Thoughts on buying used?

[NotSure2020]

Hi all, I’ve recently been bit by the bug and have been going down the rabbit hole a bit. First I got a 1322, started adding stuff… last week my Notos showed up and man it was awesome. Well it had an air leak in it which seems to be contagious. I’m still very much sold on the notos and have some high cap mags on the way from maple, but the luster of buying new is a bit lost. A return has been started and I still have to pack it up and drop it off to Pyramid who have been really great customer service-wise, but in that time I’ve also seen a couple sweet modded setups for sale. My thought process originally was that since it’s my first, I don’t want any issues that I didn’t cause by modding myself and wanted something dependable out of the box to tune to my liking as noise is my primary concern. I also have a hard time stomaching how much people spend on said mods and don’t know that I can bring myself there, but have seen some sweet setups with work already done and a decent discount built in that are tempting me. What’s everyone’s experience and thoughts on buying used vs new especially starting out? I know for some other hobbies I took this same approach and have had mixed feelings later on. Some I look back and think man I should have just cut the line and bought used, others I think i’m really glad I started off slow and learned. I still have time to change my mind but I’m seriously considering turning my exchange into a return and waiting 10 days until I can reach out here and going that route. Set me straight, thanks everyone.

 

[Bramezy]

Its always a crap shoot. New or used really but used you have no recourse. If your ok with that for the discount, then go for it. Its gambling essentially. Doesn't matter the seller. Theres a number of people who take less care in packaging than others, and you don't know the person to know how they care for their things. Ive had stuff both ways good and bad. My last one was $1,800 and Im not happy with it as its different than what I was sold and told it would do. Most on here are decent people and sellers that package their stuff good.

 

[NotSure2020]

Its always a crap shoot. New or used really but used you have no recourse. If your ok with that for the discount, then go for it. Its gambling essentially. Doesn't matter the seller. Theres a number of people who take less care in packaging than others, and you don't know the person to know how they care for their things. Ive had stuff both ways good and bad. My last one was $1,800 and Im not happy with it as its different than what I was sold and told it would do. Most on here are decent people and sellers that package their stuff good.

Yea, I’ve been looking here. I get that it’s a gamble either way, but I’d have a really tough time being burned like that which is also why I went with the company. Have you or anyone had experiences with what you’re talking about where the seller here made it right or took it back? Or is it pretty much sol?

 

[Bramezy]

Yea, I’ve been looking here. I get that it’s a gamble either way, but I’d have a really tough time being burned like that which is also why I went with the company. Have you or anyone had experiences with what you’re talking about where the seller here made it right or took it back? Or is it pretty much sol?

I have dealt with people who are very willing to help and others not. Most airgunners seem to be good people and not out to screw anyone but theres always a few bad in the bunch. Just check feedback and hope for the best. I know several people that have bought a lot from here, me included and its mostly good experiences. Besides, there isn't much you cant fix except barrels.

 

[NotSure2020]

Haha, actually hey, I think it sold, but yours was one of the setups I think I was looking at

 

[MongooseV8]

My view is if you want to get into pcps you need to be able to work on them yourself. The unfortunate reality is the industry has kinda normalized leaks and bag regs and other issues they often encourage the consumer to fix themselves. This affects the whole spectrum of brands and cost. The point being even if you buy new, there is a significant chance you will still have issues. Warranties help, but long wait times and shipping costs etc still a hassle.

If you buy used, you should save a lot of money up front and even if you cant fix it yourself you can afford to send it in and have it resealed or fixed. And that assumes you even have a problem buying from a member here. I have found everyone to be super fair and honest, but there are bad apples in any group. I would be careful dealing with new members with no feedback, but there are a lot of old timers here with a metric crap ton of successful deals and feedback.

 

[Vana2]

Unless you are familiar with the internals of airguns or mechanically inclined I'd recommend that you buy your first couple of airguns new and don't worry about tuning and doing mods.

Shoot them as received, invest in pellets, lots of pellets and learn your airgun(s).

There's plenty of time to embellish, tune and mod once you know what you are doing and where you want to go.

Most of all, be safe and have fun!

Welcome to the forum!

Cheers!

 

[6gun]

Hi all, I’ve recently been bit by the bug and have been going down the rabbit hole a bit. First I got a 1322, started adding stuff… last week my Notos showed up and man it was awesome. Well it had an air leak in it which seems to be contagious. I’m still very much sold on the notos and have some high cap mags on the way from maple, but the luster of buying new is a bit lost. A return has been started and I still have to pack it up and drop it off to Pyramid who have been really great customer service-wise, but in that time I’ve also seen a couple sweet modded setups for sale. My thought process originally was that since it’s my first, I don’t want any issues that I didn’t cause by modding myself and wanted something dependable out of the box to tune to my liking as noise is my primary concern. I also have a hard time stomaching how much people spend on said mods and don’t know that I can bring myself there, but have seen some sweet setups with work already done and a decent discount built in that are tempting me. What’s everyone’s experience and thoughts on buying used vs new especially starting out? I know for some other hobbies I took this same approach and have had mixed feelings later on. Some I look back and think man I should have just cut the line and bought used, others I think i’m really glad I started off slow and learned. I still have time to change my mind but I’m seriously considering turning my exchange into a return and waiting 10 days until I can reach out here and going that route. Set me straight, thanks everyone.

If you have "the knack" and you're good with machines... Used. Somebody else may give up and sell a gun with a simple problem you can easily fix at a discount. If you'd return a gun for a oring leak, buy new.

 

[WorriedMan]

Two cautions with used, one, you'll have to trust modifier knew what he was doing, high pressure air is nothing to fool with, and, two, did original owner take care to assure moisture wasn't introduced when airing up? WM

 

[scubajeeper]

I bought a used Cricket 10 years ago that gave me trouble but since then I’ve bought a bunch of guns that have been great. The most problematic gun I’ve ever owned I bought new, I won’t say what brand it was but Ted sure speaks highly of it. I have no problem buying a used gun, my next one will be used.

 

[6gun]

I bought a used Cricket 10 years ago that gave me trouble but since then I’ve bought a bunch of guns that have been great. The most problematic gun I’ve ever owned I bought new, I won’t say what brand it was but Ted sure speaks highly of it. I have no problem buying a used gun, my next one will be used.

Matador?

 

[scubajeeper]

I don’t think they’ve made it yet!

 

[6gun]

Hi all, I’ve recently been bit by the bug and have been going down the rabbit hole a bit. First I got a 1322, started adding stuff… last week my Notos showed up and man it was awesome. Well it had an air leak in it which seems to be contagious. I’m still very much sold on the notos and have some high cap mags on the way from maple, but the luster of buying new is a bit lost. A return has been started and I still have to pack it up and drop it off to Pyramid who have been really great customer service-wise, but in that time I’ve also seen a couple sweet modded setups for sale. My thought process originally was that since it’s my first, I don’t want any issues that I didn’t cause by modding myself and wanted something dependable out of the box to tune to my liking as noise is my primary concern. I also have a hard time stomaching how much people spend on said mods and don’t know that I can bring myself there, but have seen some sweet setups with work already done and a decent discount built in that are tempting me. What’s everyone’s experience and thoughts on buying used vs new especially starting out? I know for some other hobbies I took this same approach and have had mixed feelings later on. Some I look back and think man I should have just cut the line and bought used, others I think i’m really glad I started off slow and learned. I still have time to change my mind but I’m seriously considering turning my exchange into a return and waiting 10 days until I can reach out here and going that route. Set me straight, thanks everyone.

I will add this, I've only been buying used benjamin discovery rifles. My fx guns and aea gun were bought new (the aea was a real stinker of an experience within the first 250 shots) my hunting partner bought a a used fx for 1000 bucks and it was like new. That fx was so good I had to have the very same one. The lesson I learned is buy once cry once. Fx isn't without shortcomings, but the premium guns tend to have less overlooked simple flaws ime. My aea was far too expensive for what it was when I got it.

My trusted airgun pal @Perle speaks very highly of the zelos, which might be worth exploring for you.

When I buy a gun I buy 2 oring kits for it before it has a leak. This has come in clutch. Owning 2 fx guns I need a wheelbarrow for the stash of orings I have for 2 rebuilds each

Don't be afraid to dive in and take a look at stuff, I didn't know anything about airguns beyond crosman and benjamin pump and a benjamin marauder (gen 1) until 4 years ago. I bought an fx with my old booze budget when I quit drinking and jumped in headfirst telling myself that this is my motivation to expand my mechanical prowess. You wouldn't believe what that experience has bled in to from pneumatic machine automation to classic cars and machining my own little parts for things.

Best advice I can give is fear not and respect pressurized vessels and plenums after regulators on allegedly degassed guns. Even if you fail you can fail upwards. Wear safety glasses, if it can go together it can come apart, and if something is hard to do you're probably doing something wrong.

Best of luck, I hope I can light a fire under some folks to be curious and fix their gear.

 

[Struckat]

There is always risk with used or previously experienced guns. But the reward is getting into a much better gun than you are willing to pay for new.

Three years ago I bought an AA s500 for less than half of new.. Now I understand why they are so expensive. Stunningly beautiful and mechanically outstanding.

 

[gendoc]

like i suppose should been said earlier (i did'nt read the whole thread)
as long as you buy from a reputable member here, you should be getting the plain truth
about the item your buying.
if not, i bet they will make it right. i know if something came up with something i sold on here i would absolutely
make it right.

 

[kkarmical]

Hi all, I’ve recently been bit by the bug and have been going down the rabbit hole a bit. First I got a 1322, started adding stuff… last week my Notos showed up and man it was awesome. Well it had an air leak in it which seems to be contagious. I’m still very much sold on the notos and have some high cap mags on the way from maple, but the luster of buying new is a bit lost. A return has been started and I still have to pack it up and drop it off to Pyramid who have been really great customer service-wise, but in that time I’ve also seen a couple sweet modded setups for sale. My thought process originally was that since it’s my first, I don’t want any issues that I didn’t cause by modding myself and wanted something dependable out of the box to tune to my liking as noise is my primary concern. I also have a hard time stomaching how much people spend on said mods and don’t know that I can bring myself there, but have seen some sweet setups with work already done and a decent discount built in that are tempting me. What’s everyone’s experience and thoughts on buying used vs new especially starting out? I know for some other hobbies I took this same approach and have had mixed feelings later on. Some I look back and think man I should have just cut the line and bought used, others I think i’m really glad I started off slow and learned. I still have time to change my mind but I’m seriously considering turning my exchange into a return and waiting 10 days until I can reach out here and going that route. Set me straight, thanks everyone.

Did you pay for the 10 for $10 & 24hr PCP leak test they offer?

 

[RickH]

Most of mine were bought used but a few came new. In all of that the only problems were a Gauntlet and a Gauntlet 2. The gauntlet had a few sloppy manufacturing issues that were easily fixed. The 2 looked like project started but not quite finished. Both are very good now and I continue to look at used guns regularly.

Rick H.

 

[daddypaddy]

I will add this, I've only been buying used benjamin discovery rifles. My fx guns and aea gun were bought new (the aea was a real stinker of an experience within the first 250 shots) my hunting partner bought a a used fx for 1000 bucks and it was like new. That fx was so good I had to have the very same one. The lesson I learned is buy once cry once. Fx isn't without shortcomings, but the premium guns tend to have less overlooked simple flaws ime. My aea was far too expensive for what it was when I got it.

My trusted airgun pal @Perle speaks very highly of the zelos, which might be worth exploring for you.

When I buy a gun I buy 2 oring kits for it before it has a leak. This has come in clutch. Owning 2 fx guns I need a wheelbarrow for the stash of orings I have for 2 rebuilds each

Don't be afraid to dive in and take a look at stuff, I didn't know anything about airguns beyond crosman and benjamin pump and a benjamin marauder (gen 1) until 4 years ago. I bought an fx with my old booze budget when I quit drinking and jumped in headfirst telling myself that this is my motivation to expand my mechanical prowess. You wouldn't believe what that experience has bled in to from pneumatic machine automation to classic cars and machining my own little parts for things.

Best advice I can give is fear not and respect pressurized vessels and plenums after regulators on allegedly degassed guns. Even if you fail you can fail upwards. Wear safety glasses, if it can go together it can come apart, and if something is hard to do you're probably doing something wrong.

Best of luck, I hope I can light a fire under some folks to be curious and fix their gear.

very nicely said.

 

[NotSure2020]

Did you pay for the 10 for $10 & 24hr PCP leak test they offer?

I did not. Rookie mistake but I was checking out late bc the had a sale that was ending and I forgot to add it. I also just didn’t think it was that likely I’d get an issue out of the box tbh

 

[NotSure2020]

Unless you are familiar with the internals of airguns or mechanically inclined I'd recommend that you buy your first couple of airguns new and don't worry about tuning and doing mods.

Shoot them as received, invest in pellets, lots of pellets and learn your airgun(s).

There's plenty of time to embellish, tune and mod once you know what you are doing and where you want to go.

Most of all, be safe and have fun!

Welcome to the forum!

Cheers!

I definitely love to tinker. It makes me kind of nervous when my first has issues out of the box without modding though. I also think the odds of them already addressing it is higher when buying used too which is making me think I should almost just return