Purchasing Used Rifles (pawn shops)...

[slyfox_1973]

It seems like there is a pawn shop at every corner here in Dallas. After saving up some chump change, I have the itch to buy a new lever rifle.

I have never bought a used firearm, and would like to know if there are some things I should be specifically looking out for. In this case, I want a lever gun.....

I have seen some guys use flashlights and other "goodies" to inspect rifles. What are they looking for exactly? Please excuse my ignorance, but I'm just a reformed city boy playing catch up!!!

 

[Gord]

Never handled a lever, but any rifle (any gun, period) should have its bore inspected. You want a borelight; stick it in the chamber so it shines down (or up, in this case) the barrel, and take a look from the opposite end. Bright and shiny is good, crusty, pitted and dark is bad.

 

[Manedwolf]

Yes, that the bore is shiny and not pitted, grooves not crudded up, etc.

Also that someone hasn't done a bubba rechambering with a reamer.

 

[Chawbaccer]

Check all the screw heads, they should be sharp and crisp. If they look like they were turned with a bad fitting butter knife you might want to wonder about the quality of work done on the gun.

 

[panther22]

Just like buying a used car, check it out carefully.
I was at a pawn shop about a year ago and looked at a Marlin lever gun. I couldn't see down the barrel. I took it to the guy behind the counter, he ran a cleaning rod down it and knocked out a wasp nest that was in it(no wasps thankfully).
This is a very unusual event. Most shops check them out alot more carefully then that,and don't mind you looking them over before you buy.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Shiny bore and shrap screw heads are good places to look at. Check the
muzzle itself for wear, pitting, rust, etc. Some people will actually make an
attempt to clean their barrel prior to selling it; but if they've had a habit
of NOT cleaning it and throwing it in the corner for months on end, then
this will show at the muzzle area. Same thing with the bolt face. If it's
crusty/pitted, someone was not giving that weapon much attention when
they owned it.