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Buying a used gun: looking for links not for you to have to repeat yourselves

3K views 17 replies 14 participants last post by  domino 
#1 ·
I'm new to guns (about a month now) and I've bought 2 brand new guns but am thinking that "lightly used" may be a smarter financial choice for my next gun.

I have no doubt that this topic has been discussed ad nauseum before I joined, so I'm really not looking for you to rewrite what you've written in the past. I'm just asking for

1) some online dealer recommendations and any links to youtube videos or blogs that give a good "101" on what to look out for as red flags when buying used

2) any online shops I should target for future purposes.

Thanks !

.


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#2 ·
Fear not young member! one of the best places to buy from is here on the forum we all have reputations and i doubt anyone will screw you over. I think the larger majority of guns owned by me were preowned. There are great deals to be had. so tell us what you are looking for...
we probably can help.
If however it's her..... forgedaboudit, you are NOT getting her.
 

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#8 ·
I like buying my working guns used because then I don't have to fret over putting the first wear marks on a pristine finish.

I've never bought a used Sig that had any functional issues. One had sights that were off; I fixed that by sending it in for the service package when the custom shop ran a sale. It came back to me with new nights that were dead nuts.
 
#10 ·
I find many little shot used locally using Armslist. Meet face to face at a public place.
Do your pre work, and I have never had a problem. Most of the time the other has a CCL and we trade info.
I always use a bill of sale, buying or selling.

Summit is a very good seller.
Most all the good sellers on Gun broker will allow inspection before filling out the 4473, and I won't buy from a dealer that does not allow that.
Ask questions before the buy button, and get everything resolved.

Right here is a great inspection guide for Sigs and can convert to other brands.
http://sigtalk.com/sig-sauer-pistols/131-flork-s-sig-pistol-inspection-guide.html

With Sig it is all about slide rails and barrel smileys. If the rails look good to pristine, it is a likely keeper.

I got this one locally off Armslist and shows my inspection points. I look close just above the take down, and the frame flats each side of the hammer. High wear spots.

 
#11 ·
GunBroker has a checkbox to allow you to search specifically for used guns. But always check prices on available new guns on there because you can often buy new guns for incredible prices. Stick to sellers with high positive ratings and high positive recent ratings.

Northern Firearms (aka Reed's Outdoors) on GunBroker sells only new guns but their prices are unbelievably great and often make buying a good used one less attractive. Great to deal with.
 
#12 · (Edited)
If you shop around and are patient. You can find new pistols for less money than you can buy used and still have the Sig Sauer warranty. As an example, check out this deal on a P224 SAS 40cal.
Sig Sauer P224 SAS Gen 2 .40 S&W SLITE Night Sight 224-40SAS2B - P224 - Sig Sauer - Handguns - Firearms

I recently bought a P229 40cal NIB for $599.99 and free shipping. I still had to pay my FFL a $30 transfer fee and background check. I ended up having $630 in a new P229 40cal. It is hard to find a used one for that price. I also agree, Northern Firearms is good to deal with. Whatever you buy, enjoy it!
 
#13 ·
I would counsel that the first step is identifying a local FFL who will aid in any transaction. I am not sure what roadblocks you face living in Chicago but a good FFL relationship will go a long way to making any purchase smooth.

Last year I bought a CPO P229 no-rail 40 SW from Summit Gun Brokers out of Missouri and I can't say enough good about the deal. The gun is rock solid — seems damn near new. As I recall, when the dust settled, I think I was all in at about $600.

Good luck, the quest is half the fun!
 
#15 ·
Good point Dave, always meet face to face when dealing with folks on armslist there are too many horror stories of people getting burned there since unlike here there is no screening process. Another tip I'd suggest is take somebody with you and ask them to do the same, and if you CC definitely do so then! Many have been robbed, sadly, face to face so then had no gun nor the money. Meet at a public place like Dave said like a LGS(local gun shop I despise people using abbreviations and not defining them) or a Bass Pro..

Online stores I like with used guns being CDNN and though they aren't new Palmetto State Armory (PSA as it's commonly referenced) has prices for new guns rivaling or beating in many cases used gun prices. Gunbroker is sporadic and hard to navigate/decipher in my opinion (IMO). Grab a Gun has a "shoot now pay later" if you cannot afford the entire price right now and though you will pay extra with this program nothing beats getting a gun you are able to play with while paying it off. Armslist had gun dealers, don't fall for somebody just listing they are a dealer, the ones with the higher rankings or that have a reputable business place are the only ones I'll go to alone though. There are others but just be cautious always and good luck, you can't go wrong with a CPO Sig.
 
#17 ·
I'll add to the Summit Gun Broker praise. He comes across some good deals and is great to deal with. I've also dealt successfully with Robertson Trading Post, Patels Repairs and CDNN. Some I know have dealt with Big Deez Guns and have high praise. Opportunities are out there, when buying a used gun, as in so many things in life, you are buying the person selling. Get to know that person as well as you can prior to the transaction. You can find plenty of guns for sale on the internet, a way to communicate is always provided. Ask questions and gauge the character of the seller by their response. I've exchanged emails quite often, a few times, I've asked for phone numbers. If doing a face to face transaction, I prefer to do it inside the shop of my local gun store. In that way, I am doing it in an atmosphere where I know armed people that will help me should the situation turn hinkey.
 
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