With the community of airsoft players in the UK continuing to grow, this naturally means that the number of people willing to pick up a second-hand gun is also increasing. Whether it is through a dedicated selling website such as secondhandairsoft.co.uk or prefired.com or from someone at their local site, there is definitely a market for used rifles and pistols.
However, like with any second-hand marketplace, there are winners and losers. So, if you’re looking to pick up a second-hand airsoft gun, read on to see exactly what you should be looking for and whether or not buying second-hand is the right way to go.
First up, this is being published right in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic and is UK-based so wherever you are in the world please follow your local guidelines for social distancing & infection reduction. Airsoft is not an essential activity, so it’s probably best to wait until the lockdown is over before arranging any meet-ups to go over your sales!
Where to Buy Second-Hand Airsoft Items?
There is a multitude of methods of acquiring second-hand airsoft guns; we have highlighted some of the most common below:
Dedicated Second-Hand Airsoft Websites
Like the websites mentioned above, dedicated second-hand airsoft sites are a popular place for players to buy, sell and trade their unwanted airsoft kit. There is all manner of things available for sale, including guns, magazines, clothing and tactical equipment, internal replacement parts and gun accessories.
Second Hand Airsoft allows you to filter sellers based on location, which is a useful tool for buyers who want to see the item in person first (something we recommend, more on that below). Although these kinds of sites can act as a good meeting ground for buyers and sellers, there is minimal legal framework in place to ensure that all transactions are legal (again, more on this below).
Facebook Buying Groups
Unfortunately Facebook UK has banned the sales of all Airsoft Guns through any groups & doing so usually means when it gets found out (and they almost always do) the group can be delisted and sometimes deleted outright. This means that 99% of Facebook group admins will delete all RIF sales and sometimes ban the poster
Forums
After doing some prior research on the various buying and selling activity on airsoft forums, we can see that it is a very mixed bag. People who are active participants on the forum typically have this as their ‘guarantee’ that what they are selling is genuine, and other common contributors typically respect this.
With airsoft forums, location can be where the whole process comes unstuck, as there are people from across the world contributing and sometimes the person that has the gun you want is in France, or Taiwan or the USA, which presents its own issues.
Local Site
One of the best ways to pick up second-hand airsoft kit is from your local site. Not only will you likely already know the person selling the gun, but you’ll also get to see the gun in person and try it out for yourself. This is vitally important when it comes to preowned items as there are just so many things that could be wrong with it.
When buying from someone at a site, there will also be people there to talk to, experts in the field that can advise both parties on price, functionality and whether any work needs carrying out on it. With airsoft, it tends to be that all sales are final, so you really need to make sure you know what you’re buying.
Local Airsoft Store
Perhaps the best and most reliable way to get your hands on a second-hand airsoft gun is to check out whether your local shop or field stocks them. As many stores are independently owned, there will likely be different policies around whether they buy used guns and sell them on or whether they only stock new ones.
Additionally, some stores may offer ex-display models for reduced rates as these may have some superficial marks on the body of the gun. However, if this isn’t something you’re too bothered about, then this can be a great way to get a shop-bought item for a lower price.
Additionally, if the store is one with a good reputation, then they will be keen to keep it that way, so if anything goes wrong with the gun within the agreed warranty period, they’ll likely want to help you out.
Considerations When Buying Second-Hand Airsoft Guns
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing between buying a gun brand new or opting for one with a few miles on the clock. Let’s take a look at a few:
Legal Obligations
This is perhaps the most important of all considerations as it determines which side of the law you want to stand on. Airsoft guns, in the UK at least, are a very sensitive subject, with a clear divide between those that support and those that oppose them.
In theory, as long as the community doesn’t give the people that stand against them any ammunition, then there shouldn’t really be anything to worry about. That being said, we know for a fact that many of the sales of used airsoft guns take place between everyday people, who might not be up to date on the latest laws surrounding them.
The Legalities
First and foremost, both the seller and the buyer of the item should be over the age of 18. If you’re a younger player and have had kit bought for you by your parents, then ensure that at least one person over 18 (ideally someone that is familiar with airsoft) is present. It is illegal to sell a realistic imitation firearm to someone under the age of 18, and you could face prosecution.
Additionally, and just as importantly, the buyer of the gun should have a defence under the VCRA. This means you are permitted to sell them a RIF, the law here criminalises the seller if the defence isn’t in place. You can’t get into trouble just for owning or buying a RIF without a defence, but if you sell to someone without a defence you are breaking the law, even if you aren’t a business the law still applies.
We would also suggest keeping some form of receipt of sale, signed and dated by both parties, along with details of the person’s defence. This way, if something unexpected did happen, you could prove that you are no longer the owner of the item and they had a defence to purchase under the VCRA.
If you’re selling online or meeting someone from one of the websites we’ve mentioned, keeping records would be even more important. If you have no prior relationship with the buyer and something bad happens, the police will likely be knocking on your door. A record of the transaction that has been signed by both parties will show that you no longer own the item and put you in the clear.
Financial Considerations
Many people are attracted to the preowned market for the sheer purpose of saving a few quid. However, this can sometimes be something of a false economy, as the money you save you may end up paying for repairs etc. sooner than you would have had you bought something brand new. I’ve lost count of the amount of second hand guns that have come in for repairs and either the insides don’t match up with what the new owner was informed or there has been a badly bodged repair in its recent past!
It’s also worth noting that with lots of decent budget-friendly manufacturers coming through, the days of having to spend an arm and a leg to get high-quality guns are in the past. We did a rundown of some of our preferred brands on our blog, why not check out part one and part two before making your decision?
Purpose of the Purchase
You may also want to consider the purpose of the purchase and whether it’s something you are happy to sacrifice the sheen of a new gun for one that has been used. For a collector’s item, this may well be the case, as often it can be more about ‘owning’ the gun, rather than the likelihood of actually using it on the field.
However, if you’re buying a gun to use, especially your first or second gun, rather than your ninth or tenth, then we would suggest always going with a brand new option. The last thing you want is to have your gun, get out on the field and realise there’s something wrong with it. Not only will it cost money to repair, but also you will have spent money to get access to the site and likely wasted a day.
What to Look For When Buying Second-Hand
If you’ve made up your mind that a second-hand gun is the route you would like to take, then here are some ideas of what you should be thinking about before you hand over your cash.
See The Gun Yourself
Ideally, you’ll want to see the gun with your own eyes and be able to pick it up and inspect it. For a newer player, this might be a little daunting, especially if you’re buying from a grizzled veteran player. The important thing is to take your time and don’t rush into anything. Don’t feel pressured just to give it a once over because they are trying to hurry you along. As much as we would like to think this doesn’t happen, it’s always worth bearing in mind.
Shoot the Gun Yourself
Ideally/essentially, you’ll want to be able to test the gun, either on private land or at a designated site. This not only shows that the gun is or isn’t working but allows you to get a feel of the airsoft pistol or rifle. In the same way that each car can be different to drive, each airsoft rifle can be different to fire. If you can test the accuracy here it’s worthwhile, who wants to buy a gun that can’t hit the side of a barn?
What to Check?
Firstly, ask the person if they have experienced any issues with the gun. Although this seems obvious, you can normally tell from a person’s reaction and answer whether they are being truthful. It also allows them a chance to tell you upfront if anything isn’t fully operational.
For blowback guns, you’ll want to check the slide and firing mechanism is working. It should be a sharp, smooth action and anything otherwise might suggest an internal issue. Ideally, you’ll want to remove the slide completely to check how it looks underneath and to see if there’s any wear. Check the barrel for dirt & crud, a dirty barrel is an indicator of a badly maintained RIF.
It’s also important to check the magazine, especially for gas guns, as this will be where any leakages occur. Try filling up the magazine and putting your ear to the valve to see if you can hear any gas leaking. Gas leakage is a common issue for gas-powered guns to this is a vital one to check. Also, check the magazine ejects from the gun smoothly and that there aren’t any obstructions when trying to get it out.
For AEGs, it would also be good to pull out the battery and check everything from that side. Take a look at the connections to see if there is any carbon build-up. Check the visible wiring for insulating tape (most good techs will use heatshrink). Check that the battery doesn’t heat up too much under firing.
Check that the AEG doesn’t sound weird. None of these are hugely problematic in themselves, they can be easily fixed, but they are red flags and can mean there are deeper problems. Also if you are willing to take the risk that might mean a few quid off the price tag!
Finally, if any upgrades have been carried out on the gun, ask to see receipts (if done by a professional) and check these areas of the weapon. Upgrades often look easier than they actually are, so a bodged job done in someone's bedroom could leave you with a dodgy and potentially dangerous gun.
Hopefully, this has given you some insight into the world of second-hand airsoft guns and equipment, along with some ideas on whether or not second-hand is the best route to take.
For more tips and information on airsoft, take a look through our blog!