How much should you pay for a decent used pistol at a gun show or pawn shop?

Question

I'm looking for a .38, .40, or .45 pistol and I want to know how much I can expect to pay at a gun show or pawn shop.

Answer 1

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Just the opposite!
Please avoid .38 special. Of all the guns I have ever owned, the .38 is the loser I hated the most. the worst gun made. .380 (also known as the 9x17) is much much better. it is a short 9mm.


go purchase a .22 peashooter, it is much more respectable and doesn't break as often (and offers better protection than a .38 special , doh)

Actually; now that you got me all emotional about it, I have bought quite a few .22's and i loved them ALL!

-buy a ruger Mark 2. The coolest and slickest handgun ever designed. Follow-up shots are as easy as holding a videogame pistol. around $300


-.45 I own a .45 GLOCK30. $550 It stays at home all the time. Too expensive to shoot .45 bullets.
oooh!!! But I would love to use it against a charging bear because i'd know i'm as safe as in my mother's arms.

-.40 my little brother owns one. It's alright,but it's not stellar. It's similar to a .45. I'd say it's a compromise round. it tries be everything to everyone: kinda like owning a CAMRY.
i even knew a girl who was a big fan of the .40 and she drove a CAMRY!! haha

-my advice: .380 KELTEC is so concealeable, it's the size of your palm. it's affordable and it's made in the USA.

-22 is even cheaper to buy , even cheaper on ammunition.

i assume you're not a big fan of the 9mm. Fine, but you gotta admit that 9mm rounds can be found anywhere and guns in that caliber are aplenty.


Yo! there are some new companies out there offering really cheap guns in 9mm .40. and .45 and they're made in the USA.
ask around

Answer 2

Pawn shops are fine to buy from. Make sure to have them strip the firearm down and look for excessive wear. It should look in good condition without chips or cracks. Sections where the black, or "blueing" is wearing away and looks more like bare metal is fine. Just old and holster worn, will happen to most pistols that are carried regularly. If you can look down the barrel (only id taken apart and the barrel is loose in your hand!) and check for pitted areas or corrosion as that may cause a bullet to catch and expand while still inside the gun. No need to buy right away either, check around and find a good deal. Sometimes pawn shops overcharge on firearms. Hope you enjoy your gun safely! Make sure you get the ccw permit from a legal source. Others have posted correct information, follow the links.

Answer 3

I collect miltary surplus firearms. I am partial to Makarov's and CZ 52's. Both can be had for less than $200 on-line and are well made.

Many military surplus collectors use Makarov's as a conceal / carry weapon. There is plenty of info on the reliabilty of Makarov's. With this gun there is no need to spend mega amounts of $$ for a good gun.

Pawn shops are not bad places to look for used firearms. If you look long enough, you'll find a good deal.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I would recommend that, rather than looking at a pawn shop, you go to www.gunbroker.com (It's like eBay for guns), and pick out a decent one there.

I would also strongly recommend you against purchasing a .38 or .380 Auto, unless it is a .38 Special.

Answer 5

well i can tell you buy the .45 its the best. i prefer .357 over a .45 but out of the ones you named i would go for the .45

not too sure on price. depending on the condition (because you ssaid used) probably like $150-$400

Answer 6

Realistically, $300 to $350.

H

Answer 7

Depends on condition and brand of the firearm

Answer 8

Depends on condition.