I plan on going to a gun show hosted by RK shows here in a couple of weeks in search of a 629 or 686. Any advice on what red flags to be on the lookout for? I have heard of end shake, hammer push off, pitting, rough trigger, forcing cone cracks, flame cutting, and mangled screws. What else am I missing?
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Gun show advice
- Thread starter Wfevans4
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
Have enough cash available for what your spending limit is. Lots of sellers won't take a check or a card. Check out the whole show before you make a purchase, in case something nicer than the first one you saw shows up further down the line. If you do run up on the perfect gun early, you have to decide whether to take the chance it will still be there after you make a lap of the tables.
As for what to look for in the gun itself, you pretty much covered it. Ask about the box and papers, etc. and look at the stocks to check if they are 1- numbered to the gun (not all will be), 2- period correct for the gun (if they may have been changed and are not original) 3- if they are the correct type (if it matters to you; some revolvers came with magna, some with targets, some could have either). Ask before dry firing, but if they have the hammer zip-tied, ask if they'll remove it so you can feel the action. Some sellers will, some won't.
Don't get excited and take less than you're looking for. You might not find it that day, but there are others out there.
As for what to look for in the gun itself, you pretty much covered it. Ask about the box and papers, etc. and look at the stocks to check if they are 1- numbered to the gun (not all will be), 2- period correct for the gun (if they may have been changed and are not original) 3- if they are the correct type (if it matters to you; some revolvers came with magna, some with targets, some could have either). Ask before dry firing, but if they have the hammer zip-tied, ask if they'll remove it so you can feel the action. Some sellers will, some won't.
Don't get excited and take less than you're looking for. You might not find it that day, but there are others out there.
Buying a used gun, especially at a gun show, is an exercise for someone with some experience. There is a lot of stuff to look for and it is hard to relay it on a blog post. You are kind of in a "you pays your money and you takes your chances" arena. Be slow to jump in and be quick to back away if something just looks funky or doesn't feel right.
Yendor357
Member
Bring a small flashlight and a pair of cheaters.
If you are looking at a used gun, some polite discussion over the price could be a rewarding experience. I usually have a sign that implies that on my table at shows.
Your list is missing making sure the timing is on for all of the six chambers. You should also run fingers down the length of the barrel carefully, going by feel to find a bulged barrel.
I would never turn away a revolver missing its original stocks — but if it is, that is absolutely a point to be argued against the price.
It was mentioned earlier to do the whole show before buying.
If you do this and pass up a great deal, chances are the deal will be gone when you go back to buy.
There is no real cut and try solution for this, just have to go with what you know.
If you do this and pass up a great deal, chances are the deal will be gone when you go back to buy.
There is no real cut and try solution for this, just have to go with what you know.
xfarfuldog
Member
IF you find the right gun at a fairly reasonable price buy it. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have passed on great guns. I go to larger gun shows regularly. Sometimes it takes well over 1 + hours to see everything. By the time I get done and decide to go back for a particular gun it's gone. Due your due diligence on condition and then make a fair offer.
Good advice here. The standout for me is the flashlight. I'd be sure to take one for close up inspection, particularly of blued guns. The flashlight may also help you with spotting replacement parts, refinishing, etc., of blued guns. Even for the stainless models you're interested in the flashlight should be helpful.
Slufstuff
SWCA Member
I have to agree with not passing up one you want. It is my experience in over 30 years of attending and setting up at shows, that if you pass on a good deal or one you REALLY wanted, it tends to not be there when you go back. Heck, I have even had some sold before I walked away from the table after putting it back down! So, newbie advice, do not put a gun down until after you decide to pass on it. If it is on the table, it is generally open season, unless you just put it down to get out your wallet.
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I was approaching a table at a gun show recently and they were discussing an SKS rifle. The seller told him it was a D model Sporter which caught my ear.
These were made to accept AK magazines from the factory and this one had a 16" barrel and the thumbhole stock so it was a "pre-ban" 1994. Good to go, even in the commiewealth of Ma.
The seller gave him a super price... !!
The potential buyer thought a bit..racked the bolt a few more times....and told him he would be back after he thought some more..
I walked up and bought the gun. While doing the paperwork the first potential buyer came back.
He looked quite disappointed.
Sorry.. you snooze..you lose.
Just saying..
These were made to accept AK magazines from the factory and this one had a 16" barrel and the thumbhole stock so it was a "pre-ban" 1994. Good to go, even in the commiewealth of Ma.
The seller gave him a super price... !!
The potential buyer thought a bit..racked the bolt a few more times....and told him he would be back after he thought some more..
I walked up and bought the gun. While doing the paperwork the first potential buyer came back.
He looked quite disappointed.
Sorry.. you snooze..you lose.
Just saying..
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Great advice here. Ask to have the grips pulled to check the frame condition underneath. Bring feeler gauges to check the front and rear cylinder gage. Find out what the B/C gap should be, and have a cheat sheet. Also the rear cylinder to frame gage values.
Check the forcing cone to be sure it has not been filed. Check for hammer push off. If the finish looks too good to be true for an old gun, it might be. Look for signs of refinishing by excessive polishing.
I still believe that the best way to insure a good used gun is to advertise here on this forum in the Want To Buy section. 95% of my used firearms are from forum members.
Look extra hard on semi autos. Bubba works on them a lot. Semis just lend themselves to tinkering.
Now all this is not to say that there are not good deals out there. At least you get to hold it in your hand.
Check the forcing cone to be sure it has not been filed. Check for hammer push off. If the finish looks too good to be true for an old gun, it might be. Look for signs of refinishing by excessive polishing.
I still believe that the best way to insure a good used gun is to advertise here on this forum in the Want To Buy section. 95% of my used firearms are from forum members.
Look extra hard on semi autos. Bubba works on them a lot. Semis just lend themselves to tinkering.
Now all this is not to say that there are not good deals out there. At least you get to hold it in your hand.
LittleAugieMo
Member
Wfevans4,what area of the country are you in. In my a.o. R.K. shows are a bit....sketchy...more stuff than firearms,ammo&accesories. May not be the case everywhere but be advised especially if you're not a regular attendee. Other than that everyone else has pretty much covered things.
Take plenty of cash,don't be afraid to negotiate,keep in mind what features are important to you,and keep in mind mind availability while considering price.
Good Luck&have Fun!
Take plenty of cash,don't be afraid to negotiate,keep in mind what features are important to you,and keep in mind mind availability while considering price.
Good Luck&have Fun!
peterdeb
Member
If you have it in your hand and decided that you will buy it, never put it back down because someone else will pick it up and it is his.
Buggered up screw heads can tell you a lot.
I used to work those shows for years with The Gun Crew.
An excellent dealer to look for is Darryl's Guns. He has some of the most gorgeous Smiths & Colts you will ever see. The bad news is, he ain't cheap. However, you can be assured of getting a beautiful gun for your $$$$.
There's also lots of walk-around sellers as well. I bought a pristine Model 36 3" one time from a walk-around. I looked at it, we were apart on price. But I told him to come see me before he left if he hadn't sold it yet. He did & we did the deal. I was very, very happy with the gun.
TN in general has pretty good shows. Private sales are legal, which helps the crowd size, IMO.
Good luck!
This is a very important piece of advice. I've seen it happen more than once.
Beware of sellers lighting. It was a common thing in Florida shows. Couldn’t see any detail without a good flashlight. If the seller won’t allow a reasonable inspection, including removing zip tie and grips, he’s hiding something.
