Are used guns better now?

[Ryanxia]

I think a lot of it's been said, guns are a hobby to a lot of people instead of just a tool, a lot of people trade and turn stuff in to buy new ones.

 

[taraquian]

About 80% of my guns wre bought used from the LGS. They are all great shooters and mostt of them looked brand new, just missing the cheap plastic box, 50 page saftey manual and goofy trigger/action lock.

So I get a $100-$150 off for two scratches and no garbage? Hand me that pen, sir.

There are SOME way overpriced guns in the case but they are all consignment and its the owner that determines that not the shop....if you come across one of those make an offer, they will relay it to the owner and you may get it for less. There is a LOT more room to haggle on a used gun.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Pre 1970 guns are my favorite 22's and any thing made before 1985.

 

[bigtubby]

I only buy used guns older Smith's preferred get great deals on them out here as everybody wants a plastic fantastic wonder nine. I just keep buying carbon and stainless steel.

 

[orionengnr]

I am guessing that 50 and 75 years ago many only had one gun and it only got sold when something went wrong.

I am betting you are 140% wrong. In our grandparents' day, you did not dump your problems on someone else. I can say for a fact that neither of my sets of grandparents, nor my parents, uncles/aunts or any immediate family for that matter, would ever contemplate such BS. In those days, you knew everyone in your community. You would no sooner sell your neighbor a POS gun, car, tractor lawn mower, etc., than you would short-change him at the store.

In all fairness, we did not have the temptation of anonymous interstate eBay transactions to rip others off.

"The Greatest Generation" (my parent's generation) somehow begat the absolutely entitled "me" generation (of which I am ashamed to be a part).

They...note I do not say "I" (because I have by virtue of a timely vasectomy begat nothing ) begat the "bereft of morals or any concept thereof" generation.

How did we get to the point where 12-year olds can commit murder without remorse? And shortly thereafter, a generation who believes that they are entitled to welfare, endless unemployment and then "disability" for life...starting in their 20s? Simple...societal programming, norms and expectations (or lack thereof). And, most importantly, an absolute lack of accountability at all levels from parents, teachers, politicians and everything in between.

I have had business dealings over the last half-century-plus with all manner of the above. I have been in a position to hire and fire a number of the above.

I am sure that there are good, honest, hard-working young people out there, but in my experience, they few and far between, and if they inherited that work ethic from their parents, they are indeed rare jewels.

Wow, that was depressing. Let's end on a high note.

The Old Fuff's ego is only exceeded by his good looks...

..and his perspicacity...

 

[content]

I'm guessing bushmaster1313 used the term " something went wrong" to mean they needed money and had to sell the gun, not something wrong with the gun.

All in your perspective.

 

[Old Fuff]

I am sure that there are good, honest, hard-working young people out there, but in my experience, they few and far between, and if they inherited that work ethic from their parents, they are indeed rare jewels.

I actually know some, but I'm not sure they aren't outnumbered by the others. Only time will tell.

The difference between current and older (pre 1960) Smith & Wesson and Colt handguns is that the revolvers in particular were intended to be repaired rather then junked. But replacing a part often required that it be individually fitted by a skilled 'smith, and not just dropped in. The process of "selective fitting" (exchanging parts to find a perfect combination) or "hand fitting" (slightly modifying parts with tools to get a perfect fit) when correctly done resulted in a tolerance difference that was closer then that obtained by CNC machining and MIM parts that allow today's guns to be assembled without part selection or modification/fitting. The further back in time you go the more obvious the difference in workmanship becomes.

In an unrelated example, "back when..." a computer hard drive went bad it was often removed, disassembled and the defective part(s) replaced. In other words, it was fixed. Today it is more likely it will be removed, junked and replaced. Labor costs have made repairing uneconomical.

However, what made the older guns better (in the context I described) can work against them today. Often new parts are no longer available, and used ones that were fitted to a particular gun may not work in another one. Experienced gunsmiths (and experience is critical) have been retiring or leaving us, and are not being replaced. So those that treasure these older gems should be careful about how they treat them, and buyers would be wise to remember that they are seldom covered by any warrantee. Pick those that are in perfect mechanical condition, with bright chambers and bores. Cosmetics - such as worn bluing, is far less important in a piece you intend to shoot (as opposed to being kept as a collectable).

 

[orionengnr]

Yep, and these days I mainly own quality 1911s and older S&W revolvers.

I am not afraid to spend money on them, although it is very seldom necessary. These days, the ones I own I expect to keep until I pass on.

I am no longer a "recreational owner/buyer".

 

[TAKtical]

My EDC is a glock 17 i got used 7 years ago...

 

[bushmaster1313]

I am betting you are 140% wrong. In our grandparents' day, you did not dump your problems on someone else. I can say for a fact that neither of my sets of grandparents, nor my parents, uncles/aunts or any immediate family for that matter, would ever contemplate such BS. In those days, you knew everyone in your community. You would no sooner sell your neighbor a POS gun, car, tractor lawn mower, etc., than you would short-change him at the store.

I was thinking that a gun would most often be sold (with disclosure of the problems, of course) when it didn't pay for the owner to fix it or get it fixed. As such, I am guessing that the used guns on the market were likely to be less than optimal.

 

[Twiki357]

Fishslayer (post 2): "I will buy a used (pre-'82) S&W revolver over anything they're putting out today." I'll second that.

In fact I just bought two S&W Model 36's (No dash), a 2" & a3" in the last few weeks. They both shoot great. If fact, all but one of my S&Ws are prelock.

It made me sick a few days ago. I missed out on a "Like new w/box" Model 29-2 for $500.