Hi,
My local FFL has a used Ruger PC Carbine (9mm) that I would love to snatch up from him at 600$(plus 35 for transfer fee). It comes with one Ruger mag and one Glock mag. I can order the same gun new from gunbroker for around 735$ after taxes, shipping, and transfer fee. Buying it used would save me 100$ plus the Glock mag, but I've never purchased a used firearm before (not because I'm some kind of snob but to date all the firearms I've purchased have been cheap enough finding it used wasn't worth the headache and/or was available new).
What are the pros and cons of buying a firearm used instead of new?
If I fail to notice some kind of defect (excluding aesthetically) in the product before I purchase it, what is my recourse?
If the firearm explodes in my hands through no fault of my own, what is my recourse?
Is the warranty attached to the firearm or the owner? I know Ruger doesn't actually issue a warranty with their firearms unlike Mossberg (who's customer service/warranty people I've dealt with) or Savage (who's customer service/warranty people I haven't dealt with).
As a second owner am I covered by Ruger's warranty or no?
Besides a function check (bolt holds back when it should, safety works, trigger resets properly, etc.) prior to purchase is there anything I should be on the lookout for?
I know some of these questions are dumb but I'd rather ask some dumb questions then find out later I should have asked some dumb questions.
Thanks for you help in advance,
Scews
I've bought a lot of used guns over the years. The concept is the same as with autos- the moment you leave the dealer with it in your possession, it becomes "used".
It's a steel (and aluminum, and probably plastic) machine, if run correctly and not very abused, it's pretty hard to "ruin" one.
Benefits- you're trading some price for possibly aesthetic appearance. Some manufacturers (apparently Ruger) will warrant their product regardless of owner. Function check is the same as with a new gun. Backup plan is to order a set of springs when you buy, just in the off-chance you need to replace one. I've seen some people say they swap springs on every used firearm; I've seen others (including a moderator on a surplus firearm site) say he's never bought new springs for a used gun. -Consider, a surplus gun is likely the 'riskiest' of purchases, and yet they still overwhelmingly run right.
Biggest risk is a possible rechambering of the gun, but that usu applies to old surplus bolt guns (ask me how I know
), not something like a 9mm carbine.
Since it's at a FFL, ask if they've fired or checked it (does it chamber, does it extract, etc). Look for scratches or marks to indicate something was messed with; not carry or dings, but marks near the screws, or how you'd get to the internals etc.
If the FFL has it, why is he charging a transfer fee? I've only ever paid a transfer fee when I bought online, and they had to run a FFL to complete it. If I buy an 'inhouse' gun, they go with the price listed. I'd ask about that, see if they drop it.