Buying a used revolver....need to know what to look for!

I might be buying a used revolver tomorrow and need a little help. This will be my first revolver and it is the Ruger Single Ten in 22LR. What do I need to look out for to make sure I'm not getting screwed? The guy said it's only had about 300 rounds through it. Suggestions?

 

Honestly a 22lr revolver unless a midget barrell length is gonna take thousands of rounds or improper cleaning to be in bad shape barrel wise and cylinder wise. That rounds just not hard on guns honestly...now if they were shooting high velocity stuff it could be a little more worn but I doubt you'd have issues till over 1,000 rounds easily. I'd say explore pricing and buy it if reasonable and enjoy!

 

fyi...this has 10 rounds and will be considered an assault weapon...hide it. haha!

 

That's right and this gun won't have a paper trail leading back to me! Watch out!

 

I don't think you will have any issues to worry about with that gun. It can't be that old. And like previously stated a 22 isnt going to wear out that quickly or develope issues.

We have to get the FFL transfer done for private party handgun sales here in PA.

I'm sure you are going to love that gun. I have a single six and it's just a great little shooter.

 

I would love to add to my handgun collection but everyone is charging outrageous prices!

 

I initially wanted the single six but wondered how often I'd use the 22 mag cylinder. I like the idea of 10 rounds and I read it's very accurate. At 25 yards, the Gunblast guy had several groups under 1.5" and one was under an inch.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SingleTen.htm

Do you think it's a decent deal for me to save $75 on this gun compared to buying new? That is if everything checks out with it.

 

Yes. Now if it was a really worn out, beat up old revolver you were only saving $75 then probably not. But if its in good shape, I love buying used over new.

 

I hear these are great guns and straight shooters! For me, the $75 is well worth the warranty, I'd go new but thats just me! Will you need the Warranty, who knows? A gunsmith repairs can add up rather quickly!

 

If in good shape, and with my basic knowledge of firearm maintenance I'd buy used every single time....as a matter of fact I've personally only bought a gun brand new (excluding my ML) 4 times. A PF9, a Phoenix HP22, a Rossi 44 mag lever and my Mossberg 500 12 gauge. However I've got countless ones that were used or handed down to me and are the brunt of my collection.

 

Have you gone to the Ruger forums to read any feedback on this model. In general this is a great source of information, some good some bad!

 

Look around a little bit too for new pricing. I just purchased a new Ruger .357 at Scheels and it was priced exactly $100 cheaper than Cabelas.....both at regular price. Some companies are pricing through the roof while seem seem to be holding steady. I too wouldn't worry too much about a .22 pistol unless it obviously looks abused.

 

First off thats a great gun and if trully only has 300rds through it Id say you have nothing to worry about. I typically check out the hammer mech. and check to see how much if any slop there is on the cylinder, but any issues there will take WAY more use to appear. I own LOTS of Rugers and shoot them alot! Never had any real issues to speak of. I own 11 mark 1's and pre mark 1's alone lol

 

I just picked up a single six that looks identicle to yours last night from a guy. Just a quick look at finish and feel of how tight or loose everything is should tell you enough. Those guns can take a beating. Lots of fun to shoot and mine comes with a 22 WMR cylinder too.

 

I'd love a review of this when you get a chance to do some shooting with it! Always thought about picking one up.

 

Check out youtube, great reviews on both the Six and Ten!

 

Thanks guys!

Joe..I have looked on the Ruger forums and most ppl love theirs. There are complaints about the cylinder being a little tight once it is loaded. I tried joining to ask those guys since they all kinda specialize in Rugers but my registration didn't go through.

The main things I guess I'll look for is if the cylinder has ANY movement once the hammer is cocked back and I might have him take the cylinder off so I can visually inspect it. Not sure what I'll be looking for but maybe it will look like I know what I doing!

 

Check for dry firing evidence. Rimfires will leave small dinks around the outside edge of the holes. It can make it hard to load shells if it gets too bad.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to check that.

 

With the advice given you should be fine. That's a good gun.

I will offer this advice to anyone looking at getting an older Rossi .22 lr revolver (looked like a S&W)...... Run Away!!!

I used mine to dispatch trapped critters and it did well for that... but much beyond 5ft, it was horrible. Most inaccurate gun ever. I think the cylinder didn't line up with the barrel or some weirdness. It was just bad. Really, really bad.