Do you buy most of your guns new or used?
- Thread starter hometheaterman
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NMGonzo
Member
They make guns new?
I did not know!
I did not know!
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Ditto. The balance, however, definitely favors used.
Balog
Member
I've purchased one new gun in my life, and have since come to regret it.
earlthegoat2
Member
I have ever only bought one new firearm and I sold it less than a year later.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I do both, new and used~! 
WoofersInc
Member
For me it is mostly new. However some like the Mosin, PSL, and such are of course going to be used surplus.
orvpark
Member
I too and am opportunist. Trading, buying, selling is half the fun for me. I like shooting new stuff and don't have the wallet to buy a gun every two weeks. I can trade off those I have lost interest in and get something new (to me) and give it a whirl. I have a dozen that I wouldn't part with (unless the price was RIGHT!), but most are open for trade.
About 30% of my handguns now I got used, but they're mostly stuff not made any longer. I tend to buy new guns now that most of the manufacturers are offering lifetime warranties to the original purchaser.
My long guns are 50% used, but they're both mil-spec.
My long guns are 50% used, but they're both mil-spec.
Ester IX:XVI
Member
I'v never bought a new gun. I enjoy finding a solid used gun that needs cleaning up. I haven't came across a great deal (finding one in an old house or an old lady that "just wants rid of it") but i'v never lost money. Actuall it's not about the money i just enjoy it.
Roughly a 50-50 mix. I've picked up several nice previously owned semi-autos over the past year that were sold on consignment.
Worst experience to date with a used gun was a shoddy finish on a re-arsenaled TT-33 that floated off the first time I cleaned it - gave me a good excuse to Cerama-Coat it.
Worst experience to date with a used gun was a shoddy finish on a re-arsenaled TT-33 that floated off the first time I cleaned it - gave me a good excuse to Cerama-Coat it.
silverking
Member
I started out buying new, but the last six purchases have been well maintained used tools.
makarovnik
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
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I typically only buy used if it's a surplus military weapon or from someone I know or a Hi-Point with forever warranty.
We have a great gun/pawn shop here called DJ's. They will guarantee any used gun they sell for about 90 days or so. If there is a problem they will fix it or exchange it for something else.
Once I thought about buying a Hi-Point new for $110 but everyone said "for about the same price you can get a good used gun like a PA-63".
I bought the PA-63 and it was a piece of crap. It looked very nice but had trouble feeding even one mag of FMJ round nose. The recoil was also nasty even after a new slightly heavier recoil spring was installed.
I could never get that gun to be reliable so I exchanged it for a Hi-Point C9 and am much happier with it. Buying a used Hi-Point is a no brainer because the warranty is so good.
It really depends what deals are available.
We have a great gun/pawn shop here called DJ's. They will guarantee any used gun they sell for about 90 days or so. If there is a problem they will fix it or exchange it for something else.
Once I thought about buying a Hi-Point new for $110 but everyone said "for about the same price you can get a good used gun like a PA-63".
I bought the PA-63 and it was a piece of crap. It looked very nice but had trouble feeding even one mag of FMJ round nose. The recoil was also nasty even after a new slightly heavier recoil spring was installed.
I could never get that gun to be reliable so I exchanged it for a Hi-Point C9 and am much happier with it. Buying a used Hi-Point is a no brainer because the warranty is so good.
It really depends what deals are available.
wyohome
Member
I buy used. I like the better workmanship, nicer wood, and lack of silly warnings stamped on them. I fully understand that a 357 magnum can cause personal injury.
frankiestoys
Member
A mix of both, if it's a better brand i don't mind buying a used gun but most of my toys are new.
XavierBreath
Member
I tend to buy used guns. There are several reasons, in no particular order.
First is the economic benefit. They cost less.
Used guns have wear patterns on them that let you know how the gun is performing.
New guns tend to have locks on them, and other gee gaws that are of little use to me.
You can test fire used guns, checking them for accuracy as well as function.
There is not often stuff in the new gun counter that thrills me anymore. Owning and shooting the latest X33 mega-blaster does nothing for me.
I enjoy dropping off used pistols at Clark Custom and picking up one of a kind customs six months later.
I never have to worry about putting the first scar on the gun. I own a few pristine Smiths, but I rarely shoot them because of this. Holster and carry wear? Give me a gun that another man has eaten the depreciation on.
I still occasionally buy new guns, but not nearly as frequently as used ones. A few years ago, I wrote an article concerning purchasing used 1911s. The advice holds true for most guns. Assuming I know about the type of gun I'm buying, I actually feel more secure purchasing used, I get a better price, and I get a gun that I'm certain I want because I have shot it.
First is the economic benefit. They cost less.
Used guns have wear patterns on them that let you know how the gun is performing.
New guns tend to have locks on them, and other gee gaws that are of little use to me.
You can test fire used guns, checking them for accuracy as well as function.
There is not often stuff in the new gun counter that thrills me anymore. Owning and shooting the latest X33 mega-blaster does nothing for me.
I enjoy dropping off used pistols at Clark Custom and picking up one of a kind customs six months later.
I never have to worry about putting the first scar on the gun. I own a few pristine Smiths, but I rarely shoot them because of this. Holster and carry wear? Give me a gun that another man has eaten the depreciation on.
I still occasionally buy new guns, but not nearly as frequently as used ones. A few years ago, I wrote an article concerning purchasing used 1911s. The advice holds true for most guns. Assuming I know about the type of gun I'm buying, I actually feel more secure purchasing used, I get a better price, and I get a gun that I'm certain I want because I have shot it.
I call it "work hardened."
Onward Allusion
Member
I mostly buy used. Almost all my pistols and revolvers are former law enforcement or security agency firearms. I'd learned through a good friend who happened to be a LEO, that they are rarely shot and usually only during qualifications. Most of the wear is holster related, but I generally purchase stainless, so the wear hardly shows.
My 22 plinkers are also almost all used 'cause the good ones will last a couple of lifetimes and I just can't see plopping down $300 to $400 for a Taurus or $400 to $600 for a Ruger or S&W for plinking. I guess if I shot competitively, it would be a different story.
The only firearms that I must buy new are AKs because so many folks abuse the heck out of them.
My 22 plinkers are also almost all used 'cause the good ones will last a couple of lifetimes and I just can't see plopping down $300 to $400 for a Taurus or $400 to $600 for a Ruger or S&W for plinking. I guess if I shot competitively, it would be a different story.
The only firearms that I must buy new are AKs because so many folks abuse the heck out of them.
Hold My Own
Member
I wish I could buy new guns, but I'm a "used" man as bad as that sounds. 
When I get my first carry rifle, I might stray from the norm' and get a new firearm.. Unless I find a good deal on one.
How I see it, if you inspect it a gun and there's no problems then why not? It's broken it for you
When I get my first carry rifle, I might stray from the norm' and get a new firearm.. Unless I find a good deal on one.
How I see it, if you inspect it a gun and there's no problems then why not? It's broken it for you
Tamlin
Member
I have bought one new handgun, and one new rifle. All the rest of my guns have been purchased used. All of the used guns I have bought have been in excellent shape. Buying used allows me to buy MORE , but I will buy new if I can't find what I want in used.
, but I will buy new if I can't find what I want in used.1987rx7guy
Member
If I can afford a new item(not just guns) I buy it new. My reasoning is:
1. Buying new keeps the manufacturers in business.
2. Buying used items from vendors/stores gives them too much profit compared to a new item which has a set MSRP level expected.(this is seen a lot in the used media sector: video's/music and games)
3. I leave more used goods to those that are less well off(and I am seriously by no means well off!) that may not be able to afford new items.
4. Buying new, guns specifically, increases the number of firearms that are in the hands of the people. This helps us all statistically speaking.
1. Buying new keeps the manufacturers in business.
2. Buying used items from vendors/stores gives them too much profit compared to a new item which has a set MSRP level expected.(this is seen a lot in the used media sector: video's/music and games)
3. I leave more used goods to those that are less well off(and I am seriously by no means well off!) that may not be able to afford new items.
4. Buying new, guns specifically, increases the number of firearms that are in the hands of the people. This helps us all statistically speaking.
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billsnogo
Member
New for almost all of my .22's, but used for 1/2 of all else. I am a budget gun buyer, so used has more deals for me
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