[XDGirl]

I found a real good deal on a S&W CS-1 in .357 Magnum its at a pawn shop. My dad wants one for his birthday and i want to surprises him But i was told to watch out buying guns at pawn shops their usually wore out. How can i tell if this gun is in good shape. And please don't say get a guy to check it out. :D

[Loomis]

Google "used revolver tips", or something similar.

If you think you can really know what to do even after reading about it, then go ahead. If you don't, then get a guy to check it out.

[20nickels]

Hello,
The answer is very close. Sticky at the top of this sub-forum is a wealth of info. http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430
I buy the bulk of my guns at the local pawn shop.

[XDGirl]

You mean out of the 1000s on 1000s of members here this is the best advices I can get "Google "used revolver tips", or something similar."

[XDGirl]

Thank you 20nickels I didn't see that.

[20nickels]

Your welcome,
I was unaware of a CS-1 variant. 686 right? What makes it this?

[XDGirl]

That what it said on the box "S&W CS-1 in .357 Magnum"

[XDGirl]

Ok i did a Google of it and this is like the one im looking at. S&W CS-1 3" barrel .357 Magnum 686 Customs Service Variant
http://forums.mathewsinc.com/images/userpix/12495_cs11_1.jpg

[Gator]

That is a very desirable revolver...your father is one lucky dude! If the price was right I wouldn't look too close at it either; they usually go for $800 and up.

[20nickels]

Hmmm, I'm sure sombody will come along with info and maybe even a pic. Until then that sticky is yer best friend. You can find huge bargains on firearms in pawn shops if you keep your eyes peeled.

Okay, I type slow

[XDGirl]

The pawn shop has this one for $700.00 + tax and the back ground check. I put it on layaway today so I could get some info on it before i bought it .So I guess ill be buying it tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help guys...

[Loomis]

What difference does it make whether I type it for you to read, or I show you how to find what someone else typed?

Revolver wear and tear is pretty standard. You can find the basic tips for checking abuse and overuse probaby a hundred different places or more on the internet.

top strap stretch
sear
cylinder-barrel gap
cylinder slop
trigger
top strap flame cuts
faulty cylinder locks
missalignment
bore pits
chamber pits
weak springs
front sight rotated past vertical
pawl and ratchet teeth wear
burs on cylinder notch, or peened cylinder notches
flat spot worn on cylinder stop bolt
groove worn on cylinder
bent yoke
bent ejector
Screw slots enlarged?
split forcing cone

[Gator]

Chill out Loomis. XDGirl came looking for some advice, not flippant replies like Google it, or get a "guy to check it out." I know a few women who's advice on guns I value more than what's offered by legions of manly internet men. ;)

[Loomis]

You think my advice to google "used revolver tips" is flippant?

No, I meant it seriously. She's going to find better information WITH DIAGRAMS and fewer errors using my advice than going to a forum like this and playing the woman in distress attracting macho know-it-alls trying to show off.

Now, my "get a guy..." remark was flippant but I was only throwing back at her what she put in her post.

The point I'm trying to make is that you can post a whole novel here educating her on revolver wear and tear and it won't do her a bit of good. REading text and actually touching an actual revolver is two different things. IT's going to take some hands on experience and mechanical expertise to be able to accomplish anything meaningful after reading any words posted here.

for instance, after guilting me into it, I decided to post a simple checkoff list, even though I know that it is a waste of time. IT's a waste time because anyone that doesn't already know about these issues is not going to be able to look at a revolver without assistance and determine if any of those items on my checkoff list are a problem or not.

Her eyes won't know what they are seeing.

[ArchAngelCD]

Well said Gator...

XDGirl,
Your Dad is a very lucky man and you seem to be a great Daughter.

[machinisttx]

The revolver checkout thread posted here by Jim March is pretty thorough. There's nothing wrong with buying a gun at a pawn shop as long as you know how to check it over and be sure it doesn't have any issues. Even if it does have some minor or major issues, sometimes the price is low enough to make up the difference in getting it fixed.

I ain't skeered of pawn shop guns, and own quite a few.

[loneviking]

Nope, I ain't afraid either. I've got a beautiful 65-6, stainless, 3" barrel on layaway LNIB. First thing to check on a revolver is for drag lines on the cylinder. If there's no drag lines, or only a very faint line on one or two flutes, you have a gun that should be virtually unfired. Second, check to see if the hammer is centered without a big gap to either the left or right. Third, check for a tight lockup. If you find a gun that looks unfired, hammer is centered and has a tight lockup--check the price. If the price is decent, buy it! The darn things only go up in price.

[1 old 0311]

Go to www.gunbroker.com to see what others are selling for.

[XDGirl]

Thanks guys I bought it today and the guy working at the pawn shop said if my dad finds anything wrong with it to bring it back and he will have it took care of. :)

[20nickels]

Don't forget to post pics. ;)

[ArchAngelCD]

Yes, pics are a must!! :)

[foghornl]

Gotta have pix....

Yes, the "revolver checkout" stickied at the top of this forum, written by THR's own Jim March, is an excellent guide for evaluating a new or previously owned revolver. Saved me from buying a badly mis-timed gun once.

[batmann]

XDGirl--S&W has a lifetime warranty. Should it need repair, contact them.
NICE find, by the way. Your father is a very lucky man!

[Walkalong]

Good job guys.

I'm with Gator and ArchAngelCD on this one.

Looks like a real nice revolver XDGirl. I know your dad will like it. Lucky fellow. AC

And yes, pics are mandatory. :)

[mtngunr]

That's a VERY nice pawnshop find....around here, most pawnshop revolvers shed parts when rattled, or are rusty S&W 38/200 Victory Models advertised as .38Spl M&P's. Congratulations.

And Loomis, as tired as I get of bonehead/lazy "do my research for me" posts, this thread wasn't one of them....didn't require a treatise, just a simple link to requested info...this was a time-limited buy-it-now-or-not query, not the time for an in-depth personal research self-education project on all things revolvers. Her dry and witty response to your reply was quite warranted.

My personal DA revolver check-out list for modern revolvers is quite simple....
1) open revolver, spin cylinder, and look for off-center wobble.
2) cock gun SA at each chamber, and look for excessive end-play or side-play of the cylinder.
3) check hammer-mounted firing pin (if equipped) for more than slight surface color wear.

If the gun shows any of these signs, something is bent, excessively worn, or out of alignment.....the end.

[CSA 357]

Wow, Xd Will You Train My 4 Daughters? That Is A Realy Nice Smith! Your Dad Will Be Proud Of It No Dought! Csa

[XDGirl]

I will post pixs just as soon as I can get my camera back from my brother :mad: