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When buying a gun from a member how do I check if the gun works before paying for it?

Inspect it inside the gun store. Dry fire it ask the current owner if its ok first (unless its a rimfire then do jot without a snap cap. Check the barrel with a light usually gun shops have a light for checking barrels. Check for visible issues. Then buy it hand over the cash once the ffl starts the paperwork has begun. They wont begin if there is an issue with ID or whatever.
 
I bought a P-01 last year off Calguns that was suspiciously cheap. I always ask why they are selling. Guy said he had 3 and didn’t need 3, maybe 200 rounds through the gun. Said the gun was stock. They always say that.

Got to the counter, asked to inspect the gun. I field stripped it and immediately saw that the guy polished the finish off the barrel. I questioned him about it and he lied. Said it came that way. I’ve got two CZ’s and an extra barrel, I know what wear marks look like. There was no finish on the barrel except where he couldn’t reach with a dremel pad and flitz. Didn’t affect function.

He had installed a green Cajun Gun Works recoil spring that is lighter than stock, which is fine. He also had a lighter hammer spring, also fine. But not stock as he said. Questioned him on it. Lied again.
No biggie because I would have done the same anyway.

Finish looked brand new otherwise.

Got home, magazines wouldn’t drop. Less than a 5 minute fix adjusting the mag brake.

That was the only time someone was less than forthcoming but it worked out. I’ve seen P-01’s listed for double what I paid. It shoots like a laser. After the transaction, the seller revealed he had no idea the P-01 fell off the roster, hence the cheap price.
 
i think you're ok to transfer if the gun looks to be in working order....

know what you're buying and do your research - then do a proper inspection b4 you start transfer


cheers
good luck
 
Both parties would need to be OK with this. If you sell a gun and the buyer doesn't pay you or short pays the dealer is not involved and you would of already signed all the documents.

Seller: He didn't pay me.
Buyer: Yes I did.

The FFL is making $10 and is risking their own legal liability by getting involved. We can't play sides.
I feel sorry for any seller who signs DROS paperwork before being paid.
You might be right about both sides agreeing to a DROS cancellation.
I cancelled a purchase/DROS once at Turner's. No problem, had to pay the cancellation fee.
 
I have never test fired a used gun. Usually, I am relying upon the reputation of the firearm make and model. If it doesn’t work, I assume I can send it back to the manufacturer and get it fixed. So far I have not had a problem. Things I avoid are highly customized firearms. I know for Sig Sauer, one can send back a used firearm and for $175 they go through the entire firearm, completely disassemble, look for any issues/cracks, and replace worn springs, etc.. Glock is pretty good as well when I’ve sent back a pistol. I’ve bought a few new firearms over the decades from Springfield, Mossberg, Marlin that had issues and the companies fixed the issues. If you want a specific firearm, I wouldn’t worry too much.
 
I bought a P-01 last year off Calguns that was suspiciously cheap. I always ask why they are selling. Guy said he had 3 and didn’t need 3, maybe 200 rounds through the gun. Said the gun was stock. They always say that.

Got to the counter, asked to inspect the gun. I field stripped it and immediately saw that the guy polished the finish off the barrel. I questioned him about it and he lied. Said it came that way. I’ve got two CZ’s and an extra barrel, I know what wear marks look like. There was no finish on the barrel except where he couldn’t reach with a dremel pad and flitz. Didn’t affect function.

He had installed a green Cajun Gun Works recoil spring that is lighter than stock, which is fine. He also had a lighter hammer spring, also fine. But not stock as he said. Questioned him on it. Lied again.
No biggie because I would have done the same anyway.

Finish looked brand new otherwise.

Got home, magazines wouldn’t drop. Less than a 5 minute fix adjusting the mag brake.

That was the only time someone was less than forthcoming but it worked out. I’ve seen P-01’s listed for double what I paid. It shoots like a laser. After the transaction, the seller revealed he had no idea the P-01 fell off the roster, hence the cheap price.
You field strip the gun at the store counter but you don't check if the magazines drop? That's odd. :unsure:
 
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I've never been to a gunshop that allowed money to exchange hands between private parties in their shop. And I would never transfer a gun to somebody who hasn't already paid for it. Meet somewhere (most likely the gunshop parking lot). Inspect the gun (discreetly). Pay in the parking lot outside the shop. Go inside and do PPT. This is what I've always done.
 
I've never been to a gunshop that allowed money to exchange hands between private parties in their shop. And I would never transfer a gun to somebody who hasn't already paid for it. Meet somewhere (most likely the gunshop parking lot). Inspect the gun (discreetly). Pay in the parking lot outside the shop. Go inside and do PPT. This is what I've always done.
Yea, I found it really weird when I had to go outside to exchange cash. It feels less safe exchanging cash outside. Not sure if there is some subtle law going on making stores do that.
 
I've never been to a gunshop that allowed money to exchange hands between private parties in their shop. And I would never transfer a gun to somebody who hasn't already paid for it. Meet somewhere (most likely the gunshop parking lot). Inspect the gun (discreetly). Pay in the parking lot outside the shop. Go inside and do PPT. This is what I've always done.

I've only been to one FFL that had a problem with paying the seller inside the shop. Just be respectful and ask them first if they mind before you whip out a was of cash since everything is on video and audio these days and can come back to bite them in the ass. I've never had an FFL say no to me when asking them first
 
Yea, I found it really weird when I had to go outside to exchange cash. It feels less safe exchanging cash outside. Not sure if there is some subtle law going on making stores do that.

It may have something to do with tax purposes I don't know. For instance if you go into Starbucks and get a coffee and tell them it's for there they have to charge you tax, but if you tell them it's to go and you take that coffee and sit right down at the same table there is no tax. That's because if you say it's for there it's viewed as them providing you a service and you have to pay tax on it. Imagine being trans and trying to figure out California laws. Talked about a seriously F-ed up human being
 
There isn't. It's just stores being dumb.
There was a real long back and forth between FFL on calguns back in the day when the state tax board sent out its instructions to dealers on them being responsible for collecting tax on transactions they process. It was more about ship in transfers but was very vague so many dealers don't want to see money exchange hands as then they "might" be responsible to collect tax on the transaction.

Just don't make the cash handover super obvious in front of the dealer.
 
If the shop never touches the money they have no responsibility in it. It's just shop owners being dumb.

If it happens in the parkinglot, it's still on shop property. If it happens digitally, and the shop doesn't know anything about it, are they still going to think they're liable?

It is just shop owners being dumb.
 
If the shop never touches the money they have no responsibility in it. It's just shop owners being dumb.

If it happens in the parkinglot, it's still on shop property. If it happens digitally, and the shop doesn't know anything about it, are they still going to think they're liable?

It is just shop owners being dumb.
Shops would rather be safe than sorry. i know we talk a lot of s*** because we want quick and smooth transactions to get back to our lives, running a shop is their livelihood. I doubt anyone wants to jeopardize it. Again, if seen turners do funny things, not exactly legal. The difference is they are a large corp, not like the mom and pop shops.
 
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