View Full Version : Test firing a firearm before purchase
kidicarus13
05-09-2013, 19:51
Has anyone done it? Of course not a new firearm, a used one purchased from an individual. I can imagine it going something like this... "I'll meet you at _______ and I'll bring my own 50rds of factory ammo. If I have any function issues I do not want your firearm. If I'm 50 for 50 I will buy it. Is this unreasonable?
Slightly unreasonable in my opinion. Also, pretty sure this is a repost but I am too lazy to search to prove it.
If it was one of my firearms you were interested in and it wasn't inconvenient for me I would let you.
I imagine others feel the same but I would guess some would think your request was unreasonable.
Great-Kazoo
05-09-2013, 19:57
Yes. 1 mag will suffice, if that. Is it someone you know? if so your word should be good enough. Can i run 100 rds through it[facepalm]You know just in case.
unless you're dumping a lorcin to some homie in the hood.
kidicarus13
05-09-2013, 20:09
Also, pretty sure this is a repost but I am too lazy to search to prove it.
Me too so let's move on.
Is it someone you know?
Hypothetical
Well.. In the case of buying an old Century FAL a simple test fire can tell you a lot as far as what to expect and what might need to be fixed. Running a magazine through one could potentially change a $1000 rifle into a $500 rifle.
I've had two buyers ask to test fire the gun before purchase (one G30, on G26). In light of the particular firearms involved, I found the request odd, but I met them at a location where they could run a magazine of ammo through them and proceeded accordingly. If the request involves a firearm that's known to have a less than 100% record, I could see that request being understandable.
ailachami
05-09-2013, 20:21
if it's a brand new gun, I will not let them test it before buying. but if its used, what's another 10-15rds.
buckshotbarlow
05-09-2013, 20:57
NIB, no way...Used, lets run it into the dirt...
clublights
05-09-2013, 20:58
I think I agree if the round count is high enough already sure whats a few more ...but if brand new or really low round count I would shy away from test firing 50 rounds.
One thing I like about dealing on here is I figure I can buy it. and go test it with in a day or so and the seller will be a stand up guy. ( since most folk on here are ) if there is an issue. ( or same day .. I've gone from a deal to the range within 20 mins and that was all drive time LOL)
Of course that don't always work out .
The Moss 500 I got last year didn't get fired for 8 months! but of course it worked just fine as expected.
BuffCyclist
05-09-2013, 21:13
Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but I would need them to prove to me that the ammo they were shooting is FACTORY loaded ammo. NO RELOADS!
What would prevent someone from intentionally reloading some hot rounds with an intention of having a KB in someone else's pistol, injuring themselves and then attempting to get money out of you with a law suit?
In my opinion, I would need cash in my hand before they could test fire it. If ANYTHING happened to the firearm, they would not get their cash back and it would now be their problem.
If they were simply wanting to shoot, say, .40S&W for the first time in MY pistol and then decide its too much recoil, absolutely not.
wctriumph
05-09-2013, 21:14
If it is not inconvenient for me to meet at a local range and they bring new factory loaded ammo, no worries, I would let someone test fire a used gun. If I was selling a gun with more than one mag I would let them test each mag too.
beast556
05-09-2013, 21:21
If I'm selling a gun and some one wants to meet at the range and shoot it first I got no problem with that.
Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but I would need them to prove to me that the ammo they were shooting is FACTORY loaded ammo. NO RELOADS!
What would prevent someone from intentionally reloading some hot rounds with an intention of having a KB in someone else's pistol, injuring themselves and then attempting to get money out of you with a law suit?
In my opinion, I would need cash in my hand before they could test fire it. If ANYTHING happened to the firearm, they would not get their cash back and it would now be their problem.
If they were simply wanting to shoot, say, .40S&W for the first time in MY pistol and then decide its too much recoil, absolutely not.
They could have the same law suit if you sold them the gun then they immediately blew it up. Whether they test it and get injured, or get injured right after the sale it is pretty close to the same in the eyes of the law. So I don't buy this argument.
That said, I don't think it is unreasonable to make sure a buyer is serious and has funds on hand before letting them shoot. Nor do I think it unreasonable to make them buy the gun if they drop or ding it on accident. So I agree to those parts.
jerrymrc
05-09-2013, 21:32
Well.. In the case of buying an old Century FAL a simple test fire can tell you a lot as far as what to expect and what might need to be fixed. Running a magazine through one could potentially change a $1000 rifle into a $500 rifle.
They all are 1moa guns so why the bother.[LOL] I learned from here about $500 guns. Buy it, talk nice and get jerry to fix it and then sell it for $1000 and disappear. [Rant1]
Interesting to see most of you agree to it. For me, if its someone here sure, if its armslist or the like no.
Great-Kazoo
05-09-2013, 22:04
Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but I would need them to prove to me that the ammo they were shooting is FACTORY loaded ammo. NO RELOADS!
What would prevent someone from intentionally reloading some hot rounds with an intention of having a KB in someone else's pistol, injuring themselves and then attempting to get money out of you with a law suit?
In my opinion, I would need cash in my hand before they could test fire it. If ANYTHING happened to the firearm, they would not get their cash back and it would now be their problem.
If they were simply wanting to shoot, say, .40S&W for the first time in MY pistol and then decide its too much recoil, absolutely not.
. Sue me HA HA [hahhah-no] Ammo KB talk to the mfg, Reloads, only if i did them . I've offered folks to road test what i would call an exceptional item. Just because they were on the fence. You know one of those "You really need to shoot this it's that nice"
hghclsswhitetrsh
05-09-2013, 22:07
Depends what I'm selling. If I'm selling a $150 mosin, no way. If I'm selling a $7500 custom rifle yes. My time is worth something. Bring snap caps.
jhood001
05-09-2013, 22:12
For me, if its someone here sure, if its armslist or the like no.
Yep.
I take pleasure in putting things I'm selling into good hands and good homes. If putting a few rounds through something makes the seller confident and happy with their purchase, I'm all about it.
A seller on here did it for me once when I didn't know exactly what to look for on that particular make/model. I appreciated it and I haven't forgotten it.
I Bought and Sold too many guns locally and online and i NEVER test a firearm prior purchase and to be honest don't fell comfortable if someone ask me to test prior buy, first because I don't have a range at home and who pay the fee to enter in a Range?
I don't know but I don't like this, maybe I'm wrong but for me Gun Sales is a Gentlemen business. Also, what happens if after the "test" the buyer say that no want it because maybe the recoil of this .44 Magnum is too heavy for him? Losting time for me
I saw in my life more guns with issues coming from the store that used guns sales in privates parties.
Just my 2 cents.
I've been on both sides a few times. Both times it was ~10 rounds or so, just to test, then done. The buyer always paid the range fee because they wanted the test (whether me testing a buy, or someone testing one of my guns for sale).
Always worked well for me.
Too much hassle for me, but I only deal in lower-end firearms. Never owned one over $2000 in value. I like my transactions quick and to the point - occasionally I'll meet up with somebody I've dealt with before, and enjoy shooting the breeze for a while. More often than not, it's just one stop in a string of errands and I don't have time for tire-kicking on a sub $1K gun.
On most guns it should not be necessary . . . especially something like a revolver or pump shotgun . . . and does anyone really need to testfire a Glock? Most guns, all you need is a few snap caps to check feeding and extraction, then a quick function check. If it is a Saiga 12 or a custom 1911 or something belt fed, I can understand wanting to test fire a few rounds before purchase. If it is an antique or something rare, no way.
Depends what I'm selling. If I'm selling a $150 mosin, no way. If I'm selling a $7500 custom rifle yes. My time is worth something. Bring snap caps.
This ^
There would be a price threshold. Because of this:
Too much hassle for me, but I only deal in lower-end firearms. Never owned one over $2000 in value. I like my transactions quick and to the point - occasionally I'll meet up with somebody I've dealt with before, and enjoy shooting the breeze for a while. More often than not, it's just one stop in a string of errands and I don't have time for tire-kicking on a sub $1K gun.
I've bought an assload of used guns, mostly from members here. I've never asked to test-fire one, and I never will.
sneakerd
05-10-2013, 08:25
This^
DD977GM2
05-10-2013, 08:28
Not a chance if a NIB unfired firearm. There are places to rent most of the firearms that are up for sale.
I dont see why this is brought up (by the potential buyer) when the ability sell a firearm you dont want after shooting it is extremely easy.
sneakerd
05-10-2013, 08:40
Reminds me of all of the "customers" who come into the store and ask if they can test-fire a new gun before they actually purchase it. Asshats as far as I'm concerned.
BuffCyclist
05-10-2013, 08:42
They could have the same law suit if you sold them the gun then they immediately blew it up. Whether they test it and get injured, or get injured right after the sale it is pretty close to the same in the eyes of the law. So I don't buy this argument.
That said, I don't think it is unreasonable to make sure a buyer is serious and has funds on hand before letting them shoot. Nor do I think it unreasonable to make them buy the gun if they drop or ding it on accident. So I agree to those parts.
I don't see how these two scenarios would be viewed as the same. If the buyer purchased a faulty firearm, or it was sheer coincidence that it failed right after the sale, is not the sellers fault. Seems like a simple case of caveat emptor so to speak. The buyer should have known what they were purchasing and been able to look for signs of weakness or failure.
kidicarus13
05-10-2013, 09:32
Not a chance if a NIB unfired firearm. There are places to rent most of the firearms that are up for sale.
I dont see why this is brought up (by the potential buyer) when the ability sell a firearm you dont want after shooting it is extremely easy.
The OP clearly states not an unfired firearm. And selling a firearm that you don't want because you find that it has failures after purchase causes me to lose money or reputation:
1. Know it fails, don't tell buyer, sell it, buyer unhappy (I wouldn't do)
2. Know it fails, tell buyer, buyer offers me a lot less $ if he still wants to buy it
3. Know it fails, spend $ to get it fixed
The buyer should have known what they were purchasing and been able to look for signs of weakness or failure.
You must have magical powers because I have never been able to look at a firearm and tell if it is going to misfire or not before I shoot it.
To quench everyone's curiosity, I have never asked to test fire a firearm prior to purchase but spending $2K on a used 1911 would have me a but anxious considering my previous track record with 1911s.
spending $2K on a used 1911 would have me a but anxious considering my previous track record with 1911s.first off i would never pay that much unless it was all original colt us army 1911 made during ww1 . i also would not ask to test fire it . a quick field strip of any weapon can reveal a lot ( original parts , cracks , refinishing etc. ) . your a smart fella , dig through your books , get the info and then haggle accordingly . also if your having a hard time deciding and the seller is in no rush then snap a pic or 2 , take down as much info as you can and then share it with the board and im sure you find out more than you wanted to know about it [Flower]
BuffCyclist
05-10-2013, 10:47
You must have magical powers because I have never been able to look at a firearm and tell if it is going to misfire or not before I shoot it.
Perhaps not, however, you can always determine if it is operational without firing. Being that it functions, safeties operate, firing pin slams forward. Heck, if its a pistol, do the pencil trick: insert pencil in barrel with eraser towards firing pin. pull trigger with gun pointed upwards and see the pencil fly up.
I bought a Ruger LCP online and was told it was fully operational and worked flawlessly. When I got it, 2 out of 6 rounds in each magazine either FTFire, FTFeed or FTEject. After looking at it more, I found that the previous owner had put a lower recoil spring into the pistol, which failed to operate the slide and caused those problems. After putting in a slightly increased power spring (which was included, it was a wolff recoil spring pack), it worked perfectly and still continues to be a perfect shooter. The reason for the malfunction was the previous owner who mucked with things.
kidicarus13
05-10-2013, 10:52
A lot of previous owners muck things up (Armslist, not my experience here) and I would rather spend time and ammo test firing it rather than trying to diagnose the problem after I buy it and then throw more money at it attempting to fix it.
CroiDhubh
05-10-2013, 17:07
If it's someone you know, it might be ok. However, from a store, a stranger or the like...no.
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