Buying Police Trade-In's

[Ruger451]

So I found a great deal on a Beretta 92FS Inox from a local dealer, but the item is a police trade in. It is in good shape and at a good price ($400), but not sure how I feel about the trade-in aspect. The shop didn't have many details, so I don't really know how much use it has seen.
Anyone have any experiences like this? Any problems or any great finds, please I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Chris

 

[Nashmack]

Most of my guns are police confiscations. They just need a little TLC.

 

[Majic]

What you are asking would be no different than any other used gun at the dealer. Inspect and judge each gun on it's own merit.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I've bought a couple of LE trade-ins. Since the Beretta 92 is an aluminum frame, I'd field strip it and carefully examine the frame rails. If they're chewed up or cracked, pass on it. Otherwise, if you want it, get it, they're good guns. Every used semi-auto I buy gets treated to a new recoil spring before I fire round one through it. The reason? As you state, there is no way to tell how many rounds have passed through the gun. Most PDs are not real big on preventive maintenance on firearms anyway. The 92 is so easy to work on, I'm sure every dept that issues them has an armorer around, but he's probably just there to fix what's broken. The larger departments may actually do a little better, but basically, it's shoot it till it stops then drop it off for a replacement.

 

[OH25shooter]

As a retired LEO I can tell you that 99% of LE guns were only fired during qualification time only. Not alot of rounds down the barrel, maybe less than 300 per year. If and when problems were found, the range armourer would fix it. No junk went out on the street. The biggest thing I've found with LE trade-ins is the banged up grips or scratches. Many are dirty for whatever reason. So, if you find one that is in pretty good visual shape and you don't mind giving it a hard cleaning (which you should), it should function fine. I've purchased two former 9mm LE trade-ins: a S&W and SigSauer. Not to burst your bubble, but the Smith was great, the Sig did have a slide malfunction, which was corrected at the factory. That is now my bedside, off-duty (conceal carry) auto.

 

[CAS700850]

LEO trade-ins can be great deals. As indicated above, if you can find one in what you think is good condition, and teh price is right, make the purchase. A plus of most LEO guns is that they were very likely used with only factory ammo, or quality relaods. Don't have to worry about some idiot pushing his loads to max pressures and running they through the gun.

 

[hso]

I've bought several over the years and have never had a bad deal.

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

My father recently bought a Ruger P85 Police turn-in, which was old, but rarely used. I think it was $150.00? Big chunky gun, but it shoots very well.

 

[ball3006]

Years ago I bought a GP100 Ruger....

at a police auction. I soon found out why they sold the gun. You could not hit the side of a barn from the inside with it, no matter what ammo used. Just a bad pistol, I guess. I sold it soon after.......chris3

 

[ScottS]

I've had good luck with LE trade-ins. As someone above mentioned, most have been carried much and shot little. Typically, you see a lot of holster wear on the usual places (leading edge of the slide, etc), but most are mechanically sound. I bought a P226 LE trade-in not long ago, and once I got all the powdered sugar scraped off, it turned out to be one of my best shooters.

 

[Peet]

Not really police trade-in, but I kinda like the glow my S&W 65 has - used by guards at a now-decomissioned nuke plant.

Just kidding -- I think -- maybe that explains....what was I saying?

P.
.edit: I can't type.

 

[GunnySkox]

Additional question: Has anyone had any experience with the Police Tradein Glock 22s that CDNN Investments sells?

~GnSx

 

[Srigs]

No issue with police trade ins.

My main carry gun is a S&W 6946 which was carried by a detective. Grips were beat up but functions perfectly. Buy it you will like it.

 

[LiquidTension]

Police trade-ins can be hit or miss. If you get the weapon that belonged to a cop that also happened to be a shooter, it may have seen lots of use and have some worn parts. If you get the weapon that belonged to the cop that only shot to qualify, it'll likely be near new on the inside and just have some holster wear on the outside.

Strip it apart at the shop, check out the innards.

edit: Don't confuse police trade-ins with guns that were obtained from a police department. Confiscated guns are often in abysmal condition, inside and out.

 

[shooting time]

I bought a couple of the SIG trade-ins CDNN sells and they were in great condition.No problems.

 

[Ruger451]

Wow, thanks for the response, very helpful

Here is a link to the picture of the gun I am looking at.

What should I be looking for once I take the slide off? As I said, I am very new to handgun ownership (see, never have owned one ) so I am not too familiar with the internals of the Beretta 92FS.

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[Sheldon J]

My home Defense Shotgun

use to be a SWAT gun, pre AWB folding stock, pistol grip, 8 round's bayonet lug, mounted a laser and Scorpion on it, no choke, a bit rough looking but a real tight gun and a good shooter.

 

[Lebben-B]

There are many police trade-ins that are great deals. I myself picked up a HK USP45f for under $500. Carried a lot, shot a little. OTOH, I've seen some LE trade-ins that were real dogs where it counted - on the inside. These can be good deals too, if you're looking for a project gun to build back up.

Mike