Shooter’s Gallery

What is the Shooter’s Gallery?
The Shooter’s Gallery is a special ‘classifieds’ section of the Australian Shooter magazine. It is intended to assist SSAA members in the occasional buying and selling of firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, shooting and hunting equipment and other items such as real estate.
SSAA Media & Publications provides this advertising service to members at a discounted rate compared to commercial advertisers who may put in small ads. Hobbyists (with a dealer’s license) are welcome to place ads and participate in continuous/repeat ads; however, their ads do cost slightly more than the normal discounted member ads.

How can I view the current Shooter’s Gallery?
You can read it in the latest edition of Australian Shooter magazine or alternatively, you can view it digitally by downloading a pdf of the Shooter’s Gallery.

How do I place an advertisement in the Shooter’s Gallery?
Click here to view and complete the Shooter’s Gallery online advertising form.
Click here to download a pdf of the Shooter’s Gallery advertising coupon, which you can mail or fax to SSAA Media & Publications.

Are there any guidelines to buying and selling
used firearms via the Shooter’s Gallery?
When it comes to buying or selling used firearms, condition is always a primary consideration - and there are always two sides to the story. The vendor usually wants as much money as possible, so their appraisal of a firearm may tend towards the ‘better than it really is’ side of the equation. Most buyers, on the other hand, will be trying to knock the price down and look at the firearms in question with a slightly more critical, perhaps even jaundiced eye. There is nothing inherently dishonest in either approach. People, after all, are just people and some sort of compromise can usually be brokered if both parties are serious about wanting to deal.
There is, however, considerable difference between trying to get the best deal possible and deliberately misleading a potential buyer about the real condition of the firearm being offered for sale. In a face-to-face situation, those differences are easily resolved. However, at a distance, such as through the pages of the Shooters Gallery in Australian Shooter, disputes over condition are more difficult to settle. For that reason alone, it is sometimes necessary to re-establish the rules about just what condition descriptions actually mean.
Like most influential organisations, SSAA National long ago set definitions for the description of firearms’ condition in fairly succinct terms that applied to the whole range of firearms and accessories advertised for sale. These definitions are as necessary and important today as they ever were; perhaps even more so, given the various ‘Permit to Acquire’ systems that all Australian firearms owners and users now have to live with.

How is the condition of a used firearm defined in the Shooter’s Gallery?
SSAA National gives the following definitions for used firearms that are advertised in the Shooter’s Gallery:
SSAA Perfect (pc): Firearms or accessories that are new in every aspect.
SSAA Excellent (ec): Firearms or accessories that are in as-new condition. Used rarely, with no signs of marring on either wood or metal, the blued finish is perfect, except at the muzzle or on sharp edges.
SSAA Very Good (vgc): Firearms or accessories that are in perfect working condition, with no appreciable wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting and only minor surface dents or scratches.
SSAA Good (gc): Firearms or accessories that are in safe working condition, with only minor wear on the working surfaces, no broken parts and no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.
SSAA Fair (fc): Firearms or accessories that are in safe working condition, but are well-worn, perhaps requiring replacement of minor parts or adjustments (which should be indicated). There should be no rust. There may be corrosion pits, but they should not render the article unsafe or inoperable.
While the above definitions are reasonably clear to most people, some will inevitably find cause to differ for a variety of reasons. While the condition of the article cannot be overlooked, other factors must also be considered. Some firearms are more common than others, so rarity may be a factor in determining the price. This is particularly true with antique firearms. However, age alone is not a reason for inflated price. A name is not enough to warrant a premium price. A worn-out firearm with a good brand-name is still a worn-out firearm. Originality is a primary consideration, unless a firearm is being bought for a project or for parts. Firearms that have been refurbished will generally sell for less than those in original used condition, especially if the work has been inexpertly done. Modifications do not necessarily add to the value, regardless of how much they cost the owner.
If you’re considering buying a firearm through the Shooters Gallery or other forums, it may pay to keep the above, as well as the following, in mind. While the majority of vendors describe their goods on offer accurately, there is always room for misinterpretation. Shop around to see what the current market value for the item really is. If you have any doubts, get a dealer to have a look at the goods for you. It might cost you a few dollars to find out, but it could also save you money and a lot of angst if the deal turns out to be a dud. Any firearm, regardless of condition, is only worth as much as you are prepared to pay for it. Finally, remember that the ancient edict of caveat emptor (buyer beware) should always be adhered to.