Are you intimidated by the process of buying a used gun? When it comes to spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a used item, just like with any big purchase, it can be scary to take the plunge.
But thankfully, with the right research and a little bit of know-how, the process of buying a used item can go smoothly, and you can get your hands on some fantastic deals.
With that in mind, here are the step-by-step instructions you should follow when inspecting and buying a used firearm:
Step 1: Do Your Research
Most gun enthusiasts have heard of major brands such as Smith and Wesson, Glock, and Sig. These companies usually release well-made, reliable guns with lots of accurate information about them online.
However, in your search for the perfect firearm, you might come across an interesting item with an attractive price from a lesser-known brand. Even though smaller companies often release high-quality guns, it’s still vital to do your research!
Don’t hesitate to brush up on reviews of guns you’re interested in to get an idea of what a fair price is for each brand. For instance, a used Canik TP9 at a reasonable price can be a great purchase, while a used USFA Zip 22 LR might be priced low for a reason. Like with any deal, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. If you come across a Glock priced at $200, you can expect something to be wrong with it.
Step 2: Understand the Law
If you’re looking to purchase a gun in Canada, you need to go through the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, pass an exam, and submit an application for a license.
To legally buy and possess a gun in a Canadian province, you must obtain a valid PAL or POL license. A POL (or a possession-only license) means that you can only own firearms, but cannot purchase them. A PAL (or possession-acquisition license) means that you can both buy and possess a firearm. Both licenses allow you to purchase ammunition. Only the RCMP has the right to give out PALs.
Both licenses are typically valid for five years, but must be renewed before the expiry date. Once you have a valid PAL, you are allowed to transfer a firearm to another licensed person.
However, it’s important to remember that when you perform a private transaction with someone you don’t know, you’re selling a dangerous firearm to a complete stranger. Even if you get their Possession Acquisition Licence (PAL) information, but it turns out to be fake and they commit a crime, you will be an accessory to that crime.
Step 3: Figure Out Where You’re Going to Purchase Your Used Gun
There are several options when it comes to gun retailers in Canada. You could opt for an in-person retailer with employees to help you with any questions you might have, or you could decide to purchase a firearm online. While these seem like the easiest options, there are often hidden headaches involved.
Not every online retailer allows you to see or inspect a gun, meaning that you will be “firing blind” when it comes to buying an item from their site. Online firearm forums can be even worse as there is an increased potential to be scammed by fake profiles and listings.
The best, most effective, and safest way to purchase a firearm in Canada is to use a gun auction. Specifically, GTA Guns auctions.
Step 4: Inspect Your Gun
Once you’ve decided on a gun to purchase and you’ve inspected it in person, always, always make sure the firearm is unloaded. This is the most crucial step.
Then, inspect the bore by taking a light and looking down it. If you find that it’s not clean, clean it. You are looking for the beginning of the rifling just ahead of the chamber. This is known as the throat, and it should have nice, crisp edges. What’s more, the bore should appear quite shiny. If you clean it and the patch comes out a little shredded, then the bore is pitted, meaning it will not perform well.
Next, inspect the action. It’s rare for bolt actions to mess up, so open the bolt and see how easily it slides back and forth. High-end guns will move as if they’re on ball bearings while lower-end guns will require a bit more effort. When closed, there should be no play on the bolt. Pumps and semis will always have some play, which is why they tend to be less accurate.
Lastly, break opens, hold onto the barrel(s) at the muzzle and swing the gun like a pendulum. You want to make sure that you don’t hear any clunking sound.
GTA Guns Auctions Are Your One-Stop Shop
If you’re looking to follow these steps to a T, then you’ll want to take part in our online auctions. We attract over 65,000 gun enthusiasts from all across North America, so there’s never a shortage of fantastic firearms to bid on.
Plus, we do your research for you! All of the firearms listed on our auction site are inspected using our proprietary GUNCHECK™ and CYCLECHECK™ programs to guarantee that every gun we sell will function flawlessly.
We even offer industry-first guarantees. If for any reason, the gun you purchased is not in perfect working condition, you can send it back to us. We’ll not only fix it and ship it back to you, but we even refund the shipping charge and absorb the cost (30-day max). We also offer a satisfaction guarantee on guns with a price of $5,000+. If for any reason, you aren’t satisfied, you can return the firearm to us and put it up for the next auction without a seller’s fees (30-day max).
And even though our auctions are held online, you can always make an appointment at our brick-and-mortar location to inspect the firearm you wish to bid on in-person. This service is available from the time the auction is posted online until the Saturday before it starts.
Our online auctions are 100% legal, safe, and hassle-free. So don’t hesitate to contact GTA Guns for any questions you might have, or to learn more about or safe storage options and other services. Our team of experts looks forward to serving you.