[flyingbrickracing]

Hi all.I am just wondering what the average Joe (or Ken) should be looking for when shopping for a use or surplus rifle (or shotgun,or pistol).
Is there any websites or books that are suggested reading,I'm sure it has been gone over but I've seen some threads about military surplus rifles just thought I'd toss it out there and ask for a little insight from the more knowledgeable to point the newbies (myself included) in the right direction.
Thanks,Ken
Used guns,when shopping for used guns,with an "s" at te end.Sorry,my M44 took over my toughts for a moment.

[SGT-MILLER]

The best thing you can do right now is to go to google and type in "Tips on buying used guns". You will receive hundreds of different websites that all have good info for you. It would be too hard to narrow down a specific site.

One of my personal tips would be to get familiar with the type of firearm that you are wanting to buy before you go to make the purchase.

Example:

You are looking for, let's say, a Smith and Wesson Sigma 9mm pistol, and you see a nice used one for 500.00 dollars. You talk to the clerk behind the counter and he tells you that the price on that pistol is a steal, and all the LE agencies are starting to use this pistol. He also tells you that these Sigma pistols are top of the line. You decide to wait and you go home and research the pistol model. You find out that not only the pistol is only worth about 350-400 dollars new, you also find that there are not that many LE units using them.

You can then go back to the store (if you choose) "armed" with this information, and you can try to talk down the price to a much lower amount, or you can just go to another store to continue your search.

The main reason I point this out, is I had to call out a guy at a pawn shop on a Sigma 9mm (very used and in real dirty condition) that he was trying to sell for 550.00 dollars. I told him that the MSRP was much less on brand new Sigma's and he was ripping off the general public. He basically said that he will sell for what people are willing to give. I just left because people like that aren't worth my time or effort.

Educate yourself before you spend your hard-earned money. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions or concerns regarding any specific type of firearm you wish to purchase.

[big shrek]

+1 Sgt Miller

The above is very correct.

I look at the condition of the weapon in question. I've brought some rough ones back from the dead and have a "Project Gun" on my workbench now...but usually what I find in pawn shops are dirty guns that have been uncleaned for years...sometimes decades. THOSE are the ones I tend to get great deals on!

Check the barrel first, inspect for pitting or other scars/tool marks.
Check the action, looking for broken/worn parts and any other oddities.

Then walk outside, sit in your car, grab your laptop/PSP, check prices & parts availabilty

Go back inside and commence to haggling!!

I never pay sticker. Not even on new guns. Never be afraid to haggle.

I also NEVER trade in old guns unless they are beyond all hope (like a Raven/Lorcin/Jennings/other junk guns), many people use a throwaway or two just for the purpose of being able to take a gun home RIGHT THEN instead of having to deal with the waiting periods. (YAY Florida! CCW, No Wait!! Alabama/Georgia - If you trade one in, No Wait!!)

[flyingbrickracing]

Good advice!thanks for the input.

[SGT-MILLER]

Another good thing to do is take a small flashlight with you.

When you open the action of a pistol/rifle/shotgun/whatever, you can shine that little light in there to check things out.

You would be surprised at what you can find.

[big shrek]

+1 on that too

The Hoppes borelight sux, the only good thing about it is that you can take off the rubber L-shaped doodad on the end and put it on a mini-keychain (AAA) maglight.

The cardboard inner thingy on the Hoppes light won't accept rechargeables without breaking. Peeved me off when it broke before I even got it working. Fortunately I had a keychain maglight lying around

[flyingbrickracing]

I was going to bring my LED minimag (VERY bright for its size,3-AAA batteries,)but left it in the truck.My kids came to the rescue with the "DAD" LED light up keychain they gave me for Christmas!