First and foremost, WE DO NOT SELL HANDGUNS here at Genitron.com.
We are a Handgun Information Resource that collects, organizes and presents information on as many 20th and 21st century handguns we can find. The information is stored in a searchable database which is available to Internet visitors free of charge.
Handgun information is provided through many resources. For current handguns in production most information is provided by the handgun manufacturers themselves. We also rely on handgun dealers, clubs and associations for additional information. Quite often we get feedback from our visitors about missed or incorrect information. Our website visitors are key in keeping our information accurate and relevant.
Market Value of Handguns in our Database
In general, the average condition for handguns sold on the used market in the US—particularly when assessed by the percentage of original finish remaining—tends to fall in the "Excellent" category, which equates to roughly 90-99% of the original finish. This is based on common grading standards like those from the NRA and publications such as Gun Digest, where "Excellent" describes firearms with minimal use, no noticeable marring beyond light holster wear or minor scratches, and nearly perfect bluing or finish except at high-contact edges.
We chose to target 95%, the mid point of the "Excellent" category for our used handgun market valuation.
This average accounts for a mix of sources in the used market, including private sales, auction sites like GunBroker, classifieds on Armslist, and especially law enforcement trade-ins (a major segment of used handguns). LE trade-ins, which often dominate budget-friendly used options, are typically graded as "Very Good to Excellent" by retailers like OfficerStore or Guns.com, corresponding to 85-95% original finish with typical holster wear but low round counts and full functionality. Non-trade-in used handguns can vary more widely, sometimes dipping into "Very Good" (around 80-89%) if they've seen heavier private use, but sellers frequently list them conservatively in the 90%+ range to attract buyers, as anything below 80% (e.g., "Good" with moderate wear) significantly reduces value and appeal.
Keep in mind that condition grading is somewhat subjective and can depend on factors like the specific model, age, and whether it's a collector item versus a modern carry pistol. For instance, polymer-framed handguns like Glocks show wear differently (more on grips and slides) than blued steel models, but the percentage system focuses on overall original finish integrity.
Creating an Account on Genitron.com
You can now create a free user account on Genitron.com. With this account you will be able to rate handguns in our database as well as leave comments on handguns and articles posted on Genitron.com. You will also be able to save your private handgun list in the Genitron.com database so you can can view it from any of your Internet connected devices or Internet browsers. All that is required to create an account is a valid email address. Your email address will never be shared or used by Genitron.com for any purpose except for your account maintenance, such as resetting a forgotten password, or for announcing status or feature changes on our website.