How to Examine a Used Firearm Before You Buy

A popular place to buy used and fairly priced firearms is a pawn and gun shop. Most offer a range of hunting rifles, everyday carry weapons, shotguns, and vintage firearms. In some states, you may find a pawn and gun shop that offers the ammo as well.

The key to finding the right used firearm is not knowing your prices or even knowing the make and model for what you want. The key is knowing how to examine that used firearm in just a few minutes, right there in the store. Here is a quick guide on how to examine the used firearm to ensure you are getting the firearm you want for the best price.

Safety Check
The first examination you make on the used firearm deals with the safety. This is when your knowledge of the firearm will help. Some firearms do not have a safety. If you are unsure if the make and model you are examining should have one, look near the receiver. The safety will be a small switch that your thumb can easily reach.

Some firearms are equipped with a double safety. This will look like two switches. One may be on the right and the other on the left side of the firearm or both on one side.

Use your thumb to move the safety to the on and off positions. You are checking for ease of movement. This can be tricky, since you do not want a safety that is too loose, but you also don't want a safety that is too tight. This movement to on and off should be an obvious change that you feel in your thumb. The safety should also be in your reach and easy to move when you are aiming and just before firing.

Bore Check
A bore check is an easy examination. It is a quick way to check the possible functioning of the firearm and issues you may face with corrosion or with cleaning. Look down the bore, also known as the barrel, of the firearm carefully. You will want to make sure light enters the bore chamber. You can do this with the light above your head in the store or with a flashlight if necessary.

When you examine the bore, you are looking for a clean line of sight. If there is a large amount of dirt, dust, and debris, they may be obstructing your view of hidden problems. For example, you need to see a clean bore chamber that shows defined refiling. The refiling should be free of pitting. If there is pitting, you may have some issues with firing. Pitting can also show signs of possible damage in the bore.

For a quick examination, look for a clean and shiny bore with no pitting.

Sight Check
Sights on a firearm are vital for most firearms owners and users. You need to check several components of the sights. Look for clearly well-defined sights. If the sights are faint or barely visible, you will need to have them replaced. This is possible, but depending on the particular gun make or model, you may have some extra steps to get the job done.

You should also check the alignment of the sights. If the sights don't seem to be aligned with the firearm well, you may need a sight pusher to adjust them later. If the sights offer a unique option, such as night sights, ask if you can check that function. This does not require dry firing or any step that most pawn shops prohibit.

When you are ready to buy your next gun, visit 2 J's Pawn & Gun. You can view our selection of firearms and examine them in-store. We can help you through the buying process and answer questions you have about the particular gun. We will inform you of any known issues with the gun and answer questions you may have before you buy.