new or second hand rifle

[langouroux 14]

ok boys and girls...

 

i need to buy a deer / caliber rifle in the very near future, and what i want to know is who of you have bought second hand and if you have had any probs? what to look for in a second hand rifle?

 

obviously it is best to buy new, but it would be usefull to have a few pointers so i dont get shafted.

[AzMaN 0]

I brought second hand, admitadly it was via a dealer. he told me when buying second hand look for any pitting in the barrel by looking down both ends with a light at one end, if its had a silencer check the crown and if it still has a silencer check for pitting inside this too on the baffles. mine was spotless as the guy previous had only put 2 rounds through it.

[Finkley 1]

On the other hand,

 

I bought a "nearly new" secondhand CZ 17HMR from a reptutable dealer and it wouldn't shoot for sh1t.

 

Thankfully the dealer gave me my cash back and I bought a new Sako which has been faultles. It's now the rifle that spends the least amount of time in the cabinet.

 

Obviously all previous owners aren't the same, but now I'll always buy new. My worry will always be that if the rifle is good, why's he selling it?

 

Steve

[SNAP SHOT 194]

If buying from an unknown source check to see if it was a range rifle or a hunting rifle, or both, check for a damaged crown, pitting in the barrel,

 

And also if thinking of buying get it borescoped.......!!!! i'd always try and buy secondhand from someone i knew with the gun....

 

then you know what its done, but a dealer who'll return if your not satisfied, is equally good....

 

 

 

Snap.

[Mr_Logic 5]

Yep, a borescope is a good idea, definitely. Langouroux, check out The Gun Room in Ivybridge, they may still have my old CZ550 in .308, if so it hardly got used and would do you nicely!! I didn't get on with the balance, so you may want to lose about 4 inches off the barrel, but that thing sure did shoot.

 

if you do manage to pick it up, I still have some of the ammo it used to shoot.

[coldweld 65]

Go to a RFD with a good name who stands firmly behind what he is selling . Ask if he will give you a month sale or return if faulty.

I have had a few used rifles and had no problems due to faults/bore , Replaced stocks that were sh*t but that was due to the manufacturer cost cutting and molding chewing gum !

 

There are dogs out there but this tends to be reflected in the price . remember the old saying buy cheap buy TWICE. BOL