Where’s best to buy guns online in the UK?
After the recent changes to the Gun Trader website which left the gun community reeling, we decided to look at what are the best solutions for those looking to buy or sell a gun.
Whether you are a seasoned shooter or a first-time buyer, buying guns online in the UK can seem like a daunting task. Fear not, we are to here give you some options that make the whole process a walk in the park.
Gun Auction UK is one of the newest gun auction sites in the UK. It is instantly clear why they are making waves in this corner of the industry.
Gun Auction UK offers a complete platform for buying and selling firearms, ammunition and accessories. Whatever you’re after when it comes to shooting, they most probably have it. Although they are the newcomers on this list, it is clear that those behind Gun Auction UK have years of experience within the industry.
The website is concise, clear, and very user friendly. We think this is of the utmost importance when you are looking to spend your hard-earned cash. They claim to be “The UK’s best online gun auction site”. At first glance, one is bound to be impressed, whether you’re an enthusiast or a complete novice. From the homepage, you are immediately aware of what auctions are coming to an end, and the price that they currently sit. Don’t rush into a purchase, however, some high-quality bargains can be found here!
If you are after a high-quality firearm at a very reasonable price, you could very well find your next purchase at Gun Auction UK. Beginners will have no trouble in navigating the site and understanding the purchasing process; they even provide value indications on guns to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. They even provide buyer protection!
The pros:
- Purchasing process is clear and easy to understand.
- Great selection of guns and accessories available.
- The website is clean, modern and simple to navigate.
- Assists with the transfer of guns to and from your license.
- Up to date value indications to make sure you are getting a good deal.
- All auctions are protected by the ‘Buyers Protection Commitment’.
- All guns are held and sold by a registered firearms dealer.
The cons:
- Smaller selection of firearms compared to rivals.
- Newcomers to the online firearms sales space.
GunTrader UK is probably the most popular online marketplace for buying and selling of firearms in the UK. The website also includes listings for ammunition and various shooting accessories such as gun cases and scopes.
GunTrader UK is akin to any listing website such as Gumtree. This does mean that listings can be advertised by both private and registered firearm dealers. They have a large selection of equipment available meaning you can browse until your heart’s content. Because the site has such a large quantity, it can be difficult to focus on your next purchase and be assured of its quality.
We must say that some listings can be of poor quality, whereby photographs may be of a poor standard, or descriptions insufficient. Many listings do not have images attached to them, or have been listed for £1 so do proceed with caution when looking to part with your hard-earned money.
The pros:
- Wide selection of firearms and shooting accessories.
- Both private and registered firearm dealers can list products.
The cons:
- Many listings lack pictures and buyer-transparency.
- The large selection of listings may be confusing for a novice shooter.
- Complicated and occasionally temperamental website.
- Poor search functionality
Southams Auction are a business focusing on the sale of sporting guns and antique arms. Sporting memorabilia, ammunition and gun accessories are also available.
Southams may be considered to be ‘the old kid on the block’. The website is a little clunky and certainly wouldn’t be described as modern. Saying this, however, they do offer professional valuations and appraisal events which may show their knowledge in the field.
Southams offer the opportunity to bid on your favourite firearms. This can be done in-person, online, or even by telephone. As they could be described as more of a traditional outlet, the online bidding platform can be hit and miss. A more robust live bidding platform with real-time updates would be a significant improvement.
This business is certainly aimed at collectors and firearms dealers. For the firearm novice, Southams could be a little overwhelming.
The pros:
- Considered as a ‘traditional’ gun auction outlet.
- Can bid on firearms by telephone.
- Offer valuations and appraisal events.
The cons:
- The website could be considered ‘clunky’.
- Improvements could be made to the online bidding process.
- Traditional gun auction outlets are considered outdated and inconvenient for many buyers.
In a similar vain to GunTrader, GunStar is an online marketplace for firearm sales in the United Kingdom. They focus on the buying and selling of firearms and shooting accessories.
New and used guns can be found on GunStar. These can be advertised by both private sellers and registered firearms dealers. This does mean that the quality of some listings can be questionable, so research and patience is required when looking for your next purchase.
The website is modern and easy to use, and you can sign up to a newsletter too. However, the choice of items can be overwhelming to a novice. GunStar could look to introduce forum and discussion boards on their site. Sharing of knowledge through a community like this may help less experienced firearm buyers find the way to their first purchase.
The pros:
- New and used guns for sale.
- Large array of shooting accessories.
The cons:
- Some listings can be of poor quality.
- The amount of listings could be overwhelming for a first-time buyer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we believe the last thing you want when purchasing a shotgun or air rifle is a complicated website, overloaded with too many options and poor-quality listings. If you’re looking for a specific gun at market value then Gun Star would be a good choice. However if you want a simple and exciting way to find a gun at a good price, we would recommend GunAuction.uk.