Buying police trade-ins yea or nea

Spend the extra $70 and buy the SIG!

Forget the Glocks. (no I'm not trying to start a flame war but have owned both, no comparison)
All other things being equal (such as condition of the weapons), the 2 Sigs you listed are significantly better weapons and excellent values compared to the Glocks for $70 less.
 
Most are sent back to the manufacturer for a refurb before being sold. I know Glock's and Sig's are. They go through them, replace all springs and other out of spec parts, and refinish if needed. I've bought a few and felt it was as good as a new gun at a better price.
 
I've bought several over the years and have never had a problem with any of them.

Generally, though, they'll show a lot more exterior wear than other guns because of their life in the holster.
 
no problem with them,I own one (357 mag) but it was a rare find
Consider that usually for around the same price range you can
buy a cleaner better maintained version of the same model -
 
If it checks out, sure why not. They sometimes have department markings on them that kind of suck but that's why you get a great deal on them.
 
Bought many police trade ins and never had a lemon.If you think about it they're not going to have their officers carrying something that isn't as close to 100% as possible.Only had one questionable pistol and that was a WELL WORN Glock 17 that the lower had a huge crack and piece missing.Got it literally for a steal and sent it back to Glock who replaced the lower for free.There were some DAO S&W 64's that came from a private security company that were all but worn out,but i know some that replaced the barrels,hands,bolts,and in some cases cylinders,but that to me seems like too much.

Some weapons never make it out of the arms rooms before the switch to a new system.Bought a Sig 228 that looked never to have been shot,out of the five i looked at i would say they graded 98% or better.

Last police surplus i bought was a S&W 4553TSW for $249,tighter than a squirrels ear,and shots better than a DAO pistol should.Only thing i had to do to it was a thorough cleaning,and a polish with flitz and 0000 steel wool.
 
Those are good prices.

Just know what you're looking at- inspect them inside and out and if they seem in good shape, don't hesitate to buy. Get new recoil and mag springs and you should be fine. You can also buy parts kits to have in case you need them.

I have an older 226 police trade-in I bought for a range gun, it's my favorite shooter.
 
Just know what you're looking at- inspect them inside and out and if they seem in good shape, don't hesitate to buy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that advice..Sounds like I may want to take one of my military or LEO buddies with me
 
Quote:
Technosavant; Yesterday, 07:36 PM #3
Have I?

Yes twice- both times I received a good deal on a firearm that was in great functional shape with a smooth action and some finish wear.

Would I again?

In a heartbeat, as long as I was looking for what they were offering. They're generally in good shape but with finish wear- great for shooting and carry, but they won't be museum pieces.


++ 2
 
would I buy one as a match or hunting piece? no. Would I carry a trade in? most likely. Would I buy one for the nightstand? most likely.

function test it fully, and don't sweat it. If the price is good and it is in good mechanical condition, that's all that matters.


Am I far more inclined to buy a police trade in of a colt, smith, ruger or such, or to go buy a brand new rossi?

I'd rather have a used camry than a brand new pinto.
 
have bought few will buy more. If you buy them online, then end up not liking them, you can often resell them locally for at least what you paid for them.
 
I've bought 3. In fact today I picked up a S&W 4006. Surprisingly not much holster wear at all.
They were all in very good cond. The 4006 really doesn't look like a LEO used it.
 
Definitely a revolver-I bought a Smith Model 10 that was carried by a Baltimore City Policeman( stamped right on the backstrap),and the gun has that butter smooth trigger that only comes from thousands of rounds fired in practice and hopefully not in use.

Great handgun.

Semi's ,.I would buy as well but I'd let others take the first bite as I am seeing some really rough used guns come on the market.

But I have to tell you,A few years ago,some SIG's came on the market from several West German police departments.

These were 10 rounder guns in darn fine condition.

They were selling in places for just $225 each and I MISSED THAT BOAT ENTIRELY.

I sure wished I'd have gotten off my wallet and bought at least one of those bad boys.

Now you can't find those guns for under around $400 anywhere and they look like Freddie Kruger used them.

Just protect yourself by buying from someone you know will respond if you have an issue with the handgun.

Like a proven reputable gun dealer.
 
buying a police traded semi or revolver?

Most police trade in weapons, were carried a lot and not shot much, but that does not mean that they were babied either. They were exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, I.e rain an snow often without proper cleaning right after being exposed. May have been dinged in a wrestling match or in the used as an emergency sap.

All of the above would not stop me from buying one if I could inspect it before purchase or had an inspection time with a return option.
 
retired cop pistol

I can't remember how long ago, but this police trade in was available when the 40 S&W was adopted by the FBI. Wow! that's goin back a couple of years.

S&W 639 still shoots great, groups 3"-4" @ 25 yds off hand

handguns 007.jpg

handguns 008.jpg
 
bought a LEO trade in HK USP40 for my brother

He liked it well enough! :D

If I ever get another for him, I'll pay the auction fee and have it delivered straight to his FFL. I didn't think it through this time and will have to pay a huge shipping fee and he'll have to pay a $50 fee after I already paid $25 at my end.

I did get to check it out. More importantly, my 14 year old daughter got to play with it, and she likes it.
 
I have a police trade in model 64, that is a great shooter and is my boat gun. I bought one of the Aussie trade in 3" model 10's from buds a couple months ago and it is on my hip as I write. Check them out like any used gun. I purchased both these guns for at least $100 less than "going" rates for their condition. Right now in general I think .38 revolvers are the best deals out there. Seems like everyone wants a .357.
 
From what I see most leo around here rarely shoot at all. I am the only one who shoots and shoot I do. But as far as what youre asking, most here carry them day after day on duty and yes some may have some wear and need a really good cleaning but should be great guns at really good prices. I had a highway patrol friend of mine who was getting issued a new gun and his department said he could buy his old one. It was a Sig 357 sig and said he could purchase it for $250.00 and he said if I wanted it I could that he wasnt going to get it. I probably should have but I didnt either. It went back to the dept. and then they get rid of all the old ones together. At my dept we have to purchase our own handguns.
 
I only have one reservation about police trade-ins,,,

Certainly not most, but quite a few cops I knew,,,
Took terrible care of their weapons.

My ex wife was a dispatcher for several different agencies,,,
Me being a leather worker, I was often asked to repair their rigs.

One rig in particular comes to mind,,,
The snap on the thumb break had popped.

I told him I could repair it in five minutes,,,
If he dropped by my shop.

He did, and took off his duty belt,,,
When I tried to remove the pistol it was stuck,,,
He had spilled some soft drink and never cleaned it off.

The sugary drink hardened into an epoxy like substance,,,
It took a lot of neatsfoot oil to finally dissolve it enough to remove the gun.

Needless to say that Beretta was severely pitted.

I offered a service where I would clean, treat, and polish their duty rigs for $45.00,,,
Very often a cop would hand me his rig and when I upended the holster,,,
There would be 1/4 to 1/2 inches of crumbs in the toe of it.

This wasn't the norm by any means,,,
But I would bet at least 25% of the rigs were ignored.

Cop guns are really iffy,,,
Shot very little,,,
Abused a lot.

That could be what you are buying. ;)

Aarond
 
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