The neighbor is cutting back on his collection and let me have first dibs on a few items. They've definitely been used a lot. What should I watch for to make sure I’m not getting stuck with someone else's troubles?
Check the bore condition carefully and look for cracks in high-stress spots like the frame rails and barrel hood. It’s important to function test everything multiple times and examine the barrel for any bulges or signs of damage. Make sure to ask about the type of ammo that’s been fired through it since some guns can suffer from a consistent diet of hot loads.
When I’m buying used, I check how it feels more than how it looks. Does it cycle smoothly? Is the trigger nice? Is the lockup tight? I don’t mind holster wear, but looseness is a no-go.
