New Pistol or Used

[DPC]

Is there a way to find out whether a fire is actually new or pre-owned that you purchased?

Got feeling someone sold me a used pistol!!!


DPC

[B.D.Dubloon]

Shady. Hope you are wrong.

I prefer buying guns used, the price is way cheaper and they are pretty much as good as new.

[CSACANNONEER]

All guns are pre fired by the factory. So, you will probably never find one which is truely "unfired". So, what's the big deal if someone else has owned your gun or not?

[Black Majik]

Tough to really say.

For any handgun, they're usually test fired at the range so there will always be signs of it being fired.

You can check the barrel hood and barrel for wear or smilies. Look at the breechface for excessive carbon buildup. Look for unusual finish wear on the rails.

On a revolver the cylinder will have exccessive turn mark from being shot DA, powder on the cylinder face. Look for flame cutting, dirty forcing cone.

Got pictures? What makes you think it's not BNIB?

[DPC]

A lot of scrathes on it when I bought. Didn't have a chance to inspect pistol before I bought it. Asked the guy he said it was new. Also I spoke to someone at turners while doing an ffl and said the guy does not have a good reputation! I've owned some firearms for 5 - 6 yrs and none of them are scratched as bad or at all for that matter.

[wildcard]

Depends.. what kind of pistol?

[Rekrab]

Is it possible it's a gun that's been there a long time?

Last time I was at Ade's I looked at a new P220 that looked absolutely filthy despite being new. I can only assume it had been sitting a long time.

[DPC]

Its possible but were it not for the what would call excessive scratches on it.

[Jonathan Doe]

A new gun that was used for demo?

[Turbinator]

Bottom line, whether it was new or used, it sounds like the condition is different from what you either were told, expecting, or led to believe. Suggest you talk to the seller about a partial refund to see if that would fly. Otherwise, you may be out of luck. As you can guess, typically best to inspect before you buy, if possible.

Turby