Used gun experience

[JJ]

I dropped into a shop today looking for a nice little carry wheelie gun. Tutz was with me, and a nice looking used Sig238 caught my eye (Tutz has been lusting after one). I asked to see it, and was going thru some normal checks for wear, safety function, etc. After looking over the exterior well, I went to pop out the slide stop, to inspect the interior, to ensure there was nothing funny going on internally (as the gun was priced really low for the high exterior condition).

At this time the sales guy stopped me, and informed me they do not allow customers to "take the top off of pistols". I asked if I could just field strip the slide to take a quick look for wear and such. At this time I was told "you can see the barrel wear". I then asked again if I could look at the internals at all, and was told they did not allow that at all.

At this time, I just kinda shook my head, and asked if he was willing to budge on the price, since I could not give the gun a full inspection. They wouldn't budge, and my interest was lost because I could not get a full picture of the condition of the gun.

I have never had a shop REFUSE to allow a gun to be field stripped. It was really odd, and I won't buy any used pistol without seeing the gun stripped. Odd? Or am I asking too much to field strip a gun before I drop $600?

[MasonK]

I could see a place not wanting the customer to do it, but the sales guy should have probably popped it open for you. Especially when you told him why, and this shouldn't be an unusual request on used firearms.

[FJ540]

That springfield micro compact I was telling you about was due to my not doing a thorough enough pre-purchase inspection. I looked at the rails, the outside of the barrel at the lugs, the guide rod, but failed to look down the bore from the breech (I had looked down the muzzle and it was flawless).

Ended up with a botched chambered gun that wouldn't run.


I have noticed an increase in places who refuse to let people open up the guns. On the one hand, you don't get idiot scratches with that policy, but on a used gun you can't buy it with a clean conscience without at least field stripping it.

[JJ]

I could understand if they just didn't want the customer (me) to do it, and risk damage. Then counterr guy/gal should do it so a fellow can take a look

But how can you understand what you are buying without looking it over. It's like buying a car without popping the hood or the trunk.

Kinda disappointing, the shop was a shop I have been into a lot, and sent others their way. No longer.

[Squib Joe]

$600 bucks for a used P238?

I used to be pretty cool with customers field stripping used guns until one of them almost took his eye out with a recoil spring. Now I do it for them.

[JJ]

$600 bucks for a used P238?

I used to be pretty cool with customers field stripping used guns until one of them almost took his eye out with a recoil spring. Now I do it for them.

$550 sticker, but after the gubment gets their cut and such...

I have no issue as long as I can take a peek.

[FJ540]

Prince?

[AR-15collector]

I could understand if they just didn't want the customer (me) to do it, and risk damage. Then counterr guy/gal should do it so a fellow can take a look

But how can you understand what you are buying without looking it over. It's like buying a car without popping the hood or the trunk.

Kinda disappointing, the shop was a shop I have been into a lot, and sent others their way. No longer.

FF in Brooklyn Park did the same thing to me, one clerk said I could field strip, another came running over screaming that I can't be doing that. I told them that if I didn't leave knowing how to take it down, I wasn't buying it. Then I asked the kid to field strip the gun spin could see how it's done and he replies " uh I don't know how to do that"

He Probably shouldn't be selling what he has no clue about.

[JJ]

Prince?

Negative

I'd prefer not to blast anyone in an open forum. Maybe I just gave the guy a vibe that I was just tire kicking, or he may have had a bad day. No sense in blasting an entire shop for the actions of one.

[Tronster]

I've field stripped a few guns in shops for inspection, but it depends who's on the other side of the counter.

Was able to strip down a P7 at cabelas to inspect the gas piston, but was refused to strip a used sig at the same store a week later.
Heck, I even stripped down a Mini 14 at FF cause the kid behind the counter wondered how it worked. Funny when a customer is giving a gun lesson to a gun salesperson.

I think it boils down to minimizing potential damage or an incorrectly reassembled firearm, but the counterperson should be able to ablige such a request.

[infidel]

Wow. If that is company policy, and you have talked to management, please let me know who they are so I never waste my time in that shop.

[FJ540]

I've had them ask why I wanted to before, but when explaining it was a prerequisite for my purchase - they've all agreed to allow it.

After that experience with the springer, I won't buy another gun without a detailed inspection. New or used.

[870TC]

I've seen people try to field strip things that they obviously have no idea how to, and have no interest in buying, They just want to show off that they can do it.
So I can see why some places try to avoid it, especially when the clerk doesn't know how to field strip it himself.
Once watched a guy take apart a Colt .25 auto, took him and another customer he didn't know 15 minutes to put it back together....clerk had no idea how it worked either, he had this oh crap what do I tell the boss look on his face. Guy did not buy the gun and did not even apologize for his incompetence.

[rugersol]

Odd? Or am I asking too much to field strip a gun before I drop $600?

if ya want an honest answer ...

1. I may be outta touch, but $550 fer a used P238 don't sound too great ... if it came with night sights and really nice grips ... and otherwise appeared to be in immaculate condition, $550 might be "ok"

2. I would guess most folks considering buying a used semi-auto wouldn't even consider removing the slide ... I don't buy many, but I wouldn't bother, unless I had a serious concern (or if it was a friend, and I was jest killin time) ... and, in this case, a price of $550 wouldn't be cause fer such concern

3. if this is a place ya frequent, and it's a used gun, I'd simply buy it, field-strip it (right away, in the store, if ya like) and if it then exhibits sub-standard quality, demand yer money back ... er otherwise ask about a 30-day warranty on any such thing the manufacturer won't cover

[JJ]

You are welcome.

I apologize for the situation as it sounds like it could have been dealt
with better!

Next time you stop in feel free to ask for me and I will be glad to help you
in any way that I can...

Thank you again,

xxxx
The Guns and Gear Store

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxx [mailto:xxxx@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 12:22 PM
To: xxxx xxxx
Subject: Re: Enquiry from The Guns And Gear Store

Thank you.

On Jun 18, 2013, at 12:19 PM, "xxx xxx"
<info@thegunsandgearstore.com> wrote:

> We do not take apart gun that are for sale.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: xxx[mailto:xxxxx@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 12:15 PM
> To: xxxx xxx
> Subject: Re: Enquiry from The Guns And Gear Store
>
> As well as not allowing the customer to field strip, you also will not
> allow your counter person to field strip, for the customer to inspect
> the internals as well?
>
> I am just seeking clarification.
>
> On Jun 18, 2013, at 11:56 AM, "xxxx xxxx"
> <info@thegunsandgearstore.com> wrote:
>
>> We always ask that customers do not disassemble, strip, and/or remove
>> pieces from anything we have for sale...
>>
>> We do this because we do not appreciate when people without proper
>> knowledge and factory certifications of a product take firearms apart
>> and break it leaving us with an unsellable item.
>>
>> This is our policy and most every other store that sells firearms
>> treats this the same. This can be seen at Cabelas, Fleet Farm, and
>> Scheels, just to name a few... they will not let you disassemble a
> firearm.
>>
>> I am sure you understand this.
>>
>> You were not singled out.
>>
>> We will help any customer who purchases a firearm from us with the
>> disassemble process in store so they can inspect it and know how to
>> properly take apart the item...
>>
>> Thank you again,
>>
>> xxx
>> The Guns and Gear Store

I guess it is their policy to not allow anyone to inspect a firearm, even with counter staff doing the filed stripping.

Plenty of other shops out there that appreciate my business more