With the exception of a few, all my guns have previous owners. Most of them I bought while I worked in a gun shop during college or are family heirlooms (which my family also bought used). And I’ve had little to no functional issues with most of these rifles. In fact, some of them are nearly immaculate.
I actually prefer buying used rifles. Something is alluring about toting a rifle with history, whether it’s a new/out-of-box return or a scarred-up deer rifle with unknown initials etched into the stock. And because I’ve worked on that side of the business, paying full price for anything is hard.
Make no mistake, there are plenty of guns lining pawn shop shelves that are better suited for scrap than shooting, and most of these are obvious. Some, not so much. And while (in the famous words of every used firearm salesman) there are no guarantees, these tips can help you find your next used rifle and give it a second life.
How to Buy a Used Hunting Rifle
Buy During the Summer
During the summer months, when the fishing slows and hunting seasons are distant thoughts on the horizon, gun sales wane. This can be a killer time to take advantage of slow business and swing a great deal on a rifle.
During my 5 years working at a gun shop, sales would decline at the end of turkey season until they reached an abysmal low shortly into June. Those summer months were a dead zone until the end of September. Some days, we were lucky to make a handful of sales.
I saw a single ticket in the sales drawer on the worst days. To encourage sales and move inventory, we’d often select a dozen or so used hunting rifles and slash their prices (a few below cost). And if someone wanted to haggle the price on other rifles, we would happily oblige.
We would take offers during the summer that we would readily dismiss during hunting season. And trust me, we weren’t the only gun shop in town doing this. I’m willing to bet your local gun shop probably does something similar.
Never Pay Sticker Price (Within Reason) for a Used Hunting Rifle
Here’s a not-so-secret secret: Gun stores have to make a profit, and this means they charge more than what they pay for someone’s used or pawned gun. It’s a pretty simple business model. This also means they probably have some wiggle room regarding the price.
Don’t expect to score half off the sticker price, but a few hundred or even $50 off a used hunting rifle adds up.
Used/New-in-Box or Returns
While working at this same gun shop, I would sometimes have customers return a brand-new rifle. They’d get home only to realize it wasn’t the one they really wanted or cite a financial disagreement with their significant other. Then, we’d have to knock a few bucks off the price and label it “demo” or used/new-in-box because it was technically used.
I’ve spotted countless instances like this wading through gun shops over the years. And while you won’t save a ton, it’s enough for a box of ammo.
Ask About Used-Buy Policies or Returns
There’s always some risk involved with buying a used gun, even when you do your best to check for red flags. Before you drop any cash, make sure you know the return policy, if there is one. “As-is” guns usually negate any kind of returns, so avoid these unless you’re a gunsmith or you know a good one.
Check for Previous Owner Alterations
One thing you don’t want to buy is someone’s first attempt at gunsmithing. Most gun shops worth anything won’t buy a firearm that’s been noticeably modified (unprofessionally, at least). But every now and then, a few slip under the radar.
Thankfully, most botched jobs show up cosmetically, and they’re easy to spot. Still, make sure the action operates as designed and double-check the return policy.
Don’t Forget About ‘Throw-Ins’
A lot of local gun stores don’t mind throwing in a box of ammo, scope covers, or a few targets after you purchase a gun from them if they don’t offer it right away. If they don’t budge on the price, they’re more likely to give you one of these as a consolation prize.
I’m not advocating that you always heckle the guys at your local gun shop, but if they cut you a sweet deal, let them know you appreciate it by giving them return business. This is especially true if you plan on adding to your used gun collection in the future.
FAQs
There are federal, state, and local laws you need to be aware of before you purchase a used hunting rifle. It’s important to check your current local gun laws. As of the publication of this article, these are a few of the regulations you need to know.
Background Checks
- Under federal law, background checks are required for all firearm purchases from licensed dealers, including used rifles.
- Private sales do not require a background check under federal law, but this requirement varies by state.
Age Requirements
- Federal law requires individuals to be at least 18 years old to purchase a rifle or shotgun from a licensed dealer.
- Some states may have higher age requirements. You should be sure to check your state’s laws before purchasing any firearm.
Interstate Sales
- Sales between residents of different states must go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, and the buyer must undergo a background check.
It’s always better to make purchases from a reputable dealer. This way, you have the backing of a business that has hopefully done the proper due diligence to earn that positive reputation. That being said, buying from a private citizen or someone you know can be just as rewarding an experience, so long as they’re someone you trust (and that kind of transaction is legal in your state).
Regardless of who you purchase from, remember to always obtain and verify, at the very minimum, these two things:
Bill of Sale
- Whether required or not, always get a bill of sale to document the transaction, including details like the rifle’s make, model, serial number, sale price, and who you purchased the rifle from.
Serial Number
- Verify the rifle’s serial number to ensure it is not stolen. This can often be done through local law enforcement or online databases. It’s also important to keep this information documented somewhere in the event you might need to report your rifle as lost or stolen.
As with buying any used product, there is always a chance of purchasing a damaged or dangerous product. Not unlike purchasing a used car, there are some risks with buying a used firearm. Always be sure to thoroughly inspect the rifle for any obvious damage, rust, or apparent lack of care or cleaning.
If possible (again, not unlike buying a used car), see if you can test drive the rifle before finalizing the purchase. Most sellers and dealers are more than willing to meet you at a local range to send a few into rounds. If not, at least inspect the gun thoroughly before considering handing over your hard-earned cash.
