Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: DoubleJ on April 25, 2010, 04:22:58 PM

Title: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: DoubleJ on April 25, 2010, 04:22:58 PM: Need a cheap gun. Do I look at pawn shops or are the guns there not worth the effort?
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: KillBilly on April 25, 2010, 04:27:30 PM: What are you looking for specifically? Pawn shops quite often have some very good deals.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Hunterman on April 25, 2010, 04:51:39 PM: Let me just say BECAREFUL..Check around on the type of gun you are looking for and how much it is new..Some Pawn Shops try to charge dang near new gun prices for what they might have only given $50-$100 for..

Hunterman(Tony)
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: DoubleJ on April 25, 2010, 05:00:16 PM: .243 bolt action. Brand not important
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: NWBREW on April 25, 2010, 05:08:06 PM: Have you tried gunbroker.com? Worked well for me. :)
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: KillBilly on April 25, 2010, 05:22:48 PM: Next question, what is your price range?
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: bankwalker on April 25, 2010, 06:02:35 PM: the local pawn shop by me has quite a few great deals on some mausers with custom barrels. but other then that he has some very high prices on most all his other rifles.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 25, 2010, 06:24:37 PM: some can be really good deal, like when the owner labels the gun one thing but it is another and you buy it for about 800 less than its worth 8)
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: DoubleJ on April 25, 2010, 07:00:05 PM: Quote from: NWBREW on April 25, 2010, 05:08:06 PM
Have you tried gunbroker.com? Worked well for me. :)

Everything more than I'd like to pay
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: DoubleJ on April 25, 2010, 07:00:54 PM: Quote from: KillBilly on April 25, 2010, 05:22:48 PM
Next question, what is your price range?

As inexpensive as I can get. Not more than a couple hundred
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: uncoolperson on April 25, 2010, 07:32:06 PM: Pawn shop guns are almost always priced above what they will sell them for, just like used cars. Never pay marked price, or more than you know the item to be worth.

"I can do [80-90% marked price] out the door" usually works.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: yorketransport on April 25, 2010, 08:06:07 PM: I've never tried haggling with a pawn shop, but I might now. ;)

For about $300 bucks you can grab a Stevens, Marlin XL7, Mossberg, or Remington entry level rifle. I've bought a few Stevens model 200s to use as donor actions, and they are a heck of a buy. I've also heard good things about the Marlin and Mossberg entry level guns.

Andrew
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Tony 270WSM on April 26, 2010, 08:06:20 AM: I'd take a look at Wal Mart first. Can find some very inexpensive rifles there at times.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: BIGINNER on April 26, 2010, 08:29:57 AM: i personally have never found i good price on a gun in a pawnshop, gunbroker never failed me though! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: snagglepants on April 26, 2010, 09:16:31 AM: I saw a .243 in the Pawn shop in Ellensburg two weeks ago with a scope for $150.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 26, 2010, 09:19:25 AM: If they have sat on the shelf at a pawn shop for a while you might get a good deal. Many times it is close to the price of a brand new one. Just know your prices when you go in. They typically have 30% plus mark up on them at a minimum. :twocents:
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: MikeWalking on April 26, 2010, 09:44:46 AM: I think they're always worth a look, never know what you'll find. I got my Belgian made Browning Hi-Power in one for half of what they sell for now..missed a Savage 99 in 308 with a decent scope for 300$

Saw a whole bunch of Browning A5's in one for cheap...
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Bscman on April 26, 2010, 04:03:48 PM: If you know what you're looking at, and are good at the art of haggling...pawn shops can be a great way to get firearms. In fact, I'd venture to say close of half of mine came from pawn shops...

For instance, new in box Henry Golden BoY lever action 22lr for $250 OTD when they're $400 at the local shops. Kimber Compact II stainless in like new with all accessories and extras for $500 OTD when it's nearly $800 new, and selling for $650+ on GB.

The biggest problem with pawn shops and firearms isn't the prices, or the dealers...it's the regulars that are always stopping by to see the new stock. Often times there's a list of "buyers" on the shops buddy list--when good items come in, the regulars get first dibbs. Ask me how I know... ;)

Mark-up in a pawn shop is usually more than 30%...they typically aim for about 50% on many items. Often times they do even better than that on firearms--as the sellers are usually desparate and/or don't know the value of what they have.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Ray on April 26, 2010, 04:08:53 PM: Man I better go check the pawn shop. I'm ready to toss this ruger 10/22 into a ditch for a golden boy.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: tlbradford on April 26, 2010, 04:13:54 PM: I have had better luck with pawn shops that cater to firearms rather than those that have them as an afterthought, and yes you can get great deals. I have purchased one new gun in my lifetime and that was my SKB O/U. Just make sure you know what to look for in evaluating a guns condition, wear, and function.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Sarnesr on April 26, 2010, 11:37:26 PM: I have gotten a few good deals from Pawn Shops, picked up a Springfield M-14 for $500 and a Browning Hi-Power for $450. With that being said, like the other guys have pointed out, you can also get raped on the prices. It helps if you know a little about the firearm before you buy it. Things like price new, know what parts may wear out fast (ie: barrel life on a SSWM) and basic function of the firearm. Little things like being able to tell if the "timing" is off or going bad on a revolver or if extractors are worn on a rifle helps also.
I am far from an expert, but 10 minutes reading on the net can save you from either over paying or buying something that needs repairs. Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: addicted on April 27, 2010, 05:04:36 AM: Quote from: yorketransport on April 25, 2010, 08:06:07 PM
I've never tried haggling with a pawn shop, but I might now. ;)

For about $300 bucks you can grab a Stevens, Marlin XL7, Mossberg, or Remington entry level rifle. I've bought a few Stevens model 200s to use as donor actions, and they are a heck of a buy. I've also heard good things about the Marlin and Mossberg entry level guns.

Andrew

:yeah:
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: moreno1 on April 27, 2010, 07:41:10 AM: Like Tony 270WSM said chek Wal-Mart. I picked up a Savage youth model 243. with scope for $150 a few years ago.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: snocohunter on April 28, 2010, 07:01:58 PM: I was working in a pawn shop before I started my current job. I can assure you that the markup is generally 50%+ I was blown away at how little people sell and pawn their guns for. I picked up an XD40 from there for $400. The owner had bought it from a guy for $150. So he doubled his money and then some. But the price was still a decent deal.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: hornhunter on April 30, 2010, 02:12:15 PM: DJ's in Bothell. I have bought guns there for years. They have new stuff also. The guys in there know guns and values. Prices are alays fair. :twocents:
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: Ratdog68 on April 30, 2010, 03:31:53 PM: Quote from: hornhunter on April 30, 2010, 02:12:15 PM
DJ's in Bothell. I have bought guns there for years. They have new stuff also. The guys in there know guns and values. Prices are alays fair. :twocents:

I'll second that. Nice folks... I've bought a couple of black powder firearms from them as well as some gun stocks.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: thinkingman on April 30, 2010, 04:11:51 PM: Quote from: hornhunter on April 30, 2010, 02:12:15 PM
DJ's in Bothell. I have bought guns there for years. They have new stuff also. The guys in there know guns and values. Prices are alays fair. :twocents:
You are also likely to see some really rare, collectible stuff.
Great shop.
Pricing is fair, not the cheapest but you never feel like they're ripping you off.
I enjoy the haggling when I think both parties are fair and honest.
Kind of part of the experience of getting a new(to you) piece for the collection.
Certainly more fun than a bigbox store or online purchase.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: snocohunter on April 30, 2010, 08:00:52 PM: DJ's is great. Friendly folks, very knowledgeable. A little bit of a drive for me these days, but I spent many a lunch brakes in there when I worked in Bothell.
Title: Re: Pawn shop guns, are they worth it?
Post by: brush hunter on May 02, 2010, 01:31:12 PM: Quote from: Ray on April 26, 2010, 04:08:53 PM
Man I better go check the pawn shop. I'm ready to toss this ruger 10/22 into a ditch for a golden boy.
When you ready to toss that 10/22 in the ditch let me know were it is ;)