Should a firearm be cleaned prior to a PPT?

[Deadbolt]

I clean mine before sale. A clean gun is like a clean vehicle : easy sale and for higher price.


I have no problem buying a dirty firearm, but be sure that I'll brow beat the price down because of it

[astroboy]

As a courtesy to the buyer. I will clean
my firearm prior to transferring it to any
buyer.

[erik_26]

Yes! Guns should always be thoroughly cleaned (detail strip) before sale.


The only exception would be historical guns that was used in a specific battle or by a famous soldier.

[Ubermcoupe]

Yes they should be cleaned. You want to put your best foot forward right?

[bombadillo]

I clean all my stuff before it goes out of the house, much less the shop to be sold. Gotta wonder what their house looks like...

[vintagearms]

I detail cleaned my old car, engine and all before putting it up for sale. I would do the same before selling any firearm. Its just the right thing to do....

[shy 7th]

...
The only exception would be historical guns that was used in a specific battle or by a famous soldier.

This really needs to be echoed!

For anyone stumbling upon this thread from google or whatnot, looking for information about how to sell your deceased grandfather's war trophy or a civil war revolver you found in your barn/attic. DON'T CLEAN IT!!! The historic patina is worth way more than a clean gun.

This thread is only about the regular shooter, cleaning modern, "actively used" firearms. Don't attempt to clean a historic gun unless you know what you are doing.

For example:
Your Glock 17 should be cleaned before PPT.
Your original Colt Single Action Army should NOT be cleaned before PPT.

[SVT-40]

We have taken in a little over 6,00 firearms for consignment at the auction company I work for. I've handled every single one of them. At least 90 % of them were dirty when they were consigned. Many seem to have never been cleaned ever. Most are very dry and lack any oil or lubricant.

Every gun should receive maintenance. Even very collectable pieces. Routine oiling of the metal will not hurt a valuable firearm. Leaving it without any lubrication WILL cause the finish to oxidize (rust).

[dirtykoala]

i liked the last gun that i traded, before i let it go i detail stripped it, cleaned and lubed every pin and spring, and even greased the slides with wilson combat grease. that gun went out in trade in excellent condition.

the owner of the other gun said he had never taken the gun apart, shot 200 rounds, and all of the oil there was from the factory. the gun was very tight and new feeling, the oil was a little dirty, but it wasnt bad.

from what i could tell, the seller was honest, and i figured if he didnt take it apart, maybe it was a good thing, no chance of having anything buggered up. after 10 days, i brought the gun home and detail stripped that, and it was perfect, just a little dirty. i cleaned and lubed that, and its been flawless.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

We seem to have a consensus here. And yes, this applies only to modern, current use firearms. Don't scrub away the value in that 200 year old Musket you bought at the gun show.

[PsychGuy274]

I have had great experiences selling, buying, and trading firearms with other Calgunners via PPT, but...

Most (Not all) used weapons I've received via PPT have been atrociously dirty. I have made sure my outgoing trades/sales were reasonably clean, but on the receiving end it has been pretty rough sometimes.

I'd enjoy hearing the experiences of others regarding the condition of guns they've received in trades. I've never considered a dirty gun a dealbreaker because cleaning is easy, but a field stripped and clean trade sure would be nice once in a while.

I always detail-cleaned ones that I sold. I feel it's the polite and respectful thing to do. Plus, it's fun cleaning guns

[a1c]

I would - and I have - cleaned every firearm I have ever sold prior to the transaction. To me, it is not only basic courtesy, but also the best way to represent the firearm. I would die in shame if I sold a gun with a dirty barrel to someone else who would discover it upon inspection before completing the transaction.

[ThatsJustBadTaste]

Yeah its kinda a must... Would you buy a gun that doesn't look like it was taken care of?

[Oceanbob]

Every gun I sell here on the classifieds is clean, lubed and photographed.

Being anal about a dirty firearm, I enjoy cleaning my guns after a range trip.

All weapons in my safe/range bag or LUCC case are clean and ready.

I've bought many handguns from fellow Cal Gunners in the last 1.5 years; all of them were clean and pristine. Even then, when I get home I strip it down for a deep cleaning myself...

I can't imagine selling a handgun in dirty condition.....

Bob

[caldude]

I've done 12-15 PPTs, all with Calguns people. Only twice did I receive a gun that was dirty, and only one was really dirty. I remember thinking as I was cleaning it - Geez, you could of cleaned it first!