what to ask/look for???

moddek · July 30, 2008, 11:01 AM

So i go into a gun/pawn shop looking for a used, or maybe even new gun. If i find something i like and that i can afford what are some questions i need to ask the seller? also what should i look for on the gun personally? new to this dont want to get naively taken advantage of. P.S i would be buying a rifle/carbine THanks

Scorch · July 30, 2008, 11:23 AM

Until you get comfortable with assessing guns' condition and evaluating them for cost of the repairs needed, I would recommend sticking to gun shops. Most pawn shop guns are sold with very little if any background information on the gun, and are typically not even evaluated for condition or needed repairs before being put up for sale. When I worked as a smith, the pawn shop down the road used to bring us guns to look over if they had no idea what it was. Most often, pawn shop owners or employees have no knowledge of firearms other than what they can get from TV (and we know how good that info is). Sometimes you can get great deals, sometimes not. After all, a pawn shop's business is making loans, not selling guns.

On the other hand, a gun shop usually at least cleans and inspects the used guns it offers for sale, since they want to be regarded as knowledgeable about firearms and price the gun accurately.

mniesen89 · July 30, 2008, 11:51 AM

Moddek,doing your research is a big part of buying used.If you see what you like,go home and research the gun and see what there going for used. I've seen pawn shops jack up the used price of a firearm to where its more then that same fiearm new! Use your common sense,treat a pawn shop like you would a used car dealership.

View Poll Results: do you buy new or used?
new	3	100.00%
used	0	0%
Voters: 3. You may not vote on this poll

July 30, 2008, 11:01 AM	#1
moddek Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Location: MO Posts: 84	what to ask/look for??? So i go into a gun/pawn shop looking for a used, or maybe even new gun. If i find something i like and that i can afford what are some questions i need to ask the seller? also what should i look for on the gun personally? new to this dont want to get naively taken advantage of. P.S i would be buying a rifle/carbine THanks

July 30, 2008, 11:23 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Until you get comfortable with assessing guns' condition and evaluating them for cost of the repairs needed, I would recommend sticking to gun shops. Most pawn shop guns are sold with very little if any background information on the gun, and are typically not even evaluated for condition or needed repairs before being put up for sale. When I worked as a smith, the pawn shop down the road used to bring us guns to look over if they had no idea what it was. Most often, pawn shop owners or employees have no knowledge of firearms other than what they can get from TV (and we know how good that info is). Sometimes you can get great deals, sometimes not. After all, a pawn shop's business is making loans, not selling guns. On the other hand, a gun shop usually at least cleans and inspects the used guns it offers for sale, since they want to be regarded as knowledgeable about firearms and price the gun accurately. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 30, 2008, 11:51 AM	#3
mniesen89 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: deland,fl Posts: 238	Moddek,doing your research is a big part of buying used.If you see what you like,go home and research the gun and see what there going for used. I've seen pawn shops jack up the used price of a firearm to where its more then that same fiearm new! Use your common sense,treat a pawn shop like you would a used car dealership.