Bought 1st Guns on Gun Broker.. Where can I go for Inspection?

[4Freedom]

Hi, I just purchased a brand new DPMS 5.56 Sportical and DPMS LR-308 on Gunbroker and they are being shipped to my FFL. I am very new to guns and these are the first rifles I ever owned. I am wondering, the FFL is a gunsmith, do you think if he is doing the transfer that he can do an inspection for me to make sure that the guns are in good condition; that is, no flaws or bad parts. Since I am new, I myself will have no way of telling if the guns I have bought are in good condition or not. The people I bought from on gun broker all have good ratings, so I am confident they are honest, but for the money I spent I want to be 100% sure before I give them good feedback.

If my FFL refuses to inspect the guns, is there any person or place I go to have them inspect the guns for free or a very low price? I was hoping that since the guy is a gunsmith he could tell me without much trouble, but I am not sure if he will take the time.

If anyone can let me know their advice on this, I appreciate it.

 

[SaxonPig]

With brand new guns I wouldn't worry.

Even used guns are very unlikely to have any problems that might be hazardous. If defective they may fail to function properly but highly unlikely anything catastrophic will occur.

Wearing eye protection and using reliable ammo just shoot the guns and see if they function.

If you are really that worried (you need to relax, man) then look in the Yellow Pages for a gunsmith and pay him to give the guns a once over. In 40 years of shooting and owning over 400 guns (not all at once of course) I have never had more than a minor glitch with a new gun. I wouldn't spend money on a smith until I knew I had a problem.

 

[4Freedom]

Yeah, well I just want to make sure they are new. I bought them online and I want to make sure I am getting what I paid for. I want to make sure the people didn't rip me off. That was why I was wondering if I can bring them to someone who can just quickly look over them to make sure there isn't any noticeable problems. How much would I have to pay a smith to look them over? I got a real good deal on these and I never saw the guns personally. So, I am just hoping I am getting what I paid for.

 

[ultradoc]

He should do an inspection for you. He will probably charge you but...If not any gunsmith probably would do a cleaning/inspection but they will charge.

 

[John828]

I remember my first .22, I was about 15 and my dad was NOT into rifles at all, but he relented and for $40 we bought a semi-auto Marlin/Stevens/not sure what make tube fed 22.

I was scared to take the first shot. LOL, it worked fine and shot fine. My overactive imagination made up all kinds of scenarioes most of which were catastrophic to me and the gun.

Sounds like you are more worried about getting the gun(s) you think you are getting and not some knock off with cheap parts etc..

My knowledge of ARs is a little limited, but I would trust DPMS and Gunbroker's ratings. Most people are not in business to go out of business and reputation is golden.

Go shoot, and be happy.

 

[hemiram]

I always make sure my face isn't in line with any probable parts that could fly off on the first shot of any used or new guns I've bought, even though I take them apart and check them for cracks, etc before I ever shoot them. I did get hit by an extractor once, and it went between my glasses and my eye. It made me jump, but didn't really hurt me.

 

[jeff-10]

Nice choices for your first rifles. Although personally I don't worry about having new guns inscpected I am sure a gunsmith will do it. They mainly check for headspace and may test fire a few rounds if you want. They need to have a lot of rounds put through them to see if they will really function perfectly.

 

[SaxonPig]

As paranoid as you sound maybe you should only buy guns you can handle in person. Why cause yourself so much angst?

 

[4Freedom]

Beggars cannot be choosers.. LOL.. Where will I find a DPMS LR-308 and 5,56 sportical I got for such a low price in person? Anyhow, I am not so paranoid, I just am new to gunbroker and shooting and wanted to go about it the right way.. I am sure I can find some person who knows more about guns who can tell me if the guns are new or used. Sorry, forgive me ignorance, its not paranoia, just lack of education.

I like gun broker, because where I live there just isn't enough stuff available.

 

[SaxonPig]

Check the seller's feedback. If he has more than 10 and they tend to be positive then it's unlikely he's trying to pawn off misrepresented goods.

Also, if your main concern is getting a new gun I can usually tell just by looking carefully if a gun is new or used. I don't need to pay someone to look for me.

 

[moosehunt]

For folks with gun experience, it is quite easy to tell if a gun is new or not, but as a new shooter, I can appreciate your concern. Have a gunsmith check it out to ease your concerns, but expect to pay a little for his time. He is trying to make a living, you know. An FFL holder may or not be a gunsmith; many are, but also, many are not. If he isn't and is upstanding at all, he'll tell you so when asked. Also, might I point out a sore spot with me--please don't refer to him as "my FFL". To me, that is very degrading. I am not owned, as it emplies. "The FFL I'm dealing with" or "the FFL holder that's working with me" are much nicer, less degrading terms. Good Luck! Enjoy.

 

[4Freedom]

sorry moosehunt .. pardon my lack of knowledge on gun nomenclature. I do apologize.. Well, he's not on my payroll, minus the $60 or so bucks I gotta pay him for transfering my guns. I mean, he is the FFL local to me. Personally, I don't think its offensive what I said. For example, when you go to a mechanic you like, you will tell your friends, this is my mechanic. My Mechanic Bob is great. Does this mean you own Bob? No, not at all. If you go to a doctor, you say this is my family doctor. Does that mean the doctor lives in your house and is at your every command? Nope. Its just a figure of speech. I mean would you really say, this is the doctor or mechanic I am dealing with? So, I was just carrying on the term, with every type of business professional I deal with.

Anyhow, if referring to an FFL like a mechanic, cannot be done, I won't do it. I will respect the rules, regardless of how bizarre they seem to me.

 

[Rolando]

4freedom

This is a good opportunity to turn your apprehension and doubt into a motivation to learn about the guns yourself so you can perform your own inspection. Do some research, disassemble, clean, reassemble and then enjoy your new found confidence in your knowledge of the gun you'll be shooting. If you're still not sure, find someone to help walk you through the process.

You can do it !!

 

[madcratebuilder]

4freedom
I think you took some big bold steps for a newbie. Buying a gun off Gunbroker is something most here have not done. I've been shooting for almost fifty years and my first Gunbroker buy I was as nervous as a whore in church.
You done good. Read your owners manual several times and read the forums. You bought two very fine rifles, i would love to have that .308.
Like Rolando said, tear them down and get familiar with the parts, they are relatively simple.

 

[jpwilly]

Send them to me for free inspection...oops sorry you're out of state you'll have to send them to "my FFL" (sorry moosehunt).

 

[RonE]

If my FFL refuses to inspect the guns, is there any person or place I go to have them inspect the guns for free or a very low price? I was hoping that since the guy is a gunsmith he could tell me without much trouble, but I am not sure if he will take the time.

If the FFL that is receiving the guns for you refuses to inspect them for you it might be because you are buying something that he is a dealer for. I can understand his reluctance to help you. You have only indicated that you are concerned that he won't be willing to do the inspection.

I suggest you learn as much as you can about anything you purchase before buying it so that you can inspect it yourself.....You are relying on the seller to tell you the truth, the inspector to nit pick the gun so that if something is amiss now or later, he won't be responsible and asking us, people you might not know to recommend someone. I see, in your lack of knowledge, the possibilities for disaster increasing with every step in the processes you seem to be embarking upon.

I admire you desire to own firearms and your trust in your fellow man.

 

[4Freedom]

OK.. thanks for all the great advice. Yes, I will sit and read the entire manual. Sorry I work a very tough job and always busy. Sure, I know everyone else is probably in similiar situation. I will make time when I get my guns to read the owner manual. Now, one thing I can say, even if I know how to take the gun a part and identify each part, since I am new and never shot a rifle before, how can I possibly know what parts are in good condition?

Can someone perhaps refer me to a website or give me information to tell how to identify flaws on each part of an DPMS AR Rifle? I know I took a bold step buyin on gunbroker, but it was a step I had to take. These are tough times and I don't think they will get any less tough. I know perhaps I should just go with God and assume they are fine; but I like some assurance. I will start by asking around, I met some gun dealers who seem friendly like they wanted to help educate me on guns.

Hopefully, I will find a good samaritan who can maybe assist this poor newbie with this. There was one guy who said he can teach me about ARs, hopefully he will still extend his hand for help. I will do all in my power to try to identify any flaws in the guns when I get them. This was a big investment, but I had no other choice but to take the risk.

 

[wyocarp]

Yep, look at the number of transactions and the feedback one has gotten and just live with what you get. Most of the time it is what you paid for. I wanted a gun off gunbroker recently but the guy had only bought one item and I just couldn't justify the risk. I'm waiting on one right now that was at my bottom threshold of transactions and it is tough after one shells out more than a grand to an address 3000 miles away.

Of course I have $2000 down on a gun that I ordered almost exactly a year ago from a gun maker in Alaska that is aggravating me as much as anything else.