Found this article on the Remington site and it has some good pointers for newcomers looking at buying a used rifle.
Hope this helps someone
Buying a Used Firearm
"Better Safe than Sorry!"By Paul Scarlata
"Good preparation can be broken down into four stages: research, examination, questioning, and suitability."
any of us, sometime in our shooting lifetimes, will purchase a used firearm. Sometimes this will be done for financial reasons, and other times, nostalgia might play a big part in certain purchases and then there are those spur-of-moment type transactions resulting from your coming upon a "good deal."
Firearms differ from other consumer products in that - with proper maintenance - their serviceable life can be measured in generations. I own several firearms that are over a century old but, thanks to proper maintenance and the fact that proper ammunition for them is still available; they are as useful today as they were in the 19th century.
But that being said, there are a lot of "dogs" out there! All too often a firearm is put away in a closet (probably a damp one?) and forgotten. Needless to say, such treatment does little for the firearm's appearance, to say nothing of mechanical integrity or overall safety.
Besides finding a good deal on a used firearm, the search itself can be an enjoyable and educational experience. The key to a successful search for a used firearm is preparation. Good preparation can be broken down into four stages: research, examination, questioning, and suitability. For example, let's assume you are looking for a used rifle or shotgun for hunting. The four stages of preparation would look something like the following:
Do your Research
It behooves the smart shopper to decide, if possible, on a particular brand and model before the search begins. Then, with a bit of further research into the brand or model you can save a lot of time, trouble and money in the long run. Some things to consider:
• Is the firearm still manufactured and is the maker still in business? The availability of spare parts, accessories and/or service may be important to you.
• How old is the firearm? Popular models often have a production life of many decades. Knowing serial number ranges and differences in markings between old and new would be a big help. Being aware of the styling differences (stock design, barrel lengths, caliber options, types of sights, etc.) can also help date the firearm. You can also check manufacturers web pages for historical information such as http://www.remington.com/library/history/.
• Is factory ammunition still available from retail outlets?
• Has that model has ever been subject to a factory recall?
• Does the manufacturer offer second owner warranties?
• What is a fair price for that make and model firearm? Check the Blue Book of Gun Values and/or other trade publications, to ascertain a price range.
Make a Through Examination
Examination of a used gun is essential. When looking at used guns you should always keep in mind the old axiom, "Beauty is only skin deep."
• Has the firearm been allowed to rust? Check the barrel, receiver, magazine, trigger assembly, and all metal parts for rust and pitting. Are there loose, broken, worn or missing parts on the firearm? If so, walk on!
• Is the barrel in good condition? Check the bore and chamber with a bore light for excessive wear, rust, or lead/metal build up. The latter often hides the former. Are there nicks or dents in the muzzle crown that will adversely affect accuracy? Examine the barrel (inside & out) for bulges.
• Does the stock appear to be oil/solvent soaked. Are there cracks and dents? Does the firearm look like it has ever been dropped or abused? If possible, examine underneath the stock. This is where evidence of lack of maintenance is often found.
• Is the gun in original condition? Has the barrel been shortened, the stock reworked, or replaced or has the trigger been adjusted? Question any modifications, changes, non-factory additions or accessories.
• Does the gun appear to have been kept clean and maintained properly?
• What is the condition of the magazine? Check the magazine for proper function. Determine whether it been modified and how many rounds it will hold. The latter may have legal repercussions in some jurisdictions.
• Do the receiver and bolt serial numbers match? Does the bolt function smoothly? When closed is the bolt loose or difficult to open? Ask permission to strip the bolt to check for rust, dirt and the condition of the springs and firing pin.
• Has the trigger mechanism or safety been modified or altered in any way? Make sure both work as intended.
Ask Questions
When you find a gun you are interested in, you need to ask the seller a number of questions. Armed with the knowledge from your inspection of the firearm, you are in a better position to know if the seller is being truthful.
• Is the seller the original owner of the gun? When did seller purchase it and was it acquired from a dealer or a private party? If you can obtain this information, it might be worth your while to check with prior owners as to the condition of the firearm when they sold it.
• Verify that the firearm is indeed the make, model and caliber you want - and that the seller is advertising.
• Ask why the owner is selling the firearm.
• Ask if the seller had any problems with the firearm. If so, when and how was the problem corrected? Who did the work and can they supply records of the work done?
• Are the original paperwork and owners manual available? If so, you will want to acquire them when you purchase the firearm. If the seller does not have an owner's manual, contact the manufacturer and ask for one. Most manufactures will supply owner's manuals free of charge.
Often, you can learn a great deal about the gun's history and its level of care by asking a few questions:
• Ask what the seller used the gun for and when it was last used. This will give you an idea of how often it saw use, the conditions it was used under, and (perhaps) how many rounds were fired through it.
• Is it an accurate gun? What brand(s) of ammunition gave the best performance? Did the owner use reloaded ammunition? How often did the owner clean the firearm?
• How did the seller clean the firearm, i.e. what methods and with what type of cleaning products?
• How did the seller store the gun (closet, safe, gun rack, etc.)? Was it kept in the house, basement, garage, or in his truck?
Lastly, to avoid purchasing a potential problem do three more things.
• Ask a gunsmith to check the firearm over before you buy it.
• If buying from a private party, who has no prior records, you might have your local police run a check on the gun's serial number just to be certain it is not stolen.
• If the gun is being shipped to you, insist upon inspection/return privileges.
Determine the Suitability of the Firearm
Before you lay down your hard earned cash, pause and consider a final few things:
• Will the firearm be suitable for your intended purposes? Is it the right caliber/gauge, and will it accept the accessories that you want or that will be necessary?
• Shoulder it and try the sights - do they line up properly for you? How about the length of pull (the distance between trigger and the end of the butt). If too long or short it can adversely affect handling, accuracy and shooting speed.
• Does it fit you properly? Can you mount the firearm to your shoulder smoothly and hold it there for an extended period comfortably? Can the stock be modified - or replaced - to improve fit?
• Does the firearm balance in your hands? A gun that is muzzle or butt heavy will be difficult to shoot accurately and fast.
• Lastly, will the firearm still fit you when you are bundled up in heavy, winter clothing? Can the bolt/lever/pump action and controls all be operated when wearing gloves?
Other Considerations
If you are purchasing the gun from a private party, for your own protection, insist upon a signed Bill of Sale indicating the gun's model and serial number, the seller's name, address, phone number and driver's license number.
After your have completed your purchase, we recommend you do the following.
• Learn all the local rules and regulations concerning the possession, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition.
• If you are a new shooter attend a firearms safety course at your first opportunity. Contact your gun's manufacturer, your local sporting goods store, gun club, police department or the National Rifle Association.
• If not provided by the seller, obtain an owner's manual from the manufacturer. Study it and become familiar with all aspects of your gun.
• Find out all you can about the ammunition for the firearm and determine which types are suitable for your intended purposes.
• If you intend to use the gun for hunting, take a hunter's safety course.
• If not done before the purchase, have your gun thoroughly examined at a manufacturer recommended repair facility or a reputable gunsmith.
While a firearm with proper care can last for generations, the purchase of a used firearm should be done carefully to ensure you are investing in a worthwhile purchase.
Print this Used
Hope this helps someoneBuying a Used Firearm
"Better Safe than Sorry!"By Paul Scarlata
"Good preparation can be broken down into four stages: research, examination, questioning, and suitability."
any of us, sometime in our shooting lifetimes, will purchase a used firearm. Sometimes this will be done for financial reasons, and other times, nostalgia might play a big part in certain purchases and then there are those spur-of-moment type transactions resulting from your coming upon a "good deal."
Firearms differ from other consumer products in that - with proper maintenance - their serviceable life can be measured in generations. I own several firearms that are over a century old but, thanks to proper maintenance and the fact that proper ammunition for them is still available; they are as useful today as they were in the 19th century.
But that being said, there are a lot of "dogs" out there! All too often a firearm is put away in a closet (probably a damp one?) and forgotten. Needless to say, such treatment does little for the firearm's appearance, to say nothing of mechanical integrity or overall safety.
Besides finding a good deal on a used firearm, the search itself can be an enjoyable and educational experience. The key to a successful search for a used firearm is preparation. Good preparation can be broken down into four stages: research, examination, questioning, and suitability. For example, let's assume you are looking for a used rifle or shotgun for hunting. The four stages of preparation would look something like the following:
Do your Research
It behooves the smart shopper to decide, if possible, on a particular brand and model before the search begins. Then, with a bit of further research into the brand or model you can save a lot of time, trouble and money in the long run. Some things to consider:
• Is the firearm still manufactured and is the maker still in business? The availability of spare parts, accessories and/or service may be important to you.
• How old is the firearm? Popular models often have a production life of many decades. Knowing serial number ranges and differences in markings between old and new would be a big help. Being aware of the styling differences (stock design, barrel lengths, caliber options, types of sights, etc.) can also help date the firearm. You can also check manufacturers web pages for historical information such as http://www.remington.com/library/history/.
• Is factory ammunition still available from retail outlets?
• Has that model has ever been subject to a factory recall?
• Does the manufacturer offer second owner warranties?
• What is a fair price for that make and model firearm? Check the Blue Book of Gun Values and/or other trade publications, to ascertain a price range.
Make a Through Examination
Examination of a used gun is essential. When looking at used guns you should always keep in mind the old axiom, "Beauty is only skin deep."
• Has the firearm been allowed to rust? Check the barrel, receiver, magazine, trigger assembly, and all metal parts for rust and pitting. Are there loose, broken, worn or missing parts on the firearm? If so, walk on!
• Is the barrel in good condition? Check the bore and chamber with a bore light for excessive wear, rust, or lead/metal build up. The latter often hides the former. Are there nicks or dents in the muzzle crown that will adversely affect accuracy? Examine the barrel (inside & out) for bulges.
• Does the stock appear to be oil/solvent soaked. Are there cracks and dents? Does the firearm look like it has ever been dropped or abused? If possible, examine underneath the stock. This is where evidence of lack of maintenance is often found.
• Is the gun in original condition? Has the barrel been shortened, the stock reworked, or replaced or has the trigger been adjusted? Question any modifications, changes, non-factory additions or accessories.
• Does the gun appear to have been kept clean and maintained properly?
• What is the condition of the magazine? Check the magazine for proper function. Determine whether it been modified and how many rounds it will hold. The latter may have legal repercussions in some jurisdictions.
• Do the receiver and bolt serial numbers match? Does the bolt function smoothly? When closed is the bolt loose or difficult to open? Ask permission to strip the bolt to check for rust, dirt and the condition of the springs and firing pin.
• Has the trigger mechanism or safety been modified or altered in any way? Make sure both work as intended.
Ask Questions
When you find a gun you are interested in, you need to ask the seller a number of questions. Armed with the knowledge from your inspection of the firearm, you are in a better position to know if the seller is being truthful.
• Is the seller the original owner of the gun? When did seller purchase it and was it acquired from a dealer or a private party? If you can obtain this information, it might be worth your while to check with prior owners as to the condition of the firearm when they sold it.
• Verify that the firearm is indeed the make, model and caliber you want - and that the seller is advertising.
• Ask why the owner is selling the firearm.
• Ask if the seller had any problems with the firearm. If so, when and how was the problem corrected? Who did the work and can they supply records of the work done?
• Are the original paperwork and owners manual available? If so, you will want to acquire them when you purchase the firearm. If the seller does not have an owner's manual, contact the manufacturer and ask for one. Most manufactures will supply owner's manuals free of charge.
Often, you can learn a great deal about the gun's history and its level of care by asking a few questions:
• Ask what the seller used the gun for and when it was last used. This will give you an idea of how often it saw use, the conditions it was used under, and (perhaps) how many rounds were fired through it.
• Is it an accurate gun? What brand(s) of ammunition gave the best performance? Did the owner use reloaded ammunition? How often did the owner clean the firearm?
• How did the seller clean the firearm, i.e. what methods and with what type of cleaning products?
• How did the seller store the gun (closet, safe, gun rack, etc.)? Was it kept in the house, basement, garage, or in his truck?
Lastly, to avoid purchasing a potential problem do three more things.
• Ask a gunsmith to check the firearm over before you buy it.
• If buying from a private party, who has no prior records, you might have your local police run a check on the gun's serial number just to be certain it is not stolen.
• If the gun is being shipped to you, insist upon inspection/return privileges.
Determine the Suitability of the Firearm
Before you lay down your hard earned cash, pause and consider a final few things:
• Will the firearm be suitable for your intended purposes? Is it the right caliber/gauge, and will it accept the accessories that you want or that will be necessary?
• Shoulder it and try the sights - do they line up properly for you? How about the length of pull (the distance between trigger and the end of the butt). If too long or short it can adversely affect handling, accuracy and shooting speed.
• Does it fit you properly? Can you mount the firearm to your shoulder smoothly and hold it there for an extended period comfortably? Can the stock be modified - or replaced - to improve fit?
• Does the firearm balance in your hands? A gun that is muzzle or butt heavy will be difficult to shoot accurately and fast.
• Lastly, will the firearm still fit you when you are bundled up in heavy, winter clothing? Can the bolt/lever/pump action and controls all be operated when wearing gloves?
Other Considerations
If you are purchasing the gun from a private party, for your own protection, insist upon a signed Bill of Sale indicating the gun's model and serial number, the seller's name, address, phone number and driver's license number.
After your have completed your purchase, we recommend you do the following.
• Learn all the local rules and regulations concerning the possession, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition.
• If you are a new shooter attend a firearms safety course at your first opportunity. Contact your gun's manufacturer, your local sporting goods store, gun club, police department or the National Rifle Association.
• If not provided by the seller, obtain an owner's manual from the manufacturer. Study it and become familiar with all aspects of your gun.
• Find out all you can about the ammunition for the firearm and determine which types are suitable for your intended purposes.
• If you intend to use the gun for hunting, take a hunter's safety course.
• If not done before the purchase, have your gun thoroughly examined at a manufacturer recommended repair facility or a reputable gunsmith.
While a firearm with proper care can last for generations, the purchase of a used firearm should be done carefully to ensure you are investing in a worthwhile purchase.
Print this Used
