Buying a used gun for the first time? . . . Help

[roval]

i have never had problems with used guns. ruger gp100 6 inch half lug, cz 75 sp-01, CZ 75 pcr, ruger 22 lr mark 2 , smith and wesson model 19-5. a smith model 29 was so barely used, i discovered a problem after the 2nd range session and got it fixed on my dime. it is rewarding to get a gun at a good price that performs well. i then traded in the ruger gp100 6 inch half lug few years later for more than what i got it for in order to get the used model19. my lgs used to fix used guns they sold to a customer when they had an inhouse smith.

a plus with used guns is you feel less bad when they get a scratch.

 

[Legionnaire]

I bought a second-hand Ruger PC Carbine shortly after they came out. Didn't take long to figure out that something wasn't quite right with the takedown setup; I'm pretty sure it was Bubba'd. I contacted Ruger; they sent me a shipping carton and a return label. I sent it in. They sent it back with a new front end (barrel, forend, etc.). No charge. I buy lots of second hand guns, especially Rugers. I know from experience they'll stand behind their products.

 

[doubleh]

Transfer fee in this case would be covering the NICS check.

What a total ripoff if it is the dealer's gun. I have never encountered that when buying a gun, new or used, from a dealer. If one tried I would politely them to return it to where it was before I looked at it. If they got testy about their policy I would probably tell them another place to deposit it. If it was from an individual with a dealer having to do the background check like now required in my state that would be OK up to a certain dollar point. $25 is what my LGS chargess.

 

[Styx]

I have had more issues with new out in box guns I purchased vs all the used guns I brought. I actually look and search GunBroker, gun forums, and ArmsList for used guns before I buy new. I purchased used guns from LGS, GunBroker, in face to face sales, and from members on gun forums several times in the past and never had an issue.

Well, the one and only issue I had was with a Sig P239 that I won on GunBroker for $400. It was a police trade in listed with having night sights. When I got it, the night sights were near dead. The seller refunded $50 for my trouble, so I got a Sig P239 in in almost mint condition for only $350.

I wouldn't worry about buying a used Ruger or Glock.

 

[Seedy Character]

I've bought and traded way more previously loved guns than new.

Only 1 had any issue, a broken firing pin. The purchase price was low enough that even after getting the firing replaced, it was worth more than I had in it.

A lever action had some feeding problems. Tightened a loose screw and it functioned perfectly.

 

[lsudave]

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.

 

[1942bull]

If you buy a used Ruger firearm you cab be sure that Ruger will service it and often at no charge if the problem was not caused by negligence. I am a Ruger owner and I am on Ruger forums. The posts about Ruger’s excellent service are many. Ruger does not care how many previous owners there have been. If a Ruger is defective they will fix it.

 

[twofewscrews]

What a total ripoff if it is the dealer's gun. I have never encountered that when buying a gun, new or used, from a dealer. If one tried I would politely them to return it to where it was before I looked at it. If they got testy about their policy I would probably tell them another place to deposit it. If it was from an individual with a dealer having to do the background check like now required in my state that would be OK up to a certain dollar point. $25 is what my LGS chargess.

With the exception of lower priced muzzle loaders, which I believe my FFL makes/assembles himself, and various kinds of antique/second hand rare firearms that he purchases at estate sales and generally sell for upwards of 1000$, all the firearms my FFL sells are sold on consignment. The 35$ is in fact for the background check/person to person transfer. I live in NY state which I assume is generally a bit more expensive then NM.

 

[doubleh]

I have sold a few guns on consignment through my LGS. He gets 10% of the selling cost and charges nothing for the background check. If you buy a gun from him there is no cost for the check and I have never encountered any dealer here or in Texas that does charge. To do a person to person check which is a new law foisted off on us a couple of years ago by the Democrats that run state government he gets $25 dollars. Others in the area charge more, some get $50. Walmart quit selling guns in this state because of the new law depriving state coffers of quite a bit of tax dollars because Walmart sold a lot of guns. They said they had no one trained to do the checks and they weren't going to train them which was a total lie as they couldn't sell guns without the employees knowing how to do the checks before the law went into effect.

 

[twofewscrews]

I have sold a few guns on consignment through my LGS. He gets 10% of the selling cost and charges nothing for the background check. If you buy a gun from him there is no cost for the check and I have never encountered any dealer here or in Texas that does charge. To do a person to person check which is a new law foisted off on us a couple of years ago by the Democrats that run state government he gets $25 dollars. Others in the area charge more, some get $50. Walmart quit selling guns in this state because of the new law depriving state coffers of quite a bit of tax dollars because Walmart sold a lot of guns. They said they had no one trained to do the checks and they weren't going to train them which was a total lie as they couldn't sell guns without the employees knowing how to do the checks before the law went into effect.

NY is pretty close to Kommifornia in some regards. I assume there is something on the books that justifies the fee, even if it is only the extra BS he has to jump through. The laws are insane up here mostly due to the fact that those who make the gun laws know nothing about guns. My 10/22 becomes an "assault rifle" if I switch it from the factory stock to one with either a pistol grip or telescoping stock. It's still a semi auto .22 but somehow those features make it scary. Similarly if I took an AK or AR and gave it a traditional stock instead of having a pistol grip and/or telescoping stock its suddenly not an "assault rifle."

 

[doubleh]

I only know of NY and CA gun laws by what I read. I am glad I don't live in either state. It is getting worse here. We got a red flag law along with the background check for private sales when our present administration was elected. Our current governor would like for us to become California East and is doing everything she can to make it happen.

 

[Jimbo80]

Most of the guns I am interested in owning are only available used. It's not too hard to tell if a gun has been to Bubba's.

 

[Autodidactic]

Not sure there’s a right answer. There’s a cost to that new car smell. If you’re not comfortable, cough up the extra $100 bill and buy the warranty.

I’ve bought more pre-owned than new guns. Couple were duds, most were excellent. I’ve never dealt with Ruger customer service.

Maybe for old rugers. Some new ones are not so reliable.

 

[Autodidactic]

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

Used guns are great IF one can be reasonably sure they are in good working condition. You can save a fair amount of money depending on the deal. The main challenge is assessing if they are in “good working condition” or fairly priced. I refused to buy used when I first started due to not having the knowledge to assess. If buying used, I think it’s better to buy from a gun store you trust that has a gunsmith look it over for safety and condition. Some gun stores with ranges will allow one to shoot a used gun too before buying. I always take that opportunity if possible.

 

[Autodidactic]

So far, I’ve been very lucky with used buys, both in reliability/condition and price. I’m about half/half used/new. I’ve had several questionable new firearms, two of which I sold. My used buys have largely made up in value the losses of the poor new buys.

In around 40 years of buying firearms, I'm on the cusp of 30/70 to 40/60 New/Used.
In all the transactions I've made, I've only had to recourse to Customer Service only the once, and that was a NIB Taurus 945.
But, Your Mileage May Vary.
I've had some less-than great firearms, and I probably paid more than mete for them--or paid for my honesty in selling them off.

But, I've also had very good luck with firearms. Nothing broken that I could not fix.

Modern firearms are based in very mature technology and engineering--they tend to be very binary, they either work out of the box or they don't.

 

[Pew-Pew]

If the used gun is not beat up, save your $ & buy that. Use $ saved for ammo or another gun. I have bought a lot of used guns in my life and never had a problem. Just picked up a used SHield EZ 9mm for the other half on Sunday. She shot it before she bought. All good in the neighborhood

 

[Autodidactic]

NY is pretty close to Kommifornia in some regards. I assume there is something on the books that justifies the fee, even if it is only the extra BS he has to jump through. The laws are insane up here mostly due to the fact that those who make the gun laws know nothing about guns. My 10/22 becomes an "assault rifle" if I switch it from the factory stock to one with either a pistol grip or telescoping stock. It's still a semi auto .22 but somehow those features make it scary. Similarly if I took an AK or AR and gave it a traditional stock instead of having a pistol grip and/or telescoping stock its suddenly not an "assault rifle."

Think of the children with your non-traditional, fully semi-auto stocks..

 

[Appalachiannative]

"bubba" is who I fear. I assume my FFL wouldn't knowingly sell a firearm that had some serious defect or something but there is no anticipating "bubba"

For someone who has multiple guys in his family called bubba I can't help but be a little offended naw just kidding about the offense part. Anyhow though I've bought about a dozen used guns and only about three weren't worth a crap. One of these wasn't worth a crap from the factory (hi point carbine) the other two where the result of good ol bubba stuff. Or perhaps it was Beavis and Butt-Head idk

 

[SwampWolf]

Well, if one buys a Ruger of any kind, there is little chance that Ruger would not honor their lifetime warranty.

As others have said, Ruger offers no warranty, let alone a lifetime one. But I think most would agree that Ruger's history of good customer service obviates the need for having or needing something "in writing."