What to watch for when buying a used AEG?

[MacG!ver]

I'm eyeing a used TM SR-16, the owner says its 6 years old, but hasn't been used much for the last 4. He says it is in good condition with a minor chip in the bottom and scratches.

So being a total newb to airsoft, can someone tell me what to watch out for with used, or older AEG's? Does the plastic degrade, or the inner parts get used up...I really have no idea?

Thank you!

[enigmahack]

Honestly I think that's a hard question to answer on 2 principals:

What are you willing to accept, and
Do you know what you want?

I understand that you are aware of the model you're looking for but do you have specific details about that gun? Upgrades, impacts, etc...

Unfortunately while here, I've found that the biggest thing to help you in your task is the search button in the top right.

Again, not trying to be a jackass, but a LOT of this has been covered before. It's not that people don't want to help, but it's kind of like answering the same question 100 times. It gets old lol

But to answer you more specifically: Look at the parts that are important. Are THOSE in good condition... can you even tell? Does the person you're buying from have feedback and if so, what's been said about them? Ie: Can you take their word.

Look up AEG on Google and look for inner workings and try and get an idea of what is GOOD in an AEG and what's not good, etc...

Hopefully with a little time you'll be able to answer your own questions until you're really stuck

[spacemoose]

Originally Posted by MacG!ver

I'm eyeing a used TM SR-16, the owner says its 6 years old, but hasn't been used much for the last 4. He says it is in good condition with a minor chip in the bottom and scratches.

So being a total newb to airsoft, can someone tell me what to watch out for with used, or older AEG's? Does the plastic degrade, or the inner parts get used up...I really have no idea?

Thank you!

Take it from me, Pictures are worth 1000 words.

Ask for photos of EVERY possible angle of the gun. Ask the seller to honestly detail any imperfections on the gun no matter how minor. If he fucks you on your word (which I have been on two occasions with the same asshole) then stick it to him and get your money back if you can. Being new and all, id go for a face to face deal.

You don't want to deal with some assfuck who lives in a different province who can just wipe his hands clean and say "sorry, but a used gun is a used gun" and skimp off with your hard earned money (and in my case, my money, and Gun. Yeah, i haven't forgot, dickless)

[MacG!ver]

Originally Posted by spacemoose

Take it from me, Pictures are worth 1000 words.

Ask for photos of EVERY possible angle of the gun. Ask the seller to honestly detail any imperfections on the gun no matter how minor. If he fucks you on your word (which I have been on two occasions with the same asshole) then stick it to him and get your money back if you can. Being new and all, id go for a face to face deal.

You don't want to deal with some assfuck who lives in a different province who can just wipe his hands clean and say "sorry, but a used gun is a used gun" and skimp off with your hard earned money (and in my case, my money, and Gun. Yeah, i haven't forgot, dickless)

Hmm, he lives near me, so that theoretically I could go and check it out. But like I said, I'm a total newb. So I mean, if something inside is worn/broken, I wouldn't notice....until much later.

Edit: I have asked him for pictures & will post them here when I get them.

[Goodl2ussian]

watch out for flying squirrels...

but in all seriousness just...inspect the mechbox if you can, look for wear on the gears on the motor as well. Body wise...personally i dont care for scratches.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by MacG!ver

Hmm, he lives near me, so that theoretically I could go and check it out. But like I said, I'm a total newb. So I mean, if something inside is worn/broken, I wouldn't notice....until much later.

Edit: I have asked him for pictures & will post them here when I get them.

If he sells you a gun with the intention of it being a fully working gun, and it isn't, then it's fraud (in particular mail fraud because you didn't receive what you paid for). Certain laws protect you against that sort of thing.

[spacemoose]

Originally Posted by Styrak

If he sells you a gun with the intention of it being a fully working gun, and it isn't, then it's fraud (in particular mail fraud because you didn't receive what you paid for). Certain laws protect you against that sort of thing.

Pfft, those laws did shit for me.

[MacG!ver]

Originally Posted by spacemoose

Pfft, those laws did shit for me.

Yeah I bet...

Good call on the fraud thing. Thats true, i didn't think of that. The thing is, he could sell it to me, and then it breaks down a few weeks later, without it being his fault (ie. it worked when I baught it). After all it is a 6 year old gun we're talking about here.

[kalnaren]

If you can inspect it yourself, go do that. Even better, if you know someone who knows somthing about AEGs, or maybe even someone on the forums who lives near you who would be willing to go with you to inspect it, that would be even better.

[BBS]

what else can you do? buyers have very little protection. At least go check out the gun personally so you would know where to find him if there are any complications. Futhermore tell him to charge up the battery and give it a good go right in front of you to make sure the gun is in perfect working order.

TM guns should live up to its name if the owner hasn't abused it.

[demco11]

The externals wont tell you much, its the internals that matter most. best bet is to get him to charge up the battery ( or borrow a fully charged battery ) and go check the gun out yourself. The externals are easy to inspect ( mostly cosmetic and dont matter much really) almost any external part short of a few screws can be replaced by ordering it in-canada.

Internals would be tricky... best try the gun out and see if the gun shoots right, you shouldent try taking it apart yourself to give it a look over.

-Make sure the hop-up works and can be adjusted
-Shake the gun around a bit ( does it sound like its got a loose part in it? )
-When you fire does it fire properly? ( safe/semi/auto are all fully functional )
-Does it fire fast/slow or is there a big delay from pulling the trigger to it firing?

Overall if you are happy with it then purchase it, if not then think about it... you can offer him a lower price or look around for another gun for sale.

In the end it is Buyer Beware.