Gun shows can deliver solid deals, but they also bring out firearms with spotty track records, tricky maintenance quirks, thin parts availability, or reputations that seasoned shooters warn about. It’s also the perfect setting for problems to hide in plain sight: unknown round counts, questionable modifications, missing paperwork, or cosmetic cleanup that masks real wear. The models below are the ones instructors, gunsmiths, and longtime owners most often urge buyers to approach with extra scrutiny, and in some cases, to walk away from entirely when the history is murky.
Jennings J22
Gunsmiths routinely cite the J22 for feeding failures, misfires, and cracked slides due to its zinc alloy construction. Many firearm instructors report that even well maintained examples struggle to complete a standard 50 round reliability test. Its inconsistent heat treatment made durability unpredictable, leading several police departments in the 1990s to warn officers against using it as a backup gun.
Lorcin L380
The L380 became widely known for frequent return to manufacturer repairs during its production run. Independent testing by several firearms journalists documented extraction failures, magazine feed issues, and frame wear within a few hundred rounds. Many surviving examples found at gun shows may have unknown round counts or hidden structural fatigue because of the soft metal used in the frame.
Raven MP25
Although inexpensive, the MP25 has a long record of cracked barrels and inconsistent ignition. The pistol’s pot metal construction is easily damaged by over tightening screws or minor impacts. Gunsmith reports from the early 2000s noted that many MP25s brought in for repair could not be restored to safe function due to frame deformation.
Early Charter Arms Undercover
While modern production models are far more consistent, early versions from the 1970s and 1980s often show timing issues and cylinder lockup problems after moderate use. Veteran revolver armorers warn that worn examples can be difficult to repair because replacement parts vary by generation. At gun shows, many of these older frames appear functional but fail timing tests when inspected closely.
Cobray M11
The civilian semiautomatic M11 is often found at shows with aftermarket parts of unknown origin. Its extremely high cyclic rate in original full auto form inspired many poorly made clones, and some semiauto variants suffer from unreliable magazines and inconsistent heat treatment. Firearms evaluators frequently note problems such as bolt drag and failure to feed when using surplus magazines.
Iver Johnson TP22
This compact 22 pistol looks appealing but has a history of broken firing pins and slide stop failures. The model was produced by multiple subcontractors, and quality varied widely. Many TP22s at gun shows have mismatched parts. Several competitive rimfire shooters who tested them during the 1980s recorded malfunctions even with high quality ammunition.
Remington Model 770
Hunting instructors and range masters regularly caution students about the 770’s rough bolt travel and inconsistent accuracy. Reviewers found that groups over two inches at 100 yards were common even with premium ammunition. Its synthetic stock and pressed in components make long term maintenance difficult. Many rifles sold at shows have been heavily used and cannot be easily tuned.
Century Arms Mosin Nagant Sporter Conversions
These rifles often appear attractive due to low price, but many were assembled from worn surplus parts. Professional armorers note that headspace issues, mismatched bolts, and improper barrel crown cuts are common in these conversions. Several range safety officers have documented split cases and hard bolt lift caused by rushed or crude modifications.
Rossi Model 88
While some Rossi revolvers perform well, the Model 88 has a long documented record of inconsistent timing and soft internal parts. Gunsmiths frequently report stretched frames and worn lockwork after relatively low round counts. Older imports at gun shows often lack service records and may have hidden wear that affects safety.
Intratec TEC 22
This rimfire pistol uses Ruger 10 22 magazines but suffers from poor chamber support and blowback timing. Firearms testers in the 1990s consistently flagged it for out of battery firing risks and magazine retention failures. Many surviving units at gun shows have cracked polymer frames or worn feed ramps that are difficult to repair.
Taurus PT 22 Early Production
Although later generations improved, earlier PT 22 models had extractor failures, weak magazine springs, and frame cracks reported by gunsmiths. The tip up barrel system makes the pistol easy to load, but older units often show wear that leads to light primer strikes. Because many early models were carried extensively, examples at gun shows may appear intact while hiding internal fatigue.