I am seeing a lot of good deals on used Law Enforcement trade-ins popping up on the interwebs. Anyone have experiences good or bad buying used cop pistols sight unseen? Folks say that the tritium sight in them are usually dead or about to die by the time they retire them. I figure most cops probably dont actually fire many rounds thru their service weapon. The prices I am seeing are tempting to roll the dice.

I am seeing a lot of good deals on used Law Enforcement trade-ins popping up on the interwebs. Anyone have experiences good or bad buying used cop pistols sight unseen? Folks say that the tritium sight in them are usually dead or about to die by the time they retire them. I figure most cops probably dont actually fire many rounds thru their service weapon. The prices I am seeing are tempting to roll the dice.

I have never owned one, so with a grain of salt, I'd say they are probably kept in good order and fully functional, carried a lot and fired a little.  Go for it if the price is right.

I bought an hpd sw 38 spl revolver for 125.00
It was ok but it didn't tickle my pickle, so I sold it.
I know the guy who owns it and he is very happy with it.

A few years ago hpd replaced the sw5906 service pistols with block 17s.
Then Kealoha proceeded to destroy a half million dollars worth of pistols....some were still nib.
They wouldn't even let the officers buy them.
Shortly thereafter, Chief Kealoha got paid a quarter million to retire.

...Shortly thereafter, Chief Kealoha got paid a quarter million to retire.

And now they want their money back!!! 

https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/city-sending-demand-letter-to-louis-kealoha-for-250000-severance-payback/

I'd buy a Leo trade-in.  They may be beat up with pitting and holster wear, but shoot good and maintained

bought a used LEO Sig 226. Frame cracked after a few boxes of 9mm

And now they want their money back!!! 

https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/city-sending-demand-letter-to-louis-kealoha-for-250000-severance-payback/

....
Our state and city officials have a dismal track record in financial matters, eh?
 

I'd say go for it. 

I recall seeing a LOT of LEO trade-ins in gun shops on the mainland, particularly when I lived in WA state.  Every gun shop had almost a full case of trade-ins.  Some were in really nice condition, some had some holster wear, some were a little more "used".  The pricing generally commensurate with the condition.  While I never bought one, I think they offer excellent opportunity for value.  Sort of like used cars though, there's risk but can be mitigated if you know what to look for.

Buying online is a different story.  A buddy in Houston has bought a few LEO trade ins (or other trade ins) online.  I think he picked up a Browning Hi-Power, Sig P22something in .357 Sig, and a few others.  He mostly bought them to tinker with and not have to spend a bunch of $$$.  He ended up refurbishing the Browning though.  I think he mostly ordered from AIM Surplus.  I am often tempted to buy a trade-in, especially for a beater fun or something to use in handgun classes.  But I'd want to inspect the gun's condition in person. 

If the price is right. Assume they will have holster wear. 

I once picked up a previously owned .38 wheel gun at SEC  that was from a Private Security firm.
They had several and all looked the same, mostly un-fired, little holster wear.
Was good enough for introduction instruction..

I'd say go for it. 

I recall seeing a LOT of LEO trade-ins in gun shops on the mainland, particularly when I lived in WA state.  Every gun shop had almost a full case of trade-ins.  Some were in really nice condition, some had some holster wear, some were a little more "used".  The pricing generally commensurate with the condition.  While I never bought one, I think they offer excellent opportunity for value.  Sort of like used cars though, there's risk but can be mitigated if you know what to look for.

Buying online is a different story.  A buddy in Houston has bought a few LEO trade ins (or other trade ins) online.  I think he picked up a Browning Hi-Power, Sig P22something in .357 Sig, and a few others.  He mostly bought them to tinker with and not have to spend a bunch of $$$.  He ended up refurbishing the Browning though.  I think he mostly ordered from AIM Surplus.  I am often tempted to buy a trade-in, especially for a beater fun or something to use in handgun classes.  But I'd want to inspect the gun's condition in person.

Yeah buying anything sight unseen online is a gamble (ebay taught me that lesson many times), most of the online listings I have seen give you a 3 day window to inspect and return on these used LEOs. They warn you they pull them randomly off the pile and their conditions are all over the map. Saving $200ish off the price of a pistol is a fine line to walk if you have put money into it to make it go bang. 

Yeah buying anything sight unseen online is a gamble (ebay taught me that lesson many times), most of the online listings I have seen give you a 3 day window to inspect and return on these used LEOs. They warn you they pull them randomly off the pile and their conditions are all over the map. Saving $200ish off the price of a pistol is a fine line to walk if you have put money into it to make it go bang.

I hear ya.  I recall some sites having grade options, but that may have been for surplus guns.  Then again, I also remember the disclaimer on the very subjective nature of the grades and pretty much came down to "you get what cha get".  I'd be ok with that given enough discount.  I qualify for a number of different discounts on new guns, so I'm usually only tempted by the more unique guns.  Say a Browning Hi-Power, older CZ, etc.  I wouldn't mind a nice used P226 though.  Those early models seemed to be built like tanks! 

What are ya looking at? 

I hear ya.  I recall some sites having grade options, but that may have been for surplus guns.  Then again, I also remember the disclaimer on the very subjective nature of the grades and pretty much came down to "you get what cha get".  I'd be ok with that given enough discount.  I qualify for a number of different discounts on new guns, so I'm usually only tempted by the more unique guns.  Say a Browning Hi-Power, older CZ, etc.  I wouldn't mind a nice used P226 though.  Those early models seemed to be built like tanks! 

What are ya looking at?

.45s - Glock gen3 30s and S&W gen1 M&Ps. Gs are about $380. SWs are $300.

I've been very tempted to get a surplus trade in hi power from classic firearms..   


If you count this, I recently picked up a 100 year old Colt 1917.  Has holster wear, bore and cylinders look like it's been shot very little.  It works and I'm very happy with it.


I once owned a Smith 65-3.  Not sure of where it came from originally, bit it did have a lot of holster wear. It was a very nice piece, action smooth as butter.  Only problem it had was after a few cylinders fired the cylinder pin would back off, sometimes jamming the cylinder from opening.  Other than that I loved that revolver. Just had to be sure to check it once and a while.


Buying anything is a gamble, and in Hawaii, a headache to send back, even factory new.

.45s - Glock gen3 30s and S&W gen1 M&Ps. Gs are about $380. SWs are $300.

$380 for the G30 sounds a bit high, unless it's in really nice condition.  If you're set on .45 ACP, keep an eye out for the 21 in LGSs.  I've seen them here and there (since I've been sort of half-ass considering one recently).  Not sure about M&Ps, but I do have a M&P .45.  The trigger could use some work, but I rarely shoot that gun. 

1) I've been very tempted to get a surplus trade in hi power from classic firearms..   


If you count this, I recently picked up a 100 year old Colt 1917.  Has holster wear, bore and cylinders look like it's been shot very little.  It works and I'm very happy with it.


I once owned a Smith 65-3.  Not sure of where it came from originally, bit it did have a lot of holster wear. It was a very nice piece, action smooth as butter.  Only problem it had was after a few cylinders fired the cylinder pin would back off, sometimes jamming the cylinder from opening.  Other than that I loved that revolver. Just had to be sure to check it once and a while.


2) Buying anything is a gamble, and in Hawaii, a headache to send back, even factory new.

1) I've also been tempted to try a Browning Hi-Power and some other surplus handguns.  Since I have a CZ 75, that sort of satisfied that itch for a while, but I've always liked the look of the Hi-Power. 

2) Very true about the gamble part and why I tend to avoid used guns in general.  I would prefer to know the original owner and have an idea of how well the gun was taken care of (or not).  If I did decide on a used gun, the price would definitely have to reflect that "gambling factor", which is why I usually find pricing on used guns way too high for me to pursue.  LEO trades do tend to be priced closer to where I would take a chance on one though. 

$380 for the G30 sounds a bit high, unless it's in really nice condition.  If you're set on .45 ACP, keep an eye out for the 21 in LGSs.  I've seen them here and there (since I've been sort of half-ass considering one recently).  Not sure about M&Ps, but I do have a M&P .45.  The trigger could use some work, but I rarely shoot that gun.

Yup, the price points arent quite attractive enough to jump on anything I have seen pop up yet. But a .45 is my next box to check.

Yeah buying anything sight unseen online is a gamble (ebay taught me that lesson many times), most of the online listings I have seen give you a 3 day window to inspect and return on these used LEOs. They warn you they pull them randomly off the pile and their conditions are all over the map. Saving $200ish off the price of a pistol is a fine line to walk if you have put money into it to make it go bang.

I agree. I have been sort of burned by buying sight unseen. I have 2 guns that looked in great shape when they arrived (I paid for best of 5 pick also). One is falling apart due to excessive wear on certain parts. The other was a revolver and had a burr inside one chamber until I filed it down. I would not buy a gun again without a return guarantee or being able to inspect it before I buy it.

Take a chance if you find something you really like and want and the price is right.
( consider FFL fees into the price)

I bought a surplus from Danger Close Tactical that was a ugly duckling but I really wanted it.

Model 10-2 Military and Police, Double Action, 4" Tapered Barrel, Blue Steel Finish (worn), Surplus, Import markings "AA280", ."JP1712" D63xxx Year of manufacture between 1969-1970.  ($250. It’s still on his website listed as not in stock)

More import markings than my passport.
More worn than my favorite jeans.
Almost won Inspector’s fun shoot with it but they didn’t count surrounding the target.
(At least I didn’t come in last though. Got 1/2 a point for hitting a different target  )
I love that gun. (But don’t shoot plus-P out of it.)
I did get to check lock up and alignment before I bought it though.

I am seeing a lot of good deals on used Law Enforcement trade-ins popping up on the interwebs. Anyone have experiences good or bad buying used cop pistols sight unseen? Folks say that the tritium sight in them are usually dead or about to die by the time they retire them. I figure most cops probably dont actually fire many rounds thru their service weapon. The prices I am seeing are tempting to roll the dice.

Well, figure that they probably shoot 100 rounds every year for training multiplied by how many years they had the gun plus the 2000 or so rounds they initially trained on the firearm with if it was a department duty firearm.

I think the real wildcard is whether the officer took care of his gun or not.