What to look for when buying a used revolver ?

[USA1]

Since I've never purchased used , just wondering if there are things to beware of...(red flags)

[RPB]

Used Revolvers:

FIRST thing I check is with an empty casing inserted, if the cylinder will rotate while the gun is pointed UP (like if you ever need to shoot from laying in a ditch on the ground uphill or up on a rooftop) Most "modern" revolvers should be ok.

I believe in the UT Tower incident long ago, some police revolvers would not even shoot upwards because the bullet casing slipped backwards in the cylinder and prevented the cylinder from rotating = won't fire shooting from the ground and aiming at the roof. (That's why many switched to Automatics, due to revolvers "jamming" )

After that, I'd check everything else that the other people who reply will tell you, such as firing pin, cylinder timing, wiggling, etc

[seamusTX]

This list is pretty conclusive: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.guns ... 9b9f2783f8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck.

- Jim

[The Annoyed Man]

Check the forcing cone for erosion and/or cracking, particularly if it is a magnum caliber revolver. Be sure that it locks up nice and tight. The cylinder should not wiggle when locked up. Other not so obvious signs of abuse can include whether or not the top strap has been stretched or deformed by lots of excessively hot loads. Visually inspect the clearance between the top of the cylinder and the bottom of the top strap. If it appears uneven or out of kilter somehow, that frame has been damaged. You should only barely be able to see light in the gap between the cylinder and the barrel.

[The Annoyed Man]

This list is pretty conclusive: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.guns ... 9b9f2783f8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck.

- Jim

That's a pretty good list.

[USA1]

This list is pretty conclusive: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.guns ... 9b9f2783f8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck.

- Jim

That's a pretty good list.

That is a good list.

TAM- Good idea about checking for tight tolerances and straight and gaps.
I wasn't aware the gun could become distorted .

[seamusTX]

BTW, most if not all revolvers will fail to function if a cartridge backs out of the cylinder. The problem is supposedly seen with defective hand loads that are undersized or not properly crimped.

I have never experienced it personally.

- Jim

[USA1]

BTW, most if not all revolvers will fail to function if a cartridge backs out of the cylinder.

- Jim

Then it makes sense to....

FIRST thing I check is with an empty casing inserted, if the cylinder will rotate while the gun is pointed UP

doesn't it ?

[seamusTX]

Yes, I was just reinforcing what RPB wrote earlier.

If a spent cartridge casing falls out of the cylinder from the force of gravity, something is very wrong with that revolver. I say that because spent shells are a wee bit larger in diameter than properly sized unfired cartridges.

You can feel the difference if you load a revolver and eject the unfired cartridges, then fire all the cartridges and eject them. Much more force is required to eject spent cartridge casings.

- Jim

[UpTheIrons]

Here's another checkout list that's a bit easier on the eyes (bigger print, not pretty ladies )

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/sho ... adid=57816" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[57Coastie]

BTW, most if not all revolvers will fail to function if a cartridge backs out of the cylinder. The problem is supposedly seen with defective hand loads that are undersized or not properly crimped.

I have never experienced it personally.

- Jim

I have seen the flip side of this problem, Jim. Son bragged about his "good deal" on some Russian ammo, which he fired in one of my revolvers. Second or third shot jammed up everything. Bottom line is that one of Mr. Newton's laws apparently got him. The bullet appears to have been loose in the next case, and when the revolver recoiled the inertia (desire to stay in the same position in space) of the next bullet caused it to move forward enough to jam the cylinder with a bullet partially, only partially, but far enough to jam in the breech. After using this as a good excuse to teach son how to clear a FTF, I explained to him how lucky he was that the bullet did not go all the way into the breech without jamming the cylinder, resulting in a redesigned barrel with perhaps a rededesigned hand and/or face. He promptly discarded the rest of the box of Russian ammo.

A physicist would argue that Mr. Einstein's laws operated here, too, since the bullet did not move forward in space, but, instead, the revolver moved back, and the bullet tried to stay where it was when the recoil commenced. That is, the bullet actually moved backward in space, but forward relative to the revolver.

I would think reloaders of revolver ammo should think about this.

Jim, too

[txmatt]

A physicist would argue that Mr. Einstein's laws operated here, too, since the bullet did not move forward in space, but, instead, the revolver moved back, and the bullet tried to stay where it was when the recoil commenced. That is, the bullet actually moved backward in space, but forward relative to the revolver.

Those would be Newton's laws, not Einstein. Or perhaps Galilean if you want to talk about the transformation from revolver frame to bullet frame. Bullet motion is safely non-relativistic.

[57Coastie]

A physicist would argue that Mr. Einstein's laws operated here, too, since the bullet did not move forward in space, but, instead, the revolver moved back, and the bullet tried to stay where it was when the recoil commenced. That is, the bullet actually moved backward in space, but forward relative to the revolver.

Those would be Newton's laws, not Einstein. Or perhaps Galilean if you want to talk about the transformation from revolver frame to bullet frame. Bullet motion is safely non-relativistic.

Wow! A scientist in Bryan. Must be an Aggie. Can't be. Must be an Aggie prof.

All in jest, Matt, from the father of three Aggies, who feels like he owns a piece of the rock. Now living just down the road in College Station after being wiped out by the physics of hurricane Ike down south on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Jim

[surprise_i'm_armed]

USA1, et al:

As an alternative to buying a used revolver, you may wish to consider
a sale item at Academy. This sale item is available from 11/22 - 11/25 only,
so you have to move fast.

On the front page of the 11/22/09 Academy ad is a brand new Rossi, 3" barrel,
.38 special, 5 shot revolver, blue finish, black grips, for $199.99.

The usual price is $249.99, which still isn't too bad for a new gun.

Did I read somewhere that Rossi is a part of the Taurus corporate family?

SIA

[USA1]

USA1, et al:

As an alternative to buying a used revolver, you may wish to consider
a sale item at Academy. This sale item is available from 11/22 - 11/25 only,
so you have to move fast.

On the front page of the 11/22/09 Academy ad is a brand new Rossi, 3" barrel,
.38 special, 5 shot revolver, blue finish, black grips, for $199.99.

The usual price is $249.99, which still isn't too bad for a new gun.

Did I read somewhere that Rossi is a part of the Taurus corporate family?

SIA

Well , I did go looking at a local pawn shop (Tomball Pawn) that's well known for its large selection
of new and used firearms at prices that are hard to beat.

I initially was interested in a used .38 special revolver. Their selection of those was limited , so I think I have narrowed it down to a new Taurus .357 magnum with a 7 shot capacity in all stainless.

I really like buying guns there because they offer layaway , which is a plus in my book.