Don’t rush

There are many decisions you need to make before you look at guns for sale adverts. What kind of shooting do you want to do? How much can you afford to spend? Do you want to buy a particular make of gun? How far can you travel to look at a gun? Do you want to buy from a gunshop or a private seller?

You should only look at guns for sale adverts once you have a rough idea of what you need

Don’t be an ill-informed shopper

Once you’ve spotted a gun you would consider buying, it’s worth doing your research to find out more about it. Reading gun reviews and asking your shooting peers is a sound way to get a better understanding of whether the gun would actually be suitable.

Don’t jump into a sale

Browse gun for sale listings to get a good idea of what kinds of guns are available to buy and how much they’re going for. This will tell you if your budget is sufficient to buy the kind of gun you want and need.

Don’t be unprepared

If you don’t have a good understanding of the condition or quality of the gun – or you have any questions – it’s a very good idea to ask the seller for more information. There is no harm in asking to see photos or probing the current owner if you are genuinely considering buying the gun.

Don’t make unnecessary journeys to view the wrong guns

Knowing as much as possible will save you a potentially pointless and long journey to look at the gun.

Don’t make a deal if you feel uncomfortable

If you have any niggling doubts, it’s a good idea to reconsider the gun purchase. These slight doubts can be a sign that this isn’t the gun for you. It would be a shame to invest time, effort and money, only to end up with a gun that doesn’t suit you.

Got a question about a gun? Have a look at the conversations going on at the Shooting UK Forum