YAGT: OMG I love guns

[ManBearPig]

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[BladeVenom]

One weird thing about guns is that it seems to me like "new" guns are touched and handled and shit lol. Whereas i know if i get a new computer part, its in the box. For some odd reason it seems like everything involving guns is shady, haha. This all probably sounds completely crazy and unfounded but it seems like everything is...unregulated or something.

Clothes and car are the same way. Those have usually been handled by someone before you buy them.

 

[shortylickens]

Clothes and car are the same way. Those have usually been handled by someone before you buy them.

Clothes are easy to clean and cars are outside getting dirty anyway.
Guns are like hand tools. It doesnt matter if someone touched them. They're metal and heavy plastic.
All that matter is if they were abused, and you can see that in 2 seconds.

 

[IGemini]

FFL fees generally run $20-30.

Some may charge a fee based on a percentage of the sale price. Checking with them to use as a service before buying is a common courtesy.

Factories will certainly test-fire guns, but most don't sight them. Some areas require a bullet fired through the gun and the casing included as proof of functionality from the factory. So yes, almost every gun is "used" to some degree but there's nothing shady about it. These days they're made to handle thousands of rounds, a few through the factory is a drop in the bucket.

Some stores may have familiarization training for new hires, so guns actually on the floor may have been used beyond the factory test. I know this is the case with Gander Mountain. Every gun purchase should ALWAYS be cleaned and oiled before firing, regardless.

I'd consider used guns provided they've been cared for. Even ask to field-strip and examine before buying. My brother's first was a used German-made Walther P99. Still works like a tank, never had a failure.

I suspect there aren't enough gun threads to warrant a new subforum. You can try the SB but I doubt it'll go anywhere.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=302804

 

[irishScott]

Got it, thanks. I was just curious because at the gun show, i saw guns everywhere that people were messing around with. If i bought one, do they have multiples available or do they just put that gun in the box its on top of and give it to you? Ive also heard of some people shipping their shit to an FFL carrier and finding it all dinged up, lol. I dunno though. I suppose its just because i'm unfamiliar with all this stuff and some people who buy and sell guns seem kind of shady.

Oh yeah, WHY cant we have a gun forum on AT? Kinda like the garage. We could name it "The Firing Range" haha.

Pretty much this. Most handguns (and some rifles) are shipped with a case from the factory that contains whatever extras it comes with, warranty card, etc. The gun dealer takes it out of said case for display. When bought, the gun's typically just put back in the case (if it was ever taken out for display) and shipped/sold.

 

[basslover1]

One weird thing about guns is that it seems to me like "new" guns are touched and handled and shit lol. Whereas i know if i get a new computer part, its in the box. For some odd reason it seems like everything involving guns is shady, haha. This all probably sounds completely crazy and unfounded but it seems like everything is...unregulated or something.

Yea, I was a bit shocked at this when I bought my first gun too. The guns on display that you pick up and feel are generally the very same gun they give you when you buy it. They take it from the display case and stick it in its hard case and write it up.

I mean it makes sense, for handguns other than maybe Glock and a few others, I doubt they keep piles of inventory on hand for every model. Probably just one or two.

It's pretty much par for the course.

 

[RampantAndroid]

So how much should i expect to pay for an FFL transfer fee if i buy online? I think most places around here charge $25. Honestly, how the hell would i know if they decided to open it and play with it or something?

One weird thing about guns is that it seems to me like "new" guns are touched and handled and shit lol. Whereas i know if i get a new computer part, its in the box. For some odd reason it seems like everything involving guns is shady, haha. This all probably sounds completely crazy and unfounded but it seems like everything is...unregulated or something.

Most ranges do a few things: If they can beat the price of the gun, they charge a 10% fee or something. On top of that, sales tax and something like $35.

The stuff listed online is usually on display at a gun shop, meaning it's been opened, the action used, dry fired and so forth. Just par for the course.

They will? Maybe if you give them permission. The factory almost certainly test-fires the gun, but beyond that...

Yes. Depending on the state, you will get the casings that the factory fired. Beyond the factory firing it, anything further means the gun is in a used state and should be rejected if they claim it is new.

Most new guns are fine. My .44 magnum model 29 was on display, but was new. It has a double stamp visible on the barrel that indicates the caliber (you see ".44 magnum" stamped twice, a rare "defect") it was in a enw state. Gunbroker is like ebay for guns, and has seller reviews. Use that to tell if you can trust.

 

[olds]

Some may charge a fee based on a percentage of the sale price. ...

Illegal in Commiefornia.

 

[pontifex]

transfer fee is going to vary greatly from place to place. I can get one done here for as low as $15 or as high as $40. places like gander mountain charge more, just like they charge more for everything else.

 

[coxmaster]

transfer fee is going to vary greatly from place to place. I can get one done here for as low as $15 or as high as $40. places like gander mountain charge more, just like they charge more for everything else.

This is definitely true. If you've seriously looking at buying online then check out some of the SMALL FFLs in your area (the guys that run out of their home/garage/basement). I recently ordered an M&P9 and was planning to buy it from Buds online, called my local FFL and he beat their price by $50 so its worth a shot.

 

[shortylickens]

In my neck of the woods transfer fees are a percentage of the selling price. Thats to discourage you from buying elsewhere.

My next door neighbor used to have a dealer license a while back but let it lapse we he got kids and couldnt afford to buy a new gun every two weeks. He would have charged me 10 bucks no matter what I bought.

 

[coxmaster]

In my neck of the woods transfer fees are a percentage of the selling price. Thats to discourage you from buying elsewhere.

My next door neighbor used to have a dealer license a while back but let it lapse we he got kids and couldnt afford to buy a new gun every two weeks. He would have charged me 10 bucks no matter what I bought.

That's what my local dealer does. $10 no matter what. Sadly so many people don't realize these FFLs are around

 

[ManBearPig]

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[coxmaster]

I have no idea at all how to find those FFL dealers.

Can you guys touch on how dangerous ricochet is? A guy at another forum got shot in the head with a ricochet and it left a pretty freaky wound. From what i understand its only metal surfaces that arent appropriate for shooting...or something. Freaky. D:

Ricochets are a big deal, if they happen. But if you're safe with your targets and backstop they shouldn't ever happen.

Just make sure there's nothing solid behind your target that could cause a ricochet and there shouldn't be anything to worry about.


As for FFLs, go here: http://www.gunbroker.com/ffl/dealernetwork.aspx

That will give you a pretty decent idea of FFLs in your area

 

[RampantAndroid]

I have no idea at all how to find those FFL dealers.

Can you guys touch on how dangerous ricochet is? A guy at another forum got shot in the head with a ricochet and it left a pretty freaky wound. From what i understand its only metal surfaces that arent appropriate for shooting...or something. Freaky.

Shooting steel plates CAN cause a ricochet...but that's why you stand a distance from the plate. In an indoor range, I doubt you'll even see this. Honestly, I've never seen one, but I don't shoot plates.

Look on youtube at Hicock45's page. Not sure I've ever seen a ricochet in his videos.

 

[shortylickens]

Ricochets are a big deal, if they happen. But if you're safe with your targets and backstop they shouldn't ever happen.

Just make sure there's nothing solid behind your target that could cause a ricochet and there shouldn't be anything to worry about.


As for FFLs, go here: http://www.gunbroker.com/ffl/dealernetwork.aspx

That will give you a pretty decent idea of FFLs in your area

HOLY TITS!
Theres a motherfucker right down the fucking road from me that charges a flat 15 dollar fee!
D:

 

[slag]

They will? Maybe if you give them permission. The factory almost certainly test-fires the gun, but beyond that...

Thats what I thought the op meant. The guns have been handled prior to him buying one, and I commented that yes, when they make the guns, they then test fire them for accuracy, they being the factory. Most gun shops will have display models they let people hold and use at their range, but beyond that, if you buy a new gun in the case, it should not have been fired by anyone but the factory.

 

[pontifex]

Thats what I thought the op meant. The guns have been handled prior to him buying one, and I commented that yes, when they make the guns, they then test fire them for accuracy, they being the factory. Most gun shops will have display models they let people hold and use at their range, but beyond that, if you buy a new gun in the case, it should not have been fired by anyone but the factory.

usually in a small shop (and possibly in a large shop), what's in the counter us usually all they have. They may have 1 or 2 more in the back (or more for popular guns, sales, etc) though.

But anyway, yeah, people are going to be handling it. No firing it, but handling it, dry firing it, operating it, etc.

 

[ManBearPig]

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[IGemini]

You're basically describing the reasoning behind why so many people handle a weapon (or any other big-ticket item) before purchase: to make sure they work properly. Ironic, huh?

For guns, that's learning how to do a functions check. For pistols it can be as simple as releasing & resetting the magazine and pulling the trigger (dry-firing), though every one has its own individual features. Tampering happens more with used guns though it's not that common. If it's faulty, it's more likely the usual reality of mass-production that a few just happen to fail even after the break-in period (if there is one). Either the retailer will replace it or the manufacturer will service it.

 

[Merad]

For pistols it can be as simple as releasing & resetting the magazine and pulling the trigger (dry-firing)...

Ask before you dry fire though. Even though probably 99.9% of guns sold today are perfectly safe to dry fire a lot of shops/people will go ballistic and act like you've ruined* the gun by dry firing it.

You'll find that a great many gun nuts are kind of stuck in the past on things like that. Eg, a lot of gun forums have very regular debates on topics like whether or not those new fangled "plastic" guns (Glocks, etc) can be trusted or if they're just waiting to blow up in your face.

*Just to be clear, there are some guns (mainly rimfires and older guns) which can be damaged by dry firing.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I mean I guess it isn't a huge deal but maybe I'm more uncomfortable with it because I have no idea what to look for if one of those people who were touching it messed it up, it's pretty expensive (more than (my) clothes), I can't really get extensive time to test it like test driving a car, and most importantly: I can't return it.

I know I'm blowing this way out of proportion. I don't really care that much, just found it odd. I know it's not going to change, lol. Maybe ordering it from the net wouldn't be a horrible idea to put my crazy newb fears to rest (hopefully they don't display/let people touch those, lol...).

If you are the first owner, the manufacturer might fix it. Otherwise, ensure the place you're buying from allows 3 days to return the gun after inspecting (not firing) it.

 

[ManBearPig]

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[deadlyapp]

Alright so, i've seen a lot of people get guns and say something along the lines of 'theres a mark here or a blemish there" but the gun is still functional and i dont care. I am a pretty anal person when it comes to getting semi expensive-expensive stuff...i want it to look almost perfect. Should i not have this expectation with guns?

If it's been carried in a holster it will have some wear. I've purchased new and used guns and have never had a problem with either. The only eyesore you'll run into is the idiot mark on 1911's from people who don't know how to re-insert the slide release properly.

If you buy online and it says a blemish, just ask them to take a high detail picture of the blemish. Personally I buy most of my guns for their operation and capabilities and not how they look.

 

[BladeVenom]

Guns are tools, unless you are going to put it in a display case and never use it, it should get some wear on it.