Buying used SxS

Jnyiri said:
What to look? What would be the deal breaker even for a dirt cheap gun?

Thanks . Jozsef
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There is so much that could make or break a deal, even on a cheap sxs. I mean what good is it if not safe to shoot. Also depends on what an individual is willing to overlook. Starting with cosmetics. What shape is the stock and forend in. Are there any cracks in the wrist area or else where. How worn is the checkering, if any. Has it been shortened. How much bluing is left or how badly is it rusted or pitted. Has it been professionally reblued. Are there any dents or bulges in the barrels and is the rib still tight. Do the barrels ring when tested. What are the bores like. Are they rusted or pitted? How about the receiver. Any burn marks into the face around the firing pins. How tight is the action open or closed. If it is worn much then you are into a few dollars to correct assuming the gun is worth it. Have the chambers been lengthened. Is it single or double trigger and do both barrels fire. Do the ejectors work if so equipped. Is the opening lever off centre. Have the chokes been opened up. As I said, there is a lot to look for. Some problems can be overlooked and still be safe to shoot but other problems are not. If it is a fairly low cost sxs, then many times they aren't worth the repair. Also, the older guns were not designed for steel shot.
 
gunsaholic said:
There is so much that could make or break a deal, even on a cheap sxs. I mean what good is it if not safe to shoot. Also depends on what an individual is willing to overlook. Starting with cosmetics. What shape is the stock and forend in. Are there any cracks in the wrist area or else where. How worn is the checkering, if any. Has it been shortened. How much bluing is left or how badly is it rusted or pitted. Has it been professionally reblued. Are there any dents or bulges in the barrels and is the rib still tight. Do the barrels ring when tested. What are the bores like. Are they rusted or pitted? How about the receiver. Any burn marks into the face around the firing pins. How tight is the action open or closed. If it is worn much then you are into a few dollars to correct assuming the gun is worth it. Have the chambers been lengthened. Is it single or double trigger and do both barrels fire. Do the ejectors work if so equipped. Is the opening lever off centre. Have the chokes been opened up. As I said, there is a lot to look for. Some problems can be overlooked and still be safe to shoot but other problems are not. If it is a fairly low cost sxs, then many times they aren't worth the repair. Also, the older guns were not designed for steel shot.
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It's a Laurona 12Ga sxs. A friend of mine want $200 for it. I'm on the market for a beater gun(not plan to shot steel) so cosmetic is a non issue. Has a clean bore and the guy shot it last year with out any problem.

Jozsef
 
Jnyiri said:
It's a Laurona 12Ga sxs. A friend of mine want $200 for it. I'm on the market for a beater gun(not plan to shot steel) so cosmetic is a non issue. Has a clean bore and the guy shot it last year with out any problem.

Jozsef
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Among the Basque shotguns built at a lower price point, the Laurona (they produce excellent upper end SLE/BLE shotguns as well) is usually a good bargain as long as that SxS in question conforms to some of the more critical essentials mentioned within gunsaholic's post. Best also to determine manufacture date via the proofmarks.

A no frills Laurona boxlock in VG-Exc condition should range anywhere from $200-$300+ depending on the configuration.
 
Assuming the shotgun fits you well, apart from what other posters suggested, try to ring the barrels (suspending them from their lumps/underlugs and flick/tap/struck each barrel; you want to hear a nice clear bell-like ringing). If you have access to a gunsmith take it to him and ask for his expertise.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
it is a $200 gun, if you like it buy it
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A $200 SxS... That may need $500 in repairs to make it right. Then you still have a $200 gun that you have $700 into.


To the OP

As far as SxS's go GET EDUCATED. Do some research Lots of info out there.
 
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