Selling a Pistol,what should I do

[jasnake65]

IM trying to sell a pistol and i have a potential buyer. He wants to meet at a gun range which is great.
I have a few questions.....if he wants to shoot it should I let him? I think I should but he should buy the rounds plus the range fee. Now how many rds should i let him shoot, a box of 20 or 50 rds? Now lets say he says no I dont want to buy it..which is ok...but its also like renting a gun at a range and free use of a pistol. I can do that to number of people and try my hand at different guns at no cost of renting them. Like to hear different thoughts on this. I can see it going either way......just curious what have you done or would do.

 

[berettashotgun]

Um..... If I was to sell a pistol- He could shoot a magazine at the range- his ammo/range fee. CASH ONLY is your price reasonable? Is this a decent brand of pistol?( not gonna blow up or anything) Get a mutual agreement made BEFORE you even go to the range.

 

[jasnake65]

Its a Glock 20, gen 3. cash sell. Meeting him halfway from work.

 

[berettashotgun]

check the persons ID if you don't know him. And ask this one simple question- "Is there anything that prohibits you from buying this pistol?" You're good to go after that. ps, Having a CCW could come in handy at this time

 

[Zundfolge]

I was going to say let him shoot a mag or two of your ammo until you said it was a G20.

10mm is premium stuff, so I'd make him buy his own.


But I wouldn't let the range session go past a couple of magazines full (he can tell what he needs to know from that little shooting).

But he's going to pay his own range fee.


Also I agree with berettashotgun. This should be a done deal before you get to the range (with him having the right to back out only if the pistol doesn't function).

 

[Wedge]

Frequently in the used car classifieds, especially for the more fun cars (Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, Grand Nationals, etc. etc.) it will say no joy rides.

I would say the same thing for this. The range is to test for functionality and to meet at a public place not to see if 10mm is for him. His factory ammo and he pays the range fee. I wouldn't want some guy shooting handloads out of a gun that I haven't gotten payment for yet.

Now maybe he is a cool guy and you hang out shooting for a while, but don't let him joyride the gun. Let him have a test drive, make sure it works exchange cash for G20 and then hang out and shoot or leave or whatever.

 

[nwilliams]

whenever I sell a gun to a private party I write out a quick bill of sale with the gun serial number on it along with theirs and my signiture on it. I then stash it in my pile of gun reciepts for safe keeping. As for letting them shoot I've never done that but I would say one or two mags and like the above post make them pay for it all.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Depends on how bad you want to sell the pistol, IMO. I guess I'm a nicer guy that most, but I'd probably let him shoot (at minimum) several mags of my ammo (assuming I had it to burn) until he was satisfied one way or the other.

I look at it this way: If I were on the other end of the deal and got a bunch of stipulations and charges thrown at me by a nervy seller, I'd probably say "no thanks" and move on to the next potential seller.

 

[runninmike]

I would let him shoot it with ammo he pays for and 50 rounds would be reasonable.
I don't know what the state law is where you live, but I would certainly have him sign a note that you make up stating that he has no felony convictions or other judgements like misdemeanor violence or spousal abuse that would legally restrict him from getting a handgun. Just insure yourself so something can't come back and bite you in the tail over a few hundred dollar gun transaction. And anyone who whines or complains about a signed disclaimer to protect you is not worthy of owning your stuff.
Good luck!

 

[hceptj]

i wouldn't have a problem with someone shooting a clip or two at their expense...if it was my only 10mm and i had some extra ammo i would try to include that in the selling price and offer to let them shoot some of it, they pay the range fee though...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree the deal should be done before you go to meet him and the shooting should be only to prove the gun isn't defective. He pays the range fees and he supplies the ammo. Again, the deal should be DONE before you agree to meet him and it's cash only.

berettashotgun made a joke about having a CCW with you, I'll say it without the joke! Always protect yourself when cash in involved especially when you are not on your home turf and you don't know the person.

 

[IronSightRot671]

berettashotgun,ArchAngelCD I agree with you both! jasnake65, What i'll do is let him pay for the range time. and if possible have atleast 3 mags tops for the test out. I also agree with the others, with having some sort of agreement before he pops off the mags.. think of the 3 mags as a thank you of some sort for him being interested in the purchase of your pistol. who knows... those 3 mags of ammo might get the guy into thinking your a cool cat. and he'll probably consider another deal with you in the future. I know I would.. Good luck on your sale.!

Btw, jasnake65, welcome to The High Road! beer is in the frig!

DT!

 

[Soybomb]

I would let him shoot it with ammo he pays for and 50 rounds would be reasonable.
I don't know what the state law is where you live, but I would certainly have him sign a note that you make up stating that he has no felony convictions or other judgements like misdemeanor violence or spousal abuse that would legally restrict him from getting a handgun. Just insure yourself so something can't come back and bite you in the tail over a few hundred dollar gun transaction. And anyone who whines or complains about a signed disclaimer to protect you is not worthy of owning your stuff.
Good luck!

Just to give you something to think about from the other side:
If I were not required to do so by law, I would not simply as a matter of principle of not subjecting myself to gun control laws that don't exist. I imagine others might have a valid concern of giving a stranger a trail to follow that would likely lead to their home and several other guns as well. Don't assume because someone doesn't want to leave you with paperwork that they're a bad guy.

 

[logical]

You really don't want to get into the gun rental business...which is what you'll be doing if you let him test drive it...regardless of who pays. Complete the sale in the range parking lot with a written agreement that he has a 30minute return window. In Michigan all the worries about his status are pretty simple...he either has a purchase permit (or valid CPL) or he doesn't. Go inside and get a coffee....or shoot a few rounds from one of your own while the clock ticks. And of course he pays for his own ammo and range time...the last thing you need is for him to tell all his buddie they can shoot a 1mm free if they call you and act interested in buying it.