"Dummies Guide to Inspecting a Used Revolver"

[Protocall_Design]

That's a pretty good list, Moo Moo. It looks like you have put in a lot of effort to come up with all of those. Some good ideas from others as well. I'd like to go gun shopping with everyone on this thread. Nothing would get past us!

Bill, I'm not seeing the bore scope product you refer to. Did I miss something?

 

[Pisgah]

You might ask if the revolver’s magazines are factory or aftermarket.

This brings up a major problem. Your article is great -- but many of the folks you are addressing don't have the first clue what a "cylinder" or a "forcing cone" or "chamber" or "ejector rod" is. Unfortunately, if you don't know what to look for in a used revolver it is because you may well lack the basic knowledge you should have before even considering the purchase.

Knowing I like firearms, people have asked me for advice on the subject for decades. My first response is always, "What do you know about revolvers (or semiautos, or whatever)? Usually, it calls for a trip to the range and some intense instruction.

 

[pharman]

Magazines?

You might ask if the revolver’s magazines are factory or aftermarket.

Revolvers do not have magazines...only pistols do...

 

[Protocall_Design]

Right. Revolvers have clips, not magazines!

 

[Drm50]

Left out 1st aid kit and a mop. You would need them before you ever made it to purchase negotiations if you were looking at my revolver.

 

[Moo Moo]

This brings up a major problem. Your article is great -- but many of the folks you are addressing don't have the first clue what a "cylinder" or a "forcing cone" or "chamber" or "ejector rod" is. Unfortunately, if you don't know what to look for in a used revolver it is because you may well lack the basic knowledge you should have before even considering the purchase.

Knowing I like firearms, people have asked me for advice on the subject for decades. MY first response is always, "What do you know about revolvers (or semiautos, or whatever)? Usually, it calls for a trip to the range and some intense instruction.

Thanks for your feedback. I am thinking about trying to add some pictures/images into the list to show the reader what the issue may be and where to look. EG. crack in barrel forcing cone - have a photograph of such an issue.

 

[Moo Moo]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm definitely no expert myself and the development of this list is just about teaching me as much as helping anyone else who reads it.

I recently stuffed up myself with my last purchase: Model 27-2 with 5" barrel. Fortunately I only paid about $480 USD for it so not all is lost. In the heat of a gunshow, it's not easy to remember to look at all these problem indicators with poor lighting, crowds around you, smells of food in the background, etc.

Possible Issues - 5" Model 27-2

 

[Taipan01]

• Case Colour – Trigger and Hammer

You wouldn't want any of mine then. Except for a 642, the first things to go on my 6XX's are the grips. I have the originals, sealed but I don't care for them. The next is the smudge job they call "case coloring". I remove it from the hammers and blacken the triggers. I think they come together better with the hammers matching the body and the triggers to the sights. They are jet black but image has light reflecting off the high point edge.