Question about pawnshops and cleaning

[possom813]

I pawned my .44 in July. SS S&W Mountain Gun.

Before I took it to the pawn shop, I cleaned it up real good and made sure to get all the nooks and crannies.

I picked it up yesterday and I know it was feeling neglected being away from it's friends the past couple of months, so I decided to give another cleaning.

I didn't figure it would be too bad since it hasn't been fired since the last time it was cleaned in July.

The barrel was clean, but there was powder residue on the front and rear of the cylinder, powder residue under the hammer, and black dirt(maybe residue) on and around the trigger.

There wasn't a spec of dirt on it when I pawned it, do you think they took it out and played with it? I can't prove it even if they did, but that doesn't make it right.

Your thoughts?

 

[NMGonzo]

Don't pawn your mountain gun anymore.

Sell it to me next time.

 

[possom813]

No more pawning, period.

I can't sell the Mountain Gun, It was my first .44 and has a certain sentimental value about it...But I suppose if you could pay the sentimental value of it, then we could negotiate

 

[Kindrox]

If it went in clean and came out with powder residue, either someone broke in, played with it, then returned it, or the pawn shop people shot it.

Probably not a big deal but i would not like it, what if they added scratches or broke something? I doubt they would own up to it later. I would complain.

Edited to add: thinking about it for a minute, it's weird for them to go shoot it. An hour south of DFW puts you in some small town so maybe they have nothing better to do, but you never know, right? There is some small but non-zero chance it was used in a crime or something while it was out and about.

 

[possom813]

Who do you complain to? It's a mom and pop shop that I pawned it in? BBB?

 

[eight433]

I would just complain to them, just to let them know that you noticed and maybe save the next guy. All in all, i dont think complaining to ANYONE will help much. We all know why pawn shops have such a reputation as an honest group of business owners.

 

[pegan]

I would speak to the management and gauge the response. Then possibly notify the police. Suppose it was used in a crime. at the very very least, keep your pawn slip forever.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Never pawn one if you can help it.

 

[Kindrox]

Who do you complain to? It's a mom and pop shop that I pawned it in? BBB?

I know it might seem lame to compain to them but the fact that you noticed and call them on it might keep them from doing it again. I would call up and say something along the lines of you don't appreciate their shooting your gun. They probably think they cleaned up the evidence of having shot it and might either outright deny having done it or ask how you know.

I would not tell them you found powder residue, as that might just encourage them to clean up better. I would just say it did not come out in the same condition it went in and you know it was fired. Also although they are mom and pop, it is still likely they have employees and it is possible one of them did it. In which case mom and pop might want to know.

If they get nasty or give you run around, I might mention that you are going to stop by the police station and report the incident (which you should do out of being a good citizen), so the local police know what is going on. I am sure the police would like to know that.

There is no point to a bbb complaint unless you actually want something tangible.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Well, if you watch pawn stars, they always make sure that whatever they buy (at least the big stuff) can shoot. So maybe they just took it out for a little function testing, really, did they damage it or in some way decrease the value, if so check you contract and you would probable be stuck in an arbitration clause, but tell them if they want your business they should listen and tell you that it was fired, if not promise to take a much business as possible.

 

[kingpin008]

Well, if you watch pawn stars, they always make sure that whatever they buy (at least the big stuff) can shoot.

1. It's a TV show. Shooting guns gets ratings.

2. They test-fire things before they make an offer. This gun was (supposedly) fired after they had accepted it. Different situations entirely.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Yes, I'm not a complete idiot

That was said tongue in cheek

 

[fireman 9731]

I always wondered why guns in pawn shops weren't that clean....

 

[eight433]

yeah, but pawning and selling to a pawn CAN be two different things. If he SOLD it to them, I would expect they would fire it. If he PAWNED it, it should be hands off until it belongs to them.

 

[dirtyjim]

yeah, but pawning and selling to a pawn CAN be two different things. If he SOLD it to them, I would expect they would fire it. If he PAWNED it, it should be hands off until it belongs to them.

when you pawn a gun you are transferring ownership to the pawnshop until you reclaim the gun.
at a small mom & pop pawnshop i wouldn't put it past them to take it out & shoot it.
i know several pawnshops that will let me look at guns before they come out of pawn.
i've even gave them money to hold guns if they come out of pawn

 

[Mr.510]

I would file a police report just to CYA. Worst case it could have been used in a crime. If there's a report on file you're defense will be ahead of the curve should a body turn up with a round from your gun in it. I considered pawning weapons in the past when money was really tight but never did it due to concern about this very scenario.

 

[eye5600]

It's great to be a good citizen and tell the police, but there is a lot of downside potential. If they take you seriously at all, they area going to want to collect the gun and test file it to get a comparison bullet and case. If your PD is as uncooperative as most, that may take them weeks. Second, if the do find a match, the gun goes to the evidence locker and you will probably never get it back.