Armslist, mixed feelings

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

M91/30

Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Messages
154
Location
Libby, Montana
I have been checking out armslist for quite a while now and really like the idea. I really like the ease of use and the site in general. Only problem is the users seem rather iffy. Alot of the posts aren't very good, (exaggerated example) "WANT TO BUY BARRET .50 OR .22 FULL AUTO, I HAVE XBOX AND CASH FOR TRADE" And alot of stuff seems overpriced or under priced and that makes you wonder. The one thing that bothers me is that i have sent probably 15 messages to posters saying that im interested in there item and I get no response. Maybe they sold it ? They should have the decency to close there ad.... Not to mention it takes 30seconds to compose an email saying "Hey sorry, already sold it. Thank you for your interest"(took 3seconds to type) The one thing i dislike the most is you find something and you send them a message saying "I'L BUY IT, what payment methods are acceptable, also shipping costs to xxxxx" then 2 days later they tell you they sold it to someone else instead.... Your kidding right? I don't know what is up with that site's users. Does anyone else have better stories? I love the site, not the users....
 
I once (ONCE) bought a 1911 off Armslist... I drove about 3 and a half hours to meet the guy, then when I got there to meet him, instead of the agreed upon price/trade, the "man" decided he wanted cash only. Turns out the pistol had been messed with and he just wanted to get out of it because he didn't know how to fix the hammer follow he induced with his "$0.25 trigger job".

Many of the "users" on armslist are actually dealers and shops. The ones that aren't are usually so overpriced as to be hilarious. I actually shot cola out my nose one day browsing armslist when I came across a "BRNAD NEW 9MM" that was clearly not new (dents and dings, obviously repainted with spraypaint, hi-point C9) and the guy was asking $275 for it. The weirdest part is that I was drinking coffee ;)
 
Last edited:
I have yet to see a decent deal on any gun in my area. Like was stated before, most are so overpriced they are comical.
 
Armslist...

Last Wednesday I saw a posting in my State for a Sig 228 for $500. I emailed the link and he returned my email at nearly midnight. The sig included (5) magazines, a crappy CAA picatinny rail adapter (removed!) and the original box. It's SN dated around 1999.

We met Thursday after work at a midpoint - he showed up on time. The gun looks great externally and shows only mild wear to the rails from shooting. He was unquestionably an individual and we chatted guns for a few before I drove the 45 minutes home.

Good deal and happy. Armslist is just like life - some folks are ok, some are idiots and some are absolute crooks. You've got to involve yourself in it to win, though.
 
That place like all the other gun selling sites are just sellers looking for a sucker...
 
Sparky, Lets be honest, look at the listings, the price of the mass majority of items on those places are outrageous. You cannot honestly tell me that you find large numbers of good deals. Those sites are as bad as gun shows, im sorry but i'll save money and keep my local guys in business.
 
It's a good resource like craigslist, free and easy to use. Most people I know that buy guns regularly check it daily on the off chance there's a bargain.
 
I love armslist. Have bought three pistols and one rifle, and 1000 rds of .223. Never had a problem. All have been good guys and all pretty decent deals.

What I object to is the guy who lives hours away from (your city name here) and misrepresents the distance, and who puts a new ad up week after week when it is obvious nobody wants his stuff, or are unwilling to drive two hours to make a mediocre deal. I wish the stores etc. would not advertise there also.
 
I've bought four and sold three on Armslist with no problems at all. I do however usually get a few spam emails and of course lowball offers. I make sure that my ads are clear and complete, I insist on identification and bills of sale being exchanged, and that we meet at a local gun shop/shooting range. If they'd like to, they can take the firearm in, pay for range time and targets, and try it out if they'd like, so far no takers, it seems the offer is good enough to reassure them that they firearm works fine. Those that I purchased, I also insisted on meeting at the same place, but then I only consider ads that are local to me. We're blessed with the ability to do FTF deals without going through a FFL here in Missouri, and no other restrictions on sales as well other than they have to be at least 18.
 
I sold my Hi Point 9mm carbine thanks to Armslist. If you are selling, and are realistic about what you are selling, you'll find success. It's not going to happen in an instant, though. I had four potential buyers. One was on the other side of the state, and never made it over to my area. the second was closer, but changed his mind. the third I never bothered with based on the user name/ e-mail handle (long story) and the fourth finally made the deal. I sold it for a bit less than what I wanted, $190 for the gun, 2 mags and the cheap $10 Wal-Mart gun case. I was happy with the deal.

I've seen some ok deals for the stuff on sale, but since I'm not in the market for anything right now, I just browse. I did contact a guy about a single shot 12 gauge that would match my single shot 20 gauge, but he wouldn't budge on his price, and since it wasn't anything I needed, I let it pass. It's still for sale, last I saw.

I learned while I was overseas never to pay advertised price for anything if you can get away with it, especially if it's used. Same thing goes for the seller. If you're willing to negotiate, you're more likely to make the sale. $10 and a cheap soft case was not an unacceptable loss for me, ergo, the trade was made and we both left happy.
 
It is what it is. The site is loosely monitored and enforced so some slack posters will slip through the cracks.

I've bought and sold 4 firearms there successfully. I always mirror my add here, armslist and a local state website. I always get hits on armslist or the local state website before I get hits here.
 
That place like all the other gun selling sites are just sellers looking for a sucker.
Click to expand...

So all of us that like to buy used and save a few bucks are suckers? I can resell it and not lose money if I don't like it. All I own are shooters that will see a pretty high round count, so I don't care if someone else put the first 500 rounds through my gun.

That being said, I only buy used face to face.
 
I've bought two guns off of Armslist and both were great deals IMO. Like anything else in this world...

Caveat emptor
 
Thanks for the kind words fellas. We do the best we can to keep the inconsiderate people off the site and keep it clean. We appreciate your help and your fervent use of the tagging system.

Thanks again for your continued use, we work hard to uphold the Second Amendment and we will continue to thanks to our loyal users.

Thanks,
The Armslist Team
 
I recently got my DPMS target upper on Armslist. Local guy, good price, and it was like new. Took me a little looking to spot one, but hey - that's half the fun...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top