Buying Used guns

[andrewdl007]

I have a limited money supply since Im still in school, so all I can afford are used firearms. Anyway, a while ago a person said when buying a used gun, ask your self, why would someone sell this gun? Did the seller not like it, did it not work, etc. A friend of mine learned first hand about this when he bougt a Beretta 1935 That jams whenever a round is chambered. Has anyone had a bad used gun experience, or have advice to avoid bad used guns. Thanks

 

[cdrt]

If possible, see if the person will let you shoot it first. And if they're willing, have them break the gun down so you can see the internal parts.

 

[jdorian]

Take this into consideration, any legit store will stand behind their product. Gander Mountain (as expensive as it might be, or cheap as it might be, depending on the product) give a 1 year warranty on all guns, both new and old. That definitely is a plus for anybody who is weary about the reliability of a gun.

Also, a good knowledge of the gun you are looking at is helpful. Take a look at the overall condition of the gun, the mags, and the box, etc. If the seller still has the box, manuals, and other accessories, its more than likely to be taken care of than just a gun all by itself. Thats a start for now. Don't settle right away, a lot of shopping might be required before you find one you like.

 

[Rob62]

I buy and trade for used guns quite a bit. After many years of doing this yet I have had very few surprises after I got a gun home.

Common sense rules. If it looks like it has not been taken care of, then it probably hasn't been. If someone’s firearm experience is limited, then I would advise they take a buddy along that is knowledgeable about guns in general.

Check the obvious. Does the action work. Does the safety function. Does it look like any modifications have been done to it. etc.

Check these links for more info:

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/bb/aabyb_usedrifle.htm

http://www.uspsa.org/gmTips/tip07.html

http://www.sunnimaravillosa.com/guns/buyingagun.html

Regards,
Rob

 

[Sato Ord]

The problem is, you can't be sure why the other person sold the weapon.

I got a great deal on the Bursa I bought for my wife. The guy had bought the gun. He took it home. Came back to the range about a week later and fired two magazines through it before leaving the range disgusted.

He came back about a week later and traded the gun. He said he didn't like the way it feeds and would never buy another cheap Brazilian piece of 8888!

I was there when they took it in and put it out to be sold as factory warranty only. We field stripped it and found that the guy had apparently done the same but had put the spring back in backwards! No wonder it didn't fee properly!

I bought the gun for fifty dollars off of retail price and have had no problems with it.

Look the weapon over and see if you like it. Often the person selling it simply doesn't want it anymore, or just needs the money.

I almost bought a Ruger Single Six that a guy brought in about a week later. He wanted to sell it. Why, because he and his wife were in Florida helping to move his wife's parents to an assisted living facility. The facility doesn't allow the occupants to have firearms. He isn't into guns and didn't want to have it in the car all the way back to Northern Virginia. If I had had the the money I would have picked up a nice little revolver from the owner without going through the gun shop, cheap! As it is, the gun was bought by the shop and sold by the time I went back two days later.

There is nothing wrong with buying used guns, just make sure you either deal with someone reputable, or that you know what you're doing when you "look under the hood."

 

[NavyLCDR]

I've had both good and bad. I bought 2 T/C pistols, sold one, kept the other. EXCELLENT condition and fantastic shooter. Paid $550 for both which is what I should have paid for mine alone. I was able to shoot them both before buying.

Bought a used Model 60 .22. It was a special edition model sold by OTASCO. It was completely average. Since it was nothing really special I resold it at a profit to a guy who was looking for one from that particular year with that particular medallion as had one as a kid his dad gave him and wanted to pass it on to his son.

Bought an Argentine Mauser from a guy, I think 1903 - I need to look at it. The gun is in original military configuration which is pretty rare. The gun looks better than average overall, but doesn't shoot worth a crap.

Also bought a 8mm Lebel French Berthier rifle. I paid $150. It has a stock that was repainted - not refinished, rePAINTED. 8mm Lebel is a very old round and is a real hoot to reload and shoot. The gun weighs like 2 1/2 pounds so it great to shoot! About average accuracy, I would say.

And a milsurp Yugo SKS which is better than average. It's OK accurate, but has no problems with gas leakage common to Yugo SKS.

So my used purchases have been 5 good and 1 so-so, I like the Mauser and got a pretty decent deal, it just shoots like crap.

 

[andrewdl007]

one of my problems is Ill go into a store and see a gun that I like but have no idea how to take it down. I can look at the visable parts and know what condition they are in but I cant take down every rifle or pistol I see. Also, Ive never known a gun store that would let me shoot first. I guess if it was a store/range but there are none in the area.

 

[Sato Ord]

one of my problems is Ill go into a store and see a gun that I like but have no idea how to take it down. I can look at the visable parts and know what condition they are in but I cant take down every rifle or pistol I see.

If I don't know how, I have a really great solution, I ask one of the people at the gun store to show me. Sometimes it's so obvious that I feel kinda stupid after they do it the first time, but I don't take the chance of screwing it up and getting yelled at for mishandling the weapon. It's always better to ask the stupid question than to have one of the guys at the local shop embarrass me by telling a mutual friend how badly I botched field stripping a weapon.

Seriously, ask them to help you. I can take apart and put to together a Tokarev blind folded, but I was shown the first time.

If the folks that are selling you the used gun aren't willing to help you learn the basics of field stripping it you might want to look for a new place to enable your habit.

 

[rust collector]

Your best bet is to have someone familiar with that type of gun look it over for you and give an honest opinion. Many guns are bought on impulse and sold that way as well.

Your friend's 1935 probably has a mag issue or a spring problem. Sometimes a bit of fiddling will make someone else's lemon your sweet surprise.

 

[rich0372]

I bring a little bore light with me ..the barrel can tell you a lot about a gun. I also ask them if I could field strip it for an auto so you can inspect, look for wear marks and see how well they maintained the gun. I purchased almost all my guns used, I let someone take the hit on the premuim brand new price.