I dont know whats worse. The know-nothing salesman or the "Thinks-he-knows-it-all" owner of the place. Either one can sure turn a shopping trip into an unpleasant experience.
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SamTex1949
32 Cal.
Oh, it is more entertaining to go to those type places and act "innocent" to just see how well versed (or not) they are !
Sometimes it dont take alot of "acting" but it can be entertaining.And sometimes you actually stumble upon a bargain and make a friend in the process. But that is not the norm.
Years ago I knew a gentleman who continually referred to our guns as "musket loaders". He didn't own one but that didn't stop him from pontificating about the use and usefullness of them. I figured it wasn't worthwhile trying to disabuse him of his ignorance of the subject and avoided him thereafter. For all I know he still calls them musket loaders. 
Buying used guns here requires a feel. Normally I do not buy from very new posters.
I tend to buy from folks that have been here for some time. At times I have a good feeling and cannot explain it, but will buy from a new person.
Thus far buying here, no bad experiences at all.
Guess to clarify, I will buy here and one other place, ebay and Gunbroker are not on my list. I will buy here based on reputation of the seller or visual inspection at the purchase in stores or in person.
I tend to buy from folks that have been here for some time. At times I have a good feeling and cannot explain it, but will buy from a new person.
Thus far buying here, no bad experiences at all.
Guess to clarify, I will buy here and one other place, ebay and Gunbroker are not on my list. I will buy here based on reputation of the seller or visual inspection at the purchase in stores or in person.
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Eddie2002
40 Cal
I've picked up a couple pawn shop guns with mixed success. One was a CVA Frontier side lock in .50 caliber for only $50.00. It was dirty but unfired with some of the original manufacturing debris still in the barrel. It's worth that alone for parts and shoot well now that I've cleaned it up. I've found that the real rip offs are at the gun shows where just about everybody wants top dollar.
I was at a rendezvous last year checking out a nice looking TC Mountain rifle with a beautiful walnut stock. When I looked down the muzzle I had to walk away, never seen pitting that bad before. It looked like a mouse had chewed on the inside of the muzzle and left 1/8 inch deep grooves as far in as I could see. He was asking $350.00 for it.
I was at a rendezvous last year checking out a nice looking TC Mountain rifle with a beautiful walnut stock. When I looked down the muzzle I had to walk away, never seen pitting that bad before. It looked like a mouse had chewed on the inside of the muzzle and left 1/8 inch deep grooves as far in as I could see. He was asking $350.00 for it
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I've noticed a change in pawn shops and gun shows . I suppose Greed has always been with us but it seems to have been raised a notch or two in the past few years. Most guys--behind--the--counter seem to think they have a real prize on their hands and do want that "top dollar".
I don't think theres been a change or greed with pawn shops, they are there to make money and put food on their table, not to save us money on used guns.
No one is advising that they give stuff away. Nothing wrong with an honest markup. There are differant schools of thought on retailing and vending. I personally think one can actually make more money by moving alot of merchandise. "Volume" is a good way to put it.
arcticap
54 Cal.
I agree that shops can have a wide range of overhead expenses.
I've explored by going to new shops in out of the way places, especially small shops and the more cluttered with items the better.
I'll spend enough time to get friendly with the owner or the help, let him know where I've traveled from, and seeing as much on display as possible.
Owners will often ask what I'm looking for, mentioned BP items and then one saying "Wait, I've got something in the back room."
At another really small, cluttered place on that same road, I spent so much time straining to see what he had behind the pistol display case.
It was one of those part time shops located behind a person's house.
They had BP pistols & revolvers hanging from pegs and were virtually out of room to store all of their stuff.
I finally asked the helper what was in some of the many boxes stacked up on the back shelves.
He wasn't even sure until he opened some of them up and then "voila!", a very rare, unfired C&B revolver that was on consignment.
It could have just been sitting there for years never being put on display.
The lessons here are to explore, investigate every nook & cranny of a shop and don't be afraid to ask.
You're not wasting anyone's time.
This same shop had a cold storage room with all kinds mostly used BP & hunting items accessed only by going outside and around to the side of the small building.
They wouldn't have even told me about it if I didn't ask the helper about BP stuff.
A single shop can have items of which some are overpriced and some of which aren't.
Sometimes you need to really hunt to find good deals where you can.
They don't usually just pop up in front of you, you need to go find them.
It can take hours to investigate a cluttered shop and to wait around for the help to show you what they have.
And sometimes they don't even know what they have.
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Several times the word "cluttered" was used in the last post, which by the way I agree with wholeheartly. Thank you Articticap. There was a time when the owner probably knew where and what item was on which shelf or rack. But I've noticed as a person gets plder they tend to "misplace" things and sometimes even just plain forget.
Sorry folks, I did it again. Here lately my pinkie finger had been hitting the "send"button before I get chance to proofread the reply.But I think y'all will get the gist of it.
arcticap
54 Cal.
The shop just seemed to have more items than he had room to display.
It was organized, but just too much to fit into the display cases and gun racks.
Only enough room for maybe 1/2 dozen customers.
It was organized, but just too much to fit into the display cases and gun racks.
Only enough room for maybe 1/2 dozen customers.
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Thats kind of what I meant several posts back when I mentioned "to keep the merchandise moving". I sometimes wonder if the owners are sort of collecters themselves and just like having all those guns around. I'd like being surrounded by things like guns. Kind of like a kid in a candy store!
arcticap
54 Cal.
He was probably the main gun shop for that more rural area, or at least tried to be.
It was like a candy store, and he had a lot of used muzzle loaders and other items of need during a time of shortages.
That's what prompted the far and wide exploration to begin with.
But it helped me to learn to explore outlaying counties, up to 50 miles or so in any direction.
Call 1st though, as some shops have very limited hours.
It was like a candy store, and he had a lot of used muzzle loaders and other items of need during a time of shortages.
That's what prompted the far and wide exploration to begin with.
But it helped me to learn to explore outlaying counties, up to 50 miles or so in any direction.
Call 1st though, as some shops have very limited hours.
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brawny man
36 Cal.
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I haunt the local pawnshop and they have at times rust bucket muzzleloaders and muzzleloaders in good shape. I only buy if in good shape. I also negotiate prices. At worst they can only say no. Sometimes they throw in a gun case with a purchase. They know me well.
At gun shows I bring a bore light and some patches lubed with oil, and cleaning jags. I only buy if allowed to check that the bore is unloaded, shine the bore light down it, and run a patch down to check for bulged barrels or rust. I also look for wood cracks and lock function. I then negotiate the price. Most sellers leave room to bargain.
I did find an outrageously overpriced Dixie Poor Boy rifle for $450.00. I was amazed at how beat up it was as I examined it. The bore looked so rusted that I could see no sign of rifling. The stock was split the whole length of the ramrod channel, The hammer screw was gone and they had welded the hammer to the tumbler! I thought to myself that perhaps the buttplate, trigger guard, triggers and sights could be salvaged. The seller thought he had hooked a live one and said to me, "I can go down a little in price on that one". I replied thanks but no as I have too many and was window shopping mostly.
I keep going to gun shows and sometimes find deals on ball moulds, balls, patches etc. Sometimes I find nothing but have a good time anyway.
At gun shows I bring a bore light and some patches lubed with oil, and cleaning jags. I only buy if allowed to check that the bore is unloaded, shine the bore light down it, and run a patch down to check for bulged barrels or rust. I also look for wood cracks and lock function. I then negotiate the price. Most sellers leave room to bargain.
I did find an outrageously overpriced Dixie Poor Boy rifle for $450.00. I was amazed at how beat up it was as I examined it. The bore looked so rusted that I could see no sign of rifling. The stock was split the whole length of the ramrod channel, The hammer screw was gone and they had welded the hammer to the tumbler! I thought to myself that perhaps the buttplate, trigger guard, triggers and sights could be salvaged. The seller thought he had hooked a live one and said to me, "I can go down a little in price on that one". I replied thanks but no as I have too many and was window shopping mostly.
I keep going to gun shows and sometimes find deals on ball moulds, balls, patches etc. Sometimes I find nothing but have a good time anyway.
I like exploring out of the way shops. I just wish I had more time to do more of it. My wife and I try to combine our activities when on trips to the big city like Drs. Appointments and such. But it seems my trips are "want-tos" while hers are "need-tos". Then I'm the one who gets rushed. But lesson One in all of this is to keep the wife happy !
That big city I referred to. I'm (we) am going back there Friday. I hope to visit a few pawn shops. Maybe at least get some window shopping in. Its a 50/50 (some would say a roll of the dice) thing at this time of the year. Either the owners got a refund comming from income tax or they owe some and need cash.
