Would you buy a used revolver sight unseen?

I've bought 2 new guns sight un seen but not used. See what sort of representations they make about the gun and if you can return it if it is a POS. Jim March put out a post a year or so ago that I just saw pop up again on how to test a revolver. You should check that out. Good luck whatever you do.
 
Warmest Wishes For The Holiday Season To All,

Well, I have been there and done that so to speak!:)
However, my experience was a positive one.:cool: You
see, I was searching for a Smith & Wesson 28-2 .357
magnum with a 6" barrel. There were none to
be had here in the Bombingham, AL area at that time.
Then, I started surfing the web for FFL dealer's and
came across Mount Vernon Gun & Coin in Mount
Vernon, IL. I contacted Mr. Karl Morgan who is the
owner and operator of this business, and he had
two S&W 28-2's with a 6" tube. We arrived at what
I thought was a fair price, and I sent a postal money
order along with a signed copy of my dealer's FFL
and on the third day afterwards, I had the Smith
& Wesson in my hand's.:D :cool: :)

*FootNote: The weapon was received in what would
grade out as a 99 percenter! For a grand total of
$270.00, I don't see how you could beat it.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Try to do some checking

Sure I would. Most I've spent is $1660 on the 'net, for a used gun sight unseen (not even pictures). I've bought almost a dozen guns (new and used) that way. Never had any problems.

In each case I try to get/confirm feedback for the seller from either EBay, Gunbroker, or AuctionArms. I have bought guns from people who have no ratings anywhere. That's happened about 1/3 of the time, and I did it when I found a deal too sweet to let go. (I just crossed my fingers and sent the funds as described below, hoping mail fraud is enough to deter the "seller". In those cases, the deals I found were on very obscure "gun" forums.)

I prefer PayPal, because credit card debit reversal is a guarantee of sorts. That option aside, in all other instances, I send either a bank money order or certified check by US Registered Mail. I don't use postal money orders anymore. They have two big weaknesses-- 1) it is murderously slow to get anyone associated with the US Mail to track a money order's payment history, 2) the bank can give you the account that cashed the check (if not/along with) the I.D. data recorded at the time the funds were cashed. None of this makes the transaction foolproof, but at least things are stacked almost even. The money I've saved on these deals is way more than any single purchase I've made.
 
Guilty

Bought my 45 acp M1917 S&W revolver from a NY Cop sight unseen. Met him at armorer's school and he described. All done via our FFLs.
 
Yup.

One revolver years ago from, IIRC, Kentucky Imports. Darn thing looked like it had been dropped and kicked across the concrete several times, but it functions well and was very inexpensive. It matched the advertised description.

My brother has "spotted" multiple semi's for me, new and used, at the gunshop he frequents. I trust his judgement and have never been disappointed. Stay flexible...I've done minor repair work in at least one instance buying used, sight-unseen. The cost of repair was extremely minor compared to the savings.
 
YES

I bought both the 7.5" 357 and 5.5" 41 Redhawks sight unseen (also a Glock, once, M20).

I'm glad, no probs, all good.

Lucky, eh?
 
WS2, you kill me. I finally got my 41 mag, but only the 7.5" one.

I might try to find a 5.5" later but for now, one of everything from sp101 to 454 SRH . All the different barrel lengths may come in later.
 
I bought my S&W Model 66 second hand, sight unseen from Hoplite, a regular advertiser in the Shotgun News. Barely used former property of the FWPD as it turned out; I'm quite pleased with it.
 
Have bought several on the internet auctions. All transactions went well. Check out the comments on the seller and ask them any questions you have about the gun before bidding.
 
I have had very good luck with internet buddies; like 9x19. It helps if you have ongoing contact.
I have done business with a couple of shops online also. Only once did I do a deal with an unknown fellow. But the exchanges of e-mails and the tons of info he furnished was very reassuring.

Could get a bad one some day I guess; but that could happen at a gun show too. And did.:p
 
I recently bought a detective special from a dealer online. There was a somewhat grainy picture to go by and the dealer's assurance that the gun was in NRA excellent condition. Price was good and I wanted a shooter, so I got it. When the gun arrived, I was dumbfounded. This thing has got to be brand new. There wasn't even a ring around the cylinder. I almost don't want to shoot it, but I think I will. So, I look for the following:

1 - Condition (either % or NRA ranking)
2 - Feedback on the seller. If he's got more than a couple of negatives that sound like legitimate beefs, I pass. I generally pass on new sellers or ones with less than 10 feedback responses.
 
Do autopistols count?

I've previously replied to this thread, but just an hour ago, I bought an S&W Model 39 over the phone. Actually, I'd seen the pistol a few years back but never examined it closely. I just heard it was available, and after a week of agonizing (okay--five days:p, ) told the owner I'd take it.

Now--If only I can be patient and not make a special trip to Dallas to pick it up . . .

Best,
Johnny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top