Buying Second-hand

[Ctavano]

Hi, this is my first time posting, so I'm sorry if this was covered on another thread.

I've decided to go with a muzzleloader for hunting season this year, and am looking at a used T/C Hawken .50 caliber at a local gun shop. I've looked at it once, had the guy drop a bore light down, and the bore looks good. The stock is in pretty good shape other than a few nicks here and there. I'm not too worried about the stock; I plan on refinishing it anyway just to make it "mine". He's asking $400.

Could anyone tell me what else I should be looking at/for?

Thanks

 

[VEARL]

To me that is to high in price,
Get him down around $ 200 to $ 225.00.
Check on Gunbroker for a better deal on a used one.

 

[Rifleman1776]

To me that is to high in price,
Get him down around $ 200 to $ 225.00.
Check on Gunbroker for a better deal on a used one.

Actually, prices are all over the board on used TCs. I have seen them sell from $200.00 to over $700.00. But, I cannot see paying the high prices while lower prices are still available.

 

[stinkyfeet]

Hi, this is my first time posting, so I'm sorry if this was covered on another thread.

I've decided to go with a muzzleloader for hunting season this year, and am looking at a used T/C Hawken .50 caliber at a local gun shop. I've looked at it once, had the guy drop a bore light down, and the bore looks good. The stock is in pretty good shape other than a few nicks here and there. I'm not too worried about the stock; I plan on refinishing it anyway just to make it "mine". He's asking $400.

Could anyone tell me what else I should be looking at/for?

Thanks

That's too much just watch the forum there several for sale in there from time to time. You can buy a barrel and stock off ebay for less then that any day of the week and have better choices of barrels and stocks. There a few decent Lyman GPR on the forum for 300 as well. 300 dollar range is about right for a TC in my area at least

 

[Ctavano]

Are the prices on consignment guns negotiable? Never gotten one before.

 

[FishDFly]

Price is high as pointed out, $300 is about right.

But, buying local does have it's major advantages.

You get to examine the barrel, check the lock and triggers to verify that they are functional. Remove the nipple to make sure it can be removed and check for rust.

Buying off the internet has it's major pitfalls.
There are a lot of guns which are misrepresented on condition and function-ability.

Buying off the internet requires shipping, there have been lots of horror stories about shipping guns and having them destroyed.

I bought a Renegade which was mis-represented and I shipped it back. UPS destroyed it on the return shipping. It took me six (6) months to get my money from UPS.

You have to decide price and being able to see a gun and inspect it. You can always go back and negotiate the price. M/Ls are not exactly flying off stores shelves now, the market is shrinking.

 

[FishDFly]

Yes they are, shop owner just needs to call the owner is all.

 

[Ctavano]

Thanks for the info.

The bore looks good, however I didn't remove the nipple, didn't know you could do that right there. The lock IS functional but didn't want to dry fire it. I did notice that the triggers were slightly wiggly, not sure if that is something to bring up in negotiating. Any other things to look for to maybe lower the price?

 

[Billnpatti]

Here's a far better deal and a far better gun http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php/product/9801/cat/9 and there are other good deals to be found on the forum's For Sale section. Take a look and see what else you can find. I have nothing to do with this gun, I just selected it as an example.

 

[hawk driver]

I would agree that the price is a little high. But, you have to factor in shipping if you buy online. I would pay a little more for a used muzzleloader if I could actually see/hold it versus buying a used on online. Bad spots are easy to hide online by either omitting that area in pictures or with lighting and distance.

The value and price you would pay depends on what you are actually looking for and what you want to pay.

 

[Vaino]

Start at $300 and go up to #350....if the bore is good and if you snap a cap and the lock and triggers function, buy it. Sight unssen can be an unopened can of worms...in the long run $50-$100 is well spent if you don't have a lot of trouble. Used MLers can be nightmares.....Fred

 

[Ctavano]

I agree. I looked online at some before seeing this one, and never did feel too comfortable buying one online. I think I'll go back to the shop tomorrow and offer $250 and see where it goes. It'll be fun to haggle anyway.

 

[FishDFly]

My wife threated to take my phone and credit card away if I bought anymore from the internet.

Fred offers sage advice, will not share bad buying experiences, but there are more bad than good.

My internet days of used are over.

Good luck.

 

[Spikebuck]

There's a load of TC guns on Track of the Wolf right now in the $300 - $400 range. They have a 10 day review period, so if you don't like it, just send it back and you're only out the shipping both ways. Or if nothing else, take a look for comparison purposes.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/492/2

 

[S.Kenton]

I'd agree with the general consensus that the price is a little high. In my neck of the woods a used T/C Hawken will sell for 200-250. I know where there is a CVA Hawken for 200 that has a perfect bore and the stock has been darkened to give it an aged look. I would buy it for myself...but my wife would throw a fit...

 

[George T.]

I bought a 54 T/C for $250 not long ago. And a GPR on gun broker like new for $300. If there is no rush you can do better. I agree that an offer of $250 is a good place to start.

Geo. T.

 

[bpd303]

For that price & condition, my wife would throw a fit if I didn't buy it. She loves shooting them as much as I do.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Go to the Muzzleloading Forum Classified Ads. See the Lyman Great Plains Rifles and also a couple of T/C's. $300 would be best spent on any of these, IMO.

 

[Rat Trapper]

As others have pointed out, what the TC rifles are going for is all over the board depending on where you live. Try to get the shop to call the owner and ask him if he can do better. At $400, I be wanting him to throw in something. Maybe the owner can bring some other stuff that goes with the rifle and throw it in.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

One of your negotiation points would be "cash right now". As folks have mentioned, sure you could get a good TC Hawkin in a caplock .50 for $250 to $300, but..., then add shipping, so you are talking $350 or a little more. Now the one you have seen has an asking price of $400, so offer $250 if you like it, and have the seller contact the owner and propose your offer. You don't know how long the guy has been trying to dump it at $400, and maybe with a ready buyer holding cash, they'd come down a bit for cash and a prompt sale. I'd let them "haggle" you up to $300, but no higher. If the seller tells you he was instructed already not to discuss lower offers, walk away. Sometimes you will find owners that don't understand that the market, not their desire, dictates prices.

LD