How to determine if a gun is new or used?

[Ohm]

Hello,
I bought a handgun (Para Carry 45) from a local dealer (that will be nameless for the moment) that was represented as "new". I noticed the other day that the grip safety has cracked in half. The gun has about 200 rounds thru it. I looked the gun over closely and noticed some other problems.

The gun has a black finish and is now showing rubbing wear on the sharp corners, you can see the bright metal underneath.

The black paint is wearing off the grip panel. There is a chip in the wood of the grip panel around one of the screw heads that has been painted black. I am wondering if the gun was touched up with a felt tip marker or paint to hide the wear. I don't think it possible that a "new" gun can have the grip safety crack in half!

Is there some way to use the serial number to find out if this gun was previously owned?

Thanks for any help.

 

[federal1]

I usually look a gun over BEFORE I buy it.

Bob

 

[John828]

Is there some way to use the serial number to find out if this gun was previously owned?

Yes. As many people know there are several government entities that have databases containing the serial numbers, makes, models and the names of every person that has ever owned it. The only database location that I know of is in Area 51 outside of Roswell, NM.

Just messing with you.

If you are serious though, you ask a few good questions, I guess. As was mentioned though, one really ought to look a gun over prior to purchase.

My first reaction was that all the defects you mention have occurred during the 200 rds you put through it.

Oh yeah, as far as I know, there is no way to track a gun's history unless if was used in a crime perhaps.

 

[franconialocal]

Ohm,

First of all I want to say that I am NOT a gunsmith (so no please from others...just my observations).....but I have spent a great deal of time behind the trigger, owned several types of handguns, rifles, shotguns, etc.

Just a few hints....

1. Do a thorough clean. Get some pads in ALL the nooks and crannies and see what you find. If the gun is really dirty, then probably used. When a manufacturer tests a sidearm/rifle it's usually only one shot (included in your hard case with the "new" gun usually in a small manila envelope) YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS if the gun is truly NEW from the factory. Most come with a child safety lock now, all the encluded literature, the weapon should have been somewhat oily (or did they give you the display model??)

2. Look at the barrel (when broken down). If it has been used it will show extensive "wear marks" on those natural places where the barrel and slide come in contact. Again, testing and quality control may leave SOME but any gun that has been truly "used" will show much more extensive wear. The inside of the slide/upper may show some wear too.

3. Check the feed ramp for the same kind of wear. If new it should be very pristine and shiny new. If used, it may show some wear, a buildup of powder in the corners or overall powder "tarnish" from fouling. The front face of the bolt/firing pin assembly should also be really clean and spotless. Take a q-tip or dental pick with some solvent on it and really scour out the extractor too. Often times this will have a buildup of powder in the corner(s) if used.

4. Take a magazine out and take it apart if you can. If a gun is truly used, one of the most neglected areas is the INSIDE of the magazines with the spring and follower getting gunked up from spend powder. I bet, if used, the dealer never checked this or bothered to clean them. That will be a dead giveaway. Look at the top of the magazine too. Often the mouth of the magazine on a used gun will be showing some wear too.

As far as the cracked area, this may be due to the 200 rds. you've already put through it but HIGHLY UNLIKELY unless you got a Monday or Friday gun (I'll explain that if needed) and just got a bad apple.

This is a VERY broad statement, but in my opinion, if a gun "looks used" it probably is.......

 

[John828]

4. Take a magazine out and take it apart if you can. If a gun is truly used, one of the most neglected areas is the INSIDE of the magazines with the spring and follower getting gunked up from spend powder. I bet, if used, the dealer never checked this or bothered to clean them. That will be a dead giveaway. Look at the top of the magazine too. Often the mouth of the magazine on a used gun will be showing some wear too.

+1

Why people go out and spend good money on quality mags, don't clean them, and when they have a FTE, blame the darn gun or ammo; I will never understand.

Clean your mags.

 

[bonza]

Possibly, apart from the cracked grip safety, you may have been sold the display model, they often get scratched & generally knocked around. I used to work at a, now defunct, sporting goods store in Seattle & they would often touch up the display models with cold blue & those bluing pens to cover up scratches, etc. When we actually sold a display model we were always up-front about the cosmetic 're-enhancements' & usually threw in some free ammo, cleaning kit, or whatever.

 

[Norinco982lover]

Welcome to THR!

My guess is the gun is a display model or actually has been used. I don't think you could have put that much wear on it in 200 rounds.

Is it too late for you to return the firearm? How long have you had it?

 

[Just One Shot]

I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer. Some of them DO keep records of when they were built and when and where they were sold.

 

[goon]

Doesn't really matter within reason.
I've had many problems with new guns so "new" is not a guarantee of being built right.
If anything, I'd rather buy a used gun from someone I trust because I'll know that person isn't to going to screw me over. I'll know that gun will work.

 

[stevemis]

So at 200 rounds you cracked a grip safety. I got you beat... my Para Warthog basically self-destructed in about 20 rounds. I bought it new.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=362606

You want to contact George Wedge at Para in Toronto. His email is [email protected]. He should be able to determine if your gun was distributed to the FFL you purchased it from... or at the very least tell you when it was produced. You might have picked up a 3 year old range/rental gun.

The grip safety is something you can easily replace if that's the only busted part. Note Para pistols are mostly MIM parts, which tend to fail spectacularly if not manufactured properly.

 

[1 old 0311]

If you got from a Pawn Shop it is used. At a Gun Show EVERYTHING is claimed to be new.