Purchasing Used Revolvers

F

FloridaGuy

New member
So far all of my revolvers where purchased new. I have stayed away from purchasing any used revolvers. I have been looking at a couple of used revolvers and may be ready to seriously look at purchasing them. But what do I look at to make sure they are in working order?
 
study... research

I've gotten myself into this predicament, and it isn't a lot of fun. Read the many articles on how to check out a revolver. You may have to go under specific brands, and use that information to generalize.
In a nutshell, the more you know, the better prepared you will be. You can take a lead ball, larger than the chambers, press it into the end, and see if the other chambers line up with the circle your pressure made from the first impression. All chambers should be exactly the same size. Feeler gauge to measure cylinder-barrel gap, smooth action? Is the cylinder locked in position when the hammer is cocked? Look for frame cracks and erosion where the cylinder chamber gap projects gases. Check the bore for smoothness, corrosion, nicks in the crown... gosh, the things to check out are next to endless. Some people will actually "slug" a barrel (force a lead ball through the barrel), and check the diameter, and notice if the lead ball goes down smoothly, rolls freely, or hits tight spots. Get all the reviews on the models you are looking at and take criticisms seriously. Good luck!
 
Revolver checkout- revisited

Thanks, Joel, for posting this. I read it some time ago, and was referring to this great work (especially for someone as myself). Even if one can not perform all the tests, the quick-over can be much more informative/telling!
 
The "how to check out a used revolver" is good stuff. That's what I do.

I've had great luck picking up used revolvers. Usually they are estate sales and my experience with used revolvers has been great.

Picked up this barely-ever-shot Ruger a couple of weeks ago. A real sweetheart of a revolver.

 
That is a nice looking gun. How much. I have only bought 2 new revolvers new and they were both second hand guns. I have owned 37 revolvers at one time in my gun collection. I have sold 30 of this last year. They were better than having money in the bank!!!
 
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"I have stayed away from purchasing any used revolvers."

OMG, I can't even imagine. I have bought maybe 150 used revolvers in the past 45 years. Probably 50 were bought from auction sites with no prior inspection.

I'm trying to recall getting a bad one.

Still trying...

Life's a gamble. I would hate to miss out because I was afraid of this or afraid of that. God hates a coward. Be bold and God will be with you.

If you can handle the revolver before buying cock the hammer. Make sure the cylinder turns. Push on the hammer to make sure it actually holds at full cock. Pull the trigger to make sure the hammer falls. Make sure the cylinder doesn't wiggle back and forth or side to side too much. Make sure the cylinder swings open and closes freely and smoothly.

That covers about 99% of it.
 
used

I buy it.
I shoot it.
I decide if it meets my criteria.
If it does, goodie.
If it doesn't I fix it or send it to a pro for fixing.
 
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Ironically, my favorite revolver and the one I've bonded with the most (and modified beyond what most people consider sane!) was bought new in 2005. But that's because the Ruger New Vaquero was brand new - the gun now known as "Maurice the FrankenRuger" has a serial number just over 5,000.

But otherwise, yes, I highly recommend buying used most of the time.

Rugers are of special note because Ruger will fix 'em if they break without worrying about who bought it new.
 
I agree with Oxygun. We don't need more competition for used.

I have only bought one new revolver but I am at over a hundred used. I have been fortunate not to have any serious bummers so far. Mostly the bad ones have been just in a need of a good cleaning. There have been some buggered screws but that can be fixed. All but 6 were made at least a decade before I was born so there is no possibility that I could have bought them new. Besides of those 6, I could never have afforded them when new.

So knock on wood, I will keep buying used and have fun doing it.
 
The only NEW revolver I've ever bought was an LCR. Liked it, but not enough to keep.

Both the GP100 and Security Six in my safe were purchased used and they're gems. Great revolvers.
 
its a crap shooot. Some conditions are really hard to spot without alot of expertise.

is that hard to open cylinder/crane assembly from dried up oil, or did the last owner pistol whip their great dane with it?
 
Two things to look for are buggered screw heads and poorly fitting sideplates (or other parts when the gun doesn't have a sideplate. These indicate a gun that has been taken apart, possibly by an amateur "gunsmith". And that may mean trouble with a capital "T". If buying from an individual, ask flat out why he is trading/selling the gun. If buying from a dealer, ask if he will guarantee the gun and have any problems corrected on his dime. If you don't like the answers, take a pass.

JIm
 
Most of my revolvers are pre-owned. I always check the lockup and timing before I use them. I ask for an honest assessment before I buy them online. It saves money for more ammo.
 
Mike Irwin said:
As of this moment I own.... 35 revolvers?



Something ridiculous like that.



Not a single one of them was purchased new.
Click to expand...


Smart. Most of my stuff outside of revolvers were also used.

For Semiautos, the advantage is greater because most, like a 1911, require a break in.
 
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