how you buy used firearms

[Legionnaire]

Lots of places to shop, in person and on line. As many have pointed out, the keys are having cash in hand (don't spend what you can't afford) and being patient. Almost all of my more recent gun purchases were opportunistic--not something I was actually hunting for, but a good deal when I saw it. If you already have the cash saved, you don't have to spend much time thinking about it--you already know a purchase won't break the bank. For me, it's not just the score ... it's the hunt!

 

[tarosean]

Is it fair to assume that a used pistol, maybe with just 2 mags, would cost about 1/2 that? When i check online classifieds, many are asking $500, so more than what i can buy new. Can you guys help me with what I am missing?

No because most name brand guns don't loose value like that.
In addition, not everyone bargain shops. So Joe blow with the 500 dollar M&P could have payed a lot more than his asking price through the now defunct Gander Mountain, or similar. Course there are also a lot of people who think their used crap is worth a fortune. Not much you can do about that.

Gunbroker is weird because what may be next to worthless in your state. May be worth a fortune in another due to laws/restrictions, etc. so you see $$$$ all over the place.

Now-a-days I pick up used guns from gunbroker and well known forum members. Ive been getting away from the whole FTF thing.

 

[hemiram]

I just got an S&W 28-2. Around here, they are like ghosts, and when one shows up, it's insanely priced, so Gunbroker is my first place to look. I got the gun for about $125-150 less than what one in the same shape goes for here. That's counting the shipping and transfer.

 

[BearBrimstone]

I like to think that lack of knowledge and paying too much initially are the reasons why I see so many used guns being sold locally for more than I can buy them for new. Its either that or fishing for someone that needs an off-the-books gun. Either way, if its a gun still in production I pretty much never end up buying used. Out of production guns, on the other hand, don't really give me a choice.

 

[hemiram]

To help fund the 28-2 I just bought, I sold off my last .40 S&W gun, a Sig 229 DAK, and you never know what's going to happen. I knew I wasn't going to get what I had in it, but wow. It was in nice shape, almost perfect with a little smiley on the muzzle end of the barrel, and a little silver showing on the locking lug. I got little more than the starting price. After paying the auction charges and my FFL to ship it out, I'll be lucky to clear $300. Oh well, the buyer should be happy. I'm sure not.