What do you look for when buying a used rifle?

Jstpssng · Jun 28, 2014

The local pawnshop has what seems to be a good price on a .300 Savage 99E... about 1/2 what they normally go for. The rifling looks good, the action is tight, bluing looks good, the stock is solid but the finish except the finish is bad; which can easlily be rectified. I've wanted a 99 for a long while and would have bought it on the spot if I knew more about what to look for.
I need something for a moose hunt this fall and was going to pick up a .308 Axis until I saw this gun.

rsallen · Jun 28, 2014

Make a deposit on it, offer to clean it afterwards and make arrangements to take it out to fire off some rounds.
That should brings out any hidden flaws.

Jstpssng · Jun 28, 2014

Thanks, good plan. I won't buy it anyhow unless they have an acceptable return policy...

Bigfoot62 · Jun 28, 2014

rsallen said:
Make a deposit on it, offer to clean it afterwards and make arrangements to take it out to fire off some rounds.
That should brings out any hidden flaws.

Good suggestion, but . . .

Jstpssng said:
Thanks, good plan. I won't buy it anyhow unless they have an acceptable return policy...

Most gun dealers have a no return policy. It's just too much trouble to log it in, go through the NICS check, log it out to you, and then log it back in again when you want to return it.

However, most gun dealers around here (with the exception of the big box stores) will let you take it out back and shoot it BEFORE you buy it.

FYI, the Blue Book values on that rifle are: 95%-$725; 90%-$600; 80%-$500.

Gary Fowler · Jun 28, 2014

Finding a good deal at a pawn shop, for me at least, is a lost cause. Most of them want near new price for their guns. 20-30 years ago, I could find good deals on used guns at a pawn shop but no longer.

paulharvey · Jun 28, 2014

Gary Fowler said:
Finding a good deal at a pawn shop, for me at least, is a lost cause. Most of them want near new price for their guns. 20-30 years ago, I could find good deals on used guns at a pawn shop but no longer.

I bought a very nearly new Mossberg 500 12 gauge for $112 including tax and background from pawn shop. Guns have gotten really weird over last 6 years. I was at an auction in spring of 2009, and people where paying more than new price on fair condition used...

bcp · Jun 28, 2014

Safeties have been in two places over the years. Some people much prefer one location over the other. I don't know models or dates of the change.

Bruce

rsallen · Jun 28, 2014

Bigfoot62 said:
Good suggestion, but . . .

Most gun dealers have a no return policy. It's just too much trouble to log it in, go through the NICS check, log it out to you, and then log it back in again when you want to return it.

However, most gun dealers around here (with the exception of the big box stores) will let you take it out back and shoot it BEFORE you buy it.

FYI, the Blue Book values on that rifle are: 95%-$725; 90%-$600; 80%-$500.

LOL bigfoot,
Guess you know now how long it's been since I've bought a gun.

nybirdman · Jun 28, 2014

The 99's are very nice guns,well made.If the bore is good I would purchase it,the action on them is like a Swiss watch;even the ones built in the 1990's.I think the .300 is slightly less powerfull than the .308 Winchester.I know my buddy's father killed several moose/bear and lots of deer with that gun and caliber.