What are the rules?

[gerritm]

I made a bad mistake by impulse buying a POS handgun. It was to go in my truck and in case it was stolen it would be no big deal, instead of one of my good guns. It is a Cobra Arms FS380 semi. The cost was $150.00. I know you get what you pay for, but it is made in the USA. The first time at the range (Pasadena Gun Center) I bought some re-loads and on shot #50 the barrel split. I sent it back and they said it was bad ammo and re-placed the barrel at no charge. It also would not fire a magazine without jamming. One or 2 out of every mag would stove pipe in the chamber. They said they would adjust it and it should be fine. I got it back and took it to the range again, still would not shoot 5 rounds in a row without a jam. The gun is useless. I sent it back again and Cobra assured me it was fixed. Bought some good Magtech ammo and tried again, no luck. It has never fired 5 shots in a row. Sent it back to them with some Magtech ammo and I told them to keep it, destroy it, or trade it for something else. I have more money in shipping than the gun is worth. I just got it back.


My question is, I can't sell it to someone with a clear conscience knowing it doesn't work. I don't want to pay a local gunsmith to try and fix it. How do you destroy a handgun here in Texas? Are there any forms or reports to fill out or can I just cut up the gun and throw it away? I am going to the range this weekend and will try it one more time, but I could never trust the weapon, so what is the point of owning it?

 

[txinvestigator]

Wait until one of the local PDs has a "gun buyback" and take it there. You will likely get only $50 for it, but it will be destroyed properly.

 

[navyguy]

You could just sell it will full disclosure of the issues. Get $25-$50 that you can use towards ammo for a functional gun. There are vendors at gun shows that will give that much even for a POS.

If you want a cheap gun, in the .380 size take a look at these. Functional and cheap
AIM Czech CZ-82 9x18 Pistol Czech CZ-82 9x18 Pistol

 

[SouthTex]

Sucks having a conscious sometimes... (Good for you though!)

 

[TexasDawg]

Sometimes cheap guns are POS and sometimes there're cheap because there are not finished very well. I'm not familar with the Cobras'.
I bought a Jimenez .380 to have as a pocketgun. I researched the little pocketguns first and then bought one. It's rough around the edges (literately) and needed some tuning and fluffing and buffing, but I enjoy that work and had researched it. It's got soft metal and won't last forever like my other guns, but it goes bang every time now and I trust it. It isn't a $500 gun and never will be.
You may try looking up on the web for sites that will give info on how to make it better and just fix it yourself. Look for mouseguns sites and sites specificaly for your brand. It may just need a little tuning and work, which you can do yourself, and which most gunsmiths won't do. Too much work for too little reward,,,I understand.
Worst comes to worst, I live in Laporte and I'll take it off your hands,,, I got a sledgehammer,, and a file,, and a dremmel,, and a,,,,,,haha

 

[a44mag4dave]

$200 for your Klunker

Check out Sig Sauer, they will give you $200 for your gun. I didn't read the details, but it might be a way to relieve yourself of it.

[url]http://www.sigsauer.com/[/URL]

 

[Texas42]

Check out Sig Sauer, they will give you $200 for your gun. I didn't read the details, but it might be a way to relieve yourself of it.

[URL="http://www.sigsauer.com/"][url]http://www.sigsauer.com/[/URL][/URL]

I heard it has to be a 9mm, but you can try getting a new magazine for it before chucking it.

PS-don't use reloads you don't know anything about.

 

[gerritm]

Check out Sig Sauer, they will give you $200 for your gun. I didn't read the details, but it might be a way to relieve yourself of it.

[URL="http://www.sigsauer.com/"][url]http://www.sigsauer.com/[/URL][/URL]

It has to be 9mm or bigger for semi's. Looked like a good deal. The only problem is to ship it legit thru Fed Ex or UPS to Sig you have to go overnight and the cost is around $65 -- to $75.00. Worth more than the gun. Good thought though, I do like Sig's.


Texasdawg, make me an offer, anything and it's yours. It did just come back from Cobra for the 4th time and it is supposedly fixed. I have not had a chance to shoot it. I do have 2 boxes of Magtech ammo to go with it and 50 rounds of .380 re-loads from Pasadena gun Center. Anything to trade for plus cash? I am looking for a small pocket revolver or derringer.

 

[gerritm]

Here is the follow up to all of this. After sending the FS 380 back to the factory for the 4th time because it jams or misfeeds 2 or 3 shots out of a 7 shot mag, I got it back with a repair invoice of N/C. My brother is in town and he just got his CHL and wanted a small pistol for his RV. I offered the gun to him and told him the whole story and history. He said no problem it's been repaired, lets go shoot it. We went to the range Sunday and needless to say the gun did not perform any better now than it did before it went to the factory. It would misfire, jam, or you would have to push the slide forward to seat the shell in the chamber. Many problems. We went home and I tore the gun apart. On the inside of the chamber where the shell seats there was a burr in the metal. I took my Dremel with a small sanding disc and worked it until the burr was gone and the chamber was smooth. I then took some fine steel wool and polished the ramp and all wear spots to get the paint off. He took it yesterday to a range and the gun fired and ejected the shells perfectly. Even shot some re-loads. So now he is happy with the gun and I guess it just takes a little elbow grease to make something work. It is a shame the factory couldn't see this. It was very obvious.

 

[thorkyl]

I would try a few different mags
Try ball ammo

Then as a last resort, put it and a box of ball ammo in a shoe box and forget about it.
Use it as a trader/pawn for SHTF day, might bring you the fuel you need to get out of town

 

[hkusp1]

call your local pd and tell them you have a gun you would like to turn in and have destroyed they will take care of it or take it apart and bury the pieces in different locations and let mother earth take care of it.