Vulture II

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A while back I opined that the Current Situation may lead to opportunities as folks die off and opportunities arise as those estates are liquidated. Yeah, it’s a rather tacky thing to think about but it is nonetheless true. What I hadn’t given much thought to is that people don’t necessarily have to die for these opportunities to arise. Unemployment is at record highs, people with jobs are having hours cut back, and folks would really rather have cash in their hands than some ‘toys’ that they deem as non-essential. In short, in addition to opportunity from those poor souls passing there is also opportunity for those poor souls who are in desperate need of cash. That’s where I step in.

I’ve been cruising Armslist religiously for a couple months now. Nothing really jumps out at me since most people sell their guns at prices that are higher than my dealer cost on a new one. But, sometimes stuff comes through that I do jump on. Todays acquisitions:

A brand-new-in-box Magpul Backpacker stock (in my favorite OD). This is the foundation for what many people call the ‘Grail gun’ of 10/22’s: a stainless takedown 10/22 w/ threaded barrel and Magpul Backpacker stock. It’d be mighty hard to come up with a better bugout .22 rifle.

Also picked up an Outdoorsmans Butte 25 Hip Pack. I was unfamiliar with this product. I have an almost identical product made by Kifaru, their Scout pack, but it is long discontinued and I thought it would be nice to have something similar as a backup and to take some of the wear and tear off my Kifaru.

Price? Well, let’s just say retail is for suckers and I don’t buy unless I’m getting a deal. And the reason I was able to pounce on this deal? Because I’ve spent the last couple years clearing out the debt and tucking away money when I can. And, honestly, I anticipate a lot more deals like this before this pandemic is over.

The important takeaway here is that opportunities will arise from this pandemic. Whether you think taking advantage of them is wrong or not, they will arise. By having cleared the decks of debt, secured money in the bank for emergencies, and being careful with spending, I’ve created a position where I can, from time to time, pounce on these sorts of opportunities. If you’ve gotten your ducks in a row financially, I suggest you start cruising Craigslist and Armslist….there’s interesting stuff starting to turn up as people less prudent than you and I find themselves suddenly needing cash.

17 thoughts on “Vulture II”

  1. I’m keeping my powder dry right now. In a few months I think they’ll be far better pricing available. Just wait till that $600 a week extra ends next week (most folks think it runs till the end of July. It ends a week prior for the upcoming week). Going to get interesting but I think the Repubs will cave and make it last till the end of the year.

    Always be careful of CL scams for those who aren’t experienced. Folks are robbed and die by the numbers here in Bama falling for them. I can think of at least 6 or 7 murders this year involving CL.

    Regards

  2. You are probably doing the poor schmuck a favor by placing cash in his hands too. Not your fault he decided to sell his stuff.
    I know if i’m ever starving and can trade something for food, i’ll be grateful to the guy that helped me out.

    • Well, yeah…but theres a difference between helping someone out by buying their stuff, and then theres bending them over and riding them like Secretariat.
      While I love a bargain, I’ll try to be a mensch about it and not go full-bastard…I gotta get a bargain, but I don’t have to get it for free.

      • I had a buddy who needed money because of a personal SHTF. I bought several guns from him, pretty cheap and told him that he could buy them back from me for what I paid for them if/when he got back on his feet. He ended up buying a couple back (the ones that had sentimental value and he needed) and was very grateful! He did not buy them all back and was happy that they got a good home. Now, if I don’t know the person, I’m with you looking for a good deal but not to screw someone over who is going through hard times.

  3. I have a Mountainsmith pack that is very similar to that. It has a similar form, but smaller capacity. I am pretty sure I bought after reading about it here, several years ago… It is my favorite day pack, especially when paired with a Hill People Gear Hit Bag and harness. Do you plan to use it solo or with something else?

    • Well, if I needed to use it with something else I’d be better off just using a lager pack, Id imagine. Packs like these seem about perfect for a day of hunting.

  4. Nice finds indeed. A take-down rimfire rifle makes a lot of sense. My 10/22 is not of take-down design though (circa 1981) and finding one newfangled designs these days would be hard. Henry AR7 will serve okay, but isn’t as accurate as a 10/22.

  5. I was at the range today, guy on the lane next to me was trying out an AR he bought off a buddy who needed the money. Said he paid $400 for it, looked to be in good shape and included the optics.

  6. Nice, very nice.

    I’ve just finished upgrading my 10/22TD a couple of months ago. It now has a 12.5 inch threaded stainless barrel made by Dlask Arms. The nice thing about this barrel is it feeds any .22lr including Stingers. The barrel has a Picatinny rail from Dlask Arms. The sight mounted to the rail is a SeeAll sight and the trigger assembly is a Ruger BX. Because of the RCMP (yes I’m from Canada) ban on extended 10’22 magazines I have a Spector Arms magazine adapter that lets me use Remington 597 extended magazines. The ones I use are 22 round Promag.

    When I’m off for a range day, the 10/22TD rides in a Blackhawk 22 inch discreet weapons case. When I go for long walks in the woods or when I’m visiting the big city and need a go home bag, the 10/22 rides in a Hill People Gear Tamara pack.

  7. Commander Zero,

    Ever go to auctions? The opening of auction season here was delayed due to the virus thing. Buy the time they opened up there was/is huge backlog and on top of that many of the flea markets where people go to peddle the stuff they buy at auction are not open- so over supply and less demand is a buyers paradise. Interesting thing is however that some items that are prepper staples (guns, knives, silver, off grid stuff) is still in demand. Used fence post $8 a piece! Why cause there isn’t any here!

    • I haven’t been to an auction in years. In most cases, the family knows that the gun stuff is quite valuable so its sold or claimed long before it makes it to auction. not always, but often enough that I rarely check out the auctions.

  8. I just vultured a Ruger 10/22 Charger Take Down, with the green wood stock and threaded barrel. It came with a nice hard case, 25 round mag, bipod, and BSA red dot. Never fired. It would have been NIB, but his dog chewed up the box. I told him he could buy it back for the same price.

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