What to look out for in a Used Pistol?

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M_User

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Is there anything you should look out for when buying a used Semi-Automatic Pistol? I have just been looking at a few and wondered if there is anything I should know to check or ask about before I buy one.
 
  • Look for any signs of misuse or poor storage such as corrosion, higher than expected finish wear or scratches
  • Make sure the rifling is still sharp and the bore is good
  • Look for higher than expected wear in areas like slide rails, front of the barrel that could indicate poor use of lubrication
  • Ask about any customization or changes at all from factory config
  • Ask about any history of failures of any sort (failure to feed, extract, eject, fire, etc)
  • Check for bulges in the barrel from firing a live round after a squib
  • Ask about ammo preference
 
Are you buying the gun locally? That is the best suggestion. Buying online is great, and i do it all the time. But you often get the odd nick or rust speckle that did no show up in the pictures.

When you buy locally, pick up the gun. Make sure it feels good. I've bought tons of guns that i thought i would like, then I'd end up hating. Example. USP, P99.

Check for rust starting to show, make sure the barrel has crisp riffling, and make sure there is no major wear or scuffing in the action and movement areas.
 
There is nothing you can spot with your naked eye really, other than signs of obvious mechanical damage. The best .45 I ever had looked like it came out of the dumpster behind Chez Pierre's (a disreputable titty bar in Aaaadmontin), and had half the finish worn off. Push the seller to let you shoot it if you can. That is about the only way to really assure yourself that you're buying a decent gun.
 
Ok, thank you all for your input. This is my first time buying a pistol so I wanted to know what to look out for because I never bought one before and there are a few used 9mm pistols that have good reviews online located for sale around my area.
 
M_User said:
Is there anything you should look out for when buying a used Semi-Automatic Pistol? I have just been looking at a few and wondered if there is anything I should know to check or ask about before I buy one.
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Yes...........read the sellers threads and posts. If he is , or was a competition shooter,..there's gonna be a million miles on the gun. LOL
 
Try a model known for being bullet proof. It's hard to go wrong with a Glock, for example. CZ would be another.

Or pick one of the cheaper clones that don't cost a whole lot to begin with. Girsan, Tri-Star, even Norc. Buy from a dealer with good customer support.

I only buy used pistols from folks I trust, or who seem trustworthy based on the character that they display online, or in PM during negotiation. I trust my gut.
 
Mark-II said:
Try a model known for being bullet proof. It's hard to go wrong with a Glock, for example. CZ would be another.

Or pick one of the cheaper clones that don't cost a whole lot to begin with. Girsan, Tri-Star, even Norc. Buy from a dealer with good customer support.

I only buy used pistols from folks I trust, or who seem trustworthy based on the character that they display online, or in PM during negotiation. I trust my gut.
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I'm thinking of either Sig(P226), CZ(75), Beretta(M?), or Glock(17). My local area has all four for sale used, internet reviews seem to say they are reliable.
 
Those models are pretty bulletproof as long as nobody has messed with the internals. Worst you might end up replacing is a worn spring or an extractor.

Biggest thing to watch out for in my opinion are guns that the previous owner has performed a "trigger job" on. Stay away from those unless you can live fire test it for yourself.
 
M_User said:
I'm thinking of either Sig(P226), CZ(75), Beretta(M?), or Glock(17). My local area has all four for sale used, internet reviews seem to say they are reliable.
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All great guns! I have owned them all at some point.

The Glock 17 was my favourite oddly enough. The thing just pointed naturally for me. Throw in a 3.5 lbs connector and get a hogue slip on grip, and your laughing. I always preferred the older Gen 3's with the tennifer finish. Goodluck scratching those beasts.

The CZ 75B is very nice. If you can throw in a bit more and get the CZ Shadow, it is certainly worth it! I was never a huge fan of the realy tiny slides on the CZ. Hard for the larger hands to rack. Real solid and heavy gun though.

The Sig 226 is great. You can tell it is quality when you hold one. I feel they are a tad bit over priced though. With the high high bore axis, I was never able to have it point quickly for me. I would always take a few seconds to line up the sights.

The Beretta 92FS (M9) are wonderful. Real nice looking, solid gun. I loved mine. I couldnt get over the saftey being on the slide though. It drove me insane. Try and get a blued version. I found the parkerized M9 to show scratches very easily.

Hold them all, point them, rack them. They are completely different animals. Double action/ single action, Striker fire and polymer / steel.

You will learn over time and experience what works for you. It is part of the fun.

Good luck!
 
AgentFoxMulder said:
All great guns! I have owned them all at some point.

The Glock 17 was my favourite oddly enough. The thing just pointed naturally for me. Throw in a 3.5 lbs connector and get a hogue slip on grip, and your laughing. I always preferred the older Gen 3's with the tennifer finish. Goodluck scratching those beasts.

The CZ 75B is very nice. If you can throw in a bit more and get the CZ Shadow, it is certainly worth it! I was never a huge fan of the realy tiny slides on the CZ. Hard for the larger hands to rack. Real solid and heavy gun though.

The Sig 226 is great. You can tell it is quality when you hold one. I feel they are a tad bit over priced though. With the high high bore axis, I was never able to have it point quickly for me. I would always take a few seconds to line up the sights.

The Beretta 92FS (M9) are wonderful. Real nice looking, solid gun. I loved mine. I couldnt get over the saftey being on the slide though. It drove me insane. Try and get a blued version. I found the parkerized M9 to show scratches very easily.

Hold them all, point them, rack them. They are completely different animals. Double action/ single action, Striker fire and polymer / steel.

You will learn over time and experience what works for you. It is part of the fun.

Good luck!
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That's a really good summery I would short list it to the CZ or Glock based upon value and reliability The SIG is nice but I found the bore axis difficult as well.
 
Some things to check when buying a used gun. Some might find it overkill but it actually only takes a couple minutes to do it physically.

- Does it chamber from the mag and extract without problems - take an AZOOM cartridge (nothing that looks like real ammo) with you if possible and get permission from the clerk.
- Does the slide lock back on an empty mag?
- Magazine release - does the magazine lock in and drop free easily when depressed?
- Breech face - Are there any signs of gas cutting/erosion?
- Barrel - Look down the barrel, are the grooves/lands prominent and clean looking? Are there any visual signs of pitting or bulging along the barrel? Is the crown in good condition and free of any dings? If it is a pistol, does the barrel lock up solid when the slide is in battery?
- Extractor - Does it look worn or damaged/chipped?
- Trigger - Pull the trigger back slowly until it breaks. Does it feel odd? Did it disengage normally with audible click? Repeat the process but this time release the pressure on the trigger just before it breaks. Does it reset or does it stay hung up where you released your finger pressure?
- Safety - If there is a mechanical safety, #### the gun, flip the safety on, pull the trigger, did it discharge? If there is a decocker, does it work without issues? If it has a passive safety, pull the trigger without engaging the passive safety, does it move like it would under normal usage?
- Sights - Sight down the gun. Are the sights on straight (probably seldom on a semi-auto but revolver is possible)
- Warranty - What is the store's warranty on it should there be issues when you do get to take it to the range?
 
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