Would you ever buy a firearm from a pawn shop?

I've bought a few guns over the years at pawn shops. As long as you know what your getting, as far as condition and value, no problem.
 
It depends on how you feelabout the shop...

and how they are pricing firearms.

Dealt / visited two shop regularly, one I bought a A-5 12gaMAg for $310 out the door, yea the wrist had a vertical crack through it, but that what expoy was made for. Bought a replacement stock off a auction site for $100 anad a new deer barrel for $250. I believe I got a good deal overall.

Second shop was PRICEY as in, anything from WWII firearm bayonet etc, was maxed to the limit. ex: Ithaca 1911A1 in fai condition - $2500.

Did have my eye on a Remington Sportman M58 semi 16ga shotgun for $250.

You have to know what your looking at and know what reasonable pricing is.
 
I have in the past and am sure I will in the future. Its no different then buying from the LGS one just has to pay close attention.
 
If you buy a large bore rifle, .45 and up, rest assured it wasn't shot much. Of course that rule is invalid if I, were the owner of such a bad boy!:)
 
Yes

Bought a Remington TargetMaster for $15.00 at a pawn shop about 20 years ago and it is a tack driver. Problem now days is the pawn shops around me want nearly new retail for guns. I've not looked in quite a while because it just wasn't worth it. If the price was right and I knew what I was getting into, I'd buy again.
 
Yes I would and have. Some of my better guns were lucky finds in pawn shops, like my Rem 870 WM for 200 bucks. This back when you could go to K Mart and get an express for 189. I told him this and he came right down in the price. I don't think he realized it was WM.

Another pawn shop I got my Ruger RH 44 Mag at for 160 bucks, and it was tight as could be. :) Ok, so I'm actually friends with the owner of that pawnshop. I'm sure that helped.

You just have to know what you're looking at, and how to talk, and have some luck.
 
I bought the most expensive firearm I own at a pawnshop. Browning Superposed Lightning manufactured in 1963. I have gotten some smoking deals at times. Other times I paid a fair price for a used firearm. Once bought a Marlin 336 in 1995 or so, NIB for about half new.:eek: Deals can be found but a lot of shops are way too proud of the merchandise.
 
My last three pawn shop acquisitions...

1976 Remington Nylon 66 Bicentennial Engraved...$60
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1968 Remington 250 lever-action...$115
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1995 Marlin 922-M w/ Nikon scope & 3 mags...$300
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Hagglin' well & knowing the weapons in question are your best bets...
and if you don't know the weapons...step outside to think...
and whip out that laptop/I-phone to check prices & potential issues ;)
And I do carry a Stoeger Gun Trader's Guide in my truck at all times...hehehe

Condition is a huge factor...the fact that all three weapons had dirty actions was a price-lowering-point in all cases...
I personally don't consider that a flaw, just an inconvenience and a bargaining tool...
"Good Grief this action is fulla crud!" coupled with an "EW!" look often gets the price ball dropping immediately...lol
 
Around here, most of the pawn shops are mostly gun dealers. Four of my guns have came from pawn shops and there's nothing wrong with buying them there.
 
Big Shrek,
Are you sure that's a Remington lever action? I thought the Nylon was the only lever action they made. I can't find anything on the 250 and I'm fascinated.
Thanks,
RT
 
Varies with the area and the local economy, maybe, but I figure that a pawn shop has about 50% of the asking price actually invested.
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Depends on whether or not the gun was a pawn or an outright purchase for resale. I bought a old S&W target pistol that they didn't know what they had................this time I scored well
 
If the price was right and if I knew enough about the gun in question to check it out for condition/function.
 
No. To me it is much like buying on the internet ... one bad experience cancels all the 'Good deals' that one may have gotten. I'd rather support my local gunsmith's shop.
 
The problem is that now pawn shops want almost as much as new guns.
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Depends on the shop. Most of my guns have been purchased at pawnshops at bargain prices. I've bought guns on a Friday afternoon and sold them at a gunshow on Saturday morning for $100 profit before on several occasions.

Knowing how pawnshops work, how they make a profit and timing are everything. As well as a little horsetrading skills. At certain times of the year waving cash will often get you the gun for 1/2 the sticker price.
 
Bore light & a price guide...very handy tools!

Haggling is a fun art...but its also best done on Tue-Wed-Thurs...
Fri & Sat are the WORST days to try & get a deal!!

Monday is when tons of folks are bringing stuff in because they blew their bankroll on the weekend, so I stay away on Mondays...
Fridays & Sat's are madhouses...folks trying to get money, make payments, & buy stuff...so I avoid those days if I can as well.

Those early morning T,W,TH days, when its slow, just opened up...and they want to kick the day off with a sale...
THAT is my time to really haggle...but I'm always nice & polite while I slowly push 'em over the edge of the mine shaft :D
 
I don't trust my LGS to have the knowledge to inspect the gun properly or trust them not to try and rip me off. This depends on who is working for the knowledge and a total lack of trust in the owner, which other locals have agreed with. I am no worse off at my pawn shop.

The problem is, like others have said, my local pan shop asks for more than the guns cost new. I used to try to talk them down to something reasonable but gave up a few years back.

Better to use the internet and a local transfer only dealer.
 
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