Nervous?

[WEPS]

Are any of you as skeptical or nervous as me when it comes to purchasing used firearms.
I was going to purchase a G19 but after seeing one used for 125.00 less it started to get me thinking, boy i sure would like to save some money. I really want to get it but im having a hard timne talking myself into it. Not knowing the weapons history really bothers me

 

[waktasz]

I'd be more comfortable buying a used Glock than just about any other used gun because I can switch out any of the parts easily by hand for cheap.

I did buy a factory refurb SIG though.

 

[BluesBear]

That's why you need to do research.

And if it's a gun you don't know much about, only buy from reputatable dealers. Or better yet, make friends with other people who know about them.

 

[ccw007]

What bluesbear said is good advice. I have had more problems with new guns than used guns. So far I have not had a problem with a used gun and that is mostly what I buy so I can save that large depreciation hit when I walk out the door. Normally when I buy a used gun that is what I am looking for and have already researched it. I buy new guns more on a whim without researching some times and that is when I get in trouble, but that is what they make warranties. I have a Remington 597 heavy barrel I bought when looking for a Ruger 10/22 heavy barrel. It has been back to Remington several times and is still not right and it is now out of their short warranty period. My point is that I did a search after I had this problem and found I was not alone.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I buy most of my guns used now due to the savings. The research ability the forums have provided allow me to check out weapons for obvious faults and help clear up any problems. So far, I have been trouble free with all that I have purchased.

 

[walking arsenal]

I have no problem buying used guns at all.

In fact most of my collection is used.

I've never got a lemon from the used dept but have gotten lots of bad new guns, i feel buying used lets the previous owner get the bugs worked out.

That being said, it pays to know what your looking at.

It also pays to do your research.

 

[BryanP]

On used you do your research, you pay your money and you take your chances. I currently own 12 firearms. Six of them are used / inherited / milsurps. Four of them function with no problems whatsoever. One of them either needs a serious trigger job or will get traded away later. One milsurp Enfield rifle I bought at a gun show turned out to be unsafe to fire.

 

[Standing Wolf]

It's been my experience that both used guns and new are games of chance. I now expect to pour at least one and a half times the initial cost of the gun into it for action work, porting, custom stocks, and assorted other custom work.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Don't know whether to label my reticence as nervousness or superstition, but I don't like to buy used pistols. I also don't like to buy used cars for regular use. Things change when it comes to collectables.

My first pistol was bought used, but I had my friendly gun shop owner inspect it before I bought it, and it turned out to be in good condition (as advertised) and it shoots very well. Since then I have bought only new, with the exception of an almost new Colt Pony (from the same gun shop). No choice in that, as they have been out of production for several years.

 

[pistolero]

User firearms

When I had my ffl, I lost a lot of sales by not having used guns. I was never able to buy them cheap enough to make a decent profit. Personally, almost every used gun that I have bought I have had trouble with. Save x amount from buying new, end up spending 2x on gunsmith services. I have always advised to buy new due to this. Just bought a Universal .30 carbine, took it out 2 times, fired about 100 rounds through it. It fails to feed about every 10th round. Found out that it needs new bolt springs. I think that it is going to be a sunny biscuit to find parts for this. Any help out there?

 

[stans]

As long as you know how to inspect a gun and recognize signs of abuse or over use, previously owned firearms are a great way to buy. I rarely buy new guns.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

The only real clunker I bought was brand new.

I am not an expert, but I know how to check out a gun for fit finish etc.
If I were looking at a 1911, I would take a jam-o-matic because I have a pretty good working knowledge of 1911's and how to fix them.

All of my used guns work great. Not a clunker in the bunch.

Collecting milsurps has given me a better knowledge of how to fix guns, where to get parts etc. That info can transfer over when shopping for a new or used gun.

ZM

 

[wanderinwalker]

I personally am not averse to buying used handguns. My 21st birthday present in December was a used (but unfired) Smith and Wesson 629-1 in .44 Magnum. Gorgeous gun, and for ~$200 less than a new one, I figured it was the way to go. So the ejector rod came unscrewed when it was fired the first cylinder full. If the previous owner had used the gun the problem would have been evident. Being that it was unfired, I don't think anybody involved had a clue. I fixed the problem easily enough and have been happy since.

 

[ruger357]

Most of my handguns I buy are used. You can usually tell if a handgun was abused. If it is a revolver you can use Jim March's excelent checkout list. Plus if the handgun is not that old the manufacturer should take care of you. I know S&W took care of me on a couple of used gun problems. One I caused.

 

[lawboy]

Do your homework and buy the Glock.
Every gun you own is used. They are only new until you pay for them.
If the gun has a problem, send it to Glock. They will fix it, trust me.
They are smart enough to know that not fixing a gun that has been sent in with a documented problem is a liability nightmare, even a punitive damages possibility, if they send it back out of the factory with the same problem and ANYBODY gets hurt with that gun. You could abuse it, whatever you want, but if you send it to them with a letter detailing the problem, they would be literally cutting their own throats not to fix it or even replace the gun for free. If they don't fix or replace it, you have the right to demand the defective gun back and they do not want to ship a f----- up gun to anyone, especially someone who can document that they asked Glock (or any other manufacturer for that matter ) to repair it.
Save yourself some money. Your dealer will love you because he makes more off a used gun than a new one anyway ...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'd be as nervous about new guns as used if there were any new guns I sincerely wanted.

Internal locks, magazine disconnects, and loaded chamber indicators aren't on my list.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Used guns don't bother me, too much, but I look over them very thoroughly. I mainly look for wear and signs of abuse. I also would be hesitant to purchase a used gun that has been discontinued or the company went under, because parts may not be available to repair it. You'd be very safe with a used Glock. You can still get factory service work and any part you desire. I bought one used gun that has given me problems since day one, but I'm hoping to finally have that repaired, it is a 1911, so parts are plentiful.......

One thing to consider when buying used: Ask them WHY they are selling it. I know more than one guy who sold/traded an ill-functioning firearm just to get rid of it. FTF, FTE, and other problems are generally not noticeable until you fire it. If you can test fire a used gun before buying it, the better.......we actually have a pawn shop with a two-lane range. You can rent any used gun they have in the shop before purchasing it.

 

[outofbattery]

Send your used Glock to GA with a check for $45 and you'll get it back refurbed . Used Glocks are all we can buy in MA and I don't have a problem buying them , they are a very sound used buy and if your dealer carries factory refurbs I don't see the point in buying new . As has been said , you don't get the honor of firing the first round from it anyway and it's only new until you leave the store .
Occasionally , someone will pop up here and ask " What can I buy for X dollars ? " and I'll have to think about what I've managed to buy NIB or like new for the same . Regarding why guns are sold : 50% of my handguns are safe queens : they get probably a box every few months and my CCW's take the beatings so I tend to end up with 5 year old pistols that still look brand new and occasionally ( every full moon ) I'll have a lapse in judgement and go see what I can get in trade for one . It's pretty obvious what's been beat and what hasn't ; sometimes you get fooled but most reputable gun makers tend to churn out very few dogs these days at least in my experience . Either that or I'm lucky enough to have never had a *jam-o-matic* pawned off on me ( I still wonder what some people do to have such bad luck with SIG's , Glocks , Berettas that I've seen on here ) .

 

[deputy tom]

Don't get nervous,get educated.I wished they had this medium back in the days.I've been buying and selling off firearms for longer than 40 years."Seat of the pants experience " comes to mind when trying to relate this to others.
I've spent more money ( an I mean thousands$$$) and time than most gun writers trying to get the "ultimate carry gun" without any help other than what I read in magazine articles. Sure wished I had their backing.tom.

 

[Fumbler]

Don't get nervous,get educated.

Excellent advice.

Whenever I have a gun that I want to buy in mind I learn as much as I can about it.
I'll even read how to field strip it so I can do that when I handle one.
Field stripping a gun (after asking the seller if it is okay. If it is not okay then don't buy it) shows the seller that you know what you are dealing with and they may be more upfront about any faults and may be less likely to try to cheat you.
Not to mention you can examine the piece in more detail...

 

[c_yeager]

I have no problem buying used guns. I actually look for examples that show some (minimal) wear as that brings down the price and proves that the gun at least functioned at one time. Wear can be fixed as can some limited amount of abuse. The real jab is getting a gun with a manufacturing defect, sometimes there isnt a thing that can be done about that, especially if you are the second owner. Just do some research on the things to look for to check out a used gun and any issues surrounded the particular models that you are interested in. There are some great deals to be had, especially if you arent too picky about appearance. I think too many shooters put more stock into the condition of the finish than they should. I use all of my guns pretty hard anyways, they are tools afterall and I don't mind a screwdriver with a few scratches here and there.

 

[Bluecard]

Having been in law enforcement for over 13 years I primarily consider handguns a tool. However, I also feel that they are a work of art as well. I enjoy a well taken care of tool like anyone else! I would be very cautious if buying a police trade in. Its the luck of the draw on what you get. I have seen some that look like administrator's guns that have never left the holster but most are used hard, taken care of poorly or show alot of wear. Lets face it, a street cop's gun will show more abuse than an investigators simply due to the environment and the method of carry it sees on a daily basis. Look for those used "safe queens" as mentioned above. I have been lucky to have a few friends who are "gun of the month" guys, so I have been able to pick up some good deals over the years. Know what your looking at! Educate yourself on the ins and outs of a specific model then go after it. I use Gun broker and Guns America to get an idea of what a certain model is selling for. Those sites seem more accurate than the blue book for getting a good idea what the market is demanding.