The buzz at the club...

[canvasback]

I got really excited about trying to buy a gun from a london auction and found out thru various sources that alot of those great deals are because the guns can not legally be sold in various countrys but can be exported and dont need a declaration of its proof to be exported. Plus not being able to inspect it leads to plenty of issues or at least can

Im not knocking tradeex in anyway and i love to have options for british guns here but im just a lil leary. Do they have a certified gun smith check them over and measure the bores? Whats the cost to fix an out of time or broken ejector on an old purdy or army and navy side lock? Who even works on these old brits?
Once my home renos and central air gets fixed if they ever show up to look it i may take the risk and buy one. Theres a couple that have held my attention

Buying an old worn out british gun that could need stock work can certainly be a money trap. Custom hand fitted parts and skilled labour is not cheap here

How is this different from buying used guns on line most any other way? No risk, no reward. At the same time, TradeEx’s policy of 30 day return actually makes it no risk. Unlike just about every other seller of used shotguns on line.

I’m not being a shill for Tradeex. I’ve only bought one gun from them. But there seems to be some kind of weird and judgemental comments here. Buying on line IS risky. It’s the nature of it. So is buying from an auction. But Tradeex is one of the LEAST risky on line sources in Canada.

The only guns I’ve bought that were inspected by a gunsmith first, I bought from the gunsmith!

And “who even works on these old Brits?” Well, Claudio Opacek does. You’ve met him. Chris Dawe does. You’ve certainly seen his work. Stelios Chrysochou at SC Guns does. Of course there are others. But if you are going to consider, as I know you have, getting a vintage Brit gun, it’s not like buying a new Browning. You need to get prepared for that. Otherwise you will likely be profoundly disappointed.

 

[canvasback]

I'm with you, Bry.
The Page-Wood on the EE on the other hand looks like outstanding value.

The Page-Wood IS outstanding value for anyone who wants a fine Brit gun. I’ve handled it numerous times and like it better each time.

 

[saskbooknut]

Of course there is talk of a lead ban in Canada.
Environment Canada was requesting data from shooting clubs. I think many, or even most clubs did not answer.
Our last range recertification, there were questions about our compliance with environmental regulations with respect to lead. Certainly, there are lots of hoops to jump through in decommissioning a range.
Recently, there was a news article on lead effects on predatory and scavenger birds.
There will inevitably be calls for a total lead ban following the EU implemented ban.
The EPA in the US is requiring range remediation where lead contamination affects water bodies. The Silver Dollar in Florida is just embarking on an expensive remediation project. California already requires non- toxic shot for all hunting, as I understand it.
A lead ban is coming, as inevitable as night following day.

 

[Ashcroft]

Buying a gun at a British auction is not much different than at an auction in Canada only in pounds instead of minibucks. Unless specified with a proof exemption as a historical artifact all listed guns will be in proof to those who care about such things. However they could still be loose, have bore pitting, cracked stock, excessively shortened stock, excessive cast and any number of mechanical and cosmetic defects and still be in proof. The best auction houses are very good at noting problems but sometimes they can be downplayed. Of course you will still need to pay buyers premium and taxes like VAT ( similar to our HST but much higher), shipping, insurance and brokerage. Then of course taxes and duties in Canada. This is not a process for the faint of heart and without the opportunity to physically handle the gun a smart bidder will hire the services of an expert agent like Diggory Haddoke, etc to be your eyes, ears and hands. More ££. For anyone looking for a good shooter at sometimes a reasonable price these Tradex guns will fill the bill. A few are above average, some below, most have been refurbished to a very good standard. Most are somewhat over priced for what they are in my opinion, the best deals are gone a year or two ago. On the other hand Tradex stands behind their products, that's worth something and personally I would sooner buy on line from them than from an online auction. There have been some really fine English doubles offered and sometimes sold on CGN and that Page-Wood is easily at the top currently, an outstanding gun at a very reasonable price. Makes me wish I was still a buyer.