Ever get hosed on a used gun?

[hhb]

NAA .22 Short

Last month, I bought a NAA .22 short revolver described as NIB. That model is hard to find because I don't think there is continual production of them, only a run ever so often. I picked it up at my FFL, and it appeared to have been fired, and the envelope in the box says it was test fired in 2005. It will not allow the hammer to slip in the safety notches. I really don't have a problem carrying it on an empty, and think that it should work like it's supposed to. I found the registration card in the box, and sent it in. I'm going to call NAA about it, and will pay to send it back if they don't give me hassle about it being registered 4 years after it was manufactured. Cute little bugger!

 

[BlayGlock]

I never have but I usually inspect them very closely. All the used guns Ive gotten from THR members have been good. There are mostly honest folks here it seems.

 

[Grey Morel]

The problem with used guns is that you never know what has been done to them. Even buying brick and mortar is no insurance.

I Purchased a used Sig 232, that looked to be in immaculate condition. It would work well for about 3 mags, and then start jamming up. It took me forever to realize the take-down catch was broken, and that it would work itself loose after a few mags.

looking back, I wish I had sent it into Sig for repair rather than selling it off.

These days I buy used guns only from a local shop that has a range. That way I can shoot before I buy.

 

[jeepmor]

I can't sell a gun with an issue with a clean conscience. I'll just trade it away at a pawn shop. My online reputation is worth to much to me to sell something I know isn't going to make a customer happy, but that's just me.

jeepmor

 

[Grey_Mana]

4) ...I can spend even one hour inspecting a firearm I want to buy... I take my time.

6) Never overpay for a firearm, no matter how much I want it...the right one at the right price will come your way if you keep looking

Heh- if you spend an hour looking at a gun, playing coy when it comes time to barter won't be effective.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

In my experience it's best to do a lot of research about the specific gun you're trading for or buying used before actually doing so. I've started asking for the serial number and seeing if it matches up with recalls or low QC production years.

 

[gym]

I only have guns that I bought new. I found that there are problems with some new guns, so why press my luck. Gun shows also are a bad place to buy from unless the seller is close to where you live, you have done business with them before, or you don't mind sending the gun back to the manufacturer and incurring the extra time and money to get it fixed. I have entertained the idea of buying pre- owned many times and would trust members here. The last time I did buy a used or “pre owned gun”, was from a member of another forum, and it was NIB, and he sent it to my house, without me paying a dime. He wanted my P-13, and said he trusted me since he knew what I did for a living, and If I didn't like the gun, to just send it back. He bought an xd-9 subcompact, for his wife and she didn't like it. I ended up sending him my Para, and it worked out fine. But how many times does that happen? I wish I still had the P13 though.

 

[MrPeter]

I have this funny scale I follow:

Low dollar guns (like Taurus or EAA): Buy them new. People who sell them used only knock a tiny percentage off the price. A Taurus revolver that runs $450 won't sell used at a gunshow for less than $435-440 I've found.

Medium-to-highish dollar guns (like USP's or Berettas): Buy it used! You get a high enough quality firearm that if anything is wrong with it, you can get the manufacturer to help you no problem. Also, you're spending enough money that a good condition used firearm, even if only 10% new price off can save you $100!

High-dollar guns (like the Robinson Arms XCR I'm saving for): BUY IT NEW. I'm not throwing down $2000 to not have this thing EXACTLY how I want it and treated only EXACTLY how I would. A used one wouldn't save me enough money to make it worth it to me, and if it did, there's probably something wrong with it, or it's an earlier generation that doesn't have some fix they added to later models.

I've followed this advice for a while now and it's served me well. Never had a bad deal

 

[berettashotgun]

I'm POSITIVE everyone who sold a "less-than-perfect" firearm around here disclosed every minute flaw
I never sell anything - except to very good friends and give them the try it and buy it routine, buy off the 'net and have only had ONE bad transaction - the barrel was bulged at a place about 3" from the end. Left proper and descriptive feedback for the "dirtbag" - he left GB.
Rule of thumb for 'net purchases - POST OFFICE MONEY ORDER. Seems the good old Post Office has some strict rules about lying and deceit when it crosses state lines.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Never really had a problem until I started buying off of the auction sites. I have run into real problems with how sellers have described guns. My 99% apparently is not other people's 99%.

Bought a "99%" Savage 1907 off of Gunbroker last month, but when I finally managed to make to the FFL to pick it up, it was definitely not 99%. Had two spots of rust on the barrel that were not in the pictures. Problem is, I go to school out of state and when I managed to meet up with my FFL it was beyond the 3 day inspection period and the seller wouldn't refund the purchase price. The gun is probably 95% at best, which isn't a big difference, but I paid a premium for what I thought was a 99% gun and that hurt.

Lesson learned - Be sure to get an inspection period and actually use it if not happy. I now leave it to the discretion of my dealer if I'm not around. He knows what I look for and if it isn't as described it gets sent back pronto. Now I just have to figure out what to do with this Savage that insults me every time I look at it...

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've been lucky, only a few that I needed to do serious work on. I do buy guns that need work because they can be so cheap, few hours work and a few bucks in parts and all is well. Never have bought one unknowingly.

 

[atblis]

Rule of thumb for 'net purchases - POST OFFICE MONEY ORDER. Seems the good old Post Office has some strict rules about lying and deceit when it crosses state lines.

Perhaps, but they very rarely go after anybody, especially when it is a case of the item being different than described. Out right fraud, and for a very large ammount, they might actually do something.

Buying stuff off of gunbroker is a gamble, so bid accordingly. I always bid less than I would be willing to pay in person.

 

[kev74]

I can't sell a gun with an issue with a clean conscience. I'll just trade it away at a pawn shop. My online reputation is worth to much to me to sell something I know isn't going to make a customer happy, but that's just me.

jeepmor

Unless you're more willing to misrepresent your defective gun to a pawn broker than someone on the internet, what's the difference between selling to a person and trading to a shop?

 

[gyvel]

Twice I received 03-A3s that had been recreated from drill rifles. One looked quite dangerous to me since the barrel that had been weld cut had been rewelded ... below is a pic of that.

I can't believe someone would have the cojones to try to sell something like that