Would you buy a range gun at 40% discount?

[Viper99]

Does anyone have any experience on this?

[JWT]

Depends upon what the gun is, what shape it's in, what the range it is used on is like, how well the range seems to care for their guns, how available the gun is from other outlets etc.

In short, I might, but it would require lots of information before I'd seriously consider it.

[Shotgun693]

It would be good to know how heavily the gun had been used and I'd want a warranty. Why would a range sell a gun that had a lot of service life left?

[WVsig]

40% off what? It would have to be something I can fully inspect, strip down and shoot. The 40% would have to be off the price that I could get the identical non range gun used for.

For example if I can get a Glock 19 used for $450 I would want the range gun for $270 or right around there.

[KyJim]

Maybe they're the best kept secrets in firearms but I would not be interested. I can't imagine ranges selling them until they're pretty much worn out. Probably only minimally maintained; i.e., clean when it won't shoot.

Shot a lot and carried a little --- just the opposite of police trade-ins.

[Rinspeed]

There are so many great deals on used pistols why buy one road hard and put away wet. :confused:

[Viper99]

The guns are from my gun broker who have an indoor range. The good news is that they sold their used range guns about 1 year ago then started to modernize the indoor range about 6 months later which means that these guns have been used only about 6 months.

So far the range has been closed for about 5 months and it is still closed due to air quality issues.

It has Sigs, Kimbers, SA, Rugers, Beretta, Glocks, etc.

Here are some of their prices they are advertizing.

Glock 19 for 299, MP9 289, Kimber Ultra Carry 479, Beretta PX4 storm 287, Sig P220 487.

All come with 30 days guarantee or you can exchange it for another used one or new one. They credit the entire amount you pay toward the other gun.

By the way their inventory has SA Range Officer, Colts, H&K as well.

[Charlie_98]

Our range requires you to use their factory ammo, so you know no one was hotrodding it with handloads. And they don't allow rapid fire, so chances are it wasn't mag-dumped. But that's just my experience at my local range.

As long as you can inspect the firearm and take it for a test drive, why not? That Kimber Ultra Carry for $479 is looking pretty good... :)

[orionengnr]

Sounds like something I woul be interested in, if I were you. Those prices are very attractive, and with a good inspection, plus a quick firing trial, I would be pretty happy with one of each.

[Viper99]

Charlie 98,

Same with this range. And they always have someone there making sure all safeties rules are enforced.

I will go to check it out and see if I can find something nice. As I said before, is not necessary to fire them because you can exchange it up to 30 days later for a full refund towards another pistol.

I have done it before and they are very easy to deal with. I bough a used Kahr PM9 and wasn't happy, brought it back and got a Sig P239.

[checkmyswag]

What JWT said.

[Timbow]

One of my main considerations would be how well the gun was maintained. Our local range virtually NEVER cleans their range guns. The only time they really get any attention at all is to be taken out of and put back into the case or when they no longer function due to neglect. They have stainless revolvers in the rental case that the cylinders are virtually completely black and have been that way for the 4 years I've been going there. So in that case, I would not consider purchasing any of their range guns for almost any price.

[Coach Z]

I'm wishing I was home, I got the email about that sale. I'd buy about a half a dozen guns Thursday morning if I was! I'd jump on it, all of the guns have a 30 day warranty from the store on top of whatever factory warranty is available.

[kurmudgon]

"One of my main considerations would be how well the gun was maintained. Our local range virtually NEVER cleans their range guns. The only time they really get any attention at all is to be taken out of and put back into the case or when they no longer function due to neglect. They have stainless revolvers in the rental case that the cylinders are virtually completely black and have been that way for the 4 years I've been going there. So in that case, I would not consider purchasing any of their range guns for almost any price."
quote: Timbow

If you stand back a ways and think about the situation a bit it looks entirely different.

It tells you which firearms are able to withstand continued use without constant cleaning.
It shows there are particular models that are tough as nails.
It should give an indication of which manufacturer has the most extensive line of sturdy firearms.

Three off the top of my head.

May also indicate that over cleaning (compulsive level) really doesn't mean as much as some think.

Perhaps a second look, or closer examination, may be in order.
In answer to the original question, with the return policy as stated, I would buy a firearm there if I needed one.

Best, Kur

[Timbow]

Definitely all valid points, however I'd use that information to decide which non-abused version I'd like to purchase :D It doesn't sound like this is the case for the OP though and sounds like he's got the potential for some great deals!

[9mm]

40% off MSRP or 40% off a used gun price, that is the question.


They selling Glock 19's on the shelf $500, and trying to sell you that used gun for $300 or something, no thanks.


40% off of say $400 used Glock yes!


I was at a gun range once, they had a M9 for sale about $500 and it was pretty well used. NO WAY! They had them new for $600

[BeachHead]

My biggest concern would be whether the range replaces the recoil springs at the intervals suggested by the manufacturers. I'll bet they don't. With the amount of rounds fired through the rentals each week, who knows how brittle the slides are and how battered they get if the springs are so worn that they no longer have the proper compression capabilities?

40% off sounds good, but a cracked slide is expensive to replace and would eat away at any money saved. I'd pay a little more for a police trade-in.

[9mm]

I wouldn't use it for carry.

[Coach Z]

I know this store well. All of the guns for rental use were replaced not long ago. Their prices are generally quite good, the ad said that the 40 off was off of retail.

[C0untZer0]

I don't know what 40% off means - guns have values like cars (and most other things) based on their condition.

If a used BHP went for $550 whereas a new one went for $700, I would take a BHP at 40% off the $550 price.

Since these are rentals - I'd rent it before making a bid on it. Unless you have a cracked frame or slide, you can refurbish a BHP, get NP3+, put in some new parts and its good as new, maybe better than new.

I wouldn't buy an old crappy S&W 5906 or something like that, but there are some pistols that I definately would take on as a project if it was 40% off what would be the used price.

I don't think I'd take any rental for 40% the MSRP new price.

Most ranges have the low man on the totem pole cleaning the pistols - and then only enough to keep them functional.

When I called to inquire about a price on a G34, LGD said he had just accepted one as a trade in but he would have to clean it. When I purchased it, it was soppping wet dripping with oil. When I took the slide apart and took out the extractor, the channel was filled with black sludge. I was getting little flecks of copper and metal shavings and all sorts of crud. If that's the best you can do when someone is coming to look at the gun and you're trying to sell it - ugh! His rental guns must be really horrible.

[Coach Z]

Here are the examples from the ad

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc209/dvabow/screen-capture-1.png

[Justice06RR]

Again, depends on the gun.

If its a Glock, Smith&Wesson, Ruger, or top name brands... Maybe. I would have to inspect it very well and ask them the records (if any) of how many rounds est. have been shot through it, how old, and maintenance. Many guns can withstand thousands of rounds with no issues.

[Viper99]

Guys the range has 150 guns for rental so is not like they have 20 being used all the time. Whenever I go there, most of the people at the range are fireing their own guns.

The ones who are interested in a particular gun and want to fire it first are usually the ones renting. Overall their guns look no worse than 90% and above.

Now as some suggest about cracked slide etc, as I said before, you have 30 days to inspect the gun, fire it as much as you want and if you are not happy, exchange it towards something else either used or new. They will credit the full price you paid for the gun.

[cwok]

If it was in North Texas it would be worth a drive to examine some.

.

[Viper99]

It is in Ct, in my opinion, they have good prices and sell online if you want to check them out. hoffgun.com

[WVsig]

If I were local I would certainly go take a look. The pricing is right on point. For example a Glock 19 for $300 is a solid deal.

I gave them a call you have to be local to get one. LOL :D

[Viper99]

Sorry, I failed to clarify that you can buy "new" guns online. The used ones you have to go there.

Once in a while they will have options and are for mostly "Colts" but they have not done one in a while.

[IshootThings]

The only range around here that rents firearms told me that they aren't allowed to clean the guns for insurance purposes. One example the guy used was the H&K we were renting had about 10,000 rounds through it and it had never been taken apart or cleaned. It sure fired fine but I wouldn't have purchased the thing unless it was really cheap like 80% off.

[BigJimP]

No, at 40% off ( assuming its off list ) ---no way ...

I've seen how most shooters / and some of the range masters treat some of the rental guns...they're often given to the range by the mfg's ...and the mfg's don't want them back ...and they give the dealer an incentive to clean them up and sell them on their retail side. I've looked at a couple / not realizing what they were ...and when I saw how much wear they had ...I wondered / and one of the range masters told me what they were doing on the retail side ..as they changed out the rental guns. Sometimes - they were rental guns / that had a lot of issues ...

There are too many good used guns out there / at very good prices ...to take a chance on any range rental gun...in my opinion.

[RsqVet]

Not a deal in my book though the op sounds sold on the idea. For one thing 40% off retail is irrelevant and designed to make you think "new gun" nope sorry these are used guns. Put it another way... You are paying 60% of retail for a very used gun.

New in the box used guns figure 20% off retail though sometimes more as manny guns can be had new for 15% off.

So for an avarage used gun I would expect to pay about 40% off retail, sure lots of places will ask more but at the end of the day this is what they will sell for.

But these are not average used guns... They are range rentals... For better or worse that is a fact. I would hazard a guess that if they were not beat on the place would put them in the case at higher prices. Fact is the range knows what they have been through and wants no complaints. Even if they only got rented 10 times a month at 50 rounds a go that is still 6 k rounds. Except for guns owned by serious shooters how many year old guns have 6k down the pipe? All this with who knows what for lube and service?

Not a deal to me though yeah most service pistols will be ok and function for a long time after such use.

In short go out and find the gun that a little old lady owned who only drove it to church and the grocery store, not one that was a taxi cab!

[Skans]

No.


At 25%, maybe.

[DBLAction454]

Would you buy a rental car?

I wouldn't even consider it but thats just me.

People are usually hard on things they don't own but paid to use...

[jmstr]

At the advertised prices I'd be open to buying. I'd have to check the specifc model out to verify it wasn't going to need a gunsmith instantly.

However, I also enjoy repairing firearms and would enjoy it as a 'fun project range gun'. I don't know that I'd buy it with the intention of it being an instant night-stand gun though.

[willr]

I bought three -- 2 S&W 15's, Ruger security six -- when the local range was forced from business by the city. Have had no complaints and the guns have been great.

willr

[Viper99]

Well I just came back from my gun broker. The sale started today and I got there around 12:30. Most of the guns were gone already or were in .40 which I am not interested in adding more off.

The only ones they had were the real expensive ones like a great looking Sig 226 X5, a couple of Dan Wesson, PPS in .40 which I pass because I wanted the 9mm.

CZ 83 with night sights in good condition for $250 OTD but passed on it as it is not on my short list.

92fs, Sig 226 all in .40. Not my day I guess.

Thought about the XD .45 but it was the desert finish that I don't like but was a good deal for about $335 OTD was not bad.

On the regular used gun bin they had a Stoeger 9mm in new condition and very clean but again, not on my short list for 300 + tax.

[flight954]

I would not buy a range gun online. If I can't inspect it first then I ain't wasting my time and money.

[Viper99]

They only sell new guns online. Anything else you have to go personally.

[gyvel]

It would be the same ans buying a car from a rental company, IMO. You may get a cream puff or you may get one that's beat to ****.

[Coltman 77]

Would you buy a range gun at 40% discount?
Does anyone have any experience on this?

No. I'd buy NIB and spend a bit more money.

Range guns are shot all to -CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED-, buy new and get a warranty.

It's worth a few more dollars. :)

[bossman]

No. It's used up.

[sailskidrive]

I might take that Sig P220 at that price. The Kimber is probably finally broke in. ;-)