Did I screw myself?
 

About a month ago, I bought a pistol off someone on the forums (had nothing but good trader ratings). They told me it was in exellent condition, and it works perfectly. I went to meet up with him and checked out the gun (put a mag in and shot to make it worked, didn't know much about GBB Airsoft guns, basically checked it out as if it was a real pistol). Payed cash ($300, had a brand new chrome metal slide, making it full metal, and upgraded recoil spring, which is the only reason I payed more) to him and was on my way. Later, I noticed it wasn't shooting anywhere near where I was aiming so I tried to adjust the hop-up but because I'm new to the sport I took it to a gun doc to basically show me how. He opened up the gun to take a look at it and informed me that the hop-up was completely destroyed.

I've looked everywhere (including oversees) for a replacement KSC USP Compact Hop-up rubber but absolutly no one has them in stock. And after messaging them all, they told me they were discontinued parts (Pre System 7 usp).

So did I basically just buy a $300 paperweight?

Considering the price of a brand new in box System 7 USP... I'd say, yup

Right on.

I know this is dumb to say but...

people waste money all the time! You are now a much more informed consumer.


Also, I would imagine you could home-craft a fix for your issue.

Oh Im definatly going to be a smarter buyer now but pretty much staying away from the classifieds. And as for fixing my gun myself, unless I make my own hop-up, its not gonna do much.

I hate to say it but "excellent condition" and "working perfectly" are subjective ratings. Anyone who's selling something will often have the opinion that their gear is better than new.

Things like hopup rubbers or magazine lips are consumables. That pistol could have been running just fine the last time used, but then it could have been put away for months or years even prior to the sale.

Step one is pull out that rubber and post up a really clear macro photo in the Dr's orner. Ask for folks with Sys7 or NS2 pistols to compare to theirs. You may strike it really lucky and find someone near you with one to compare hands on.

Don't screw yourself twice. The classifieds can save you big money and/or make available rare items.

Just gotta know what to buy and when:D

Well when someone has alot of good feedback still screws me, I dont know what to really look for in terms of the classifieds. Expecially when the gun doc said that the hop-up (the way the condition was) must have been like that for a long time, and it was very noticable (me being new to the sport I didn't know what to look for)

Fair enough, just be aware...the classifieds aren't filled with people looking to rip you off.

In my experience.

If worst comes to worst there's a guy in Japan who can source out parts for you. I think all you need to pay is cost of part, shipping, and train fare (and maybe toss a couple hundred yen his way to buy a coffee or something).

Actually I think there's 2 guys but the second guy apparently only does so for friends and long time members or something.

When buying used items from the classified like guns, be prepared to have them either rebuild or tuned up as you'll never know what might happen. If you don't know what you're doing or don't have access to a gundoc, buy brand new.

Yup, thats the new plan

PM'd

To expand on this chain of events, the price you paid was very low for a pistol like that.

It's good to browse the sold items archive and get a feel for what's out there and what the market is before diving in.

Sometimes when a price is low it merely means that the seller is in a jam. Other times it's becasue there may be something unsaid in the ad that is reflected in the dollars on the table.

I dont want to buy ANOTHER usp expecially one where i'd just be taking apart.