How to buy a used revolver?

[dandyrandy]

I am not sure if this subject is covered yet (it probably has I am sure) but wanted to ask how you would buy a used revolver? Some of these guns can run from $600 to thousands of dollars. I dont know about you but that aint chump change to me. Some of the guns I have come across are in lousy condition and some look like they would even malfunction due to the guns poor state. I noticed in my area that some of these gun salesman are asking a very high price for these used guns too and they have NO shame in selling someone a gun even when they know it has serious problems! What problems have you come across? What types of things do you look at on a revolver? It can be about any gun too. Any gun horror stories or lessons learned that you would like to share? Thanks again!

 

[dandyrandy]

I had to pass up a sweet looking Colt Commando because the gun sales guy wouldnt tell me anything about the gun and it looked like it had been dropped.

 

[Arik]

How I buy is simple. Exterior condition and function are not the same thing to me. If it's a good price and there is no obvious damage I'll buy it. I have a 30s Colt that looks like it was drug down the highway for a decade or two. Functions just fine and under $200

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[amazingflapjack]

Suggest you get on gun broker to get educated. I look at anything S&W without a hole in its side.

 

[Arik]

I had to pass up a sweet looking Colt Commando because the gun sales guy wouldnt tell me anything about the gun and it looked like it had been dropped.

Wouldn't or couldn't? I find that there's rarely a story to the gun aside from the typical .....passed down and I need money/don't want it. I know my LGS doesn't ask about who, what, where, why. If you want to trade in your firearm they'll take it, if you want to tell them why they'll listen

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[Wee Hooker]

Couple of thoughts, here.
First, this topic has been covered here. ( Numerous times.) Given the inspection criteria is somewhat long and detailed, you'd be best to use the search function rather than hope someone will recreate it.

Second, most "sales guys" know nothing of the used gun they have in their shop. The guns get sold/traded there without a (truthful) pedigree. Once and a while, the salesperson may know the prior owner but any passed on info would be suspect and no substitute for a good inspection.

There are some great deals out there on used guns but it's up to you to figure out condition and value.

 

[Aerocross]

This image tells you most of what you need to know when you're inspecting a used revolver:

In addition to all of these things, be sure to do some google searches on the model that interests you to make sure you aren't getting an Edsel, and have a clear idea about what the gun is actually going to be used for. Cosmetic defects are anathema to collectors but a good thing if the gun is in good shape mechanically and is going to be purchased as a shooter/carry gun. Hope this helps.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

This image tells you most of what you need to know when you're inspecting a used revolver:
....

That image is tiny and unreadable. Only 200x360. Looks like there might be some good info there. I can see a revolver and some feeler gauges. Do you have a link to a larger version?

 

[AveragEd]

If you save an image to your PC as a picture, you can then enlargen it.

Ed

 

[awp101]

Click on this and it will take you to the large by huge version...

(Not mine, I just found a larger version for easier reading)

 

[Qc Pistolero]

To AWP101's guide,I'd add:
Check the hairline seam between crane and frame from the front;if uneven,pass the gun.
Check while you cycle the DA if it is gritty;if so,at best needs a very good cleaning;at worst,action has been tampered by a would be gunsmith.

Check if the barrel is bulged(either from looking in the barrel or running slowly your finger on the barrel).While a slightly bulged barrel won't harm much the accuracy,it sure will hurt the gun's resale value.
Qc

 

[Nightowl]

I recently bought an excellent condition 686, looked it over fairly carefully. It appeared to have not been fired very much. I shot some Hornaday 125 grain ammo through it to see if it needed the recall. Yep. Sent it back to Smith and learned that one of the cylinder stop notches was blown and needed a new cylinder. Wow. I had checked the notches for wear, but did not notice any indication of a blown one. I wonder if could have happened with the ammo I put through it. No indication whatever of difficult extraction.

Check the notches.

 

[Drm50]

Not trying to be a smarty, but if you are going to lay out major
bucks on a used gun, take someone with you that knows their
stuff. Going by the steps on the chart will help a lot, on S&W
revolvers. There are just to many out there to even begin giving
advice. If you are looking for a certain model & make, read up
on them, learn as much as you can, so you know what to look
for. As much money that is involved anymore the low lives are
many.

 

[H Richard]

It takes time and experience. Hopefully you have a Mentor that you can go to gun shows with. Handle as many different ones as you can. The above guide has some very good points, print that off and save it and take it with you when looking at S&W's. Take your time, check everything before laying money down. You can't expect to be an expert overnight, it will take a couple years or more depending on how much exposure you get. There some things you can't learn from a book, you need hands on.

 

[dandyrandy]

How I buy is simple. Exterior condition and function are not the same thing to me. If it's a good price and there is no obvious damage I'll buy it. I have a 30s Colt that looks like it was drug down the highway for a decade or two. Functions just fine and under $200

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Yeah I really liked that Colt Commando a lot but they guy wouldnt tell me anything about the gun. Seemed liked he had something to hide about the gun.

 

[dandyrandy]

Suggest you get on gun broker to get educated. I look at anything S&W without a hole in its side.

What do you mean by hole on the side?

 

[dandyrandy]

Click on this and it will take you to the large by huge version...

(Not mine, I just found a larger version for easier reading)

Awesome! Thanks for the reference!

 

[old bear]

Kudos to post number 10, that will give you 95% of the information you need.

All I can ad is believe the gun not the story, behind the gun....