I was at a gun show and came across a really basic single shot 12ga for $160. That seemed like a decent price for a cheap simple gun. The only markings I saw on it was "12GA FULL CHOKE 2 3/4" CHAMBER MADE IN JAPAN" written on the barrel. I didn't own a shotgun yet, so I haggled the guy down to $140 and bought it.

Tonight I found another marking on the butt plate that reads "TAIYO JUKI". A quick google search turns up sale ads from 6-10 years ago listing them for $75 and threads from 4 years ago with people saying that they are worth $75-$99. But I couldn't find any sale ads or discussions on this model from recent years.

What does ARFCOM think? Was $140 a fair price for this obscure gun or did I get suckered?

Update: This thing had seven malfunctions from the first box of shells I put through it. Three failures to fire from light primer strikes and four failures to eject from shells getting stuck in the chamber and needing to be pulled out wih a pair of channellocks. A single shot shotty is pretty much the simplest firearm in existence and should have the fewest problems. This thing is a disaster.

Considering the fact that only a little more money could have gotten me a Maverick 88, this gun was definitely a bad purchase. I thought about selling it, but I'd honestly feel bad passing this piece of garbage off to someone else for anywherw near what I paid for it.

Maybe I'll go to WalMart and buy a cheap shell carrying sleeve that slips over the stock, a LimbSaver slip on buttpad, a set of screw-in swivels, and a cheap sling and then sell it to someone for $99 and let them know it malfunctions but it's ok if you're broke and looking for a cheap skeet toy.

Not a bad price for a decent single-shot shotgun. Maybe a bit more than I'd like, but not bad.

You own it now bro, dont look back and enjoy it! You maybe overpaid by $40 but it was there when you were ready to buy and that is worth something.
Most of those single shot shotguns are bullet proof and will serve you for many years.

I never see single-shot shotguns for less than $100 anymore. That's a $100 for a beat to hell specimen. Better examples start at $150.

If you like it, it was a good deal. Enjoy.

You might be interested in this thread.

Definitely NOT satisfied with this purchase. Piece of shit malfunctioned seven times with the first 25 round box of shells. Three FTF from light primer strikes and four FTE from shells getting stuck in the tube and needing to be pried out with a pair of channellocks.

If any of you ever see a single shot 12ga like the one I described in the OP, don't buy it.

Neither of those are insurmountable problems. Okay, let's think this through:

Light primer strikes. Something is slowing the hammer down. The mainspring may be worn out and need replacement.

FTEs. Your ejector (does it have an ejector, or is it extractor-only?) may be gummed up with something, or the spring could be shot. Disassemble, clean the small parts, and find out.

You can also polish the chamber to help with ejection.

Soak the action and chamber with brake cleaner. That will remove any dried oil or grease. Then lube with a quality gun oil.

Most gun problems are caused by lack of maintenance. Also, if the gun was new it could have the factory prservative on it, which is usually pretty gummy.

This. And giving the chamber a good cleaning.

Maybe fork over the cash to have a gun smith fully disassemble and clean it if you aren't capable.

Did you see if it patterns good?

I don't know if OP is still following this thread but look at this as an opportunity to take the thing apart and tinker with it. It is a great way to see how a boxlock shotgun works. You might find obvious problems that get it back running.

$100 gun buyback in some big city full of do-gooders in city council?