Confidence in a used gun

[gunblade]

I know its best to always fire a newly acquired used gun before relying on it for protection to determine if it functions reliably and to see where it hits. But, there are some firearms that I feel I know enough about that I can tell if they will feed, fire, extract and eject without actually shooting them....after a thorough inspection and function check of course. Is that being overconfident, or something that others do also?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I've never (yet) fired a shot in anger - nor do I want to, but I don't have confidence in ANY firearm, used, new, whatever, until I've had a chance to run a few hundred rounds through it. That's whether the firearm is intended for target, self defense, home defense, etc.

Regards,

Dave

 

[feralmerril]

Used guns, like used brides, should be eyed with some speculation. Personaly, I would try it out before I trusted my life to it.

 

[DeathGrip]

That truly depends on the gun in question.Some of the semi autos need a bit of breaking in.(So I'm told)
A defensive weapon is only as good as the person that's shooting it.
You can't determine how well a gun shoots without shooting the thing!

 

[Broker50]

I ALMOST trust S&W 3rd gen autos that much, not revolvers, autos. ALMOST, but not quite, I like to at least check function with all the mags I have.

 

[therevjay]

Revolvers you can check (for function) by dry fireing with snap caps, see if the fireing pin works just by looking etc. Of course that only tells you it will shoot, not where it will shoot.

Semi-autos? You have to test fire a semi. I have seen some that will hand cycle ammo just fine, but won't fire two shots in a row without a malfunction.

Also some (Seecamps are a prime example) that won't hand cycle ammo or snap caps worth poo poo, but never miss a beat fireing live ammo.

 

[gunblade]

I appreciate everyone's opinion. I don't normally carry a gun without firing it first but I've picked up a couple of new ones lately that are just begging to go for a ride...I'm sure they'll be fine but I guess I'd better wait 'till I can get to the range and they prove their worth.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Gunblade: I have a broken right arm (my dominant arm) and am trying to avoid a surgical repair, so several of my new handgun acquisitions are sitting in the safe until my right arm gets better, or I get frustrated enough with dry-firing and start doing a lot of weak hand shooting.

Regards,

Dave

 

[OFT II]

Used guns, like used brides, should be eyed with some speculation. Personaly, I would try it out before I trusted my life to it.

And the new brides too. I can dry fire a new gun before I take it out.

 

[Alpo]

Back in '91, when Navy Arms was bringing the Brazilian 1937s in, I bought one. N frame Smith, what could be wrong with it? I shot it a few times, at the side of the road. Single action, at a 2 liter bottle. Worked great.

Two weeks later I took the concealed weapons course, and decided to use it. First shot fired, then two and three didn't. Hmmmm. Tried again. 1 out of 6 fired. Fortunately I had my Gold Cup with me, so I got the great joy of declipping 8 moon clips (by hand - I didn't know they made a tool back then) so I could finish the course.

Pondered over what could be wrong with that thing for almost a year. Worked fine single action, but would not fire, reliably, double action. Finally I had a brilliant idea. Took the sideplate off and sprayed the innards with Trike. Watched the melted cosmoline (some type of congealed grease, anyway) come running out. Works fine, double action, now. Woulda sucked if I'd needed to shoot a bad guy, though.

I don't care how well you think you know a gun, or whether it's new or used. Don't trust your life to it until you actually know it works.

 

[David LaPell]

Before I carry any gun, it gets run through with the ammo I intend to carry with it. Not just slow fire or offhand, but fast, double action in case of a revolver etc. Some of my carry guns are over 50 years old, and after they have been run in, I then have no issues about carrying them.

 

[sw44spl]

I always fire my used guns before I call them ready.even the new ones.I put atleast 50 -100 rounds through them then I feel good about carring them.

 

[Ron H.]

Revolvers you can check (for function) by dry fireing with snap caps, see if the fireing pin works just by looking etc. Of course that only tells you it will shoot, not where it will shoot.

Sir, actually, no, it doesn't. A revolver can pass those tests and still not fire because of light strikes. One particular used Model 28-2 taught me that. :-/

Definitely put any gun, new or used, through its paces before you carry it.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[CajunBass]

Well, I would before I wouldn't carry anything.

 

[rburg]

I put atleast 50 -100 rounds through them then I feel good about carring them.

Your not fooling me for an instant. You only do it to burn ammo and have fun. Ya know darn good and well the guns you buy will fire, you just want to go shooting.

Are we going to see your smiling face next weekend?

 

[badam0112]

Definitely put any gun, new or used, through its paces before you carry it.

Ron H.

+++1. New or used. I have to put a firearm through a solid try out before I trust my life that it is going to function. We only go through this life once, it's not a dressed rehearsal.

 

[Wyo]

I function test all of 'em before carrying, both old and new. Actually, I've had two brand new guns, both Colts, that would not fire at all fresh out of the box. One was a Colt DS .38 special that had a burr in the firing pin channel and the other was a Series 80 1911 38 Super that had a problem with the firing pin block. The hammer would fall but the block did not quite lift high enough to release the firing pin. The only way to discover that was by live firing or, maybe, by using the ol' "pencil eraser" test. It was obvious that Colt had never test fired these guns and they never should have been allowed out of the factory. I've had function problems with various used guns but never found one that wouldn't fire at all. That honor goes to those brand new Colts.

 

[Win75]

I always put a couple of hundred rounds through any semi auto pistol, whether it is new or used before I will rely on it for personal protection.

I also always fire any new/used revolver several times for function and timing.

 

[USAF385]

Is that being overconfident, or something that others do also?

Since you asked, I'd say it's being a bit overconfident. Maybe even a tad lazy (no offense). Just get out there and try it before trusting it with your life.

Like the others have said... I make sure to put any gun, new or used, through a standard test before it becomes carry ready. The only one to fail so far has been a Bersa .380.

 

[markeb]

USAF385, What kind of problem did you have with your Bersa 380? I also have one and had a couple FTF out of a 100 to 150 rounds.