High Road Ethics Question

[herrwalther]

I have made attempts to tell a buyer what was wrong with a firearm and why I was getting rid of it. The typical response I have gotten was "I can handle it" or "I know what I am doing." I have watered down to the point where if I don't say "Nothing wrong with it" then there is something wrong with it.

I am not in the habit of selling lemons so I will send firearms back for manufacturer repair or work on them myself to get them working again before I sell it, if possible.

 

[jmace57]

I had somebody sell me a Walther P38. After the first shot, the extractor, spring and pin flew off. I bought replacements and installed, and again, after the first shot, it flew off again. I replaced it a third time with the same result. There was something "off" in the pin hole or something. When I sold it, I let the person know there was an issue, and sold it for significantly less than I paid for it.

 

[Bill Raby]

I am constantly seeing posts where someone says that a gun was junk so they sold it. The the same people are usually the ones that say they only buy used guns because they are better than new ones. But they never seem to consider that those used guns they buy are the ones that someone else is selling because they are junk.

 

[shafter]

I'll make the buyer aware of any known mechanical or safety defects. Basically if it's broken or needs to be fixed I'm obligated to share that. What I'm not obligated to do is down sell the firearm by pointing out any dings, scratches, or share my opinion on how rough the trigger or action is. I'll let the buyer examine the gun and make those determinations for himself.

 

[Hokkmike]

On selling a gun ... in which you have no confidence.
Let's set some parameters on the question. I'm not talking about intentionally trying to jam somebody by selling them a defective gun. That's wrong. And I'm not talking about buying a gun and expecting every single ding, doink, or scratch be pointed out. The question is caveat emptor vis a vis hiding known problems.

You have a (in your mind) dog. Can't get it to shoot accurately with anything. Or has been factory returned and a problem or fault corrected. I don't know what else ...I've heard about clocked barrel. A semiauto that won't feed. Sights can't be adjusted enough to make POA=POI. Whatever. Nothing dangerous known.

What is ethically acceptable to disclose to a buyer, what is ethically expected from a seller.
Corollary: what is reasonably expected as to allowing test firing, or not. Sale contingent upon test fire? These days that could cost seller $$ in ammunition, range trip, liability, etc. Obviously online/auction is a different situation. As is an honest "I just don't need/want/shoot it anymore."

-jb, as both a buyer and potential seller

This is pretty easy really - put yourself on the buyers' end.

 

[Mosin77]

I think it depends on the gun and the situation.

Example 1: I am selling a collectible pistol, let’s say a rare or expensive military surplus gun. Nobody is buying this one to keep next to their bed for home defense, nor to shoot recreationally (much) and they probably weren’t what we consider reliable today, even when new. I certainly don’t feel the need to volunteer that I can’t get through a mag without a couple of jams. Buyer is tickled pink I’m selling it at all and that it’s matching with good original bluing.

Example 2: I sell my Bauer .25 jam-o-matic. I bought it as a curiosity knowing they have a reputation for inconsistent reliability. I sell it to a similar minded fellow. No need to mention it’s unreliable. He may well enjoy getting it sorted out. I won’t charge a top dollar price. On the other hand if the buyer is a young woman who thinks it’s “cute” and mentions how it will be perfect for her purse, her first gun, etc.... well, in good conscience I could not sell it to her at all.

Example 3: I’m selling a Glock. It doesn’t work reliably. I will disclose, and I will price it very fairly. It’s a tool and they have a reputation for working well. I want my buyer to know it needs sorting out before he trusts his life to it.

 

[THEWELSHM]

If you are selling a Taurus no need to talk it up, they all ready know...

Thewelshm