Question for LEO's

[Apocalypsenerd]

I periodically see LEO turn-in guns for sale at pretty steep discounts from new or other used weapons.

My question to LEO's:

Are these weapons beat to crap by the use they get in LEA's or are they generally in pretty good shape?

Thanks.

[Peter W Bush]

I've had friends buy police trade-ins that were mint condition, and some that were a little bit beat up. Usually they are not fired much and are good deals, just be sure to take the gun apart and inspect the internals before you buy.

[oddjob]

The part that gets beat up is the exterior of the gun. They bump against all sorts of objects, skid across cement & etc. But as a general rule.....they do go bang every time and are really shot very little. I would also check the internals for rust as opposed to wear. They do make good camping/outdoor activity guns since they are dinged up already. The same theory would apply to security guard company trade ins. If you know of any S&W M-10's with thin barrels around let me know!!

[Jonathan Doe]

The majority of LEO guns look beat up. That is mostly cosmetic issue. As far as I know, the guns carried by the LEO's are banged around and worn from the holster and other constant contacts. The mechanical part are fine. I will buy LEO trade-in's anytime. My department issued pistol, 92FS, was only shot about 1,000 rounds through it. I just carry other pistols for on-off duty.

Besides, I have been to many factory armorer schools and gunsmithing schools. I guess bringing up the guns to factory specs is not a problem for me. I guess it helps a little bit, also.

[SVT-40]

LEA turn in's can run the gambit from heavily carried to new in the box. If a agency switches from one handgun to another they will generally make a deal with the company they are buying their new guns from to "trade in" all the dept's prior issue guns. This would include the guns issued to officers as well as the guns held in inventory that have never been issued.

Some agencies allow their officers to buy their old guns, or give them to them as a gift.

[bobfried]

Most are in decent shape, mostly external wear and tear from duty carry but generally less than a thousand rounds fired.

Of course that depends on the firearm culture of the agency. The ones with real wear and tear are Fed guns but those are rarely if ever sold on the secondary market, they usually get destroyed. My agency is very firearm-centric and my current pistol, within 9 months of issued have seen well over 2,000 rounds. But that is the exception not the rule. Most smaller state/city agency are not the same way and generally their trade-ins are good to go.

[Apocalypsenerd]

OK thanks for the responses guys. In recent months I saw some German LE trade-ins in various locations. Some were $700 guns going for $320. Then I've seen some eastern com bloc trade ins. Finally a couple of recent 9mm and .40 US trade-ins. The prices are generally good. I want a "tool, not a jewel" as most of my guns have some sort of jewelish value to me.