badkarmamib
Member
Are the sights aligned with that direction? If so, do I like the feel. If not, time to find something that naturally aligns better with my grip.
Make or break characteristic of a gun. What's your dealbreaker?
- Thread starter FlSwampRat
- Start date
- Status
jar
Contributing Member
I'm not sure there is any firm deal breaker. I doubt I'd buy a handgun that has a rail on it; I simply find such things ugly and useless.
JR24
Member
Deal breakers?
Trigger. I don't like DAO, or DA/SA and am not a fan of hinged triggers.
Safety location (if it has one). I don't do slide mounted safeties and safeties I can't disengage as a part of my firing grip.
The rest, like grip and how it points, I can generally work around with practice.
Other things that aren't deal breakers are things like size and weight, I tend to prefer guns I can carry even for range work so I dont generally prefer guns longer or taller than a 1911 Commander, and I've been getting weary of heavy guns, so 35 oz of under, loaded, is a big plus.
Trigger. I don't like DAO, or DA/SA and am not a fan of hinged triggers.
Safety location (if it has one). I don't do slide mounted safeties and safeties I can't disengage as a part of my firing grip.
The rest, like grip and how it points, I can generally work around with practice.
Other things that aren't deal breakers are things like size and weight, I tend to prefer guns I can carry even for range work so I dont generally prefer guns longer or taller than a 1911 Commander, and I've been getting weary of heavy guns, so 35 oz of under, loaded, is a big plus.
mgmorden
Member
Depends. Usually I buy online so feel in the hand isn't something I can check before hand. That said I generally am just looking for "1. Is it cool? & 2. Is it a good price/deal?". (and obviously 3 do I have the money for it)
I end up buying a decent amount of surplus pistols as they hit the market via the importers.
I end up buying a decent amount of surplus pistols as they hit the market via the importers.
Charlie98
Member
Besides my personal limits (things like DA/SA autos... which I detest...) and given that I can't actually test fire a handgun before purchase (I'm in a gun show or gun shop, right?) then...
1) Fit in my hand,
2) Lack of modifications (I don't like buggered up guns, and generally don't like basket cases or someone else's 'unfinished' projects)
3) Fit and finish... if it looks abused, it probably is.
1) Fit in my hand,
2) Lack of modifications (I don't like buggered up guns, and generally don't like basket cases or someone else's 'unfinished' projects)
3) Fit and finish... if it looks abused, it probably is.
edwardware
Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2010
- Messages
- 4,424
The most common design error I see is manual safeties. If the gun has a manual safety, it needs to be:
1) Right side up! The safety should be switched to fire as your grip closes on your gun. The Beretta is bass-ackward.
2) Large enough/positioned so there's no question of thumb engagement during draw, at all, ever.
A mid-sized 1911 extended thumb safety is the archetypal example of perfection. If I can't have that, I'll gladly have NO manual safety.
1) Right side up! The safety should be switched to fire as your grip closes on your gun. The Beretta is bass-ackward.
2) Large enough/positioned so there's no question of thumb engagement during draw, at all, ever.
A mid-sized 1911 extended thumb safety is the archetypal example of perfection. If I can't have that, I'll gladly have NO manual safety.
A different gun that does have it. I've got too much hard-won myelin to want to fool with anything that doesn't have that control configuration. There are plenty of choices that do.
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,788
If it doesn't fit my hands well, forget it.
If the trigger is stiff, forget it.
If the sights are small or hard to see, I'm very unlikely to buy it.
I'm a cheapskate with plenty of handguns. I'm not going to pay what I consider to be a high price, and I'm not going to buy a duplicate of one I already own.
That's how I ended up with my latest handgun. It fits my giant ape hands very well. The trigger is surprisingly light and smooth. The sights are large and easy to see. It was sitting at the LGS for a long time, so my friend let me have it "for what he was into it for" (probably what he gave for it in trade for something else). I didn't already own a Ruger Redhawk. SOLD!
And yeah, it's a great shooter.
If the trigger is stiff, forget it.
If the sights are small or hard to see, I'm very unlikely to buy it.
I'm a cheapskate with plenty of handguns. I'm not going to pay what I consider to be a high price, and I'm not going to buy a duplicate of one I already own.
That's how I ended up with my latest handgun. It fits my giant ape hands very well. The trigger is surprisingly light and smooth. The sights are large and easy to see. It was sitting at the LGS for a long time, so my friend let me have it "for what he was into it for" (probably what he gave for it in trade for something else). I didn't already own a Ruger Redhawk. SOLD!
And yeah, it's a great shooter.
Last edited:
Speedo66
Member
On semi-autos, the one thing that is absolutely a deal breaker is a manual safety. I've trained too long on revolvers and Glocks.
Really liked the Sig P-938 I rented at the range, but the safety put the kibosh on it.
Really liked the Sig P-938 I rented at the range, but the safety put the kibosh on it.
Sovblocgunfan
Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2014
- Messages
- 1,482
I have a habit of encouraging projects to follow me home. Therefore the bar for a “dealbreaker” is pretty low w me, as long as priced accordingly.
Otherwise, not being able to try a trigger or (sometimes) not being allowed to inspect reasonably is a deal breaker.
Less about the gun, more about the people selling.
Otherwise, not being able to try a trigger or (sometimes) not being allowed to inspect reasonably is a deal breaker.
Less about the gun, more about the people selling.
doubleh
Member
How it feels in my hand. If something feels "off" then I lay it down and forget about it.
cougar1717
Member
Hand fitment
Condition
Ambi controls
Has it been tinkered with?
Why is the previous owner selling?
Condition
Ambi controls
Has it been tinkered with?
Why is the previous owner selling?
DeepSouth
Random Guy
It depends on what the gun is for. If it’s just a range toy, that’s one thing, I’ll let many things slide. Mainly I have to have the extra cash and like the way the gun looks.
If it’s a carry gun that’s a totally different story, a manual safety is a no go, being solid black gives it a hard hit to, not to get into a caliber war but some calibers are a no go.
If it’s a used gun they have other issues to consider, like has Bubba had a dermal close to it, and frequently what kind of sights did he put on it.
This is a very open ended question.
If it’s a carry gun that’s a totally different story, a manual safety is a no go, being solid black gives it a hard hit to, not to get into a caliber war but some calibers are a no go.
If it’s a used gun they have other issues to consider, like has Bubba had a dermal close to it, and frequently what kind of sights did he put on it.
This is a very open ended question.
Anchorite
Member
If it’s polymer.
tark
Member
Plastic and aluminum. Real guns are made out of steel and wood. Plastic is for toys. Aluminum is for aircraft and beer cans.
ARs are awarded my only exemption.
ARs are awarded my only exemption.
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Depends on what it will be used for.
Defense, I want stupid simple manual of arms, good grip and at least a decent trigger.
Range toys are pretty flexible so long as least they have a pleasing grip and trigger.
Defense, I want stupid simple manual of arms, good grip and at least a decent trigger.
Range toys are pretty flexible so long as least they have a pleasing grip and trigger.
Buzznrose
Member
If it doesn’t say “Glock”...I walk.
LOL!
LOL!
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
Left hand/ambi friendly
Have a trigger pull that I consider acceptable
If it's a carry gun, no manual safety
Fit my hand
Have a trigger pull that I consider acceptable
If it's a carry gun, no manual safety
Fit my hand
James Fonteneaux
Member
This with a bit of qualification. I no longer have my trigger (index) finger on my right hand. It was permanently damaged in an accident and later removed about a decade ago. SO, grip and control manipulation, and reliability are of utmost importance to me. I generally do not have or want handguns with a safety, the exception being a couple of 1911's. I bought a used Smith and Wesson .40 pistol about 5 years ago that I wanted so badly to work, but I just could not get in tune with it. I can't remember the model, but it was a larger, metal one. And of course, if I spend the money on this, then that has to wait...
JeeperCreeper
Member
Is it muddy girl camo?
...then trigger
...then trigger
OP
OP
FlSwampRat
Member
OP
OP
FlSwampRat
Member
I should have been more specific. Let's say gun is well reviewed, rock steady reliable, manufacturer you like, price good, etc.Reliability is sure enough number one for me too, but I took it that FISwampRat is asking about a gun that I am trying to make up my mind whether or not to buy - not one that I've already bought, took home, and found out was an autojammer.
That said, when I see a gun that I like the looks of in a gun store, and it feels good in my hand, and I like the trigger and the sights, I try to resist buying it until I've read some reviews in some gun magazines and on the internet. If I see the slightest hint that the gun is not reliable (and gun writers can be very good at hiding unreliability hints) I don't buy the gun.
Anyway, that's the way I try to do it nowadays. I've made mistakes though. I've bought guns that were jamming pieces of junk, and lost money when I sold them. I'm working on it - I try to not be overcome by temptation as easily as I used to be overcome by it.
Was wondering about things like two tone (slide silver, frame black or some such unmatching between the two), cerakote finish vs standard black, what previous modifications, if any, would be non-objectionable, and, as mentioined, trigger feel etc.
I was presuming a reputedly reliable gun that you'd perhaps read about but never handled, what thing, once in your hand, was the dealbreaker.
- Status
