First muzzleloader advice

[cynthialee]

He speaks sound advice.
All of my guns except 1 .44 revolver are second hand.
I got all but one for a decent price. One I paid more than I should have but it was simply a must have item. (the .56 smoothbore barrel for my Renegade.)

With the price of muzzleloaders in pawn shops and estate sales being low and the prices on eBay a bit inflated I have turned a tidy profit a number of times buying a manure looking gun that was otherwise in serviceable condition, refurbishing it and then parting it out on eBay. Doubled my money more than once on guns this way.

Buying used BP guns is a good way to get an idea if you like a gun enough to get a new one. (provided it is in good condition or better)
Found a few I love and a few I hate this way. Turns out I love the old school single shot pistols. I kind of hate they way they look and wouldn't have gotten one if it was for me originally. Wouldn't have found out that these guns really agree with me, if I hadn't bought one to flip it and only to discover I liked it far too much to ever sell it off. Turns out I hate old military style muskets. To look at they are pretty cool, thought I wanted one... but they don't function well with my body mechanics at all.

Second hand can be a great way to soothe the BP fever on a budget, to find a gun style you like and a way to turn a profit on occasion.

 

[derek58]

In response to both of you, that's a good idea in theory, however (and Cynthialee, you might understand this), I live in the liberal/hippie capital of the US, and normal gun stores a tad hard to come by, let alone pawn shops with muzzleloaders. I frequent some of the pawn shops in the area just keeping an eye out for any cool guns, and I don't recall ever seeing any noteworthy BP rifles. That said, I would love to be surprised, and will continue to keep an eye on that market.

 

[cynthialee]

yeah...Eugene, Oregon isn't big on guns

I would never bring guns up around that crowd. That was never a conversation that ended well in that town.

If you get a chance to drive around and get to Klamath Falls, Umatilla or Baker City there will probably more offerings available in the local shops. Not as many college crazies with an ax to grind in them cities.

 

[derek58]

Fair point. I might try to get down to the K Falls area when it's not on fire...