Having no experience in this at all, this is what I look for:
Check the exterior for any rust or pitting, this may not be a bad thing depending on where it is. I don't pay attention to holster wear, unless I am looking for a show piece.
Assuming the exterior passes a visual inspection I disassemble the gun, field strip only, and check for wear spots in common areas. I usually don't find anything here, but if I do it tells me there is a major problem.
I look for rust or pitting of the internal mechanics. I don't worry too much about springs at this point because it's usually cheap to replace them.
I reassemble the gun and check the slide and trigger function thoroughly. I'll take some snap caps with me and cycle them through a few times to see how the gun operates.
If all is good I'll buy it, take it home and tear it completely apart, buy new springs ('cause I am just that way), clean it completely and reassemble it when I have the new springs. After that, it's time to take it to the range.
Check the exterior for any rust or pitting, this may not be a bad thing depending on where it is. I don't pay attention to holster wear, unless I am looking for a show piece.
Assuming the exterior passes a visual inspection I disassemble the gun, field strip only, and check for wear spots in common areas. I usually don't find anything here, but if I do it tells me there is a major problem.
I look for rust or pitting of the internal mechanics. I don't worry too much about springs at this point because it's usually cheap to replace them.
I reassemble the gun and check the slide and trigger function thoroughly. I'll take some snap caps with me and cycle them through a few times to see how the gun operates.
If all is good I'll buy it, take it home and tear it completely apart, buy new springs ('cause I am just that way), clean it completely and reassemble it when I have the new springs. After that, it's time to take it to the range.
