What you learned after the gun purchase...

[sirgilligan]

If I had known how a Browning Hi-Power naturally points and how great it feels in my hand I would have bought one twenty years ago.

If I had known how hard it was to get a Ruger Mark II back together I would not have tried to do it late one night.

 

[svaz]

I wish I'd known that some people (and FFLs) don't clean their used guns before selling them.

Another lesson learned: Always rod a pawnshop rifle before laying cash on the counter (bought a bulged barrel once...)

 

[gym]

I learned never leave a 38 special in the drawer with your socks, when you are 16 years old, and your mother is a snoop. Thank goodness my dad had a different perspective on things havin served in two armies, and 2 wars, Greek Army and Air Force. Growing up in Bed Sty, he asked me if I really thought I needed this, and when I told him yes, he gave it back to me. I never took it out, but if he would have taken it away I would have probablly got another, and carried it. Smart man.

 

[Patriotme]

I bought a Bersa 383 (.380) years ago at a gunshow. I was a very young man and didn't realize that the gun that I was handling was not the gun that I was buying. The handgun that I purchased had such a stiff safety that it was impossible to take off without using two hands. It took a few months before it was lose enough to be used one handed. Since that time I've never assumed that the gun that I handled was the one that I was buying.

 

[Legionnaire]

If I had known how accurate 5.5" revolvers can be, I'd have never bought the long 9.5" Super Redhawk. It was a great gun, but I'm much happier with the 5.5" Redhawk that replaced it.

If I had known how inaccurate most Mini-14s are, I'd not have bothered. Ended up replacing it with an AR (like many do).

If I had known how much fun black powder cap and ball revolvers are, I'd have bought a Ruger Old Army back while they were still in production.

 

[mortablunt]

I learned this after I purchased my M1941 Johnson: I got the world's best deal.
After buying my G3: check the trigger before you buy.

 

[speedway]

I learned that 1911's are addicting.

 

[Ger1942]

I purchased a Springfield Trophy Match and found the checkered front strap felt like I was gripping razor blades. Ended up selling it.

 

[philpost]

If I had known that my wife preferred revolvers & vintage guns THAT much, I would have bought the '57 Ruger Single Six to start with, and not wasted time & $ with a new Walther P22. Or bought it in a more useful carry/car caliber.

 

[Kliegl]

If I had known the two G3 type HKs I bought had surface rust in the chambers, I would have negotiated the price down.

Fortunately, the old man is a dentist, and took the drill with a rubber polisher to it. You want jewelcrafting polishing in a tight spot, call that profession.

 

[ShawnC]

If I had known the Taurus PT111 had such a long heavy trigger pull, I would have waited and got my wife a Glock.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I learned never to jump on an impulse buy. I bought my first handgun last year (22) and had been saving since I was 21 because I knew if I could only have one at the time I wanted a 1911. Came across a Kimber Custom II instead of the Springfield Armory Loaded I'd been chasing and bit. I love and will never sell the Kimber but I still badly want an SA so I should have just waited.

I also learned never to sell a gun to purchase another. I sold the first long gun I bought, a .50 cal Remington muzzle loader, to buy the Kimber. Still can't talk my uncle into selling it back.

 

[Hossfly68]

I learned that there's probably a reason a used gun is for sale and hasn't been shot very much.