Used Gun Gold: What To Check Before You Pay

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Want the deal without the dud? Use this simple checklist to inspect used guns, keep it legal, and skip the lemons while you save real money.

As nice as it is to get your hands on a brand new gun, it’s also a win to acquire one at a lower price that’s used. Used guns can be found at a variety of places, such as pawn shops, gun stores, gun shows and online at GunsAmerica. But how do you know what to look for in a used gun? Isn’t it possible you’ll end up with nothing but a pricey paperweight? There are some things to keep in mind when you’re used to gun shopping, but it’s not an impossible task. Check out these tips for successful used gun selection and add your own in the comments.

Are Used Guns A Smart Buy Or A Money Pit?

Yes, getting a used gun is a great idea. By getting a used handgun or long gun, you’re saving money, potentially getting a private sale, and maybe finding fantastic models that are out of production. Just think, you can put the money you saved into ammunition or another gun. Used guns are perfect for adding to your collection or starting one. There’s no bad time for used guns.

People sell their guns for all kinds of reasons. It could be that they simply need the money, or it might be that they’ve outgrown that specific firearm. Maybe, heaven forbid, they’ve decided to downsize their collection. Regardless of the reason that a used gun is now available, it’s almost always worth passing up the shiny new guns to check out the previously owned products.

Pick Your Mission First, Then Hunt The Right Used Gun

As with any firearm purchase, you should consider what you’d be using the gun for. That means narrowing it down to self-defense, concealed carry, home defense, hunting, or range use. Once you get that far, it’s time to decide on caliber and overall size. This at least gives you an idea of what to look for at the gun counter or online sellers. Firearms are, by and large, purpose-driven, and their new versus used status doesn’t change that.

That said, there are things you should be looking for in a used gun, good and bad. The first thing you will notice is how it looks on the outside. Paying attention to a firearm’s exterior appearance matters beyond how shiny or cool it appears. Guns that are taken care of by their previous owners should reflect that, meaning they don’t look like they’ve been thrown in a rock tumbler, with rocks included. Start outside the gun and check these red flags:

• Extreme slide or receiver wear. Some wear is normal from holsters and general use.
• Pitting, dings, and divots.
• Poor fitment, such as odd gaps and wiggles between parts that shouldn’t exist.
• Serious rust that goes beyond a little surface rust that’s easily removed.
• Cracks in wood stocks.
• Visible damage to the crown of the barrel. This is the outermost edge at the muzzle end of the barrel.
• Unexplainably loose grips or grip panels that suggest a damaged or threaded hole.
• Gouges and deep scrapes that suggest amateur gunsmithing.

When the outside of a firearm looks excessively rough, odds are the working parts are in less-than-stellar condition, too. That isn’t always the case, so take the time to inspect further unless there’s something so wildly disfiguring on the gun’s exterior you’re sure it’s a piece of junk.

Field Check: How To Inspect A Used Gun In Minutes

Once you get your hands on it and confirm it’s clear, it’s time to inspect parts and dry fire, unless it’s such an old model that it can’t be dry-fired. It does help to have someone with you who knows what they’re looking at if the internals aren’t something you’re familiar with. Obvious signs of excessive wear are a big thing to look for:

• Visible damage to the chamber.
• Gouges or strange unevenness in the throat that suggests a Dremel was used on the barrel throat.
• Missing firing pins or strikers. Yes, this happens.
• Missing buffer tube springs and weights in AR platforms.
• Weld or tool marks that shouldn’t be there.
• Misaligned barrels and chambers on a revolver.
• Scrapes inside the barrel. A bore scope helps, but you can still eyeball obvious issues.
• Barrel that isn’t straight.

Things a used gun should do with no issues:

• Slide should be manipulated easily on handguns.
• Bolts move smoothly, although not all bolt actions are created equally, and some are grittier or stickier than others.
• Trigger should break and reset consistently and correctly.
• Charging handle should function properly.
• Slide lock or bolt catch should work.
• Magazine release should work when pressed without getting stuck or failing entirely.
• External safeties should do their jobs as intended. Test with dry fire.

Of course, there are a few things that don’t matter a lot, either, like:

• Dirty exterior that can easily be cleaned.
• Fouling in the barrel that just needs a good scrub and isn’t indicative of problematic neglect.
• Loose grips that can be fixed with proper screws.
• Missing iron sights that can obviously be replaced with no issues.
• Pistol grips on ARs or other accessories that can be changed out for aftermarket parts you like more.
• Normal wear from holster use or handling.

Know Your Laws Before You Buy Anything Used

Never trust a seller to be fully aware of the laws and regulations surrounding selling firearms. Although most brick-and-mortar gun stores will be fine on this one, the guys selling guns online or at gun shows are another story. Many people believe they’re within the law and don’t realize they’re about to violate it; some people know they’re trying to sell a firearm illegally, and they don’t care. Check your local laws. This applies not only to whether private sales are legal in your area but to the barrel length and possible features of the gun you’re looking at.

Private Sale Paper Trail That Protects You

If you purchase from a private seller, maintain some sort of paper trail regarding where you got it. Don’t immediately lose the seller’s name and personal information. If possible, get a signed note stating the serial number and model of the firearm you bought. Find some way to retrace your steps in case it ever becomes necessary. Odds are it’ll never matter, but it’s better to exercise a bit of caution and self-preservation.

Trust Your Gut And Walk If The Deal Feels Off

Finally, if you’re about to get a used gun from someone and it doesn’t feel right, go ahead and trust your instincts. I’m going to go ahead and assume you wouldn’t try to buy a handgun from some guy who was storing it loose in his jacket pocket and beckoned you to come closer from a dark alley. But there are degrees to shadiness, so pay attention. And if you’re meeting a stranger, make it a public place and ensure someone knows where you’re going and who you’re meeting, or take them with you.

Otherwise, go ahead and buy that used gun. You can never have too many.

Want a truly unique or rare used gun? Check out Rock Island Auction here.

Buyer Checklist Table For Used Guns

Exterior Check	Look for heavy finish wear, pitting, deep gouges, cracked stocks, damaged crown.
Function Check	Safe to clear, smooth slide or bolt travel, positive trigger break and reset, working safeties, slide lock or bolt catch, clean mag release.
Bore & Chamber	No obvious scrapes, throat not Dremel-hacked, barrel straight, chamber unmarred.
Platform-Specific	AR buffer system intact, revolver cylinder-to-barrel alignment correct.
Legal Status	Verify local rules on features, barrel length, and private party transfers.
Paper Trail	Get seller info and a signed note with model and serial if private sale.

Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest

• Guide to Buying Second-Hand Handguns
• Classic Carry Guns – Give Used Guns a Shot
• Don’t Get Scammed: Five Tips for Online Gun Buying