Buying display models.

[HOOfan_1]

Are the display models of some guns, especially handguns, the only stock many stores have? Do stores generally sell the display models and then replace with backstock? What are your experiences and thoughts on buying display models when shopping for a NEW IN BOX gun? See my experience below.

I've bought 5 guns in the past 2 years and 3 of them were display models. I didn't ask to buy the display models, but that was all the stores had. I am pretty anal about the conditions of my guns and if I am going to spend new gun prices on a gun, I want it to be NIB condition.

One of the guns I bought was special order, so obviously not display model.

The second gun I bought was a present for someone else, they went and got one out of the back without me having to ask and made sure I looked it over before even handing me the 4473.

The third gun I bought was an FNP-40. I was looking at one in desert tan, just to get a feel for the gun. When I said I wanted to purchase it, I told them I wanted one all black. They fumbled around in the display case and finally found one. They didn't even look in the computer to see if there was more stock (but I don't know their system anyway). Although the one he pulled out was not the one I had handled 10+ times while mulling it over and was kind of hidden in the display case, it still showed a little bit of shop wear. The price tag was $599, I paid $550, so either the price tag was wrong, or they knocked off $49 for being a display model, they didn't tell me. I still had a little buyers remorse until I got it to the range and shot it. 1.5 years and 1,800 rounds later, other than an infamous problem with the takedown lever knicking the slide and minor wear on the barrel hood, the gun looks exactly like it did when I bought it.

The fourth gun was a Glock 19 at Gander Mountain. Glock Gen 3s were on sale for $500. If a store had overstock for any one gun, I would have expected it to be a Glock 19, but when I asked to buy one, they ran to the backroom and pulled out a "C" model. I didn't want the ported slide and barrel and was about the walk out when I spotted a non-ported Gen 3 in the display case WAY at the back. I pulled it out and inspected it and I couldn't find a single flaw on it. After my buyers remorse on the FNP, I wasn't going to buy it any way other than perfect. They didn't take anything off of it though. (My dad bought a display model H&R Handi-Rifle and they knocked money off though...but he is more forceful than I am and may have demanded it). 1 year and 1300 rounds later, it only has the absolute most minor of wear on the barrel.

The fifth "gun" I bought was an Armalite AR-15 stripped lower. It was in a plastic bag in the display case, and was in perfect condition. Not much fondling of that I would suspect, and I think all of the stores stock for those was kept in the display case.

 

[statelineblues]

Since I buy a lot of older/used firearms I'm not as concerned about the outer condition of a display model unless it looks like it has been really abused. I've never had a problem with any of the display models I've bought over the years.

 

[beatledog7]

If the shop will adjust for any handling marks, and I'm still getting a factory new gun (warranty intact), I have no problem buying a display.

One big advantage, discount aside, is that if the gun already has a "mark" from being shown to customers, it has lost its cherry, so when I add the next ding (it's gonna happen, just as with a new car) it hurts a lot less.

 

[Bubbles]

Most gun shops can't afford to tie up the capital so that they have display models with a bunch of the same stock in a back room. If it's in inventory, it's in the display case.

 

[Sam1911]

My general gun purchasing tends toward either military/historical pieces or guns I intend as heavy users. So I'm expecting either to be buying a gun that has a lot of use wear already, or I'll be putting my own on in very short order.

Now, that doesn't mean I necessarily want to pay top dollar for something that's beat up, but I sure would buy a gun with some wear marks if I could use that to knock $100 off of the price!

I'm going to be inspecting any gun I buy pretty carefully before I sign the forms, so I'll be pretty confident that it is mecanically sound. So what is even 100 sets of hands working the action in the store going to to the gun that could possibly harm it? I'll work it harder than that the very first time I hit the range!

 

[Snag]

To me a display model is not new. Call it like new if you want but to me it's not new in box. I wouldn't pay full retail price for a display item, like Sam and probably everyone else I would however try and use the fact that it is a display item to haggle the price down. I don't care for the like new category, stuff is either new or used to me.

I favor a store that keeps stock of their display models or at least offers to order up a new one if possible, if that's what you want. My buying habits are usually centered around looking for a specific gun model, not much of an impulse buyer.

 

[jim243]

Generally, I like to check out 3 or 4 from stock for fit, function and finish. But every once in a while there is only one and you have to decide which way to go. For a Kimber Eclipse Pro I purchased, I had them order a new one from another store, for my CZ 75 P-01 it was the only one within 10,000 miles, so guess what, yes I own it.

Jim

 

[Sam1911]

To me a display model is not new. Call it like new if you want but to me it's not new in box

I'm not sure I could agree with that. A gun the dealer keeps around as a "tester" to let people try out on his attached range? -- no, that's not new. A gun that's been on the dealer's rack with a price tag on it? Yeah, that's "NEW" unless it has actually been visibly/physically damaged somehow.

I'm saying I would use visible marrs to knock down the price from "new." A scratch on the stock? A ding in the metal? A worn or scuffed spot in the finish/bluing? That should be worth a bit of money off -- and chances are I don't care that much, because the gun will be run hard under practical match conditions and I know I'll never even remember which ding was the one I didn't put on it myself.

Been test fired a few times? Oh, sure. That's a USED gun.

Just having been handled and having the action run a few times? Naaah. I don't see it.

 

[Lateck]

I normally take my new guns to the range right away.... So, it's not "new" very long to me..... So if it's the display it's OK with me unless there is something really noticeable....

Lateck,

 

[Cluster Bomb]

I wanted to buy a Mossberg 715t at walmart once. But the display was all they had, and it was beat up. I asked a manager if they would take some $ off as it was all scuffed up and had a dent. they said no.

If the display is all they have left, and its beat up and sold NEW i wont buy it. unless its reduced.

Most of my guns are used but i have had 2 new guns, that wer mint and new. If its being sold new, and its damaged in any way, over handled or missing something, i don't classify that as new. but unfired used.

to edit;
Most of my dealers display what they have. only one or two have a back room. they are handled and immediately wiped down. Generaly with these they are actually new. You get box and everything. But if its new and damaged in some way,i wont buy it. Unless its marked down or a good deal.

 

[lloveless]

None of the guns in the display case are new by some people definition since they are all fired for function at the factory.
ll

 

[bergmen]

None of the guns in the display case are new by some people definition since they are all fired for function at the factory.
ll

Same thing with automobiles. It is highly likely that the last new vehicle that one purchased was test driven by several possible customers.

My 2006 Toyota Tundra I bought had 40 miles on it when I took delivery. Didn't bother me one whit.

Same with guns. Easy to inspect to see if they have been mishandled. I bought a Browning A-Bolt II Medallion off the rack since nobody had any of these in .300 WSM anywhere. It did have a couple of minor (very small) dents in the stock but nothing different than I might do after I got it. The action/barrel/magazine were perfect. I haven't regretted it, it is the most accurate rifle I own.

Dan

 

[gym]

2 quick comments, i hand picked a 357 taurus out of 5 guns at a show for my buddy, I thought I had the best of the lot, tight, timing was right trigger, as mutch as one can tell without gauges and live ammo. Got home and he loaded it up, and it woudn't turn, the ammo cut into the frame, the rod was bent. We drove back and got another hew one, It was tight alright. Hey for $259 what did I expect
Second one was another road trip for a CDP ultra a couple years ago. Called up this GS, that was the typical "dump" when I pulled up I thought it was closed, no lights on, 5 guys smoking cigars no sales help available, all were too busy discussing world events.
i ask for the boss and intoduce myself as the guy who called about the Kimber.
he opens the sliding door on the case, and hands me a banged up scratched really bad gun. I ask him for the new one,he says that's it. i laughed and walked out.,He could care less.
In both cases it didn't matter, I had to be there to see the gun, and sometimes that's not even enough, that's why I said before I won't buy a gun I can'r see. Imagine geting a kimber sent to you in the mail, like that , and having to go through all the crap to get your money back. It looked like the guy carried it for a year and put it back in the box.
I also only use AMEX, if they don't take it, I will pass, as they will stand behind you until you are satified, and have on a few occasions over 35 years.

 

[Tim the student]

If they look fine, I have no problems with it. If I can find any marks on them, I use that to haggle.