Posted: 11/12/2005 7:37:08 AM EDT
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now I'm shopping for a GLOCK, any thread on how to shop for a used firearm? I imagine close inspection of the frame, firing block, barrel..etc.. but what specifics to look for?? do you take a magifying glass with you? when you look down a barrel, can you really see "pitting" or the amount of wear.. I'm a newbie, I can only tell if its dirty or if its shinny..  I won't keep typing my questions, I'm positive this road has been traveled by many newbies... |
| It comes with the Glock warranty. I know that, if it's broke they'll fix it. Period. The biggest thing is inspecting the frame. Take it down and closely look at the entire frame to check for cracks. Check it for function by clearing it, and dry firing it a few times. I love glocks but the triggers suck. light pull, then a wall to pull it through to break it. It sucks, but that's a stock glock trigger. |
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If I were shopping for a used Glock, I would lean towards a newer generation with finger grooves and a light rail. This will insure your getting a newer pistol as opposed to the non finger groove model which could have more of a chance of having worn parts or require any upgrades. Unless you have a strong preferance for the non finger groove model, I would personall stick to a newer generation pistol. S/n's beginning with F, G, and H being the newest. I would also not buy one with the prefix beginning with "E". On some of these Glock tried a new a new manufacturing method dealing with the rails and a very small percentage of pistols could have a problem. Glock does replace the frame for free though. I would look for any signs of abuse, neglect, or experimentation. Check the frame for cracks, most likely area would be the dust cover just forward of the s/n tag. There will be a line there which is a seam/ mold mark. Dont be alarmed. If you think it may be cracked there, when you field strip it squeeze and flex the frame to look for crack and to open any potential crack more allowing you to see better. This would be rare but does happen. Look at the pin holes on bothe sides of the frame, make sure they aren't chewed. Look at the back of the slide at the slide cover plate and see if that has been chewed by someone prying at it. Even a new pistol with a low round count can be bad if it was owned by an idiot. Look at the corners of the pistol for tell tale signs of dropping. Inspect the crown/ muzzle end of the barrel. Make sure there are no pits or dents. Inspect around the sights to look for marks caused by someone pounding them. Most Glocks I have seen used haven't been cleaned but dont consider that a sign of neglect, that is the least of your worries. After insuring the pistol is empty, dry fire it and shake the pistol forward to backwards. A rattling sound in the slide would indicate that the firing pin channel is free from debris which would be a good thing. Dry fire a cock the pistol a few times making sure the trigger resets properly. Field strip the pistol by pulling back on the slide 1/8 " after dry firing using one hand and simultaneously pull down on both sides of the slide lock located just above the trigger guard. Push the slide forward till it comes off the receiver/Frame. Remove the recoil spring by pulling it out near the chamber end. Make sure there are no bulges in the barrel. Look down the bore for any real dark spots. Glock barrels are tough, dont think the bore needs to be shiny, it doesn't. If you clean it it should be fairly shiny though. Copper colored lube on the slide is a good indicator the pistol is fairly new and / or not cleaned much. Again, not a bad thing. Give the locking block a visual which is the large silver block pinned in the frame which contacts the rear of the barrel. Check the breech face (area near fring pin fole in slide) for serious pitting or erosion. Make sure firing pin slot looks uniform in shape. Push the firing pin forward and make sure it isn't stick out of the firing pin hole. Repeat while depressing the plunger in the frame, you should see the firing pin exposed then. DO NOT pull rearward on the firing pin and let it snap forward. This would be a fairly thorough check and not all necessary if you knew the history or if the pistol was fairly new. They are tough pistols and I haven't seen too many bad used ones. well, that's about it for now. Good luck. |
| As far as pitting goes, you should notice it unless the barrel is full of dust or fouling. A quick brush and a patch should clear it pretty well of any debris. The hexagonal rifling method that is used by GLOCK leaves one of the most mirror like bores that I have seen in a factory pistol. Any flaw should be pretty easy to detect. By the way, that fact makes them easier to clean and maintain so there are rarely any rusty GLOCK barrels unless someone really abused it. |
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+1 on summit gunbroker. he's given me the best deal twice on two glocks i was looking for. they were used and a little dirty, like he said. there was no surprises. i was looking for something to clean up and duracoat and what not. he sells new, used, and glock rebuilts. Mark is agrade A |
I agree!! Mark's the shit!! Summit Gunbrokers rock!!!! |