The Best Firearm Accessories Worth Buying in a Private Sale

Firearm accessories represent one of the best categories in the private sale market — and one of the most misunderstood. Some accessories are nearly indestructible and hold their value well; buying them used at 50–70% of retail is a genuine bargain. Others degrade in ways that aren’t visible from photos, creating real safety or reliability risks if you buy without knowing what to look for.

Here’s how to navigate the private accessory market intelligently.

Accessories That Are Excellent Used Buys

Quality Optics

Well-made optics — Trijicon, Aimpoint, Vortex Razor, Nightforce, Leupold — are built to last decades when properly maintained. A lightly used Trijicon MRO at 60% of retail is a real deal on a product with tens of thousands of hours of battery life remaining. A used Aimpoint CompM5 is the same optic law enforcement agencies run — buying it used doesn’t change that.

What to check: look through the optic for haze, fogging, or internal debris. Cycle all brightness settings — the reticle should be clear at each level. Check for lens scratches under good light; coating damage on the objective or ocular lens affects image quality. Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion from leaked batteries. Original caps and boxes indicate careful ownership. Browse used optics at 2A Marketplace’s optics listings.

Suppressors (NFA)

Suppressors are one of the most financially sensible used purchases in the firearms world — when done correctly. A quality suppressor (SilencerCo Omega, Dead Air Sandman, OSS) retains value well and performs identically used vs. new. The caveat: all suppressor transfers require ATF Form 4 approval and must go through a licensed Class III FFL/SOT dealer. You cannot buy a suppressor privately without this process, regardless of your state’s suppressor laws.

The Form 4 currently processes in 60–90 days for e-filed transfers. Used suppressor prices are often identical to new because the tax stamp ($200, now eliminated under recent federal changes) was the historical cost deterrent. Research current NFA transfer rules before purchasing.

Weapon Lights

Quality weapon lights (Surefire X300U, Streamlight TLR-1 HL) are built to take abuse and function reliably. A used light at 50–60% of retail that passes functional inspection is a solid purchase. Check: turn it on at all settings, check the switch for positive engagement, verify the mounting rail is undamaged and fits your specific handgun or rifle rail profile. Check the lens for cracks. O-ring integrity matters for weatherproofing — check the battery compartment seal.

Extra Magazines

OEM factory magazines for popular platforms (Glock, SIG, Smith & Wesson M&P, AR-15 PMAG) are excellent private sale finds. Magazines are simple devices that either work or don’t — and the ones that don’t usually show visible feed lip damage or spring failure that’s easy to spot. Load the magazine with dummy rounds or snap caps and cycle through the action to verify reliable feeding. Aftermarket magazines of unknown quality are less reliable as buys; stick to OEM or well-regarded brands (Magpul PMAG, ETS, Check-Mate).

Cases and Storage

Hard cases (Pelican, Nanuk, SKB), soft cases, range bags, and gun safes all make excellent private sale purchases. These items don’t wear out in ways that affect function. Check latches, foam condition, and wheel/handle integrity. Hard cases at 40–60% of retail are common and offer excellent value.

Accessories Best Bought New

Holsters

Holsters develop individual wear patterns from the shooter’s specific draw and reholster habits. A used holster’s retention may have loosened from another shooter’s grip and draw. While quality used holsters are sometimes worth purchasing (see our holster guide), this is one category where buying new ensures the holster fits and retains your specific firearm as designed.

Ear Protection with Electronics

Electronic hearing protection (Howard Leight Impact Sport, MSA Sordin, Peltor ComTac) contains electronics that degrade and batteries that corrode. Used electronic muffs may have failed speakers, distorted sound amplification, or poor battery connection. Passive muffs are fine used; electronic ones are better purchased new or from a seller you can verify the functionality with before buying.

Ammunition

Purchasing ammunition privately is generally legal in most states, but ammunition condition is impossible to verify without testing. Improperly stored ammunition can have degraded primer compounds or powder, leading to hangfires, misfires, or squib loads. For training ammunition, the risk-reward of buying used bulk lots is debatable. For defensive ammunition you’re staking your life on, buy it new from established retailers.

Fair Pricing for Private Accessory Sales

A rough guide: quality optics sell for 55–70% of current retail when lightly used; 40–55% with visible wear. Weapon lights at 50–65% of retail in good condition. OEM magazines at 60–75% of retail (popular calibers) — less for less common calibers with smaller buyer pools. Suppressors near retail due to scarcity and transfer costs. Cases and storage at 40–60% depending on condition.

Where to Find Private Accessory Listings

Browse the accessories section on 2A Marketplace for privately listed optics, holsters, lights, magazines, cases, and more. Listings include photos and descriptions from private sellers in your state. Accessories don’t typically have the same residency restrictions as firearms — but verify your state’s rules for items like suppressors, which have specific legal transfer requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Quality optics, weapon lights, OEM magazines, and hard cases offer excellent value in private sales at 40–70% of retail
• Suppressors can be purchased privately but require ATF Form 4 processing through an FFL/SOT dealer — no exceptions
• Check optic glass clarity and all brightness settings; check lights on all settings; inspect magazines with dummy round cycling
• Holsters and electronic hearing protection are generally better purchased new due to individual wear patterns and electronic degradation
• Ammunition for defensive use should always be purchased new from established retailers
• Browse accessory listings at 2A Marketplace — no listing fees, direct connection with private sellers

Frequently Asked Questions About Firearm Accessories in Private Sales

Can I buy a suppressor through a private sale?

You can agree on a price privately, but the actual transfer must go through a licensed Class III FFL/SOT dealer with ATF Form 4 approval. No private party can directly transfer a suppressor without this federal process.

What should I check when buying a used red dot sight privately?

Look through the optic for internal fogging or debris. Test all brightness settings. Check the lens surface for scratches under good light. Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion. Verify any mounts or caps are included.

Are OEM magazines worth more than aftermarket in private sales?

Generally yes, for common platforms. OEM magazines from the manufacturer are made to tighter tolerances and have proven reliability data. Well-regarded aftermarket brands (Magpul PMAG for AR-15, for example) are competitive with OEM. Unknown-brand aftermarket magazines at any price are a gamble.

Where can I find private firearm accessory listings?

2A Marketplace’s accessories section lists optics, holsters, cases, lights, magazines, and more from private sellers. Browse listings at 2amarketplace.com/accessories.