buying problem guns.

[serger]

Out of the last 5 K frames I've bought, 4 of them were sold cheap due to problems they had. 2 were missing the hammer nose. 1 had been dropped on the barrel side of the cylinder. One had been disassembled and reassembled improperly.

I replaced the hammer noses and rivits on the 2 without them. The dented cylinder was stoned to remove the upset metal and allow it to turn free(Cylinder gap on that one is .004" with no end shake).

The last one I disassembled and cleaned and reassembled.

I guess I'm finally getting some smarts or these guns are getting simpler in construction.

 

[Monkeyzero]

I admire your persistence. I just bought an Interarms/Rossi m68 to learn on. Got it really, REALLY cheap.
Overall it's in good shape but could use a bit of trigger work and the cylinder stop is allowing the cylinder to rotate back out of the notch after lock up.
All things I'm willing to endeavor.
I knew the issues at purchase but that's why I bought it. To learn.
It's fun!

 

[steelslaver]

If I can get them cheap enough and the frame is good I'll buy em. I recently got an old K frame cheap because the cylinder wouldn't close up right every time and had timing issues. Turned out it had funky springs in the extractor assy. The timing issues are due to excess end shake. I can fix that, but, I have a K frame 32 S&W cylinder on the way and a 32 cal barrel. Going to have a K frame 32 for around $400 bucks when I am done. Might mill and fit it for adjustable sights too.

Got a real good deal on a nice 19-3 that failed to cycle a lot. That was simply a clean up job and some polishing on the rebound slide to have it functioning 100%.

I like to mess with em.

 

[ken158]

My favorite was a 3" 65 that had a kitchen table action job and had light indent on primers... This thing was a mess but new hammer, trigger and strain screw made it 100%. Not a bad gun show buy for $225. Guy would not admit he was the one that worked it over but it was easy to tell when talking to him.

 

[2152hq]

It's a good way to learn the trade. Either focusing on one specialty or working on all types of firearms. That's what I did early on to learn. With little $$ and no other way to learn I would buy trashed firearms and completely rebuild them teaching myself all the necessary trades in the process. I didn't make any money at first but eventually I did.
25yrs part time then the last 25 yrs full time gunsmithing & engraving. It's been a satisfying effort and I'd do it again.
I still to this day find it very hard to pass up a 'project gun' no matter what it is, no matter what the value. Seems like I have to save it!

 

[chief38]

Buying used guns is almost an "art" because there are many out there that to the untrained eye and inexperienced hands are "great" - NOT! It takes knowledge, experience and some mechanical ability to be able to look at a gun at a show, LGS, or someones house and in just a few minutes determine weather or not to pull your wallet.

I would strongly suggest that for the best possible chance of getting a quality piece you should either learn exactly what to look and check for or at least bring someone else along who really knows their stuff. If not, you are at the mercy of the seller and sheer luck - I never liked those odds......

Be very suspicious of something that looks to good to be true. Learn how sellers use certain words, or phrases to leave plausible deniability when selling something. Phrases like " AFAIK, SEEMS to be, APPEARS to be, LOOKS like, MINTY, I am no expert BUT....... etc. etc. If when using these phrases in an add or even in person they are found out or seen through they take a step back an say well I thought, or well I am not a professional - so on and so forth. Like I said, it's sort of an art to wade through all the BS stories. I suppose there are SOME legitimate guys who truly sell things that are not right and they have no idea, but I'd think most who are selling something know exactly why there are selling it - so be careful out there, learn about what you are looking to buy and it's OK to be suspicious. Knowledge is a great thing!

Not making fun here or trying to insult you, but after buying 4 out of 5 "lemons" I think it's time to LEARN and check out prior to pulling your wallet or hitting the buy button - just saying......... There are many beaters that can technically be restored and repaired but in most cases it pays to spend a few dollars more and get one without issues. Unless you can determine exactly what the issue is on the spot, know exactly how to fix it, have the parts or know that they are readily available and not expensive - it may be better to take a pass and continue the quest. There is always another one down the road!

 

[steelslaver]

I don't think he bought 4 out of 5 lemons because he was uninformed. He is saying he 4 out of the last 5 he bought he got cheap because they had known problems and he got them cheap because of it. I do the same thing. So far so good. I may end up spending near the same money as I would have if I had bought a gun that checked out, plus spend a bunch of time. But, to me it is a hobby and the challenge and the learning experience is worth it to me. I have a drawer full of barrels, cylinders, yokes and other assorted parts. If I end up buying one some day for $200-300 and find out the frame is junk I will strip the parts, shrug my solders and use it to fit grips or something. Hey how about a cool tool to snap a center punch?

I do have to agree on the adds with the buzz words similar to those you mentioned. Looks like the seller is setting him selfup to win any argument with the buyer when they discover what is wrong.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Since I'm the guy who bought the 686 with a K Frame sideplate,
I may qualify.
That's not the only 'problem' gun that I ever bought, just the one I remember the best.

 

[BE Mike]

There are some problem guns out there. I've bought a couple. One k frame only had the hammer block removed, so easy fix. The last was a 1911 where the trigger job had been butchered and the pistol would double. Luckily the gun shop I bought it from agreed to pay for replacement parts and I know a 1911 inside and out and was able to do the repairs. These handguns weren't inexpensive purchases, so if you have the experience and time to make repairs, it isn't a huge deal. Unless the gun is new, you are taking a chance on any used gun you buy sight unseen. I've never knowingly sold a gun with any mechanical issues, but there are folks out there that will.

 

[hangnoose]

THE MORE YOU KNOW THE LOWER YOUR RISK.

Absolutely true, unfortunately many/most of us don't have gunsmith skills. Fortunately many people seem to just use & abuse guns without ever cleaning them well if at all & sell them when they cease to function well, or at all. It may just be a case of copper fouling, a good cleaning, some time & elbow grease, an inexpensive minor part easy to install by "non pro's" could be all it takes. I'm no smithy & have had way more diamonds in the rough than lemons. If buying an iffy gun, the less you spend the less you will be out if things go bad. If you can't afford to lose it, don't take the bet. My biggest risk was on a Winchester 94 XTR 22 mag & I came very close to passing on it, but that gets the price down & of all the things I've lost or wasted $ on that was worth the risk, IMO. It turned out to be all cosmetic issues.
How many of us bought powerball tickets this week? I haven't checked to see if I won yet.