So a quick question to people who look at buying a custom built AR platform rifle. I have my 6.5 Stag-10 listed for sale because I realized that through buying, selling and trading I only own levers & semi autos. It's been fully assembled and torqued, etc. but I haven't fired it because I decided to sell it. From a buyers perspective is it more enticing to buy an unfired rifle or one that's had some rounds put through it considering it was built not bought? Just wondering if taking it to the range and putting a box of ammo through it to tune the gas block and show it functioning would help buyers feel more confident? Thanks.
Question About Buying Custom Semi-Autos
- Thread starter TA0502
- Start date
You need to disclose that and let the buyer decide...
Personally, I value factory assembled rifles higher than home built rifles on the used market. No telling what kind of experience or skills most home builders have. If I want a custom rifle I will build it myself. I won't buy a home built custom rifle used whether it's test fired or not.
Personally, I value factory assembled rifles higher than home built rifles on the used market. No telling what kind of experience or skills most home builders have. If I want a custom rifle I will build it myself. I won't buy a home built custom rifle used whether it's test fired or not.
I see that in your ad that you describe your rifle as unassembled. A collection of parts.
I would prefer a set of parts to a rifle assembled by an amateur with an unknown skill set.
A big problem with a "custom" is that the parts might or might not be what the buyer wants. They might be just what the assembler wanted - but that doesn't mean that the parts would be anyone else's first choice.
I would prefer a set of parts to a rifle assembled by an amateur with an unknown skill set.
A big problem with a "custom" is that the parts might or might not be what the buyer wants. They might be just what the assembler wanted - but that doesn't mean that the parts would be anyone else's first choice.
If you buy anything other than a factory assembled rifle, or one assembled by a skilled gunsmith, you had better have the skills to evaluate it before firing it. Lets say we are talking about a bolt action Rem 700. You buy one that has a Sako or Ar15 extractor mod. If that is coupled with incorrect headspacing and incorrect clearances between the bolt head and barrel, you could be impaled with an extractor if a case ruptures. Something that wouldn't happen with a factory unmodified bolt even if the case ruptured.
Thanks for pointing out the unassembled part, I listed it for sale before I took it to a gunsmith and missed that when I edited the ad. I understand that custom firearms are in the same class as a custom car, just because you like it doesn't mean somebody else will. But my main question is when it comes just to custom rifles, does putting a box or two of ammo through it inspire a bit more confidence? I know myself even if it says unfired i assume it has been anyway.
If it has been test fired, it functioned perfectly, and outstanding groups resulted, that could be a selling point. If the performance and accuracy were indifferent, not so much. Could destroy chances of a sale. Who wants an expensive gun that has problems?
An unfired non-factory gun is a bit of a pig in a poke. Might be damned if you do, damned if you don't.
And if it has been fired, a prospective buyer is going to be interested in its demonstrated performance.
I have a .308 rifle I put together on a Remington 700 action with a JC barrel. 60 rounds through it, to zero the scope and shoot some test groups. With 20 year old ammunition assembled for a different rifle, nine five shot test groups were fired. Average was .89 moa, largest group was 1.06 minutes. This test, with untuned ammunition, suggests that the rifle has real potential. Being fired would probably help make a sale, compared with unfired.
An unfired non-factory gun is a bit of a pig in a poke. Might be damned if you do, damned if you don't.
And if it has been fired, a prospective buyer is going to be interested in its demonstrated performance.
I have a .308 rifle I put together on a Remington 700 action with a JC barrel. 60 rounds through it, to zero the scope and shoot some test groups. With 20 year old ammunition assembled for a different rifle, nine five shot test groups were fired. Average was .89 moa, largest group was 1.06 minutes. This test, with untuned ammunition, suggests that the rifle has real potential. Being fired would probably help make a sale, compared with unfired.
Alright, sounds good. I'll probably head out to the range this weekend, put a couple of boxes through it on video and post up some groups. I'm just trying to be as honest a seller as possible and I've never sold an unfired rifle before so the input is greatly appreciated.
