Is buying a handgun from a pawn shop a good idea?

Answer 1

Well, it depends on your knowledge and experience and ability to evaluate the quality and condition of the firearm. Most pawns sell 'as is' which means you take responsibility for the firearm working or not. You will need to ask for a three day guarantee to check it, but don't expect them to readily agree.

If you are not able evaluate a firearm, your best bet is to work with a gun shop or local dealer.

I am a collector and have got many great deals from pawn shops and I have also got some that need parts or work. If you know what you are looking at and looking for, you minimize your risks.

Give some more details on your experience and the handgun you are looking at....

Don't pay a premium price....I bought a Marlin .22 rifle recently that was marked $150 for $55 from a pawn. I presented the owner with some pricing data and the fact that it was collecting dust.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

You can get some pretty good deals at Pawn shops for the most part but it isn't that simple..You buy it at a Pawn Shop, and walk out the door any problems with function or repair issues become your responsibility and not the Pawn broker who's holding your cash. They buy/pawn cheap and sell it at a large profit based on their initial investment...They could care less if it works or not or has any problems or not..This is a clear cut case for "Buyer beware". Just remember there is no free lunch. Knowledgable or not, you must be extremely careful on firearms or gold jewelry bought from a Pawn Shop (These are the top profit money makers in any Pawn Shop)..They are not in business to lose money on anything..

Answer 4

Pawn Shops That Buy Guns

Answer 5

I've bought a few guns from pawn shops. As long as you don't run into an idiot that thinks every old gun is a collector's item, you should be OK. Visit lots of shops in your area to get an idea of prices, and then drive the best bargain you can.

As someone else suggested, a test fire would be good, or if they won't allow a test fire, make them agree to a full price return within 24 hours. That will give you a chance to try it out and make sure it works well.

Doc

Answer 6

I feel confident that I can tell the difference between a gun with holster wear that hasn't seen much use and a gun that has a good finish and has had the crap shot out of it. That being said pawn shops make me nervous. If some guy decided to try to make his gun full auto by filing down the sear how am I going to know? Also there is something magical about guns. They sometimes just don't work right. You return them to the factory and all is well that won't work with a used gun.
Ultimately I have never bought a used gun from a pawnshop because they had the same or higher price than a new gun at a sporting goods store.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is buying a handgun from a pawn shop a good idea?

Answer 8

All of the answers above that speak of "buyer beware" and "knowing your firearms" are excellent advice. With that being said, the only guns I have ever sold to a pawn shop have thousands of rounds run through them. Most of them still work but I had no time to keep them running. That may be a crappy thing to do but it is the truth. There may be some out there that will be OK if your just collecting but be careful. If this is going to be a gun for personal defense I would say stick with new gun from a gun shop.

Answer 9

A pawn broker must hold an FFL to pawn and sell guns, so it is just the same as going to a store that only sells guns. If you pawn your gun and return to pay off the pawn shop, they will make you fill out a 4473 and get a background check before your gun is returned.

Answer 10

If you are up on the price of guns, and know pretty well what to look for in a used gun, it could be a good idea.
If you don't know what they are worth, or what to look for, it is not a good idea.
Pawnbrokers get guns from individuals cheap, and will try to sell them for more than top dollar, so beware.