Shopping used revolvers

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BoogieMan

New member
I am looking for a big gun .44,.460, .454 with 7-9" barrel. It appears that I can get one fairly reasonable on the used market. I dont think many people shoot them often so round count should be low on most. The thing is im not in "the know" of what to look for in a used revolver. I would assume wear any place you have moving parts and possible the gap between cylinder and forcing cone. Please give me some tips so I dont find the deal of the century that turns out to be a **** because they passed problems off to someone else.
Consider I will probably shoot this enough to get proficient then only on rare occasion and to hunt twice a year.
 
There is a sticky at the top of this section written by Jim March, it will tell you everything you need to know about buying a used revolver.
 
+1 on the revolver check out sticky, dont forget if you get the 460 you can also shoot the 454 & 45lc.
 
1 on the revolver check out sticky, dont forget if you get the 460 you can also shoot the 454 & 45lc.
Click to expand...
Started to read sticky. I dont know why I overlooked it to begin with.
That is what I like about the .460 is the versatility of the 3 calibers. Regardless of what I find I will have to reload to shoot it. >44 is by far the cheapest but still quite pricey. I just missed a 8" S&W .44 at one LGS this morning.
As far as the condition of the gun I can follow the list as stated. But are there specific models to watch out for? Like I wont buy a Taurus no matter what. But is there say an issue with a S&W model 29 -vs- 629?
 
In .44 mag ....the model 29's and 629's are very strong guns..../ and the older engineering versions like 29-1's or 29-2's are very desireable ...but its more of a "collector thing" than a "shooter thing".

I have versions of the 629 ...in 3" and 8 3/8" barrels ....( 629's are all stainless / and model 29's in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrels - some in Nickel and some blued.

Look the sticky over ...how to check the timing / and then general condition / make sure the gun has been cared for ...but depending on the specific model ( and engineering revision dash number ) ...prices vary a little on barrel length / with some being more desireable than others ...and there is usually a premium you'll pay for Nickel on the model 29's but in general you'll find S&W mod 29's and 629's from $ 600 - $ 1,250.
.............
.454 Casull, .475 Linbaugh, 500 Wyoming express....for the most part, you're getting into the Single action world with those calibers...and typically a lot more money.

I can reload .44 mag ...with a premium bullet for under $ 8 for a box of 50 ...but I shoot a lot more .357 mag than I do .44 mag ( easier on my hands, with my arthritis, etc ). .454 Casull or .475 Linbaugh ...even in a heavy single action gun like a Freedom Arms ( in a 7 1/2" barrel ) at about 58oz is still pretty unpleasant to shoot more than 50 rds thru it...

but everybody should buy what they want .....and there are a lot of Freedom Arms revolvers on the used market in .454 Casull - at least in my area - for $ 2,000 - $ 2,750 or so ....and their large frame model 83 ( 5 shot ) is quite a gun ( I have one in .357 mag -- that I like very much ) ...and they make them in .44 mag as well of course.
 
OK, Trivia time

Remember that the 460 Smith & Wesson can shoot:

460 S&W, 454 Casull, 45 Colt AND 45 Scofield
plus, if machined for moon clips 45 ACP and perhaps 45 Autorim and 45 Glock.


The 44 Magnum can shoot:

44 Magnum, 44 Special AND 44 Russian.


Some of the best bargains out there are those big boomers often sold with such accessories as holster and one or two boxes of factory ammo with either 5 or 6 rounds missing.:D

The accessory you MOST want is a set of dies and a reloading press/scale, etc. With that accessory, you will find more excuses to to shoot more than the "rare occasion". After all, more practice makes for better hunts.

Keep in mind that 45 Colt (loaded to adequate power levels) or 44 Magnum is adequate to take any game in North America (also keep in mind that Rugers hold up best to punishing power levels, though S&W is no slouch, either).

Chamberings like the 500 Wyoming Express, 500 S&W, 460 S&W 475 Linebaush and such do give you an edge, but that edge cannot make up for wayward shot placement, so be sure you buy "enough gun" to penetrate, but not so much gun that your shot placement suffers.

Enjoy. Good shopping and good hunting.

Lost Sheep
 
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