Selling an "assault weapon" Mini-14?

competentone

AntiqueDr and JudgeColt (and others) just gave their excellent explanations again in the Experts forum regarding the issue of "pre-1994" Mini-14's and "assault weapon" configurations.I have a question relating to the sale of Mini-14/30's which were manufactured prior to the "Crime Bill" of 9/13/94.To make it personal: I have a few Mini-14/30's which I had purchased prior to the passage of the Crime Bill; I was paying very close attention to the bill as it was being debated and hearing about the "grandfathered clause" to be included I configured my Mini-14/30's as "assault weapons" prior to passage of the bill--they are now effectively grandfathered as "assault weapons".With the premium the pre-crime bill Ruger factory "assault" Mini-14's are selling for, does anyone have opinions as to what would be an effective way to maximize the value of my Mini-14/30's, legally configured as "assault weapons", if I were to sell them?If someone were to purchase them from me, they'd have no way of proving they were legal. If I were to sell them, should I include a notorized letter stating/describing the details of when they were legally configured as "assault weapons"? Would that bring me any premium in a sale? Or just open me up to potential headaches?Anybody have any opinions?

AntiqueDr

I would mention in the ad that the gun was configured pre 9/94, and leave it at that. The great majority of buyers dont know the law and assume the Mini-14 is a free-for-all as long as the serial number is pre-ban. In fact, I ended up with a very displeased would-be customer because I would not allow a significant premium in trade for his box-stock Mini-14 simply because it was manufactured in 1990. Guess he knows my business better than I do...If you show a picture of a Mini with all the evil goodies, and post that it is "pre-ban", it will bring a premium right or wrong. At least you will know it is truly legal. You may get email questions from those that do know the statute, and you can make whatever arrangements to satisfy both the buyer and yourself at that point.

---

We buy, sell and trade quality guns and scopes!Ask us about Shepherd Scopes!Visit our website at www.ApaxEnterprises.com

boeboe

I've seen several Mini-14 rifles (not the GB) at pawn shops and gun shows here in Kansas that have the folding stock/pistol grip added, whether they were added before the ban or after, who really knows? The guy who did it, perhaps, but is he going to confess if he added it after the ban? Maybe, if he doesn't know any better!I've seen them offered and sold in a wide price range, at pawn shops, gun shows, and here on gunbroker. For non-GB Minis with Butler Creek or Choate folders, perhaps a flash supressor and bipod, I've seen them offered and sold between $350.00 and $750.00 in all those places. I saw a friend of mine sell a blued, non-GB, non-ranch with a choate folder, bi-pod, flash supressor and flashlight holder for about $800.00 here on gunbroker about a year ago. People were bidding against each other to get it. I though he did VERY well. At the same time, I've seen stainless ranch folders sell for less than $400.00 on gunbroker. Whether the buyers were actually in contact with the seller to ask if the folding stocks had been added before 9/13, I have no idea.At gun shows, I've seen dealers with them on their tables for around $600.00 (and really trying to promote them) and a few tables away will be another dealer who has an equivalent rifle for $425.00. And there will be people walking around trying to sell them for $400.00. Then again, I've seen people sell early stock configuration stainless Minis in well used condition for $450.00 just because (I'm sure) the buyer thought it would be legal to add the folding stock to it.I guess what I'm saying is most people don't know, or have any clue about what these are really worth, or even if the guns they are buying are really legal. Prices are spread all over, if you get a couple or three bidders who want one, the price might go very high. Then again, they may sit there for a while.I've thought it might be a good idea to buy some of these up, but I really wouldn't know what I really had! I wouldn't know if they were really legit or not. The only way to really know is if it's a genuine GB.There are so many with the folders added out there, I think "they" would have a heck of a time trying to track down to see if the guns were really configured prior to the ban or not. Unless "they" were really trying to hang a person I doubt there would ever be a reason to try to trace one back. And that's the funny part about the whole deal. If there was some reason the Feds wanted to hang someone out to dry, they would probably have much greater evidence against the perpetrator than a Mini-14 folder of questionable origin.Well, guess I've written much more than I intended. I do think it's one of the really crazy areas in the market.

Judge Dread

The magic is in the PRE BAN serial number..you can put whatever you want on a pre banissued Mini-14 .. but to be true I had a ss m-14 and it was not such a great gun theA team movies made Popular,Even a 98k mauseris more accurate and reliable, see page 9guns&ammo issue 98k at $295. versus a Banned$1200. piece of JUNK. Keep well oiled and clean 98k will last longer than you think!

---

Good , Bad ? Who cares? as long I am the one with the GUN..

JudgeColt

boeboe states the problem very clearly. This stupid "assault weapons" law has created much confusion, and room for both deceit and honest mistakes. How could anyone prove that a pre-9-13-94 Mini with assault weapon features had them before 9-13-94? As the Doctor says, merely saying it might be good enough for some. Writing it down might be enough for others. Presenting evidence of the purchase of the accessories before 9-13-94 might required by others. Of course, all the above could still be false, and then what? (I have old invoices for "assault weapon" Mini accessories, but the accessories are long gone. If dishonest, I could present those invoices with an illegally modified pre-9-13-94 Mini and claim it is "pre-ban.")While I think the possibility of prosecution is remote (extremely remote), I did not think the Twin Towers could be brought down either. I think prosecution is most likely if someone comes to the attention of the authorities for some other reason, like a domestic dispute, a burglery, getting stopped for speeding by an anti-gun cop while the rifle is the vehicle, etc..I personally would not buy a modified "assault weapon-configured" non-GB Mini from anyone. My paranoia would get me to worrying that I was involved in a sting, etc.. I also would not carry one anywhere, or have one in my home or business. As Minis go, the GB is the desirable one anyway, and I suggest to anyone that he or she buy a factory GB if "assault weapon" features are desired. The GB will continue to rise in value and will be a good investment, especially when weighed against the grief a prosecution would involve. As far as an answer to the original poster's question about selling an "assault" Mini, the seller and buyer must work out something that both find acceptable. I just know I would not be a potential purchaser.

JudgeColt

While I was drafting my response, Judge Dread posted the above response. Apparently Judge Dread is one of those who believe there IS magic in the pre-ban Mini, and that a pre-9-13-94 non-GB Mini can be now legally modified into an "assault weapon." As the Doctor and I, and others have stated, that is totally incorrect, unless originally modified prior to 9-13-94. (How will you prove that?)

sandman2234

So if the gb is a good investment, what about the AC????(AC-556)

---

Have Gun, will travel

Judge Dread

The magic is in the PRE-BAN serial number.. How anyone will be able to say it was not pre-ban if all the parts ,kits and gear thatgo to it are pre ban too? Its just academic in nature ,and quite problematic if you did not kept the bills of thoose items in a safe place in case the ATF boys pay you a visit. For the serial number ...its sure you will end "magically" in jail if your "modified" gun is Post-ban....

Judge Dread

JudgeColt stated:I did not think the Twin Towers could be brought down either....... Well,I was"sure"after the first attack yearsago there were not goin to survive a second one .... also i see the way we are negatingthe reality that liverty is goin down the drain ,That after the first NUKE falls inUS territory we will just be Lambs ready for the slaugterhouse .

---

Good , Bad ? Who cares? as long I am the one with the GUN..

Josey1

ed in il.

so whats the going price range for a mint pre-ban mini-14 stainless non-folder (std. stock)...???????

taxijohn

I have a post ban ak-47 romanian. My friend padi $1200 for a pre ban with a bayonett, flash hider, pistol grip etc. The thing is that they both shoot the same. I came to the conclusion that the pre-bans are basically collectors items and unless you don't respect the value, you don't really shoot them. I now have 3 ak-47's and love them all Bayonett or not and I could allways add a flash hider ooopps, did I say that? I mean compensator to it. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!