Thinking of buying a used revolver but don't know what to check for?

[Evil_Ed]

Fortunately, a nice older fella has us covered.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgsWqHuytN8

Set aside an hour or more, because if you happen to have your (used) revolver anywhere nearby and safed, you're going to want to play along with the guy while he does his checks...I dug out a bunch of stuff while he was talking just to check things. It was pretty enlightening. The first 10 or so minutes are him warming up to the information, so there's some padding in the video.

[Stephanie B]

Or you can download and read this (https://studentofthegun.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/the-revolver-checkout-guide-2011.pdf).

[Totem Polar]

Jim March is indeed the way. Be prepared for stinkeye at some gun counters though.

[PNWTO]

Jim March is indeed the way.

Oddly, he also makes it easier to justify buying a complete rattletrap while thinking “yeah, I’ll just send it off and then do XYZ…”.

[lee n. field]

I usually point folks to Jim March's document.

Last time I bought a used revolver the counter guy said "You're the first guy I've ever seen use feeler gauges to check out a gun". (I'd been burnt before, on an excessively tight cylinder gap.)

[Stephanie B]

Skeeter had some thoughts. (http://darkcanyon.net/Complete_HowToGuide_For_Buying_Used_Handguns.htm)

[FrankB]

I usually point folks to Jim March's document.

Last time I bought a used revolver the counter guy said "You're the first guy I've ever seen use feeler gauges to check out a gun". (I'd been burnt before, on an excessively tight cylinder gap.)

I keep a feeler gauges in my glove compartment at all times. I have barrel/cylinder gap OCD.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Here's a really comprehensive guide from our own Outpost75:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?353160-Revolver-Inspection-The-Right-Way-aka-Wheelgun-101