Would you buy a handgun that was on display?

[4506517]

It is a Glock. Not like much of anything is going to hurt it anyway. Buy the dog gone thing and go enjoy it.

 

[NYlakesider]

Certainly I'd buy the display gun. Have many times.

But I have to disagree with this.



No matter how reputable the dealer is, if Joe Customer has the gun in his hand, he might open the cylinder to verify and then do the Bogie Flip. Dealer might snatch it out of his hand, yelling, "Don't do that", but the damage is done. Dry-firing 22s. Flipping the cylinder shut. Locking the slide back and then hitting the slide stop. Trying to spin that new SAA and dropping it to the floor. If the customer is holding the gun, anything can happen.

WOW O WOW. What kind of gunshops do you go to? Sounds like it could be an introduction to a new TV reality show .

"Swamp man (Shelbe Stanga) leaves Axmen and visits various gun shops"

I have worked in a buddy's gun shop and have hundreds of hours as a customer/visitor and I never saw the many problems you wrote about. I live in the mountains of upper NYS and even our rednecks have a good appreciation and show finesse when handling firearms.

 

[Poodle Soup]

Its a ugly gun to begin with... whats a matter afraid it will have a scratch?

My fnx9 was new but was handled. The slide had some minor corrosion that wiped off with some gun oil (looked like the oil from peoples hands did it) and looked good as new.

 

[Squarebutt]

Display model? Shucks - my Glock 19 was a rental gun at a public range. The finish is worn off here and there and it has some scratches, but the price was right and the dang thing hasn't skipped a beat in thousands of rounds. It once went through almost a thousand rounds in an intensive training weekend without a bit of cleaning. Some big dollar pistols were checking out of the game.

 

[AZretired]

Upon trying to purchase my Glock G27, I was told that it was currently unavailable (backorder). I had two options:

1) Wait 2-8 weeks for a new one; or
2) Take the display piece

Naturally, I said I'd wait 2 weeks and take it from there.

Meaning: if I can't wait any longer, I'll take the display. If I still have patience, I'll continue to wait it out.


I know we all want something NEW/UNUSED. But let's for one second say you don't mind an used gun. Would you take the gun on display? Would you have any safety-concerns being that it was likely handled by various different hands.

If it means anything: I'm still waiting. I don't see myself taking the display piece (at least not right now).

Being a bit snobbish aren't we? A display gun is not used. I bet the last car you bought had at least a few miles on it, and those pants you tried on and then purchased. Who else may have tried them on?

It's just a gun.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

 

[A10]

No I wouldn't buy the display gun!!! For goodness sakes, it's a Glock!!!!

 

[Number1gun]

Sure. I bought a Walther PPS that was on display. Picked it up noticed a small scratch(blemish) on the slide. Brought it two the attention of the sales guy. He asked if he should look for another one in back. I said no I do not care. He looked at me strange. I said not to worry I am going to carry it. I will put more scratches on it in the next year than that one little one. It is a tool. It will rust and get scratched. I only care if it goes bang.

 

[BCDWYO]

I'm trying to remember, but I'm pretty sure almost every new gun I've ever bought has been the display gun. Generally the dealers I've dealt with don't have large enough inventory to have multiple new guns with the exact features I want, so if I want, it the display gun is the only option. Obviously if it was beat up or there were cosmetic issues I would expect a discount, but I've never come across that issue.

 

[UncleEd]

The hardest thing on a new gun, believe it or not, is the glass shelf where it's displayed.

Those shelves cause more scratches (abrasions) than a customer handling a new gun.

The glass abrades a wonderful bluing as the piece is taken in and then "banged" back onto the glass, muzzle first, cylinder first, slide top first, you name it.

"Smooth as glass" is a bit of misnomer.

 

[the ringo kid]

Everything I now have is used except for that rifle I bought a few months ago.

 

[therevjay]

Ive bought one based on a good discount for handling marks and passed on another because they wouldn't discount it.

My feelings exactly. Brand new price? I want a brand new gun. Discount for demo model? The demo will do just fine.

 

[Nframecollector]

Its not like buying a piece of stereo equipment........volume knob turned all the way up, grubby fingerprints all over it, etc. etc. All the new guns I have bought have been on display!

 

[Penmon]

All guns are used when you get em, that's where they get the fired brass from. It should be in the box in a little envelope.

As hard as it's been to find certain models of guns the display gun probably only been out a short time.

This is one issue they has always bothered me, oh I don't want that can I have one from stock. What on earth do you do to display items that would give you pause to buy one? Electronic, well maybe but you wouldn't buy a new car that had been test driven? Or do you test drive the car then ask for one just like it that hasn't been touched?

Firearms are designed to control an explosion (being fired) do you really think a few dry fires or the slide being racked a few time is going to hurt it? Heck most people feel it takes 200 to 300 rounds just to break in a gun.

Just the act of asking for one that's not been on display many times ensures you will get a bad one. I worked retail for 20 years, trust me when I tell you this. That request "could I have one that's not been on display" will anger the salesperson and you will be forever marked as a complainer and to be avoided. This assuming the one out is in good working order and cosmetically correct. In many cases the person asking is just looking for a deal.

Rant over...

 

[rmm911]

I just bought a used Kahr PM9. It is the first used firearm I have purchased. The seller claims about 200 rounds fired and while I'm not totally sure I believe that, except for some very minor holster wear, the gun is in excellent condition. People frequently complain about malfunctions during the PM9 break-in period but the seller maintains he had zero malfunctions and I have experienced no malfunctions either. The best part is that I got the gun for about $175.00 less than the average retail.
So, would I but a display gun? Yes, especially if the dealer motivated me with a discount.

 

[Biginge]

Most of mine were displayed 10-75 years ago. Cannot honestly remember when I last bought a new gun . But, yes I would by one off the showroom floor.

 

[sqhead]

I like to buy used myself,but on the chance I buy new,i'll ask if the display is the only one,if they have more in the back, i'll take the new one in the box after a good inspection.I don't have a problem taking the display gun tho.

 

[ralph7]

Certainly I'd buy the display gun. Have many times.

But I have to disagree with this.



No matter how reputable the dealer is, if Joe Customer has the gun in his hand, he might open the cylinder to verify and then do the Bogie Flip. Dealer might snatch it out of his hand, yelling, "Don't do that", but the damage is done. Dry-firing 22s. Flipping the cylinder shut.
Locking the slide back and then hitting the slide stop. Trying to spin that new SAA and dropping it to the floor. If the customer is holding the gun, anything can happen.

Hitting the slide release and dropping the slide on an empty chamber?
What's that going to damage?

 

[ColbyBruce]

If it was something I seriously wanted, I would buy a gun from a crime scene after it was photographed and tagged, LOL!!

I have bought a few that had case numbers written on them.

1953 K22 pre model 18.

Generation 2.5 Glock 26.

 

[joesmith357]

WOW O WOW. What kind of gunshops do you go to? Sounds like it could be an introduction to a new TV reality show .

"Swamp man (Shelbe Stanga) leaves Axmen and visits various gun shops"

I have worked in a buddy's gun shop and have hundreds of hours as a customer/visitor and I never saw the many problems you wrote about. I live in the mountains of upper NYS and even our rednecks have a good appreciation and show finesse when handling firearms.

I agree, if anyone ever told me I couldnt function check the gun, I would never go back in that store again. It's not like someone was doing a complete disassembly or something

 

[policerevolvercollector]

It is a Glock. Not like much of anything is going to hurt it anyway. Buy the dog gone thing and go enjoy it.

Ditto !!