get it. I see booze more useful in large amounts, trading to a Dr for medical use to pay for services, trading to the holder of the National Guard armory arms room key for a M16 or two etc. YMMV
RetroRevolver77
03-16-20, 11:21
Delete.
Fail. If you live in a UBC state, no one is going to spend hours for a barter to go through. Even a bigger problem if NICS is taken off line.
madmax_fal
03-16-20, 13:47
Good thoughts, good thoughts.
Hadn't considered hi-points, but definitely a good option.
Stocking ammo for barter is also important, but a gun will have more trading value to a person who doesn't have one.
If people are desperate enough to barter for a pistol after SHTF, it's probably not going to matter what kind it is, high point or kimber 1911.
turnburglar
03-18-20, 13:13
I also believe in the: "don't arm people that haven't armed themselves" mentality. I just hate the idea of people having firearms in their hands without taking the time to properly train. I'd be more scared of getting shot by some newb 'on my team' than getting robbed. To be fair though I have thought about selling the firearms I don't love for a premium while they command it. Im most positive everything will reset so it would be a good time to capitalize.
remington79
03-22-20, 13:01
I don’t believe in bartering firearms or ammo. There is potential for either of those to be used against me.
Stock up on more useful things such as here recently people have this perceived need for toilet paper. Maybe batteries, think more in terms of a general store than a gun store. You’ll also be able to attract/be relevant to a larger group of people.
LMT Shooter
03-23-20, 17:31
My feeling about booze for barter, you are feeding an addiction and you are letting addicts know you have a supply of something they want more of. If you dole it out in small amounts they are going to get buzzed and come back for more and likely to get violent if they don't get it. I see booze more useful in large amounts, trading to a Dr for medical use to pay for services, trading to the holder of the National Guard armory arms room key for a M16 or two etc. YMMV
Bartering would come with risks, no matter what you're trading for or away. The less you know about those you trade with, the higher the risks. I do see your point, alcohol would increase the potential hazards.
Gold and silver are useless. You cant eat it and it doesn't keep you warm.
For survival, useless . . . . You’re correct. But things will begin to stabilize quickly after a calamity. Barter is difficult because you might not have anything the other guy wants. And he sure as hell won’t want shitty fiat paper money. But gold and silver are an ancient currency that is always valuable as money. If he’s in desperate need of medication or food, he won’t accept it, but if he’s just trying to offload some extras to get something of greater value, he very well might. Speaking for myself: I’d have zero use for a crappy .380 lady pistol, but I’d take 6-8 ounce silver coins.
Yeah I don't think I'd barter off guns....but I do see how it could work.
Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
I don’t believe in bartering firearms or ammo. There is potential for either of those to be used against me.
Stock up on more useful things such as here recently people have this perceived need for toilet paper. Maybe batteries, think more in terms of a general store than a gun store. You’ll also be able to attract/be relevant to a larger group of people.
Agreed. Plus, in my opinion, it’s a waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere.
Bruce in WV
03-25-20, 05:45
Might be good for arming unprepared friends and family who show up begging for a loaner...
Beretta 81's at Classic Firearms for $209 seem like good candidates.
https://www.classicfirearms.com/beretta-mod-81-pistol-surplus-used-good-very-good/
The last thing you want to do in a Mad Max scenario is meet anyone outside of your village / farm.
Oh, you dont already live in a small village with a nice farm and animals? Then you're going to die sooner than later.
Me? I dont want to live in the Dark Ages with guns. I'd rather die quickly. Not worried about it.
I would never arm anyone other than a family member or someone already armed that is just a little short.
Had a cousin call me up last week asking to "borrow" a pistol. He wanted to give it to his wife for protection when he wasn't home. His only firearm experience is with an old shotgun. His wife has never held a gun in her life, they have 5 wild children with no self control that would instantly shoot each other the second she left the gun on a table.
Call me a fudd, but I don't want that crap on my conscience.
Told him I didn't have one to spare.
Small cheap revolvers like the S&W 642 Airweight would be perfect in my opinion. Cheap, reliable, and most inportantly... for someone who has no firearm - it's their best option if bartering to get one.
If someone's trying to barter for a firearm after the SHTF already I suspect they'd trade their left nut for whatever you're offering. Stock up on 38 special to trade with it too.
Plus, you wouldn't be arming someone up who can potentially come back after you with it...642 would obviously just be defensive.
I wouldn’t call @ 642 cheap. What’s one cost, close to $400?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Barter? Madmax barter town scenario. Seriously ??? The level of bat shit crazy has just escalated to absurd.
I agree.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I don’t want to barter weapons that someone could use to rob me of the rest of my barter inventory.
You would have to go about it like a well to do drug dealer going to a 6 figure drug deal that might go south. You call your "customer" with your SAT phone and say "This deal goes down my way. I will tell you when and where the drop is going to be".
For this reason I would buy Hi-points.
A low grade Gen 3 Glock 17 , which can be purchased for $325-$350, will be far more valuable then a LCP, MC1 or Hi Point. Even if the day never came, there is no shame being stuck with a few Glock 17's that could be resold and 99% of your cost recaptured.
Don't waste your money, buy more ammo. If societal collapse becomes a thing, ammo is currency imo.
In the event of a total collapse, how are you going to sell your ammo or use for bartering? Advertise? Cash for bullets type of business? Or just offer ammo as a form of payment?
Get silver and gold
For what? You cant pay your mortgage with gold or silver. You cant buy food with gold or silver. You cant put gas in your vehicle with gold or silver. And even if you could trade gold or silver for some things, how do you get change back?
I also believe in the: "don't arm people that haven't armed themselves" mentality.
I get that mentality, but lets be honest, all of us have a price in mind where we would do just about anything.
In reality, trading guns for similar items with the same value, isn't a bad concept. But even during a total collapse, most people are going to want cold hard cash because everyone knows the value of a dollar and its excepted everywhere. Better find something to trade for cash, like older POS trucks that are in decent running condition and drivable, old gas powered generators, gas powered water pumps, old four wheelers that are in working condition etc.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.