Buying used?

[Poor Private]

Since I have never bought a used pistol before (only new), What are the things that I should look at for a used pistol?
What I am going to look at is a brass framed "51" colt in .44
A local gun dealer has one in his display cabinet for $100.
I havn't asked to look at it yet.

 

[Don]

Ask him if he will take it apart so you can examine the frame with the barrel and cylinder off. Look at the raised circular ridge on the back of the frame that goes around the cylinder pin and the hand that advances the cylinder. If it is peaned and battered pass on the gun. Also make sure the cylinder pin(the big steel post that holds the cylinder)is not loose or wiggly. If it wiggles at all pass on the gun. Then put it back together and cock it and then pull the trigger while you ease the hammer down. This will let you know if its timed OK. If you bring it to full cock and the nipples don't line up perfectly with the hammer slot then you have a timing problem. If the cylinder does'nt rotate than the hand or hand spring are broken. These last two things can be fixed but given the price of new brass framed guns I'd pass on the one with problems. Other posters may mentioned things I havn't but that is what I'd look for before buying a used BP revolver. If the gun store owner won't accomodate you on the examination then take your business else where.

Don

 

[mykeal]

Don got it pretty much right. I'd add one more thing: before you take it apart, check the cylinder for fore-and-aft movement (end shake). If it's loose (subjective term, I know, but I assume you don't carry feeler guages with you) you can try to tighten it up with the barrel wedge, which may require a hammer. In any case, if you can't, then hand it back and say thanks.

 

[gooddw]

If you're looking for a true replica, this is not it. Colt did not make a '51' in .44. This is a Pietta invention.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

I bought an 1851 confederate navy .44 from cabelas years ago and after the first and second one blew up in my hand and the other 2 replacements wouldnt cock, i decided never to own a brass frame revolver again. I know there are better brands out there than what i had, but after all those experiences, the fear is buried deep inside of me of one of those things letting loose on me again. :nono:

 

[faw3]

You should of tryed a Navy Arms brass one, Ive got the short round barrel and try as I do I cant hurt this thing, REAL slugs and bunchs of powder and it just shoots on 15 or more years now,love this old one. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Poor Private]

Me and my son have several brass framed revolvers and shoot both live rounds and blanks (reenaacting). As long as we don't over load and keep them in good condition I figure they are good for several more years. I just was interested in the brass frame for fun not reenacting> Hey it's one of my mottos
"you never have enough guns or money"
Unfortunatly I am lacking in both

 

[Don]

I don't how many years ago you bought those pistols or how you loaded them so I won't blame you for their failure but I own a few brass framed revolvers and haven't had a problem like that yet. I think as long as people use light to moderate loads(les than 30grains) then they shouldn't have problems with a brass framed gun, at least for several hundred rounds.

Don

 

[mykeal]

I can't say that I'd be telling everyone I blew up two guns. I think I'd learn after the first one; actually, before the first one. The guns didn't load themselves. And there's a whole lot of Piettas out there that haven't blown up. 2+2=?

 

[Zonie]

I think there might be "blew up" and "chain fired".

Although I've only heard of a few cases where a C&B pistol actually blew up I've heard of a lot of people who experianced a chain fire and to them, "The damn thing blew up!"

The only cases of an actual blow up I've heard of always involved someone loading the gun with smokeless powder (that happened to be colored black).
In the case of these smokeless powder blow ups, the material of the frame was in no way responsible for the problem and had no real bearing on the final outcome. The exploding cylinder would have happened regardless of the frames material.

zonie

 

[mykeal]

I think there might be "blew up" and "chain fired".

Although I've only heard of a few cases where a C&B pistol actually blew up I've heard of a lot of people who experianced a chain fire and to them, "The damn thing blew up!"

The only cases of an actual blow up I've heard of always involved someone loading the gun with smokeless powder (that happened to be colored black).
In the case of these smokeless powder blow ups, the material of the frame was in no way responsible for the problem and had no real bearing on the final outcome. The exploding cylinder would have happened regardless of the frames material.

zonie

Good point. I did take him literally.

But of course the frame material had nothing whatever to do with chain fires, either.

In either case, it's the shooter's own fault in the end. Not something I'd be publishing and claiming as evidence of faulty hardware.

 

[LEE3370]

If you are thinking about buying a brass framer, please take a look at what I have listed on another forum. They have been fondled and looked at but never fired. Health is forcing me to sell everything I have.
[url] http://muzzleloading.freeforums.org/viewforum.php?f=15&sid=54a41b36fc38471b1dad8b783bd7c961[/url]

Thanks,
Lee

 

[LEE3370]

Hello Folks,
After all this time reading on this forum, I had never seen the classified section of it. I will be posting some more of what I need to sell here.
Thanks,
Lee