Buying a Used Gun |
If the gun is factory basic and just used in the normal course of duty it
most likely is a fair purchase. Check for over all fit, function and amount
of wear. If it seems excessive, parts may need to be replaced. A used gun may
be a great place to save some money if you are looking at customizing.
When buying a used customized gun first find out who built it and how
competent they are as a gunsmith. Are they a member of the American
Pistolsmiths' Guild (APG)? Try to find out if the gun has a background that
other shooters know. Is it known for constantly jamming or running perfect
all the time?
Starting At The Top Of The Gun
Sights
If it's a scoped gun, you should check carefully for any cracks or major
dings. What is the condition of the scope? Has it been modified by one of the
scope customizing companies? This increases the value as most of the Tasco
style optics need to be bullet-proofed. Remember even custom scopes break or
burn out. Is the dot too large? Around a ten-minute dot is premium for
Practical Shooting and a 20-minute dot for steel shooting works well. Minutes
of Angle will be explained later in this section .Are the adjustments all the
way to one side? This may be caused by improper mounting. Are there any
cracks in the mount? Are all the screws tight? On an Iron Sighted gun, are
they adjustable? Fixed sights although durable don't allow the testing or
switching of loads easily. Bo-Mars are still the best adjustable sight on the
market. Check for loose sight parts such as the blade or the sight base. Is
the front sight serrated and ramped? Undercut front sights are nice but not
practical if the gun is to be carried at all.
Compensator
Is the compensator loose? Does it twist by hand? Is there adequate clearance
between the slide and comp? About 0.002" to 0.004" is needed. Is the slide
hitting the comp? Look for shiny spots on the back end of the comp.
Are the bullets hitting the plates in the comp? Look inside the comp for
copper marks or tracks on the plates. If there is inadequate clearance you
will have major accuracy problem. Check for erosion on the plates. This where
the bullet passes through the hole in the plate and the gas burns the edges
of the hole. With the introduction of light bullets, plates can suffer from
significant erosion, sometimes to the point that they break through.
Slide To Frame Fit
Check the slide to frame fit by gripping the gun in your strong hand. Grab
the slide in the weak hand. Place your strong hand index finger along the
frame and the slide. Rock the slide back and forth and up and down. By doing
this you can tell the looseness of the slide fit. With Iron Sights, slide to
frame fit is not as critical to accuracy as with a scope. The sights are on
the slide whereas the scope is attached to the frame.
Barrel Fit
With the slide closed push down on the top of the barrel hood. If there is
any movement, there will be an accuracy problem. It will not be able to lock
up correctly. With the slide closed place your finger on the end of the
barrel and try to move it around.
Trigger Job
If you question the trigger job, lock the slide to the rear and drop the
slide on an empty chamber. DO NOT do this more than once or without
permission of the owner. (You better really want to buy the gun!) If it goes
to half cock the sear-to-hammer relationship must be adjusted or parts may to
be replaced. You can check the over-travel on a gun by cocking the hammer and
pulling the trigger all the way to the rear. Now rock the hammer back and
forth - there should be no resistance from top to bottom. You should be not
feel the half-cock notch rubbing on the sear. If there is some resistance or
scraping, take it to a competent gunsmith and have it adjusted.
Magazine And Magazine Well
Do the magazines fall cleanly out of the gun when the release is pressed?
This should be true even with the slide locked back using an empty magazine.
Also, check the magazine itself - the followers for damage, examine the
spring for tension, and look for excessive wear or cracks on the feed lips.
Test Drive
If the gun seems to be in good condition, the next step is to fire it. Take
it to a range and put some rounds through it. Look for the following:
- Does it perform consistently and reliably?
- Is it comfortable?
- Is it accurate?
If it passes all of the previous tests, by all means buy it.
The above tip is from The Practical Shooting Manual
This Manual is designed to help the practical shooter with any level of
experience excel in skill and safety. Written in a straight-forward,
to-the-point style, it provides a wealth of technical information in an
easily understood format.
- Three-Ring Binder packaging allowing easy updates, do-it-your-self notes,
and durability.
- Comprehensive -- 230 pages and hundreds of photos -- covering safety,
equipment, reloading, gun mods, shooting techniques, stage and match tips and
tricks, the mental game, training, goal-setting, travel, budgeting,
sponsorship, and even taking a class.
- A complete Section of custom tracking forms that will help you chart your
practice and match performance.
- Registration -- get discounts on future updates, new Hot Shots products, and
other vital information.
The Handbook was officially released 2/1/96. The price is $49.95 plus $5
shipping and handling. Either send check or money order or call and we will
send it COD.
If there is anything else you'd like to know, feel free to call
1-602-949-1553 or write to Hot Shots, 7040 East Wilshire Drive, Scottsdale,
AZ 85257.
COPYRIGHT 1996 HOT SHOTS -- This may not be copied or reproduced in any way
without this byline. Inclusion in commercial endevors is specifically
dissallowed without written permission.
Matt Burkett
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