Would you buy used spoon from untrusted sources?
 

I've recently gotten into shooting and have been looking around for some used guns. It seems that a lot of guns actually get better with age as a few hundred/thousand rounds loosen things up. Plus they are cheaper than brand new, which is what I like.

I've seen some ads for used guns person to person, but I have a strange feeling about these. NC has a pretty loose gun policy and only tracks serial numbers when sold by a dealer. After that, it is the individuals job to show/track who you sold the gun to. However, I believe this is more rule of thumb than law.

So do you guys always buy from dealers (more money) or do some of you pick them up from untrusted sources (much cheaper!). My main concern is buying a weapon that was just used in last nights crime.

For reference, I'm in NC with a CCW permit so I can pretty much buy anywhere in NC without special permits.

Depends on what you mean by untrusted, I would probably try to feel the person out first. If they seem shaddy then I wouldnt do business with them.

Im in NC as well, just moved here. I was really surprised by the "pistol permit" that the sherrif has to sign before you can purchase a handgun. My CCW application is in the system so I should be good to go soon. My GA CCW is still valid in NC anyway. I did some research and learned that the law is actually an old Jim Crow law that was put in place so local LEOs could prevent African Americans from purchasing guns.

I have had dealings on a few guns with David, Targa911s.

So the the answer is yes, yes I would :D

Depends. Are you buying a gun out of a van behind a 7-11? Or someone you met on a web forum who bought one too many 1911s and needs to off load that Springfield to pay for some diapers.

Nobody said anyhting about 1911s... I'm a sucker for these pistols, I own way too many and still want more.

We have a local gun forum in AZ and it's a tight-knit community like on Pelican. If you have a few hundred posts, you're considered to be ok. If you screw someone at all just once, your name is mud forever. That said, I've never had an issue on Backpage either. Everyone has been very cool. I don't like doing bills of sale, but a quick flash of an an AZ DL and CCW usually puts everyone at ease. I would not let anyone keep track of my personal info and serial no. No point in helping the gov't.

i bought a used 22 from someone super shady..seahawk!!

i got lucky!! hahahahha..

honestly, if the money outlay is small, why not? go for it....

what are we shopping for?

I'm looking for a compact 380 or 9mm for conceal and then a full size for longer distance fun.

Have never fired a 1911 as it seems like a lot of moving parts. However everyone raves how they fire, so I guess I need to get one in the range and test it out...

A well set up 1911 is a joy to shoot. Its the trigger that makes this platform so good. A full size 1911 chambered in 9mm is sweet. I have at least one 1911 in .45, 10mm, 9mm, 38 Super, and 9X23. My next project is going to be a Springfield EMP re-chambered to .357 Sig, that's if I can convince my gunsmith to do it.

I wasn't implying that they did. Just giving two different scenarios.

Here in SC we can call the local sheriffs dept and give the serial numbers. They run them for you to make sure they aren't stolen over the phone for no fee. There is no permit process here unless you want CWP.

I was wondering why I don't sell many guns.
Jim

Love my 1911's as well. You can do quite a lot with them especially the trigger (as matt711 pointed out). Jeff, if you want to shoot one, maybe we can get together sometime and you can take them for a whirl.

slap slap....

Compact /conceal .380 >> I have a Bersa Thunder - it's a well made knock-off of the Walther PPK > excellent pistol > excellent price

I've bought off of gunbroker.com with no problems or worries.

The following items I would never buy used:

- Mattresses
- Toilet Paper
- Tires
- Spoons

But that's just me. ;)

Since NJ has a gun registry and requires a permit to even purchase a gun, you're only saving money by going used, not really protecting your privacy. In the free states you can buy used guns with no FFL involved, so the gov't. can't trace it back to you unless the seller was the original transferee and remembers your name and contact info. Most quality guns will last far longer than you will live. I prefer to save 30-40% off the new price and not pay sales tax. So used guns work just fine for me.

I tend to go out of my way to purchase guns from an individual vs. dealer. The less paper trial the better as far as I'm concerned. As a previous poster stated, I'm not going to buy from someone who is soliciting from the back of a van, but someone with some known history on a web forum, family or friends, yep, I'll buy from them.

Even if initiated online I end up with at minimum a name and a phone number to let me know they are not from out of state. I always offer to let them see my CCW permit so they can feel better about the sale. My best FTF purchase so far has been from a higher ranking DHS agent. He had my purchase riding in the back of his .gov SUV in the safe with the fun stuff. -J

When doing local parking lot deals, I have sometimes made the mistake of calling the guy from my work Blackberry, which has a 202 area code instead of my local AZ cell phone. That always upsets them. They think I'm ATF or setting them up, trying to buy as a non-AZ resident. One time did this and the seller wanted to see my ID and CCW after we were already together and he had noticed a missed call from me on his phone. He had brought a buddy with him who is a class III builder and, after we had done our deal, his buddy showed me all kinds of toys he had in his truck, really nice class III stuff, gave me a card and told me to give him a call if I was in the market.