Buying first uzi looking for advice

[Southern_Rising]

Hey yall I found a pretty clean model B that I’m buying, never owned an Uzi before so just looking for some advice. Thanks

 

[Southern_Rising]

Hello and welcome. Good question, but not easy to offer advice like that without looking at it in person of course. What company made the Receiver, Semi or Select Fire, individual selling it or store? Do you have anyone nearby who can take a look at it with you, to check the usual areas for issues?

A trusted pawn shop a friend runs the gun department, action arms imi preban mod b. I helped my uncle at gun shows several years. I’m very satisfied it’s all original lightly used with case and all accessories

 

[Southern_Rising]

Hello and welcome. Good question, but not easy to offer advice like that without looking at it in person of course. What company made the Receiver, Semi or Select Fire, individual selling it or store? Do you have anyone nearby who can take a look at it with you, to check the usual areas for issues?

And thanks for the welcome!

 

[JackFlak]

Ooh, sounds nice. I cannot find a good FAQ for first time buying - so I know someone will comment here soon. I'd play with it, and cycle the action etc. which you already know I'm sure - common sense stuff. Since it's your buddy's shop, he should be fine with you putting a magazing in the well and checking proper cycling of the bolt, maybe use some snap caps to see if it's chambering/extracting properly. Ask him to let you take it to the range to test it out. This is a unique opportunity since he's your friend - most of us are relying on strangers to be honest.

 

[Southern_Rising]

Hello and welcome. Good question, but not easy to offer advice like that without looking at it in person of course. What company made the Receiver, Semi or Select Fire, individual selling it or store? Do you have anyone nearby who can take a look at it with you, to check the usual areas for issues?

What’s a good price to pay? It’s looking like around $2500

 

[JackFlak]

From my personal experience - Yes that's a standard or usual price given the current market. If it comes with magazines, some other extras then not a bad deal. I would definitely handle it more, take pictures for us if you can, and ask to test fire it. Some of them have feeding issues, which can be corrected but will cost you. Pictures: get some closeups of the front trunnion welds, if you can disassemble it photograph the feedramp area. Again, I'm no expert by any means. Sharing what I've learned and seen. Above all don't rush into it. Some of the guys here will add to this info soon

 

[regalgseguy]

If it's Action Arms IMI you should be GTG.

 

[Southern_Rising]

If it's Action Arms IMI you should be GTG.

It is

 

[ScottinTexas]

If I recall original magazines for the .45 are very expensive and aftermarket mags are usually unreliable. A consideration if .45…..disregard if 9mm.

 

[Dirk Hawthorne]

From my personal experience - Yes that's a standard or usual price given the current market. If it comes with magazines, some other extras then not a bad deal. I would definitely handle it more, take pictures for us if you can, and ask to test fire it. Some of them have feeding issues, which can be corrected but will cost you. Pictures: get some closeups of the front trunnion welds, if you can disassemble it photograph the feedramp area. Again, I'm no expert by any means. Sharing what I've learned and seen. Above all don't rush into it. Some of the guys here will add to this info soon

Semi auto IMI UZIs have feeding and welding problems?
What exactly are they and how are they fixed?
Thanks

 

[JackFlak]

Semi auto IMI UZIs have feeding and welding problems?
What exactly are they and how are they fixed?
Thanks

I've seen a few with these issues, and read about this here also. I looked at an UZI at a gun show, seller said it's an old pre ban blah blah. Inside welds around the ejector looked janky / spotty welds and possibly crooked. Again, not an expert only trying to offer advice

 

[root]

If it is a IMI gun imported by Action Arms or a Norinco 320 it is going to 99.9% be fine unless someone messed or it is clapped out.
The rest can be hit or miss on build quality but can be made right.

 

[SecondAmend]

I have a Vector full size, full auto Uzi that I use for full auto shooting (9mm, .45 ACP, and .22LR). I also have a Vector Mini Semi-auto Uzi (9mm only) that I prefer for semi auto shooting.
MHO, YMMV, etc.
Best of luck with whatever you pursue, and enjoy many safe shooting experiences.

 

[Southern_Rising]

It’s a 9mm preban action arms model b. 59xxx serial number range. Thanks for the responses!

 

[Dirk Hawthorne]

I've seen a few with these issues, and read about this here also. I looked at an UZI at a gun show, seller said it's an old pre ban blah blah. Inside welds around the ejector looked janky / spotty welds and possibly crooked. Again, not an expert only trying to offer advice

I don't think you need to be an expert on a topic to provide helpful advice. It's kind of amazing how often that "regular people" know some information that is really helpful.

I certainly am no expert on gunsmithing or firearms, but I'll chime in when appropriate.

For example, A LOT of guys will use screwdrivers to pry the rear handguard off of a Garand. But all you have to do is grab the handguard and pull it forward an inch and it comes right off. John C. Garand was a REALLY smart guy, he left no stone unturned. I'm no expert on firearms, but I know how to get a Garand handguard off, and I'm glad to mention it if it helps someone not scratch up his barrel.

Ironically, I almost never talk about the topics that I am actually an expert on. I mean the stuff that I was formally trained in and do professionally.

 

[Dirk Hawthorne]

If it is a IMI gun imported by Action Arms or a Norinco 320 it is going to 99.9% be fine unless someone messed or it is clapped out.
The rest can be hit or miss on build quality but can be made right.

I have been thinking about getting an IMI. I love rifles that shoot pistol cartridges, I shoot my Vector offhand at a hundred yard gong in semi mode a lot. But that bolt slapping around kind of spoils your aim a little.

I shoot my M1A1 that way a lot as well. My $35,000 plinker.

 

[JackFlak]

I don't think you need to be an expert on a topic to provide helpful advice. It's kind of amazing how often that "regular people" know some information that is really helpful.

I certainly am no expert on gunsmithing or firearms, but I'll chime in when appropriate.

For example, A LOT of guys will use screwdrivers to pry the rear handguard off of a Garand. But all you have to do is grab the handguard and pull it forward an inch and it comes right off. John C. Garand was a REALLY smart guy, he left no stone unturned. I'm no expert on firearms, but I know how to get a Garand handguard off, and I'm glad to mention it if it helps someone not scratch up his barrel.

Ironically, I almost never talk about the topics that I am actually an expert on. I mean the stuff that I was formally trained in and do professionally.

Ok I'll bite again - Maybe you can offer the Original Poster some helpful advice regarding his purchase instead of brow beating/criticizing my advice to the Original Poster. If I'm assuming the worse, I apologize. It seems you're antagonistic though I was trying to help. I'm done.

 

[JackFlak]

@DirkHawthorne I apologize man, I may have misunderstood and over reacted. I didn't mean to be a jerk. I thought you were being antagonistic. I appreciate your input

 

[Dirk Hawthorne]

@DirkHawthorne I apologize man, I may have misunderstood and over reacted. I didn't mean to be a jerk. I thought you were being antagonistic. I appreciate your input

No worries.

I was just trying to say that a person doesn't need to be an actual expert to share genuinely useful, accurate information.

I have an arcade in my basement with classic arcade games and pinballs, and basically other hobbyists have kept them running by giving me repair advice. The games were only intended to last a few years and a lot of the parts are 1960s era parts that were obsolete even back in 1981. So over the decades people have learned what to replace, etc. Some of the people in the hobby are actual electronics repair techs, but most aren't.

Of course, the internet is awash with bad advice too. For example, gun guys are always recommending truly weird ways to refinish wood gunstocks. It's just a really weird trend that started for some reason.

 

[nklf]

I have not seen an IMI gun with feed issues in SA. Assuming the gun has not been abused or messed with it should be GTG. In the mid 80s I bought a model B in .45ACP that would only cycle full power loads and did not like my reduced power reloads. The gun looked almost new and probably only needed to break in, but I got rid of it. Not really sure why I sold it, but probably someone offered me a profit on a quick turn and there was something else I wanted more. That was a long time ago. Having said all of that, just about anything can be fixed on an Uzi, so if the price is within what it is worth to you, buy it. I usually worry more about what I am willing to pay vs what "market price" is. I have never paid too much for a gun, I just bought it before the market caught up with my value.