when buying used
- Thread starter bspillman
- Start date
Cheesewhiz
Hunter
There are different areas on different guns but barrel marking is normally one area. Inside the extracter hook or the point of the ejector are common places. Magazine outside wear or a look at the follower(s). Guns that have a normally tight slide to frame fit can be checked for being far looser than what a new one is.
...but the other issue you should look for is the kitchen table gunsmith, a guy can shoot 20,000 rounds thru a pistol and not do as much damage as 10 seconds with a dremmel.
...but the other issue you should look for is the kitchen table gunsmith, a guy can shoot 20,000 rounds thru a pistol and not do as much damage as 10 seconds with a dremmel.
Cheesewhiz said:
Hey, I resemble that remark!
I only use dremels to fit my rocket trigger connector, however.
Seriously though... if it's been dremeled or stoned or modified, and they don't have a receipt from a reputable gunsmith, just leave.
Verndog
Blackhawk
How are people buying used guns on places like gunbroker if they cant inspect them? I just joined (Gunbroker) and have wondered how that works if you get a gun and it's a POS and you already paid and had it shipped to you??
oilcangary
Single-Sixer
I got a P97 and P95 off gunbroker I got a good deal and they both are good guns. I found the P95 at a shop cloce enough to drive to. I didn't have to pay shipping or transfer fees.
NixieTube
Blackhawk
Ask your dealer, if you're buying it used from one you trust.
If you're buying from a dealer you trust (who is also a gunsmith) that can really, really help. Doesn't always apply to internet sales, but when I bought my first pistol it was a used gun - a S&W 4040PD .40 Generation III pistol, pretty rare, scandium frame and a single-stack magazine. It was a former LEO gun and showed some holster wear to the bluing on the slide but mechanically it felt tight, it felt good, it looked great inside and down the barrel.
I bought from a local dealer who is a gunsmith and has a large PD clientele (and a large local clientele period). He checked the gun over thoroughly and told me: "It's got some holster wear, but it's in great shape. This was a police backup gun. If you have any trouble, bring it back, but you won't."
He was right. So paying a little more (probably 5% over what I saw a little later for a similar gun) to my local guy was a good move for a newbie. It helps when you find a local dealer you can really trust, who cares about his customers because they're the guys he hunts with and also many of them are police in his town.
Obviously the operative word here is *trust* and sometimes you don't/can't have that, but this man is a well-regarded dealer in my area. When I picked up my license I asked the officer who handed it to me who he recommended as a dealer and a pistolsmith, and he didn't steer me wrong.
+1 to other people's advice too.
If you're buying from a dealer you trust (who is also a gunsmith) that can really, really help. Doesn't always apply to internet sales, but when I bought my first pistol it was a used gun - a S&W 4040PD .40 Generation III pistol, pretty rare, scandium frame and a single-stack magazine. It was a former LEO gun and showed some holster wear to the bluing on the slide but mechanically it felt tight, it felt good, it looked great inside and down the barrel.
I bought from a local dealer who is a gunsmith and has a large PD clientele (and a large local clientele period). He checked the gun over thoroughly and told me: "It's got some holster wear, but it's in great shape. This was a police backup gun. If you have any trouble, bring it back, but you won't."
He was right. So paying a little more (probably 5% over what I saw a little later for a similar gun) to my local guy was a good move for a newbie. It helps when you find a local dealer you can really trust, who cares about his customers because they're the guys he hunts with and also many of them are police in his town.
Obviously the operative word here is *trust* and sometimes you don't/can't have that, but this man is a well-regarded dealer in my area. When I picked up my license I asked the officer who handed it to me who he recommended as a dealer and a pistolsmith, and he didn't steer me wrong.
+1 to other people's advice too.ArmedinAZ
Buckeye
Verndog said:
Vern, I bought a P93 a couple of years ago off of Gunbroker and it came to my FFL FULLY LOADED :shock: Full mag and 1 in the pipe. As he was filling out his book I took the pistol out of the case, held it under his table in a safe direction and racked the slide...and heard a shell hit the floor. He looked at me and said was that what I think it was? I almost puked because I didn't drop the mag first and was holding the slide back. Thumbed the mag release button and a full mag fell out too.
Even though I liked that pistol and shot it pretty well I had to sell it... got bad vibes when I looked at it.
RugerHound
Hunter
I've had pretty darned good luck with GB as well as other on-line outfits of that type. I don't make impulse purchases. I write to the seller and ask about the points I want to know about. If the seller isn't able to answer my questions to my satisfaction, then I don't bid. If the photos are fuzzy, I don't bid. If I can't verify the SN, I don't bid. etc. etc.
Other than clicking the "Bid" button on the wrong piece once when I shouldn't have been multi-tasking, I've been totally satisfied with the stuff I've got from GB and have done repeat business with several sellers that I trust. I've picked up a mess of old 3-screw revolvers, some of which have hardly been fired, if ever.
I sure as heck never received one with cartridges in it! Holy cow.
Other than clicking the "Bid" button on the wrong piece once when I shouldn't have been multi-tasking, I've been totally satisfied with the stuff I've got from GB and have done repeat business with several sellers that I trust. I've picked up a mess of old 3-screw revolvers, some of which have hardly been fired, if ever.
I sure as heck never received one with cartridges in it! Holy cow.
So here is a story that all the P-gun guys may find interesting. Also any noob should think about too.
I was helping a fellow member "fix" his 89. He said the barrel seemed like it was hanging up and not letting the case get out of the slide. Also there were two grooves in the frame that he sanded out to fix.
After he posted pictures I could see the issue. The barrel had no link on it at all and was just moving around free in the slide. I told him not to fire the gun again until fixed for sure.
So even if you buy a gun in person you need to do a little homework to make sure you are safe.
Please be careful when buying used guns.
I personally bought a P93 and when I got it shipped in the barrel was actually from a P85! The 85 have a flat lock up were the newer P-guns have a slanted lockup. Took that 85 barrel out first thing. Had to go aftermarket for my new barrel, still looking for factory kit but no big deal.
Take care,
I was helping a fellow member "fix" his 89. He said the barrel seemed like it was hanging up and not letting the case get out of the slide. Also there were two grooves in the frame that he sanded out to fix.
After he posted pictures I could see the issue. The barrel had no link on it at all and was just moving around free in the slide. I told him not to fire the gun again until fixed for sure.
So even if you buy a gun in person you need to do a little homework to make sure you are safe.
Please be careful when buying used guns.
I personally bought a P93 and when I got it shipped in the barrel was actually from a P85! The 85 have a flat lock up were the newer P-guns have a slanted lockup. Took that 85 barrel out first thing. Had to go aftermarket for my new barrel, still looking for factory kit but no big deal.
Take care,
