What to Look for in a Used BP Pistol?

[barnbwt]

It's high time I got something that requires Holy Black. I'm eyeing an Uberti Dragoon for the purchase, but I'd like to buy used for obvious cheap-b****** reasons

Is there anything I need to look out for? My first thought was to check the cap nipples for obvious damage, but beyond that, is there anything I should watch for that is specific to BP guns?

TCB

 

[rodwha]

Check the bore and chambers for pitting.
Check the timing of the cylinder.
If a brass frame inspect the recoil shield for a cylinder imprint.
When "locked" check if the cylinder will move much.
Check for play in the hammer.
If a Colt style pistol check the cylinder gap. I've not heard of a problem here with a Remington style pistol.

I am by no means one who is experienced, and these are just a few things I know of.

Nipples aren't a big deal, and you may want to replace them anyway.

 

[Pancho]

There should be more suggestions forthcoming. Mine would be that although nipples are a consumable they shouldn't be battered or mushroomed. That would be evidence of dry firing. Not a smart thing to do. Ask the owner if they have a nipple wrench if they don't be suspicious of a lack of proper cleaning. If they do have a wrench try to remove one of the nipples, if it comes out smoothly it was properly installed with anti-seize which is a good indicator that the previous owner knew what he was doing. Lastly take a can of penetrating fluid with you and with the owners permission spray some down the hammer cycle the gun several times and look for rust tainted fluid around the trigger. If you find it wipe off the gun and walk away.

 

[J-Bar]

Pay close attention to the condition of the cylinder notches...are the sides of the notches clean and sharp, indicating good fit of the bolt into the notch, or are the edges worn and burred? Poorly fitted bolts will give you grief.

At full cock, does the hammer move rearward before it falls when you pull the trigger? The trigger pull should be crisp, smooth, not too heavy, with no movement of the hammer as it moves off the sear. Rearward movement or excessively heavy trigger pull might indicate the sear/hammer notch is cut at the wrong angle.

Put it on half-cock and put a lttle forward pressure on the hammer. If the hammer releases off halfcock, then it is really unsafe...run away!

Field strip the gun by removing the wedge,separating the barrel assembly from the frame, and remove the cylinder. Look at the cylinder ratchet...are the ratchet teeth edges clean and sharp or has the hand buggered them up? This will also give you a chance to judge how well the gun has been cleaned.