Test firing a firearm before purchase

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.

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

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.

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This ^

There would be a price threshold. Because of this:

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Originally Posted by Dingo

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.

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I've bought an assload of used guns, mostly from members here. I've never asked to test-fire one, and I never will.

This^

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by J

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by DD977GM2

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.

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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

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Originally Posted by BuffCyclist

The buyer should have known what they were purchasing and been able to look for signs of weakness or failure.

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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.

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Originally Posted by kidicarus13

spending $2K on a used 1911 would have me a but anxious considering my previous track record with 1911s.

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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]