What to look for when buying a used 15-22

[usna93]

Was offered a trade for someone's 15-22 with Tapco mods on it.
Any advice on things to look for before agreeing? I know shooting it would be ideal but I'll have to do it via visual inspection with no range time.

 

[22LOADERZ]

I would definitely do a normal function check. Safety working, bolt locking back, break down, trigger reset, snake the barrel for obstructions. Make sure all magazines going with rifle seat correctly and eject correctly.

That will tell you the mechanism works.

If he/she is ok with it dismantle a 22 shell(no bullet or powder) put the shell in and make sure firing pin strikes, will pop but no projectile.<<<<depends on where you are at>>> If not comfortable doing that then base decision on the inspection, if it does not fire later should be an easy enough to fix..

That will tell you all works and will fire.

 

[Guy A]

Make the trade conditional on the normal function of the 15-22. Then check it out on the range ASAP.

 

[22LOADERZ]

Make the trade conditional on the normal function of the 15-22. Then check it out on the range ASAP.

^^^^^^^^^
The best way!

 

[MarkBrumbaugh]

Make sure bolt rails are not bent.

 

[Jolly]

and the Ejector is where it is supposed to be.

 

[RPeacock1128]

Honestly -- unless you are in a state that is banning the 15-22 I would hold off a bit and save your money until you can get a new MOE model. Prices are coming down and will likely keep lowering a bit. Get something new with a warranty and rest easy knowing you didn't get someone else's unknown potential problems. It's just me ---- but I would never buy a used firearm - especially one that does not cost a fortune.

RP

 

[usna93]

Great points to all. To give a little more context to why I'm interested in this...the item I'm trading for the 15-22 only cost me $15. Granted I can flip my item for about $185 but the prospect of a 15-22 for my current cash outlay is appealing. If bought new though, my item would still cost about $400 so I think it would be a fairly equitable barter.

 

[gdnagle]

Great points to all. To give a little more context to why I'm interested in this...the item I'm trading for the 15-22 only cost me $15. Granted I can flip my item for about $185 but the prospect of a 15-22 for my current cash outlay is appealing. If bought new though, my item would still cost about $400 so I think it would be a fairly equitable barter.

If it will only cost you $15 no brainer buy it you could sell parts from it if it doesn't work for more than that or buy the parts to fix for a little more.

Might want to check and make sure he didn't try to take the barrel or flash supressor off improperly could mess up a $30 upper.