Not everyone wants to splash out mega bucks on the very latest cutting-edge airgun technology, and with retail prices mainly creeping in one direction, and many models now costing in the thousands, the market can seem a little alarming to shooters on a budget.

Second Hand?

But have you ever thought about buying second hand?

Many shooters do, and it can be the answer if funds are limited. OK; so it can be more of a risk, and questions need to be asked, but it undoubtedly opens doors to owning some top quality airguns, for sometimes way less than the original asking price. Most shops and dealers hold a selection of second hand models, and there can be some real gems just waiting to be discovered.

So why buy second hand in the first place?

Reasons to be cheerful

There are many reasons why guns get sold on, and become available second hand, but the main one is perfectly logical, as many shooters simply want to upgrade and move on to what’s perceived to be a more sophisticated model, or just the latest one to hit the shops. The gun they’re selling will be perfectly good, just having served it’s purpose.

Some enthusiasts just need something new to keep their interest, so they keep chopping and changing, and again, what they are selling can then represent a real bargain.

Sometimes we buy a gun and it simply doesn’t suit – either the balance isn’t right, or it’s too heavy for example. Whilst some models such as electronic Daystate models are increasingly complex and sophisticated, some shooters may make the purchase, only to find that very same cutting edge technology just isn’t for them – so the gun moves to the second hand market in a trade-in with their shop or dealer.

Occasionally shooters buy a pre-charged pneumatic, then find the handling of divers bottles or pumps is just too much faffing about, and they wish to go down the more straight forward self-contained springer route. So again, the guns being sold will have no fault, other than being unsuitable. Sometimes the previous owner simply needs some ready cash, and a perfectly good gun again becomes available discounted.

All good news for the sharp eyed bargain hunter.

Pitfalls

It does of course pay to be wary of any shortfall in a second hand gun, and keep an eye out for a few tell-tale signs of neglect. If something is pre-owned it’s highly likely that there will be some marks and the odd scratch, which is to be expected from normal use. However, some details are worth looking out for on much older models.

Where a break-barrel spring powered rifle is concerned for example, these can wear around the breech jaws over time to a greater or lesser degree, so look out for excessive play when the barrel is locked up. Higher grade models from brands such as Weihrauch, actually come with an adjustable breech bolt, which is designed to take up any play, but that’s a feature often missing on cheaper guns. In extreme cases, the barrel may be slightly bent, signifying that the owner accidentally pulled the trigger with the gun cocked, and the barrel was allowed to fly upwards at speed. Many guns now have an internal bear-trap mechanism to prevent this from happening, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless.

Loose or sheared off/ missing stock screws is another fault to look out for on recoiling guns, and if the latter, it’s probably a gun to avoid, unless heavily discounted as a DIY project gun. Rust and pitting in the metalwork is an obvious sign of neglect, where the gun has probably been taken out in bad weather, or put away with no oil wipe-over for years, so again, possibly a gun to avoid or purchase as a project.

Buy with confidence

At Range and Country, we have an extensive line-up of second hand airguns always in stock, covering all sectors of the market, and price points, and it’s a really healthy part of the market. All our ‘pre-owned’ second hand models are fully checked over too, so no nasty surprises.

What you may well find though, is the gun of your dreams, at significantly less than you bargained for.

So take a good look and peruse them over on our website, or come in and take a closer look.

Range & Country