by C. William White

Created on: March 12, 2010

So, it seems like prices have gone up and up year after year, taking you out of the market for a brand new hunting rifle.  Not to worry, you will most probably find a suitable rifle on the used market which can provide the same satisfaction.

Begin by asking friends and family, particularly older ones, if they have or know anyone who has a rifle for sale.  Often their age has curtailed their hunting activities and they may be willing to sell their gun to someone they know. Then, check out the classifieds, gunsmiths, or the gun shows in your area.

You should know what kind of action suits your style of hunting—bolt action, lever action, pump action, or semi-automatic.  This also goes for the caliber of the rifle—will you be hunting varmints, small game such as squirrel or rabbit, or big game, like deer, antelope, or moose?

When you have these decided upon and have found a likely candidate for purchase, begin by inspecting the rifle.  The exterior will probably show signs of wear and tear, but this is not always significant in regards to the rifle’s operation.  Extraordinary wear may indicate the rifle was not well taken care of; this may also be true for the inner workings, so beware.  One thing to check on larger caliber rifles is the stock; ensure that it is solid with no cracking in the grip area.  Take a look at the sights and make sure they are solidly in place.

Operate the action to see if it feels solid and engages the chamber snugly.  An action that rattles or is sloppy will often plague you with problems in the field, usually at the worst possible moment. With the action open, place a small flashlight into the area of the chamber.  Look down the barrel from the other end to check out the bore.  If it is fouled, clean with a brass brush and gun oil, then re-inspect.  Look for the bore to be free of rust and pitting, if not, a new barrel may be needed.  Also inspect the chamber for signs of pitting.  If it has occurred, it often causes problems with ejecting spent shells.

If you are really unfamiliar with guns and their workings or simply want a valid second opinion, bring the gun to a trusted gunsmith and have them inspect it.  The amount of money you spend will be well worth if there are problems your inspections have missed.  Shoot a few rounds at a shooting range to get the final feel for the rifle.  If all is satisfactory, unfold your wallet and begin to enjoy your “new” used gun.

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