Gun Evaluation Checklist (for beginners like me)

[GH-16]

This is a good list, but I'm with Dean on this one. My rule of thumb after years of making mistakes is: Buy the barrels first! If the barrels have major problems with some caveats, walk away from the gun.

The caveats would be minor dents that can be easily raised, slight surface rust on the outside of the barrels that could be taken care of with some TLC or a re-blue.

If the ribs are loose, there's a bulge or excessive deep pitting in the bores, the lettering & roll stamps are struck off or the lettering stretched from buffing etc. leave the gun right where you found it. The repairs on these items can make a deal on the front side turn into a gun your buried-in real fast. The companion question to this is: Is it a project gun or one you can live with the way it is? The answer to that question will affect the price to pay for it.

Another question I ask myself. Is this the gun I truly want and am looking for?

I can't tell you how many times I've spent my gun money on an impulse type buy, only to have the gun I was looking for come along shortly after I drained the gun fund on something I wasn't looking for.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Paul Ehlers

I can't tell you how many times I've spent my gun money on an impulse type buy, only to have the gun I was looking for come along shortly after I drained the gun fund on something I wasn't looking for.

Amen, to that!

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

Chris, just buy a ''FOX'' And you don't Need a Check List

Harry

Nobody shoots Foxes.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Chris, when buying any vintage double, you’re buying the barrels.

[Aaron Beck]

If youre serious about evaluating a parker and possibly returning it after inspection, get a C&R. All the necessary evaluating just doesnt work in a typcial transfer scenario.

[GH-16]

Originally Posted by Aaron Beck

If youre serious about evaluating a parker and possibly returning it after inspection, get a C&R. All the necessary evaluating just doesnt work in a typcial transfer scenario.

I agree with the one.

Colorado in some ways did me a big favor when Universal background checks become the law here. What this did was make me get off dead center and get my C & R 03-FFL license, almost instantly I realized how dumb it was for not getting it years before.

Don't get me wrong. I dislike the universal background check deal, but having the C & R lets me have qualifying guns shipped directly to me & the cost for the three-year license is less than one FFL transfer fee & I don't have to deal with some gun shop that primarily deals in black guns that doesn't know squat about vintage guns or how to handle them carefully. Another benefit is you can have your FFL in hand when you go to a shipper to ship a gun. This day & age that's a plus in my book. Like Aaron mentioned, it lets you inspect the gun faster and return it if needed in an inspection period.