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Anyone ever buy a used handgun only to discover it was defective?

I may have found a revolver to buy at a pawn shop (all sales final I'm sure) however there is a tool mark on the frame (cast face of the breech on the handle side about a quarter inch from the firing pin). Makes me wonder if the cylinder locked up and someone forced it with a screwdriver.

If I get it at a good price it may be worth the cost of having a gunsmith give it the once-over before firing it.

Any idea what gunsmiths might charge for a general fitness for service examination?

Between $25-$75.

I have bought a used lemon before. If I suspect anything is less than 100%, I'll buy a different gun, unless it is specifically for a project, and I get it for next to nothing.

You can check it out yourself if you know what to look for..........

Follow this guide:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/checkout.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

W/ AEA. This is the proceedure I use to check a revolver.

From what I have seen in the past, the prices at most pawn shops I have visited looking at used guns, the prices were only slightly under what the gun could be purchased for new. By the time you pay a Smith to check a gun over, there is a good chance that you could have purchased new and saved some money.

There are also a number of good online auctions and retail gun dealers. It can be alittle intimating when making an online purchased for the first time, but it can also be a big $ saver. And then also don't forget to simply check prices from different local retail dealers, some of which can be very aggressive in pricing.

I make a recent internet purchased of a Taurus .38spl +P M85 revolver to use as a CCW. It cost me $210 delivered to my FFL.
Down side of internet/online purchase is, you don't get to hold and inspect the gun prior to buying. No instant gradification of owning and holding the firearm after purchase....only the wait for it to arrive.
But, new does come with a warranty from the manufacture.

jonrjen wrote:From what I have seen in the past, the prices at most pawn shops I have visited looking at used guns, the prices were only slightly under what the gun could be purchased for new. By the time you pay a Smith to check a gun over, there is a good chance that you could have purchased new and saved some money.

There are also a number of good online auctions and retail gun dealers. It can be alittle intimating when making an online purchased for the first time, but it can also be a big $ saver. And then also don't forget to simply check prices from different local retail dealers, some of which can be very aggressive in pricing.

I make a recent internet purchased of a Taurus .38spl +P M85 revolver to use as a CCW. It cost me $210 delivered to my FFL.
Down side of internet/online purchase is, you don't get to hold and inspect the gun prior to buying. No instant gradification of owning and holding the firearm after purchase....only the wait for it to arrive.
But, new does come with a warranty from the manufacture.

I actually saw a lightly used S&W 9 at a pawn shop for $100 MORE than the MSRP!! I asked if there was any leeway in the price and he came down to the MSRP

I once encountered a pawnshop selling a .22 cal GSG MP5 clone. They wanted $1200. I almost fell over. When they saw my obvious shock over the price, they told me it had a "conversion kit" on it. They couldn't really tell me what was converted since it was a .22 to start with and still a .22 as it sat on the shelf. They also told me the cheapest one on Gunbroker was $2600.

AEA wrote:You can check it out yourself if you know what to look for..........

Follow this guide:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/checkout.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

good read; here is another one https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid= ... 2&hl=en_US
(linked from http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816)

It has a checklist summary that is handy.

Despite the good advice I doubt that disassembling a gun is practical in a pawn shop or gun show setting.

AEA wrote:You can check it out yourself if you know what to look for..........

Follow this guide:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/checkout.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bookmarked... Excellent reference... Thanks.!

Sorry to say, yes I have. Bought one that was, what I believe was shot out. A Beretta 45 acp. I shoot only 45 acp. So I know what to expect in recoil. So that was not it. The gun went every direction except toward the bullseye. I know when I shot in competition, some of the guys would have to change barrels every couple years. Sorry, I didn't get that into it, but it does happen.
But, I believe other than the barrel having a problem, the gun could be sent back to manufacture and be repaired. Only gun I have ever sent back, was a Thompson Contender. It was fixed with no problem. And I think every manufacture would have done the same. They don't want their guns out there if not in tip top shape. So to buy a used gun, not a problem. If one can get a good price for it. The only problem I have been seeing, is the seller seems to think he has a brand new gun. And is asking the price of a new one. Sorry folks, but a used gun will not cost the same as a new one. Sometimes we all pay just a little too much for that new, pretty, peice. I guess it is the shine that gets into our eyes. Maybe the redneck in us. You know the shiny bass boat look.