would you buy a rifle at a pawn shop?

[cbc58]

would you? anything to look out for?

 

[torchbearer]

i buy all my guns at a pawn shop.

 

[torchbearer]

look out for over-priced crap. offer half of what is listed.

 

[Kotin]

I have bought all 4 of my rifles and both of my shotguns at pawn shops.. cant go wrong.

 

[Semper Vigilans]

I bought my Marlin 60 at a pawn shop. Have looked at other stuff, but haven't found any deals.

Am about to buy an AR-15 and a Taurus PT145 on the private market.

That way I don't have to fill out a 4473 form.

 

[Pericles]

Sure -

1. Disassemble
2. Inspect
3. Assemble
4. Function Check

make offer depending on results of 1 to 4.

 

[cbc58]

tks. for the replies.

i've visited one or two shops and the prices do not seem very good... kind of high... though I suspect these are asking prices.

what is a good rule of thumb when buying from a shop as far as making an offer... 35-50% less than asking?

 

[Icymudpuppy]

In a pawn shop. They often mark things up 100% more than what they paid for it. They never mark anything less than 20% more than they paid for it.

offer 1/2 the listed price for anything in the store.

They will scoff. understand they must make a little profit, so let them negotiate you up but do not go more than 80% the listed price.

I agree with doing the disassembly and functions check. This is true for anything at a pawn shop. Guns, Chainsaw, etc.

 

[Texan4Life]

i have bad luck with pawn shops, full of over priced turds.

 

[pcosmar]

I always check the Used Gun section at the local gun store. I bought most of the guns I ever owned from the same place. All used.
I started looking at about 8 yrs old. Tony taught me what to look for and what to check.
Then gave me a good deal on my first purchase. (some years later)

That man is still in business, and would still sell me a gun if it were not for the federal infringements.

Pawn shops will deal if you know what you are looking at. Used guns can be great buys.

 

[ghengis86]

I always check the Used Gun section at the local gun store. I bought most of the guns I ever owned from the same place. All used.
I started looking at about 8 yrs old. Tony taught me what to look for and what to check.
Then gave me a good deal on my first purchase. (some years later)

That man is still in business, and would still sell me a gun if it were not for the federal infringements.

Pawn shops will deal if you know what you are looking at. Used guns can be great buys.

Used guns can be some of the best buys. a qaulity firearm that has been taken care of will function for decades. pawn shops in general do not know too much about firearms so you can come across some great finds. plus i've never bought anything at a pawn shop for the list price; they haggle for a living and will be more than happy to haggle with you for an item. quite fun actually and it can build a good rapport for future buys.

 

[Charlie41]

i have bad luck with pawn shops, full of over priced turds.

LOL you must live near me.

The pawn shops prices here, are more expensive than wally world.

 

[jkm1864]

Buy the rifles right after hunting season or possibly several months after hunting season. A lot of red necks go out and buy brand new rifles before hunting season and then pawn them off later... I have talked to plenty of people whom said the same thing and get good deals on rifles barely used....

 

[jkm1864]

Another point ..... A .308 barrel generally lasts for about 2000 rounds before it starts loosing accuracy .... I wouldn't worry about it if You are getting a bolt action because most people just site them in and only pull them out for hunting season. A .22 can shoot over 20k rounds through the life of the barrel but considering the fact that .22 ammo is so cheap You might find the barrel nice and wore out.

 

[jkm1864]

tks. for the replies.

i've visited one or two shops and the prices do not seem very good... kind of high... though I suspect these are asking prices.

what is a good rule of thumb when buying from a shop as far as making an offer... 35-50% less than asking?

Get on gun broker and look up the average price they have listed ... I would offer them 100 dollars less for a fire arm around 500 dollars and 200 less for a rifle around the 1000 dollar range. More than likely they get the weapon for like 30% of what the going market price is..