Questions on buying used

[Harmsie]

New to handguns so I'm just wondering what I should be aware of or questions to ask when purchasing a used handgun from a private party?

Thanks

[mrp]

New to handguns so I'm just wondering what I should be aware of or questions to ask when purchasing a used handgun from a private party?

Thanks

I waited until someone on the forum who had the respect of the group was selling what I was looking for. If that gun hadn't come along, I'd have bought new (from someone on the forum) or asked if any of the regulars here would be willing to help me pick one out at a local gun shop. I never even considered buying a used gun from someone I didn't know given my relative unfamiliarity with handguns, and guns in general.

It wouldn't hurt to mention here what you're thinking of getting.

[Snowgun]

The answer to this depends a little on the type of handgun. I think we had a thread not too long ago that detailed all the things to look at regarding a used revolver.

What I ask is "why are you selling it", "what is the round count", "are you the original owner", "have you done any work on this or had someone else do work on this?"

Things to look at really depend in the gun and how knowledgeable you are, but little things like looking for rust or wear is helpful. Rust you probably won't see on the outside, but look in the crevices where the gun gets touched. In a 1911 around the grip safety and the main spring housing, around the trigger guard, etc.

you should take the slide off (or have them do it for you). This will allow you to see how much wear is on the internal parts. For instance, a lot of automatics get the coatings worn off the inside by the barrel locking up against the slide when they cycle in various places. The more the gun has been used the more you can see this. This is not "bad" per se, but if the guy says 400 rounds and the inside looks like 20,000 rounds, you know something is up. (determining wear takes experience. Go to bills and have them show you the inside of one of the range guns for an example of a heavy worn gun) Other than that look for dings that show it's been dropped or misshandled.

As far as fit, what you want in an automatic is the slide, barrel, and frame to be fit together tightly when it is in battery (slide closed). If you can wiggle the end of the barrel in the slide that is bad. If you can wiggle the slide respective to the frame that is not great either, although some guns have a little bit of slop that doesn't really effect things. Again, it's an experience thing.

Finally, I play with the trigger. Make sure the gun is clear (duh) and maybe ask if you can pull the trigger (polite), which shouldn't be a problem on an automatic. Try to feel for weight, stack, and a clean break. There should be a little weight, then you get to a stopping point, where you need to pull a little harder to set it off. If when you reach that first stopping point, you then feel an excess of movement before it trips, that is called creep. All guns have a little, the less is better. If during this period it feels "gritty", that means the internal parts are rough and miss fit (sometimes new guns feel this way and get better when broken in). I like to check reset too but that might be something you dont' need to worry about.

The gun should fit your hand well (not to big, not to small, make sure you can reach the controls somewhat). And it should point well. Glocks point up at the ceiling. Meaning, that if you grab the gun in one hand by your side, looking forward, relaxed, then close your eyes and bring the gun up and bring the other hand onto it (you need to have a correct grip). Then open your eyes. Some people roll their wrists forward, and therefore the glock feels good to them. Some people don't so much and therefore a glock points up as an example.

Anyway, sorry for the manifesto, good luck, ask other people questions, shoot a bunch at bills to try different guns before buying, and take a class on basics.

[Harmsie]

It wouldn't hurt to mention here what you're thinking of getting.

Looking at picking up this S&W M&P 9mm: http://www.armslist.com/posts/196124/minnesota-handguns-for-sale--smith-and-wesson-mp9--9mm

Hopefully they are a member and will chime in. I've already exchanged emails with the person and so far no red flags.

[Harmsie]

What I ask is "why are you selling it", "what is the round count", "are you the original owner", "have you done any work on this or had someone else do work on this?"

Anyway, sorry for the manifesto, good luck, ask other people questions, shoot a bunch at bills to try different guns before buying, and take a class on basics.

Thanks for the info, I did ask the first three questions. They're the original owner, bought it a year ago at Cablea's, and has about 1000 rounds through it, used as a range gun only.

I did spend a couple hours at Bill's last Friday and shot a bunch of different guns. Came down to the S&W or the Glock, but after a box of ammo alternating between the Glock and S&W decided I liked the feel of the S&W better. I also had better results with it.

[TH3180]

Buy this one, great guy to deal with.

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=24914

[usnret]

On a good quality handgun the round count really doesn't mean a thing. On a high speed rifle cartridge it does, say like in a 220 Swift.

[farmerj]

round count could matter if it's extremely high and they have never replaced the springs. They will start to fail more as you approach 10,000+ rounds. Not saying that's a magic number, just above that, time to keep it more in mind.

Physical appearance, cosmetic damage in my mind is likely to be more a consideration though.

[solidgun]

Lot of good things mentioned here, I will add one more:

I look down the barrel for nicks and or rusting. This indicates improper ammo use and or not cleaning the barrel after shooting and improper storage. Also, heavy damages to the barrel can be costly and if the previous owner was stupid enough to use incorrect method to push out stuck bullet, that tells you a lot about that owner.


Round count matters on smaller guns and alloy material guns if the alloy is used to reduce the weight of the gun.

[Snowgun]

What I ask is "why are you selling it", "what is the round count", "are you the original owner", "have you done any work on this or had someone else do work on this?"

Anyway, sorry for the manifesto, good luck, ask other people questions, shoot a bunch at bills to try different guns before buying, and take a class on basics.

Thanks for the info, I did ask the first three questions. They're the original owner, bought it a year ago at Cablea's, and has about 1000 rounds through it, used as a range gun only.

I did spend a couple hours at Bill's last Friday and shot a bunch of different guns. Came down to the S&W or the Glock, but after a box of ammo alternating between the Glock and S&W decided I liked the feel of the S&W better. I also had better results with it.

That is a fine gun! You can also purchase a kit to make the trigger on that very nice.

[plblark]

Buy this one, great guy to deal with.

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=24914

+1

[Harmsie]

OK, you guys convinced me. Bought MrVvrroomm's wife's M&P this afternoon. Really great guy to deal with. He even brought me into Burnsville Pistol Range and let me shoot with him and gave me a lot of great advice and pointers. Thanks Bruce!

[TH3180]

OK, you guys convinced me. Bought MrVvrroomm's wife's M&P this afternoon. Really great guy to deal with. He even brought me into Burnsville Pistol Range and let me shoot with him and gave me a lot of great advice and pointers. Thanks Bruce!

Bruce is a great guy to deal with. Glad you found a gun you like.