Is a pawn shop a good place to buy a rifle ?

Here in Aus you can only buy them in Gun Shops...

If you want a lever action look for a cheap 2nd-hand Browning, I tested a new Marlin and thought my 2nd-hand Browning had a better throw. It would be cool to own a Henry like in all the cowboy flicks though!

You can find them there but a pawn shop will usually allow you to spend make a poor choice if you are willing to do so. If you are unsure about the condition of the rifle you should see if the pawn shop will allow you to have the rifle checked out by a qualified gunsmith. If they refuse to do so then I'd pass on it.

Also be aware that if you purchase a Winchester the scope will need to be side mounted. On a Marlin you won't have that problem. I don't know where you plan to hunt but the typical lever action .30-30 is 125 yard gun in most people hands. Certain some are good enough with them to take deer sized game at longer ranges but they are really lobbing the round. If you are hunting in heavily wooded areas this is not a concern but remember to make sure you are using a low powered scope.

Also consider the new Hornandy ammo for the .30-30. The have a soft point on the bullet that significantly increases the ballistic coefficient and you will get more range out the old cartridge.

Good luck.

As long as YOU know what you're looking at. I've bought plenty of guns from pawn shops, and the pawn shop owners typically know very little about the guns on their rack. This is why they price them erratically. A couple years back I bought a rather nice, 95%, Winchester Model 9422M, 22 WMR caliber rifle for about $180; that was a great deal. But they also had beat-up, 80%, Remington Express shotguns on the shelf for $280, which is about $150 overpriced. So, as long as you know what you want and can determine the condition of the gun yourself, you will be fine. Most sales at pawn shops are "out the door, as is".

it depends on the brand and shape its in,you can get a brand new marlin 30/30 at wal-mart in the mid 200's.if it has a scope on it the brand and model can effect the price of a rifle,if you see one you like and are not sure of the price wait and do a little research it only takes a few mins. on the internet the more that you know about what you are looking at the less chance that you will be ripped off by a fast talker...

I always scout out the local pawn shops. When People need money fast and get rid of what is dear and it may just be what I want. Around Feb and Mar are great times to scout them out do to the mass numbers of guns given as gifts. If the item is stolen then it should have been reported along with serial numbers and when you pawn a gun they must submit the numbers to the sheriffs office. I don't worry to much around here about it being involved in any crime or anything. I would also watch buying guns from walmart. Yes they do carry a lot of ok brand guns but there is a reason for them being so much cheaper. Go to an actual gun shop and get an exact weight of the gun you want and if walmart carries it find out the exact weight from there. Most of the time there is a difference, why cheaper guns get cheaper parts.

Bound's hubby here:

The price of Winchester Model 94s have gone out of sight since Winchester went out of business. Your best deal might be to buy a Marlin lever action rifle and scope package when they go on sale at your local version of a Dick's Sporting Goods.

Anything a pawn shop has for sale, I would consider suspect. Pawn shops are not gun shops. They are usually a source of fast money for desperate people. You could find your bargain is incomplete and cost you more money to rebuild or it is stolen and you are out your bargain investment.

Unless I were super desperate to put game on the table to feed my starving family, I would not buy a gun from a pawn shop.

I would roam your local hole in the wall gun shops within a reasonable distance of your home and search their gun racks. Chances are pretty good some hunters will either sell or trade in their deer rifles and your gun shop will not want to have that used rifle take up space on their used gun rack until September.

Good luck.

most pawn shops are safe and offer great deals, research the rifle first by going to your local gun and ammo store prices seems to vary by location, most of the time pawn shops will work a deal with you if you go in well informed about the price and where you can get it for that price, always offer a lower price, that is one benefit you dont get at a retail store

On these sites you can check out hundreds of 30/30 rifles, in both new and used condition. The sellers provide photos and descriptions.

One piece of advice on buying used and even new firearms, is to take someone with you who knows what they are looking at/for . They should be familiar with the, fit, finish, and function of the firearm you are interested in.

http://www.gunbroker.com/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

My favorite 30/30 is the Marlin 336C

You can get a new one at Wal-Mart for between 2 hundred to $250.00!!!! Use that as a reference before you buy at the pawn shop!!!!

I would steer away from pawn shops becuse of stolen goods which have been pawned. No guarantees come from pawn shops.