Would you buy a rifle from a pawn shop?

[Mudshack]

First off.....I will admit. I have never bought a firearm of any type. I have been using my Browning BLR '81 .308 that my dad gave me for my 14th birthday for over 27yrs. It is part of me.

But, my son will start hunting with me this year. He is 100lbs and is 11yo. I want to get (need to get) him a rifle. Business hasn't taken off like I had hoped, so I will be limited on funds. So I have thought about the pawn shops. Would you....have you ever bought a rifle from a pawn shop?

I am thinking 7mm-08 for him to start with since it has about 5ft/lbs less recoil yet it packs a crazy punch.

[Limbwalker]

7mm-08 still kicks pretty hard for an 11 year old. Most parents buy too much gun for their kids, and I predict that within 10 posts, someone will tell you to get him a .308 or something like that. LOL.

I bought my daughter a single shot CVA Hunter .243 from Academy a few years ago. She was 11, and had participated in the 4-H .22 rifle project for 2 years prior, so she knew how to shoot a rifle fairly well already. The .243 took her a while to get used to, but she finally did and she is deadly with it.

She took her first deer ( a small doe) when she was 12, and a pretty nice 3.5 YO buck with it last fall, dropping him within 40 yards with a well placed shot.

Her CVA Hunter will group inside 2" at 100 yards all day, and is small enough for her to handle it well.

That's what I'd recommend.

John

[Stuck]

Bought my favorite one from a pawn shop about 25yrs ago. Still the only one I hunt with. But from what I've seen from pawn shops lately it's hard to find a good deal anymore.

[Sleepy]

In my opinion, you'd be better off buying a used one from the classifieds on here. Pawn shops these days seem to charge actual retail for stuff even if it's been used. The best way to get a good deal at a pawn shop would be to buy a gun that needs some cosmetic work if you are handy enough to refinish stocks.

I'd go with a .243

[Hunter58]

Went to a couple pawn shops last weekend to see what they had. I saw some rifles that they were selling for the same price as if they were new. To the OP I think your best bet is to try and find a 243 on this forum. There are some good deals that pop up if you watch for them

[Burnadell]

Yep.

Do not ever pay the marked price at a pawn shop. They ALWAYS have their stuff marked way high. They will deal, so make them an offer.

[Mudshack]

Well, I was leaning towards a .243 for his first gun....but saw that the 7mm-08 only kicks slightly more 3.8ft/lbs, and I was super impressed with the ballistics.

Maybe a .243 for a couple of years until I can afford to give him a 7mm-08 Browning BLR pistol grip.

[Seacoal]

Do you handload? If so, no need not to get him a 7-08. I started shooting a 25-06 at age 8. My brothers we're shooting .270's at the same age. Dad loaded light loads for us, no harder kicking than a .223, and they still did the same job as full loads. And now, I shoot full tilt load's out of the same rifle
I believe hornady also makes reduced recoil load's, maybe it's remington. He should be fine to shoot those.

As far as buying from a pawn shop, there's no reason not to, if you can get the price you want. Same as a used rifle at a gun shop. I haven't bought a rifle, but I have bought a shotgun from a pawn shop. My rifle, dad bought my rifle at a pawn shop.
Just remember, just because the price tag says 550, doesn't mean you can't walk out at 450. In pawn shops, cash talks. I got $200 and tax off of my Winchester 101 when I got it. If they won't budge, be willing to walk, and search for a better price somewhere else.

[krtnorris]

Bought my 8 yr old a cva hunter compact in .223 with scope for $190 at academy. It is a doe killing machine.

[careybirdwell]

I buy guns from Pawn Shops fairly often, but it has to be a great deal.

[JustinJ]

No problem in buying from a pawn shop, if you know what you're looking at.

As for the caliber I'd for sure go with a .243 or an AR platform rifle in the many available calibers (5.56, 6.8, 6.5 etc.)

[ElGatoBandito]

7mm-08 still kicks pretty hard for an 11 year old. Most parents buy too much gun for their kids, and I predict that within 10 posts, someone will tell you to get him a .308 or something like that. LOL.

I bought my daughter a single shot CVA Hunter .243 from Academy a few years ago. She was 11, and had participated in the 4-H .22 rifle project for 2 years prior, so she knew how to shoot a rifle fairly well already. The .243 took her a while to get used to, but she finally did and she is deadly with it.

She took her first deer ( a small doe) when she was 12, and a pretty nice 3.5 YO buck with it last fall, dropping him within 40 yards with a well placed shot.

Her CVA Hunter will group inside 2" at 100 yards all day, and is small enough for her to handle it well.

That's what I'd recommend.

John

To be fair... I can shoot my granfather's 7mm mag (Weatherby Vanguard) longer than I want to shoot my .243. But my .243 is about a 6 lb rifle, whereas his Vanguard is about 10.

Just because a caliber has more thump does not mean X rifle chambered in it will kick harder. Also, there is the whole psychological standpoint of "Felt" recoil.

In my opinion, you'd be better off buying a used one from the classifieds on here. Pawn shops these days seem to charge actual retail for stuff even if it's been used. The best way to get a good deal at a pawn shop would be to buy a gun that needs some cosmetic work if you are handy enough to refinish stocks.

I'd go with a .243

This! Or Armslist/Texas Gun trader

Do you handload? If so, no need not to get him a 7-08. I started shooting a 25-06 at age 8. My brothers we're shooting .270's at the same age. Dad loaded light loads for us, no harder kicking than a .223, and they still did the same job as full loads. And now, I shoot full tilt load's out of the same rifle
I believe hornady also makes reduced recoil load's, maybe it's remington. He should be fine to shoot those.

As far as buying from a pawn shop, there's no reason not to, if you can get the price you want. Same as a used rifle at a gun shop. I haven't bought a rifle, but I have bought a shotgun from a pawn shop. My rifle, dad bought my rifle at a pawn shop.
Just remember, just because the price tag says 550, doesn't mean you can't walk out at 450. In pawn shops, cash talks. I got $200 and tax off of my Winchester 101 when I got it. If they won't budge, be willing to walk, and search for a better price somewhere else.

This ^^

[TP3]

Search howa youth .243 on here. Maybe username was r Ladner. He was selling a very clean gun set up already.
I am a big fan of howa rifles.

[trophy8]

I think ole seacoal and the fanny.... sorry.... cat bandit must be professionals in the gun business. They know everything it seems lmao NOT

The 7-08 would be a good choice among many. But thats not the question.
I have bought many guns from pawn shops. And will continue to do so. If you know what you are looking at and can get it for the right price, there is no reason not to.

And FYI, I know a few people who shoot the 7-08 out past 1000 yards. That caliber is no slacker. And the recoil is minimal in the right gun.

[Seacoal]

I think ole seacoal and the fanny.... sorry.... cat bandit must be professionals in the gun business. They know everything it seems lmao NOT

The 7-08 would be a good choice among many. But thats not the question.
I have bought many guns from pawn shops. And will continue to do so. If you know what you are looking at and can get it for the right price, there is no reason not to.

And FYI, I know a few people who shoot the 7-08 out past 1000 yards. That caliber is no slacker. And the recoil is minimal in the right gun.

Hmmmmmm. So wait, we both agree that there's nothing wrong buying a gun from a pawn shop? Alright, carry on