IF the world gets crazy, you gotta be ready.
And that’s exactly why your list of must-have items should include a handgun. At first, it may seem like a monumental task, especially if the closest you’ve been to a gun is a 3D showing of the latest action movie at your local theater.

But it’s cool, because, as you’re about to find out, buying a used handgun is a lot like buying a car. You simply need to define your needs, the job for which it is intended (self-defense), determine your budget and then investigate the market. Once you have narrowed down the field, it is time to “kick some tires.”

First impressions

First impressions are important.
You’ll see NIB (new in box) guns with all their original packaging down to those that the owner keeps wrapped up in an oily rag—or worse. For those guns that are not boxed, there are some simple first steps to take in your evaluation.
First, confirm that the firearm is unloaded before your initial inspection. Then, go down this checklist:

1. What is the general condition of the gun?
2. Is it clean overall?
3. Is the bore bright and shiny with crisp edges to the rifling and no damage to the crown at the muzzle?
4. Are there any scratches, dents, dings or other evidence of mistreatment or accidents?
5. How is the finish? Rust or corrosion is obviously a problem, although if the gun is sound you can always refinish it if it is financially feasible. However, that typically destroys any collector
   value that may have existed.

Be aware that many guns will show a lot of holster wear to certain spots on the firearm but still be mechanically tight. You can either touch those spots up or let the old gun wear them proudly.

It really is that simple for starters. From there you can do some basic ergonomics and mechanical checking. I’ll cover specifics for both revolvers and pistols in a moment, but first let’s look at the basics.

The basics

Having confirmed that the gun is completely unloaded, start by seeing if it fits you.

The coolest gun in the world is no good if it doesn’t fit your hand and point naturally for you. You should be able to focus on a “target” across the room, close your eyes and raise the gun.

When you open your eyes, it should be pretty well aligned with that spot. If not, you may be able to correct that with different stocks (grips), or maybe you should just find a different gun.

Continue by checking its basic action. Check to make sure that the safeties work as designed, and that the cylinder, slide or magazine latches work properly.
Ask if you may dry fire the handgun to check the trigger, and ask if you can test fire it.

Besides trying the gun, looking at fired brass can tell you a lot. Off-center primer strikes are not good, backed-out … Read the rest

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