[bratch]

Do you prefer to buy your rifles new or used?

Used saves some money and if FTF all the paperwork. A new rifle lets you know the rifle's history.

How important is proper barrel break-in for a normal rifle (target, hunting)? This could be a factor in the new/used arguement.

[rust collector]

I prefer my guns to have more experience than me. Honest wear (not neglect) gives them a little more credibility and mystery. Anyone can buy a new gun, but to find a used model that shoots or can be made to shoot beautifully is a special joy. Once in awhile, I get a dog, but the price is right and that happens with factory new models as well.

[BusMaster007]

I like NEW guns, and I shoot the crap out of them, and don't clean 'em very often.
Strangely, they always shoot the same as used guns, or clean ones! :neener: :evil: :D

[Moonclip]

Used, I like milsurp for one and two, many guns I like are not in production anymore and buying used allows me to afford more guns. Do like to pick up a new one here and there too though and I hate when you pick up a lemon used gu where you generally have less recourse.

[dakotasin]

doesn't make any difference to me. if the gun is what i want, then i'll make an effort to get it, regardless of new or used. exceptions being prairie dog guns... good chance that a heavy 220, 22-250, 243, and even 223 have seen better days if they are on the used rack. also, because of how varminting rifles are used, it is extremely difficult to guess the gun's condition by appearance. so, varmint-type rifles i will only buy new.

[dfaugh]

I've bought most of my guns used...Often in "nearly new" condition...Buying used has often meant being able to buysomething I couldn't afford new. As long as they've been taken care of,guns last LONG time...In fact the most accurate gun I own was given to me, with only minimal use.

[Commissar Gribb]

with a used one, It's much harder to fubar and if you do, it's less worry.

[MechAg94]

Mil-surp is one thing, but commercial stuff I have bought new. Most used stuff I am looking for that I have ever seen is so overpriced I might as well buy new. I don't know a lot about many of the used guns people sell so it is hard to evaluate the price they are asking. Kind of like the guys selling HRA Garands at shows for $800 that almost look worse than the service grade I have. It is hard to trust pricing when you see stuff like that.

I have learned a lot from posts on this site and gotten a lot of useful links to retail and wholesaler prices so I know a lot more now than I did last year. My habits might change.

The main use exceptions for me are a P7M8 at a show and a pair of S&W .357 magnum revolvers at pawn shops. Things like the revolvers are easier to find and cash will get you a long way at pawn shops.

[Cueball]

I find myself mostly buying new. Finding exactly what I want when I want it used has been an issue for me. So, 3 of the last 4 I have purchased have been new.

[bratch]

Just to clarify; I'm talking about run of the mill rifles. Anything special (Mil-surp, discontinued models, etc) needn't apply.

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm more apt to buy used than new.

This may be due to my background -- I went through several years in Catholic Schools in Louisiana. The law there provides public school books to the religious schools -- but they weren't NEW books. Most of the books I studied from were from the 1910s to the 1930s, and I still remember a text called "Health." It taught us to shop, and stressed things like "Buy day-old bread. It's just as nutritious as fresh bread, but cheaper."

In used guns, you get just as good a gun, but cheaper.

Besides I LIKE pre-'64 Winchester Model 70s, Colt New Services, Detective Specials, and so on.

[JohnBT]

Used if I know it will shoot. Otherwise new, it's fun finding out if I got a good one.

Go read all the posts on how to do trigger jobs, action jobs, bedding and free floating and then tell me if you still want a used gun. ;)

John

[Cosmoline]

I prefer my rifles to have gone through at least one world war.

[PAC 762]

I like to build my rifles.

[MachIVshooter]

If the right gun int he right chambering is in front of me and I have money, I don't give much thought to new vs. used. That said, my finicky preferences have led to mostly new purchases on bolt guns.

[brentwal]

A good guns a good gun, no matter if new or used. Used seems to have more character. But new, well we all love that new gun smell.

[Commissar Gribb]

I love that "old gun smell"

hehe

cleaning cosmo off for the first time :D

[USSR]

I'm with PAC 762, I like to have a rifle built to my specs. I buy a used rifle, sell off the stock and barrel, and build off the action.

Don

[Chipperman]

Most of mine are Military, so this does not apply.
But even for Commercial Rifles that are still in production, I usually buy Used.

[Cpl Punishment]

Well, you disqualified most of mine, since the vast majority of guns I like are military surplus and new models are not made.

However, I do have a weakness for lever action guns, and I prefer them new.

[MarineTech]

For me, I prefer to buy older used guns. I do give them a VERY good going over first before buying though to make sure they weren't abused.

Reasoning is thus.

1) I normally get the used gun considerably cheaper than the same model new.

2) Older guns have a tendency to be better made than their modern counterparts. Triggers on rifles made before the lawyers got into the game have lighter pull weights. Blueing has a tendency to be a deeper color. Wood stocks are usually a much better grade of wood. Just look at the desirability of the pre-64 Winchesters or the pre-81 pinned and recessed Smith and Wesson revolvers to see what I mean.

3) The older guns have a tendency to generate conversation and comment when set in the rack next to newer guns at the end of the day at deer camp. Especially from older members of the group that have a tendency to say things like "When I was a kid, I had....." or "My brother used to have...." Older rifles and pistols can generate and evening's worth of discussion just sitting there.

[Essex County]

Out of 15 bolt guns seven have been purchased new, seven used.....This doesn't count AR's or mil-surps... I purchase new when I can't find it on the used market. I love them all...........Essex