Non-firing Eval of a Pistol

Louca · July 10, 2013, 02:49 PM

I am thinking of locally buying a pistol and am seeking any advice on how to check out the equipment when I look at it. I have only seen the gun in pictures on Armslist, and I have spoken to the guy, and things seem OK so far. I cannot take the gun to a range to test fire it. If I buy this, it will be untested as far as live firing goes.

The gun is an HK 45C that is a few months old with around 100 rounds through it. I am real familiar with safety testing a 1911 since I have had mine for almost 30 years and know all the things to check. But, I have only held the HK a few times, played with the safety, magazine release, and checked the feel of the trigger release. What other things would be recommended to test things?

Lou

TunnelRat · July 10, 2013, 03:06 PM

What price are they asking?

Louca · July 10, 2013, 03:08 PM

$900 and includes an extra elephant foot magazine.

Does that make a difference in how I check it out, or were you just curious?

Lou

TunnelRat · July 10, 2013, 03:19 PM

It makes a difference in whether or not it's a good deal

.

TunnelRat · July 10, 2013, 03:22 PM

http://www.thebangswitch.com/tips-on...used-handguns/

The video here, and MAC in general, has some really good advice.

Louca · July 10, 2013, 03:23 PM

I appreciate that. Really. So, while we are on that, do you think it is?

TunnelRat · July 10, 2013, 03:32 PM

They're not easy to find used. Assuming it is in good condition, and considering that extra mag runs $60, I think it's an okay deal. I paid a little over $1000.

For reference, brand new for $966:

http://grabagun.com/handguns/semi-au...-v1-2-8rd.html

No cc fees, but you still have shipping, and then the FFL fees. Again, plus $60 for a mag. I'd be interested in the two letter date code on it to see when it was made.

ScotchMan · July 10, 2013, 03:50 PM

Without being too much of a brand snob, any HK45c with 100 rounds through it is going to be good to go. I would be comfortable buying that gun sight unseen online or the like. HKs have an extremely low rate of failure; they are over-engineered and tested more than most other manufacturers out there these days.

That said, Sturmgewehre's video which TR linked is basically everything you need to know.

g.willikers · July 10, 2013, 05:52 PM

I was thinking the same thing.
Some brands would motivate a lot of worry.
But HK, not much.
Unless it looks like it fell off the roof of a car at 60 mph.

ScotchMan · July 11, 2013, 07:14 AM

Even then, I would take it over certain other guns out there.

James K · July 11, 2013, 02:28 PM

The thing to be careful of when buying a used gun (and even more so on-line sight unseen) is not the reputation but whether a previous owner has messed with it, and that is not always evident even when the gun is in the hand. A sad story that appeared recently involved a revolver bought used, but which then turned out to need a new hammer and trigger. It had been a good deal, but the cost of parts and repair made it no bargain.

Jim

RC20 · July 11, 2013, 07:58 PM

Handling a gun only goes so far but the one factor that is important is the feel.

One thing that was universal for me, no matter the make or model of HK, I loved the feel of them. Wanted one but settled for a Sig due to price.

So, the grip handling and how the controls feel for you are relevant.

You can get sight picture feel as well (HK has good sights).

After that its shooting and there is no substitute for that.

It depends on how picky you are or not and thats not meant negatively. Some people are very sensitive to how a gun feels and how they shoot it, some are not or so used to working with their hands and tools that its a lifetime of adapting to the tool vs a more modern situation where tools are being more ergonomic and fit the user better.

I am not. I can tell the difference and have a preference, but I can shoot anything at least decently (we won't talk about the eyes and sight picture!).

I don't shoot the HK any better than the Sig but I do like to shoot it better (not the least unhappy with the Sig, a bit like getting to drive a sportier care vs the Passat.).

July 10, 2013, 02:49 PM	#1
Louca Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 231	Non-firing Eval of a Pistol I am thinking of locally buying a pistol and am seeking any advice on how to check out the equipment when I look at it. I have only seen the gun in pictures on Armslist, and I have spoken to the guy, and things seem OK so far. I cannot take the gun to a range to test fire it. If I buy this, it will be untested as far as live firing goes. The gun is an HK 45C that is a few months old with around 100 rounds through it. I am real familiar with safety testing a 1911 since I have had mine for almost 30 years and know all the things to check. But, I have only held the HK a few times, played with the safety, magazine release, and checked the feel of the trigger release. What other things would be recommended to test things? Lou

July 10, 2013, 03:06 PM	#2
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	What price are they asking? __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2013, 03:19 PM	#4
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	It makes a difference in whether or not it's a good deal . __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2013, 03:22 PM	#5
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	http://www.thebangswitch.com/tips-on...used-handguns/ The video here, and MAC in general, has some really good advice. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2013, 03:32 PM	#7
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	They're not easy to find used. Assuming it is in good condition, and considering that extra mag runs $60, I think it's an okay deal. I paid a little over $1000. For reference, brand new for $966: http://grabagun.com/handguns/semi-au...-v1-2-8rd.html No cc fees, but you still have shipping, and then the FFL fees. Again, plus $60 for a mag. I'd be interested in the two letter date code on it to see when it was made. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 10, 2013, 03:08 PM	#3
Louca Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 231	$900 and includes an extra elephant foot magazine. Does that make a difference in how I check it out, or were you just curious? Lou

July 10, 2013, 03:23 PM	#6
Louca Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 231	I appreciate that. Really. So, while we are on that, do you think it is?

July 10, 2013, 03:50 PM	#8
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	Without being too much of a brand snob, any HK45c with 100 rounds through it is going to be good to go. I would be comfortable buying that gun sight unseen online or the like. HKs have an extremely low rate of failure; they are over-engineered and tested more than most other manufacturers out there these days. That said, Sturmgewehre's video which TR linked is basically everything you need to know. __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

July 10, 2013, 05:52 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	I was thinking the same thing. Some brands would motivate a lot of worry. But HK, not much. Unless it looks like it fell off the roof of a car at 60 mph. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 11, 2013, 07:14 AM	#10
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	Even then, I would take it over certain other guns out there. __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

July 11, 2013, 02:28 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The thing to be careful of when buying a used gun (and even more so on-line sight unseen) is not the reputation but whether a previous owner has messed with it, and that is not always evident even when the gun is in the hand. A sad story that appeared recently involved a revolver bought used, but which then turned out to need a new hammer and trigger. It had been a good deal, but the cost of parts and repair made it no bargain. Jim

July 11, 2013, 07:58 PM	#12
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Handling a gun only goes so far but the one factor that is important is the feel. One thing that was universal for me, no matter the make or model of HK, I loved the feel of them. Wanted one but settled for a Sig due to price. So, the grip handling and how the controls feel for you are relevant. You can get sight picture feel as well (HK has good sights). After that its shooting and there is no substitute for that. It depends on how picky you are or not and thats not meant negatively. Some people are very sensitive to how a gun feels and how they shoot it, some are not or so used to working with their hands and tools that its a lifetime of adapting to the tool vs a more modern situation where tools are being more ergonomic and fit the user better. I am not. I can tell the difference and have a preference, but I can shoot anything at least decently (we won't talk about the eyes and sight picture!). I don't shoot the HK any better than the Sig but I do like to shoot it better (not the least unhappy with the Sig, a bit like getting to drive a sportier care vs the Passat.).