Back 10 years ago I bought my oldest granddaughter a old model marlin 30-30 to hunt with she loved deer hunting when she got married her husband was the gotta have the most expensive stuff guns included well she hung onto her rifle till they got divorced and needed money for her house payment so she brought me her gun and I paid up her house payments she promised to pay me back in couple months well they sold the house and pocketed around $20000.00 each I asked her if she was gonna pay me and get her gun back she said no you can keep it so now I’ve got initial purchase price and loan money in it I’ll never do that again !!!!! I just had to vent a little but it will be ok I think I may have learned a valuable lesson

Run away mom and a no account mouthy punk grandson here now.I feel your pain.

TA,
At least that Marlin 30-30 (especially if JM stamped) is worth more than you initially paid for it. So you closed the gap a little...lol

Sell it Get part of your money back

At least you got your gun back

I told my wife I’m just gonna retire my other rifle and use this one she said just give it back to her I’m like no way she will sell it and pocket the money

Right on the money.

Yep, she has shown she has no sentimental connection to it. Keep it for yourself, maybe a future deserving grand kid or sell it. One thing is for sure it's not eating anything just to keep it and it has gone up in value. If I run across one in 30/30 or 35 rem at a good price it will follow me home and keep the 357 mag and .22lr lever guns company.

I always said I will buy my kids a good .22 rifle, shotgun, and deer rifle, maybe a handgun. After that they can expand their collection on their own but I will get them started right. Now they are theirs to do with as they want but I would not think kindly of them if they would sell them or not take care of them. Things like that will greatly effect their inheritance or lack of.

Sorry you are dealing with this my turn is likely just around the corner.

I'd keep the rifle unless it brings bad memories.
I personal have a policy to never LOAN tools or money to friends or family unless their health is in question. I don't have anyone asking for anything I have. Not afraid to say NO.
I let folks know from day one.

Sarge

I like my marlin 30-30. Guy needs at least one iron sighted deer elk bear hog gun.

Those Marlins are some of my favorite rifles. I really like the .35 rem

I assume her house payment was more than the 500 the rifle is worth , you might want to tell her that the rifle was good for 500 but whatever else you spent you would really like back that was a loan.

unless it is some sort of extra special peice , she won't get an offer over 500 going into a pawn shop or gun store . most want to give you half what they will put them on the shelf for.

consignment she might get 650 but take 20% consignment fee at most shops so back to 520

As much as I like my Marlins, still sounding like a raw deal on your end. I've learned that lesson a time or two unfortunately. A friend asked to buy one of my old dodges (1995 3500 with a built 12 valve and built 5 speed, 4x4 and a nice flatbed) I wasn't driving it much, so I agreed. He asked if he could make payments, I was reluctant, seeing as I was already selling him a truck I'd have happily kept for a good buddy deal, but again I agreed. So long story short, I never got a nickel from him in cash (the only "payment" I ever got was running into him at the ferry, and he paid my way from POW to Ketchikan) so I find myself less inclined to help people out these days, because I essentially got $450 for an $8,500 truck. And I can't even steal my truck back, because it got torn apart and the motor, tranny, t-case, rear axle, and flatbed are all bolted into the guys Ford now.