What to check as first time rifle buyer?

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boltstalker

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Hi all,

A lot of posts on here about what rifle to buy but looking for advice for the step after. So to set the scene, you've waited a year and half for your FAC, you've agonised over calibre, you've read hundreds and hundreds of contradictory opinions on the SD and finally settled on one. Then you've saved up and seen a few options in budget in some local gunshops on Gun Trader, so I just wanted to know, before driving down to one and buying something, what should you check once you're there? Is it just how it feels, does it fit, any signs of rust, wear & tear etc? Or do you have to trust the shop given none of them let you try before you buy?

I should add I've shot a few different times with my chosen calibre so I know how a few of them feel to shoot!

Thanks!
 
Best test is to shoot it at a target with a full magazine as this will test does it load properly, does it feed and eject ALL its rounds correctly and, by examination of the cases is the headspace correct and is the chamber correct or maybe bulged or a Friday afternoon P-Hal chambering job.

Check the bolt face for a worn hole where the firing pin emerges and also a ring (which there should not be) of pitting or gas cutting about the diameter of a primer. If fitted with sights check that these work and are not seized. Check screw holes to see if he slots are in good order of mangled and mashed to buggery.

Ditto any pre-drilled holes for mounting any 'scope bases are in good order. If they look as if they have been abused then there's a chance you may not be able to make use of those pre-drilled holes. If needed take of any existing bases mounted on the rifle if they aren't of a make and style that you can make use of just in case they've been araldited on!

Check the stock if wood through the wrist to see if has been cracked and repaired. Ditto check the stock immediately behind the rear of the receiver to see if where that meets the metalwork that it isn't split.

Pristine rifling is not always a friend. It can indicate a good little used rifle or a bad little used rifle, the bad being that that the thing couldn't hit the side of a barn (even when stood inside the barn) and so has been sold quickly after only a few rounds through it as not fit for purpose.

Check serial numbers on bolt, barrel and receiver match if it has such and on old rifles that the stamp or typeface is the same and that you've not got a rifle that has had a replacement bolt fitted...although again that can be of nothing to worry about...but if that is so the rifle should in the UK have had a reproof with that bolt fitted and be marked accordingly.

Last if you can get an assurance with witnesses as to how well it will group but in truth very few gunshops will give you that and that's not unfair as how do they know if they've not themselves tried it.
 
Doesn’t matter what it looks like
Ideally you want a test target or opportunity to shoot a group

My first centrefire bought at a shop had approximately 2” of rifling missing half way down the barrel!
Discovered when I borescoped it years after purchasing
It was a complete dog until I tarted it up

It was a BRNO Mod2 .222
Still one of the most accurate rifles I have owned!!
 
Check for ;
Fit, stock to long or to short. Does it come to the shoulder nice or does it need a bench to shoot off where ever you go with it.
Weight, is it going to be pain to carry?
The crown, has it rotted due to the mod being left on?
Trigger, does it break crisp, almost a surprise. If not you'll hate it or you'll have to improve it.
Scratches, anywhere. It'll tell a tale of the previous owner and his or hers attitude towards it!
 
boltstalker said:
Hi all,

A lot of posts on here about what rifle to buy but looking for advice for the step after. So to set the scene, you've waited a year and half for your FAC, you've agonised over calibre, you've read hundreds and hundreds of contradictory opinions on the SD and finally settled on one. Then you've saved up and seen a few options in budget in some local gunshops on Gun Trader, so I just wanted to know, before driving down to one and buying something, what should you check once you're there? Is it just how it feels, does it fit, any signs of rust, wear & tear etc? Or do you have to trust the shop given none of them let you try before you buy?

I should add I've shot a few different times with my chosen calibre so I know how a few of them feel to shoot!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The other option is buy new then you take out the S/Hand questions/stress!
 
There's many a fine second hand rifle for sale. Ideally you want a nice looking, good condition gun that's spent most of it's life in someone's cabinet not getting used, then has been sold at renewal time for that reason. A bit like buying cars though, it helps if you know someone that you can take with you that maybe knows a bit. If only to stop the "ooh that one looks nice, I've got my certificate, gotta have it now" moments.
 
Consider yourself and practical requirement.
I bush hunt so I don't want to search, so I need dropping power big diameter 308 minimum the 44 mag ideal. Short and portable so a Bergara takedown or short lever action.
Apply that kind of thought process using the hunt as the template.
 
In your position, I’d get someone to vouch for the seller, and trust them - so long as they seem like a decent person.
The only rifle I’ve had that had issues was the only one I bought brand new. I’ve bought about 15 used rifles sight unseen - all have been great rifles, mostly at a good price, I haven’t been bitten. Exactly the same with cars - have a good chat to the seller and gauge their character from it. The only caveat being watch the barrel burning calibres eg 243, 22-250 etc..
 
I've only recently been granted my FAC and have bought my first 2 rifles. As the OP states I spent so long reading contradicting opinions online trying to work out what I should go for, and in the end, I relied entirely on the opinions of experienced people local to me that were independant and had no reason to be anything but honest. I bought my Ruger 10/22 from a local independant RFD who's part time business relies on his reputation, and have been back to since for ammunition and should be picking up a scope from him soon too. I then bought my Tikka T3x .223 based on recommendations from pretty much everyone I asked, from another local store. This one seemed very clean and a good price based on similar firearms online. Spending a bit more money on the .223 second hand obviously carries a bit more risk, but having bought a few shotguns from the same store and their service great so far, that gave me a bit of confidence that should anything be wrong with it I dont think there would be any issue if I took it back in to the store.

My main point being, I think shopping locally helps especially when new to this. I've learned a lot from the people I've spoken to in the last few months and I am looking forward to learning a lot more.
 
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