Evaluating used revolvers

[johngalt]

I was in a gun store today looking at 2 revolvers: a 6" K38 Target (5 screw, pre Model 14) and a 6" 14-3. I passed on them because I thought they were overpriced for their condition. The K38 was $595, the 14-3 was $500. Both looked well used. I was a little suspicious of the finish on the K38 - it was somewhat dull, while the 14-3 was more mirror-like (which I expected). The deal breaker for me was the screws - they were buggered on both. Someone had obviously had the sideplates off and monkeyed around with their innards. Timing seemed to be ok.

When looking for a used revolver, obviously I can't expect like-new condition, but how picky should I be? I don't mind some wear as long and function is good, but buggered screws looks like a bad sign to me.

 

[johngalt]

I was in a gun store today looking at 2 revolvers: a 6" K38 Target (5 screw, pre Model 14) and a 6" 14-3. I passed on them because I thought they were overpriced for their condition. The K38 was $595, the 14-3 was $500. Both looked well used. I was a little suspicious of the finish on the K38 - it was somewhat dull, while the 14-3 was more mirror-like (which I expected). The deal breaker for me was the screws - they were buggered on both. Someone had obviously had the sideplates off and monkeyed around with their innards. Timing seemed to be ok.

When looking for a used revolver, obviously I can't expect like-new condition, but how picky should I be? I don't mind some wear as long and function is good, but buggered screws looks like a bad sign to me.

 

[Wayne M]

They were overpriced if they were in fine condition. Good decision.

 

[riptrack44]

Buggered screws would be an instant red flag with me. I know I would have passed.

 

[M29since14]

Butchered screws are common, and, mercifully, inexpensive to replace, unless it happens to be the bolt plunger screw, or the 4th sideplate screw on older S&Ws. It is a sign to "look out," but not a definitive turn off, for me. I've replaced a lot of screws on what were probably perfectly good revolvers that just had the misfortune of having an owner who did not know how to grind a screwdriver. Evaluate the whole gun and make the judgment based on that.

The finish you mention on the old K38 is probably not uncommon as the duller finish was used on guns of that era. My experience with K38s is more limited, but I expect to see it on older K22s. The higher polish came along later, or may have been available on the older guns by special order... ? I don't know about that, but some of the experts here could say for sure. I have never seen, in person, a high-polish pre-model number K22 or K38.

 

[cmm]

In a similar vein, today a saw a used K22 at a local store that had a bunch of firing pin marks all around the rim of the cylinder (between the chambers). The gun was out of time at some poing and the owner had dry fired and dinged up the cylinder.

The store explained to me that the timing had been fixed, but that since the cylinder was dinged up from the firing pin hitting it, it was worth less. They were asking $450 for it. Other than the cosmetic damage to the cylinder (which was pretty minor) it didn't look too bad.

It was a 5 screw (I think) in the 150xxx serial number range. It had the same diamond grips as my early model K22.

Thoughts?

 

[pred]

450 is too much for a damaged goods gun unless you absolutely must have it because it was your great uncles gun that was sold many a moon ago,
I would go 300 for the 22.
I just picked up 2 pre 22s for 350 ea in great condition, Keep looking and enjoy the thrill of the hunt!

These were 350 ea, two different places and times.
Peter.