Do you CCW a new or used pistol?

[TestPilot]

I can't say I would never carry a used gun.

However, my policy is to buy new guns if the purchase is specifically for security.

I can see buying something used for fun, then carrying it after I find it to be suitable for security use. But, it will get tested.

 

[PRM]

No vote for both... I have a couple of bought new guns, a few bought in like new condition, and vintage. What I carry just depends on what I feel like on a particular day. I don't carry a gun unless I'm comfortable with the function, and that is not a high round count either. If I can run several mags through it without problems I am generally ok with it. I change springs when I start to see a problem at the range that indicates they need changing (and I do shoot regularly). Both vintage and new"er" guns are ok if they are a quality arm to start with and are maintained properly.

 

[RmB]

My personal test of reliability lasts about a thousand rounds. For example my CPO Sig 226 has somewhere around 5000+ through it in the last 4ish months since I bought it. I deemed it reliable after about the first 1500. I have no problems buying used, it just has to show reliability.

 

[longknife12]

New when I bought it. Now, it qualifies as used.
Dan

 

[shootingthebreeze]

I prefer to have a pistol which is new only because I just would not know the history of a used weapon. I'm, a stickler with cleaning a firearm after use that comes from being in the military 20 years. I know my firearms are clean and oiled and well maintained. I know their history. But that's just me.
When I carry I want to know my weapon will function if I need it.

 

[19-3Ben]

Also, if it turns out to be a junk, it's not as if I was paying for it or waiting for weeks without a gun while the gun goes on a trip to the manufacturer.

No. Good point. Instead of having to send a firearm for warrantee work, you'd just be stuck in the midst of battle with a weapon that doesn't work. It's much lower risk in the military than in civilian hands.

As for the OP's Sig P6, as said before, those are tanks. Make sure it works reliably with your carry ammo and range ammo, and then just shoot the snot out of it to become proficient. Once you're proficient, shoot the snot out of it again, and again. You'll be very good with your handgun, and you'll know exactly how well it works.

 

[wally]

All my carry pistols are "used" by the time I've broken them in and gained enough confidence in their reliability for use as CCW.

Carrying a "new" gun is too much risk, especially with modern manufacturing methods and the minimal QA/QC that happens these days.

 

[C0untZer0]

I've read too many posts on forums that go like this:

"I bought xyz pistol and had problems with it, sent it back to the factory, when it came back it had problems abc, sent it back to the factory. When it came back I sold it..."

I don't want to end up buying a SD pistol from that guy.

 

[SAS Mayhem]

I choose "Used with just some new springs." But like other mentioned as long as they pass my personal test, I'll carry it. I just got a SA RO 1911, used. I'm replacing the firing pin and spring. If she goes thru a session with no issues I'll carry her. I also just got a new Taurus PT1911 SS, I'll shoot that alot more to break her in, afterwards I'll carry her too, If she isn't a drama queen.

Cheers
Ron

 

[HammsBeer]

Seems I was over thinking the whole used carry gun idea, seeing how many of you do just that. I actually have several P6's, some early production and some late, so one can be dedicated to carry after proving it feeds ok, and put in the trigger time on the early ones that dont like HP's. Some others that ive seen as carry potential are a makarov or an LE trade in Kahr K9.

 

[mavracer]

A lot of guns in my carry rotation are used many haven"t even had springs replaced.
I'd trust a CPO Sig or a LE surplus 3rd gen Smith for carry long before I would many new guns that are out there.

 

[ny32182]

As soon as you buy it, it is "used".

But anyhow... the VAST majority of all users, certainly including police, do not shoot NEARLY enough to wear out the major components of a full size service type pistol.

A gun either works or it doesn't. The only way to know, is to shoot some of your ammo through it and see, no matter where you got it. For a used gun of completely unknown history, a detail strip/cleaning, and spring replacement (mag springs, namely) is probably not a bad idea.

 

[SC Shooter]

My two carry weapsons, a S&W Model 36 and a Makarov were purchased used. I buy a lot of used guns, both hand guns and long guns, for many reasons. However, I always take them to my local gunsmoith for inspecting and testing. I haven't been burned yet.

 

[TennJed]

I couldn't answer since none of the options fit. My primary carry now is used, with nothing done to it. It was shot less than 100 times when I got it, no need for gunsmith or springs

I have carried new and used. No difference. Both have to be tested at least 300 (more likely 500) rounds. I would never carry a new gun without testing it. I am not sure why you would assume a new gun is any better than a used. New guns do not prove anything just by being new

 

[Old Dog]

I have zero problem carrying a used handgun that I've done nothing to aside from inspecting, cleaning and loading it ...

I've bought six used SIGs, two of which were lightly-used police trade-ins, and I carry 'em regularly.

If you know the gun you're buying, or are willing to learn how it works and what it may need, there should be no problem trusting your life to a handgun you purchased used.

I've read too many posts on forums that go like this:

"I bought xyz pistol and had problems with it, sent it back to the factory, when it came back it had problems abc, sent it back to the factory. When it came back I sold it..."

Ah yeah, I've seen a few of those posts, but always in threads that are bashing particular manufacturers.

 

[Wheelgun]

Didn't vote as there wasn't an option I'd pick. I've carried both new and used guns. Some with nothing on my end but range time and practice. If a gun ain't broke and functions fine, don't go messing with it.

 

[leadchucker]

If a gun proves itself well at the range, I don't care if it is new, used, new springs, checked out by a gunsmith, etc., or any of that. I'll carry it.

No option for that in the poll.

 

[Tirod]

My current carry pistol is new. Never shot it yet. Better a new gun never shot than no gun when you need it, right?

Having admitted it, I'm proud to say I will likely be the only poster carrying a new pistol in this thread. If one round has gone down the barrel - it's used.

Most defensive gun carriers claim we should fire 500 rounds thru a carry pistol, no way is it "new" at that point. If you disagree - just try to sell it with a description "New In Box, only 500 rounds thru it." Your description will be the subject of much discussion here.

Got to ask, what is it going to be - new, or used? I suspect there will be more than one suggestion I go shoot my new gun and prove it reliable - making it used.

There is the consensus of opinion, we all shoot used guns. Can't trust new ones until they are used and prove they are trustworthy.

 

[TestPilot]

If you know the gun you're buying, or are willing to learn how it works and what it may need, there should be no problem trusting your life to a handgun you purchased used.

I am not against using used guns for defense.

But, do not think some experience and familiarization, even if to armorer level, will give you all the knowledge you need to tell if a gun will work or not.

There are things even engineers who makes gun cannot figure. I had pistols that the warranty repair service told me that they are incapable of fixing, and there is no external sign of anything obviously being wrong.

 

[Deus Machina]

My first was a S&W 469, made probably in the early or mid-80's, and at least twenty years old by the time I got it.
Someone here phrased it best: "You could shoot rocks out of it, if they would go in the magazine."
Never needed an ounce more maintenance than cleaning and oil, and I doubt that it ever got much more before I had it.

Now, both my carry guns are 'new', because that's just the way I bought them.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I treat a used gun same as a new one, and I don't trust either to CCW until I've put a few hundred rounds through it. The one exception is a used HK USP. If that runs a single mag without issues I'll gladly CCW it. The USP is as close to perfectly reliable as a machine made by man is likely to get.

 

[jmr40]

Buy a new gun, fire it one time and it is now a used gun. I've actually had more problems with buying new guns that needed break in or repair than used.

 

[MedWheeler]

There is no option for my typical practice, which has been to carry used after function-test-passing the gun. I have several used carry guns; none has been professionally serviced prior to being placed on my hip.

 

[orionengnr]

Since I got my CHL, I'll bet I have bought (and sold) nearly 100 handguns.
Off the top of my head, I can think of four that I bought brand new.

I still have one of those today. It is not the one that is on my hip as I type.

Does that answer your question?

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

It was new when I bought it. But now I've used it. So, which block do I check? (And what difference does it make, anyway?)