Buying Used Handguns

WELCOME TO THE NO BS ZONE OF TEDDY JACOBSON


Berfore I get into this new commentary I want to mention a few things. I lost a good portion of my current email and if I did not answer you recentely please resend your email to me and I will respond.

I have all intentions of doing a commentary very soon on a product called MOLY FUSION. It is made by SHOOTER SOLUTIONS, I just need more time to learn a little more about this product from a technical viewpoint. But in the meantime please check out their website at www.molyfusion.com

It has become very difficult to write a blogger because they have been having trouble with their system and I could type for 2 to 3 hours and lose it all trying to save it as a draft or trying to have it published.



Buying used handguns is not that easy if you do not know what to look for and every handgun is very different. If we are going to first talk about a revolver, then you must know how to check the timing and look for end shake problems. This is not easy for the average person to understand regardless of what I write or how I explain it. So we will take another approach and lets say if you must buy a used revolver it would be best if you knew the owner of that particular revolver and the history of when it was purchased and if it has a repair record. Let me provide an example of how complicated this can get, read the following very carefully.


Understanding about timing and what is required depends on which brand of revolver you are looking at, basically they must index to where the cylinder rotates and each chamber lines up with the barrel forcing cone but in a commentary like this its not right to confuse you any more as a SW revolver is totally different than a Colt Python. The very end result must always be the very same in that it must index where each chamber is locked in place while in the single action mode. When I say index I am referring to the rotation of one chamber to the next in the cylinder engagement. You must know where the cylinder bolt should pop up and engage the cylinder before the cylinder notch accepts the cylinder bolt or stop. So to avoid all this confusion I strongly suggest you stay away from used revolvers unless you know that particular gun. I MADE A VIDEO ABOUT THIS VERY SUBJECT MANY YEARS AGO, AS ITS HARD TO EXPLAIN.


Lets asume you buy a used Colt Python which is no longer made. If it requires parts and labor to fix it, these old revolvers require a skill that most people do not have anymore, most of the masters at this are now dead and in cemetaries. Its going to be very hard to find someone that is not only good but knows where to find these high dollar parts you may need. You need to find some one that will play it straight with you, that is never easy. At this point in time I do not know if the current Colt factory works on old Colt revolvers. The same would apply to revolvers like the Colt Diamondback. Remember we are living in different times and the new members of the SMITHING society are all heading for 1911 work cause they think that it is easy and thats where Mr. Franklin resides.


If you are buying a gun no longer made and parts are now un available you will wind up with a wonderful paperweight that will look nice on your desk. There are old obsolete guns that I have always liked, would I buy one, "NO" because I would be in trouble trying to keep it operational. I know many people that keep buying used handguns and they call me all the time and at this point in time I can not help them as its hard enough to do the work but a one person operation can not afford to spend hours on the phone trying to locate a spring or firing pin or a sear or hammer, etc. In the long run if you are not careful you will get stuck and the only one you can blame will be the guy in the mirror.


The one exception I would make that comes to mind is buying a MAKAROV, it is a superb handgun and even a used one can be repaired with parts available. I personally like an HK P7 M8 and to me that pistol is as good as it gets for a south paw like me so I would take the risk of buying one in good condition because in my eyes the positive out weighs the negative. There are still many reconditioned P7 pistols available and they are no longer in production, but parts are available through certain HK distributors. This P7 is not for everyone as it takes a great deal of training to be comfortable with it.


Most dealers in firearms make their money in selling used handguns and rifles. They are constantly buying collections from widows whose husband has died or they are seeking people in need of money, this is a big business. There is not a great deal of money in a small operation when they just sell a few new handguns, you will never make a living. I am going to talk a little about what to look at when buying a used semi auto pistol so you can identify the most notable wear marks. If you see a fairly new pistol that is for sale you must ask your self why is the owner selling this handgun. When looking at these guns I always carry my nylon rod of a specific length and diameter so I can dry fire the empty handgun while pointed up at the ceiling to see how high my rod is propelled into the air. This will immediately tell me if the springs are cut or have been replaced on each model. Remember every model of handgun is different.


If I am looking at a Walther PPK or PPK/S I know how much spring power it requires to ignite a primer. You can not have a rule of thumb when doing this, if you have an AMT BACKUP, that is DAO and it is 12 lbs, it will never be reliable, but if I have a 3rd generation SW pistol that is DAO I can get away with a reliable 9 lbs. So now you see how each and every model is so very different. A lot has to do with the weight of the hammer itself and also the rotational arc of the hammer. A prime example is the Colt Pony which has a very light hammer and if you look at a used Pony with an 8 lb. DAO trigger pull it will not work reliably.
So you must use every bit of caution when looking at a used semi auto, check the frame rails for wear, always carry your magnifying glass of at least 7.5 power for inspections. You must look at all friction points for wear.


You will want to inspect each magazine for tool and or scrape marks. You will want to dry fire it and then remove the slide to be sure the firing pin is not broken. I guess I could give you an itemized check list if you write me and let me know this is where your interest lies. If you are buying a used 1911 pistol there are many things that you must check, for example if anyone has taken too much metal off the FRAME RAMP, put the gun down and walk away. You can not put metal back on the ramp unless you want to weld it or have a steel insert installed. It makes no sense to me to buy a used 1911 pistol of any kind when you can get a Springfield Armory (SA) mil-spec brand new for about $400.00, which will out shoot your $2000.00 high dollar production 1911 pistols. If you Don't believe me check out the testing done by Mr. Camp with his SA mil-spec, go to his website at www.hipowersandhandguns.com
This factory barrel that is in this new mil-spec is far more accurate than the average shooter. Think you need a hand fitted barrel for accuracy ?? Check out the results on Mr. Camps website.


I am just trying to get you to use caution. A good friend of mine always wanted a Colt Python, and I ran into one that was in mint condition and not the first scratch on it and it was made 20 years ago, it was a diamond. It was just one of those rare finds and now it has a home in my friends safe.


RULE OF THUMB I CAN STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO YOU THAT IF YOU LISTEN TO ME IT WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY AND AGGRAVATION.
If the handgun has been worked on by anyone that you do not know DO NOT BUY IT. If you are looking at a 1911 pistol and you see its a good buy and has all the bells and whistles, WALK AWAY.. Unless you have an invoice to show you the work that was performed and by who, DO NOT BUY IT. When I was a kid in Brooklyn there was a standing joke when it came to cars, we used to see Fox tails on atennas and mud flaps on the wheel wells and we used to wonder if that car was so much better with these accessories, did it ride better ??.


If you want a super reliable semi auto at a reasonable price, buy a GLOCK PISTOL. You do not like the looks, you do not like plastic, you do not like the way it feels in your hand, etc, etc, etc. DEAL WITH IT. IT WORKS EVERY TIME.
You can buy a new one under $500.00 I carry a Glock and if I can use one why can't you, believe me I have many more enemies than you do. Ask some of the range masters in the area you live which guns are more reliable that he or she sees daily. Which guns crap out the fastest at places like Thunder Ranch. The Macho BS guys can carry their 2500 high dollar production handguns and use ball ammunition because they are worried about feeding.... I never worry about feeding in my HK USP compact in 45 acp. I never worry about feeding in my Glock 27. I never worry about feeding in my HK P7 M8, it has never ever missed a beat from day one. THESE ARE REAL STEET GUNS.....


My friend Steve Camp has a SA mil-spec 1911 pistol that he really likes and it never missed a beat with any kind of ammo. So why get stuck buying a used unknown handgun when I am trying to point you in the right direction. Of course there are very good used handguns out there but unless you understand what you are looking at, why take a chance to get stuck big time. You can email me anytime and I will answer all your questions.


ON ANOTHER POINT OF INTEREST I HAVE DECIDED TO SAY HOW I FEEL AT TIMES REGARDING THE WORLD SITUATION. I will say a few things now and then to get you to start to think about what is really going on. Why do you think we are in the middle east ?? Do you really think we can bring Democracy to the world of Islam ?? Can we make these nations a republic like we are ?? Do you think anyone cares about women wearing Burkas ?? I see things very differently and I am going to point out some things for you to read and think about. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO PROTECT THE SAUDI OIL FIELDS, THERE IS NOT A DOUBT IN MY MIND. ONCE IRAN GETS HIT BY THE ISRAELI JETS, ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE AND IRANS PRIME TARGETS WILL BE TEL AVIV AND THE SAUDI OIL FIELDS AND THE AMERICAN MILITARY IN THE AREA AND THE STRAITS OF HORMUZ.
Please read a book called "SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL" you can get it at Barnes and Noble, it will shock you into reality.
Go to www.peakoil.org
I see things that a lot do not see or understand, we are in very perilous times right now with 3 carrier groups enroute to the middle east with Nuclear armament. If the Saudi oil fields are lost you best get your self a good bicycle.
This has always been about oil and power and money for the WEST TO SURVIVE.
Get ready, get all your supplies and seal your primers and carry your Bible.


AUTHORS PERSONAL NOTATION:
This commentary as well as all my previous commentaries are my personal opinion and my personal viewpoint only. REMEMBER I LOST ALL MY CURRENT EMAIL OFF MY LAP TOP, SO IF I DID NOT ANSWER YOU PLEASE RESEND YOUR EMAIL TO ME.


Teddy Jacobson / Pistolsmith (semi retired)
www.actionsbyt.com
281 277 4008
tjacobson@houston.rr.com
jaj45f@alltel.net
www.actionsbyt.blogspot.com/