Police trade ins?

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brewer12345

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I see what looks like a glut of glocks, m&ps, and sigs on the market in .40 cal as many departments move to 9mms. I don't really need a new caliber, but I am always interested in cheap stuff. What are these guns like? Condition? Anything about them different from what I might see in a standard commercial version? I would guess that I would see guns that are carried a lot and shot little, correct?
 
There are a lot of great deals on 40s in general right now even new models seem to be on clearance at lower prices.
As to condition of surplus, this will vary greatly from unissued to well used.
While many get carried a lot and shot little some officers are actual shooters and practice regularly.
Bought a G23 that was unissued like new (buddy behind the counter deal) but then also bought a Sig P229 that had significant wear, still shoots great and I trust it emphatically. The big plus is it has the short reach and short reset kits both installed plus nightsights about $200 worth of upgrades and it came with 4 factory mags for not a lot more than just the upgrades would have cost.
 
Look for ads that say an armourer has checked the guns. Most will have holster wear. Most are a good buy.

I would avoid old models where factory support is no longer available. Parts and repairs must be available.
 
I have owned 4- a beretta 92 (ex New Orleans PD I believe) that I bought when I was in the army as a training pistol, used it until the frame cracked, a police turn in Ruger SP101 hammerless in 38 special that did fine, ex ended up with it, and a Glock 22 from some agency in Ohio. It was also fine. I now have an ex police Glock 23 gen 2 from a NC agency. A little surface wear, but it works just like it is supposed to.
 
I bought a few last year (Usp/226/ glock 22s. All 40) None looked to have been carried or shot much at all. I've seen some on king's that looked like they had been dragged behind the squad car. The descriptions are usually pretty accurate.
 
Cdnn has a pretty smokin deal on a new P229R 40 didn't see any other Sigs at my usual haunts. Plenty of Glocks n Smiths though.
 
I have police surplus guns ranging from a 1930's department marked .38 M&P up to a unissued CHP 4006 with the integral rail I recently got for the mid-$300s.

All of them have been outstanding shooters execpt for one California DOC 10-8 that had litterly been worn out by years of constant loading / reloading during every shift 24/7.
 
.455_Hunter said:
All of them have been outstanding shooters execpt for one California DOC 10-8 that had litterly been worn out by years of constant loading / reloading during every shift 24/7.
Click to expand...
I had a Texas DOC 65 that had as buttery smooth DA trigger as any gun I've ever had. I've had really good luck with surplus gums
 
Generally, extra holster wear, on otherwise decent guns. You have to inspect the bore carefully, tho.
Every now and then you get one where the user never cleaned it. If you can find a good one, they
make a fair beater.
 
I have... maybe ten or so. A couple looked unissued. Most of them have holster wear. Only one had any problems. I didn't pay as much as $300 for any of them. One of the Berettas was only $150.

I've bought a Sig P229 in 40 and a S&W M&P 45acp recently. I got them from AIM and King's. I think the Sig was $280 and the S&W was $229. They came with boxes and extra mags. They are both excellent shooters.

In general, my police turn-in handguns have been outstanding deals.
 
Most police trade ins will have external wear from holsters. Typically the internals will be in okay to good condition. Treat them as you would any used firearm purchase. Look at them as much as you can before buying. And ask the gun store if you can look inside.
 
I’ve always found different to be worth it which leaves most of those mentioned in the OP out of consideration. Sure there are some good buys on composite frame pistols but then the world of firearms is currently experiencing a glut of cheap everything.

From $300 ARs to 1/2 price scopes; we are living the dream. Still, funds ultimately determine how many bargains you can snatch up before prices turn which means $250 for a used ____ might not be the best bargain, particularly if as you say, you don’t really have an interest beyond cost savings.

I did at one point jump on a deal for a NYPD trade-in Kahr K9 with night sights. For the $220 or so paid it has been and continues to be a worthwhile investment.


As delivered.
56AF5BEB-7BD5-42CE-94A0-7ACB69FE7539.jpeg

Found lots of gunk, grease, and fouling throughout.
4B7D564D-8DB9-4F46-AC23-8A4725EFEF9B.jpeg

Barrel needed a good scrubbing and ramp needed some minor polishing.
AF53B67C-3589-4947-8519-8CAB4E2B6501.jpeg

Barrel and ramp cleaned up.
3166B10D-D9D3-49D1-A60E-7825F83F01D2.jpeg

Been my nightstand companion for years.
221E635E-AC90-43BF-9EDD-C6F5E22B48C1.jpeg
 
I’ve never bought a police trade pistol, but for the cost savings you can cerakote the slide if there’s wear and still come out under budget most of the time.

They might make good projects too, like a base for a race gun or adding a red dot or whatever you might want.
 
Brewer, condition depends on the department that purchased them. Some agencies have strict rules on care and maintenance and do inspections. Others issue the gun to the individual officer. It's up to the officer to maintain it. Budgets dictate how often the officers qualify, shoot. In my state we have departments that only qualify twice a year, others shoot quarterly. Special units like SWAT shoot weekly, or bi-weekly.

Most spend 80% of the time in a holster exposed to the elements or sitting on a shelf in the holster. For right handed shooters, most of your wear (especially plastic guns) will be on the right grip panel. This is from chair arms and seat belts, door jambs, etc.

The guns internally are the same as comercial guns. Common options will be things like night sights or rails for a light. No options that can make the officer appear to be a "gun slinger" to a lawyer. I worked for an agency that put New York + triggers in our Glocks, horrible.

Of course, as a disclaimer, there are exceptions to all of this. Your assesment of carried a lot and shot a little is generally correct.
 
Skylerbone said:
I’ve always found different to be worth it which leaves most of those mentioned in the OP out of consideration. Sure there are some good buys on composite frame pistols but then the world of firearms is currently experiencing a glut of cheap everything.

From $300 ARs to 1/2 price scopes; we are living the dream. Still, funds ultimately determine how many bargains you can snatch up before prices turn which means $250 for a used ____ might not be the best bargain, particularly if as you say, you don’t really have an interest beyond cost savings.

I did at one point jump on a deal for a NYPD trade-in Kahr K9 with night sights. For the $220 or so paid it has been and continues to be a worthwhile investment.


As delivered.
View attachment 830846

Found lots of gunk, grease, and fouling throughout.
View attachment 830845

Barrel needed a good scrubbing and ramp needed some minor polishing.
View attachment 830848

Barrel and ramp cleaned up.
View attachment 830847

Been my nightstand companion for years.
View attachment 830849
Click to expand...
NYPD initially OK'd that Kahr K9 for off duty carry and backup, but later banned them because they couldn't get the trigger up to NYPD specs of 12lbs. like the Glocks with a NY+ trigger.
 
I'm tossing around the idea of a 460 Rowland. One route I'm considering is buying a police trade in Glock 21 as a donor gun. The cheaper I can find it, the less it hurts to pay for the kit and keeps total cost down so seems like the best way to go.

I'll check around the different websites listed on this thread and try to price around.
 
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