New or Used guns?
- Thread starter TWeatherford
- Start date
- Status
Don't Tread On Me
Member
I buy only new firearms. I've owned 2 used firearms, and both were total lemons. Too many people sell off guns that don't work, and the used market is packed with jam-o-matics. People pass off their disasters to others. You have to ask yourself why the previous owner might have parted with that firearm. In most cases, I'd imagine it was because the gun was problematic. I'd say the lesser cases would be that they simply didn't like it, or they want something new, or they needed money real bad, or it didn't fit their CCL needs....It seems to me that when people have a good firearm that runs well, they'd rather keep it and add to their collection, rather than sell it for something new.
This isn't to say that buying new is a guarantee, but at least you have a warranty, and a higher chance of having a reliable gun out of the box.
There are some used firearms that I imagine would be no problem in buying used. Like bolt action milsurps like a Mosin-Nagant. What can go wrong with that? Not much I'd imagine. Maybe owner didn't like the kick. Or maybe it wasn't accurate enough. At least you know what you're getting.
I'd buy used if it were from someone I knew and I knew something about the firearm. I see a lot of people practically give away firearms because they are desperate for money. These firearms are perfectly reliable.
Buying used firearms that I know nothing about - never again. Been burned twice. That's enough.
This isn't to say that buying new is a guarantee, but at least you have a warranty, and a higher chance of having a reliable gun out of the box.
There are some used firearms that I imagine would be no problem in buying used. Like bolt action milsurps like a Mosin-Nagant. What can go wrong with that? Not much I'd imagine. Maybe owner didn't like the kick. Or maybe it wasn't accurate enough. At least you know what you're getting.
I'd buy used if it were from someone I knew and I knew something about the firearm. I see a lot of people practically give away firearms because they are desperate for money. These firearms are perfectly reliable.
Buying used firearms that I know nothing about - never again. Been burned twice. That's enough.
mudstud
Member
The vast majority of firearms I buy are new. However, I have no hesitation in buying used, if it is something I want, and appears lightly used, if at all used.
As an example, several years ago I purchased a Colt XSE stainless 45 "used", in the box with all papers, etc. I got it for a "used" price, but I'm here to tell you that gun was in better condition than a lot of "new" guns I've bought! I absolutely couldn't tell that it had ever been shot. Furthermore, it has proven to be an extremely accurate and reliable gun, and is right now my carry gun!
Another, is a M70 Classic stainless synthetic 270WSM I got about a year ago. Upon inspection, the rifle was absolutely brand new, it had never even had a scope mounted on it. But I got it for a "used" price.
Why and how these guns ended up for sale as used guns, I'll never know. A lot on possible scenarios can be imagined! But, I love it when I spot deals like those while I'm cruising the used gun racks!
Another example, is a used stainless 700 in 7mmSTW, one of my sons bought against my advice. He brought it to me to get it lined out. One of the first things I did was check how the stock fit. Upon removing the stock, there was a folded up piece of matchbook cover between the barrel and stock, so I knew someone had been trying to get it to shoot! The stock fit in the barrel channel was OK, however, the action literally rocked back and forth in the stock. To cut to the chase, after I had my gunsmith bed the rifle properly, the rifle is a tackdriver! What is even more amazing, I accidentally discovered who the individual was who had the rifle originally, who couldn't get it to shoot, when all it needed was to be properly bedded. He was properly humbled when I explained to him what a tackdriver that rifle turned out to be!
Another, is a M70 Classic stainless synthetic in 300 Weatherby, I bought used nearly 10 years ago. The rifle was used, but obviously barely used. I bought it, and that rifle turned out to be just about a 1/2" gun with factory loads! I never have bothered with handloads, it shoots factory loads so well! This rifle was probably sold or traded by the original owner because he wasn't liking the recoil level of a 300 Weatherby compared to the 243 he'd been shooting! There also was a rash of "used" 300 RUM's after that caliber came out as newest hot rod, and a bunch of people discovered they couldn't deal with the recoil!
So, there are a lot of reasons guns end up for sale on the used gun racks. Most probably aren't because the gun is a lemon, but for other more innocent reasons. And even some of the lemons can be turned into lemonade by a more experienced or determined shooter.
As an example, several years ago I purchased a Colt XSE stainless 45 "used", in the box with all papers, etc. I got it for a "used" price, but I'm here to tell you that gun was in better condition than a lot of "new" guns I've bought! I absolutely couldn't tell that it had ever been shot. Furthermore, it has proven to be an extremely accurate and reliable gun, and is right now my carry gun!
Another, is a M70 Classic stainless synthetic 270WSM I got about a year ago. Upon inspection, the rifle was absolutely brand new, it had never even had a scope mounted on it. But I got it for a "used" price.
Why and how these guns ended up for sale as used guns, I'll never know. A lot on possible scenarios can be imagined! But, I love it when I spot deals like those while I'm cruising the used gun racks!
Another example, is a used stainless 700 in 7mmSTW, one of my sons bought against my advice. He brought it to me to get it lined out. One of the first things I did was check how the stock fit. Upon removing the stock, there was a folded up piece of matchbook cover between the barrel and stock, so I knew someone had been trying to get it to shoot! The stock fit in the barrel channel was OK, however, the action literally rocked back and forth in the stock. To cut to the chase, after I had my gunsmith bed the rifle properly, the rifle is a tackdriver! What is even more amazing, I accidentally discovered who the individual was who had the rifle originally, who couldn't get it to shoot, when all it needed was to be properly bedded. He was properly humbled when I explained to him what a tackdriver that rifle turned out to be!
Another, is a M70 Classic stainless synthetic in 300 Weatherby, I bought used nearly 10 years ago. The rifle was used, but obviously barely used. I bought it, and that rifle turned out to be just about a 1/2" gun with factory loads! I never have bothered with handloads, it shoots factory loads so well! This rifle was probably sold or traded by the original owner because he wasn't liking the recoil level of a 300 Weatherby compared to the 243 he'd been shooting! There also was a rash of "used" 300 RUM's after that caliber came out as newest hot rod, and a bunch of people discovered they couldn't deal with the recoil!
So, there are a lot of reasons guns end up for sale on the used gun racks. Most probably aren't because the gun is a lemon, but for other more innocent reasons. And even some of the lemons can be turned into lemonade by a more experienced or determined shooter.
JohnBT
Member
After years of reading various gunsmithing forums I generally buy new guns.
I make enough gunsmithing mistakes, I don't need anybody else's.
John
I make enough gunsmithing mistakes, I don't need anybody else's.
John
I'm cheap (just ask my wife) and used guns are a lot cheaper than new guns. I would buy a new gun if it was exactly what I wanted and I couldn't find a 95%+ version of it used, but I'd really have to want it to pay the new price. (FYI: I haven't bought a new gun since the 80's and I had to have my parents "buy" it for me then.) You can get a heck of a deal with a little horse-trading and patience, but if you just can't wait, then buy new and don't look back. The last thing you want to do is pay $1000 for a pistol then turn around and find a LNIB one for $800 on line.
Last edited:
10 Ring Tao
Member
Guns are like cars. As soon as they roll off the lot or walk out the door, their value drops precipitously.
So long as the manufacturer has a good record of customer service, I'm more than happy to let some poor schmuck eat the depreciation for me.
So long as the manufacturer has a good record of customer service, I'm more than happy to let some poor schmuck eat the depreciation for me.
I might by a new gun, IF they were made by the same kind of guys who made my 1886 winchester, or if they made real 95 winchesters again, (not melted japanese clones) or real model 71's again, or real model 99 savages again with the short action and a safety where it was designed to be...or real peacemakers, OH YEAH they do, that is why the only new gun I have bought in a long while is a USFA pre war. THIS THING ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A PRE WAR NIB> THAT GOOD!!!!!
Outlaws
Member
I buy both.
Got a 1961 Single Six convertable last summer. 4 clicks of SAA hammer cocking sounds like nothing else in the world....and especially not the new ones.
Some stuff I buy new if I want something specific...which is about 50% of the time. But I won't buy over the internet since I like to see what I am getting first.
Got a 1961 Single Six convertable last summer. 4 clicks of SAA hammer cocking sounds like nothing else in the world....and especially not the new ones.
Some stuff I buy new if I want something specific...which is about 50% of the time. But I won't buy over the internet since I like to see what I am getting first.
Rob62
Member
About 90% of the guns I own were purchased or traded for when they were used.
Buying used is a good way to save money. Take the savings and spend that cash on accessories like ammunition, magazines, spare parts, etc.
Rob
Buying used is a good way to save money. Take the savings and spend that cash on accessories like ammunition, magazines, spare parts, etc.
Rob
TWeatherford
Member
Thanks for all the replies. And thinking back, I meant to say 20,000 rounds. (I have a one month old Henry .22 that I've got 6,000 through already). Most of you will probably say that 20,000 isn't bad either.
My main reason for asking is that two friends of mine believe adamantly that you should only buy new guns, because they could be shot to death. Like a friend who bought a semi auto .22 that would fire five shots in about a half second for every squeeze of the trigger. And the scout camp nearby keeps them (high quality o/u's) for five years or so and take them to the pawn shop. Those are guns I'd prefer not to get.
I'm looking at getting a quality pump shotgun, thinking Remington 870 Express. Probably the most readily available used gun. This gun is also pretty cheap brand new. I was in two different used gun stores and saw a Remington 870 with a scratched up reciever, several dents in the wood, about a two square inch patch of rust on the barrel, and they wanted $200. New at wally world I can get the same gun for $250 and they would not come down on the price. Then at another place there was a nice Mossy pump, in pretty good shape but they wanted $200 again.
Thanks for your input. I was also just looking to hear what you think about used guns in general. My specific gun that I want lends itself to buying used and new, but I was/am interested in handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
My main reason for asking is that two friends of mine believe adamantly that you should only buy new guns, because they could be shot to death. Like a friend who bought a semi auto .22 that would fire five shots in about a half second for every squeeze of the trigger. And the scout camp nearby keeps them (high quality o/u's) for five years or so and take them to the pawn shop. Those are guns I'd prefer not to get.
I'm looking at getting a quality pump shotgun, thinking Remington 870 Express. Probably the most readily available used gun. This gun is also pretty cheap brand new. I was in two different used gun stores and saw a Remington 870 with a scratched up reciever, several dents in the wood, about a two square inch patch of rust on the barrel, and they wanted $200. New at wally world I can get the same gun for $250 and they would not come down on the price. Then at another place there was a nice Mossy pump, in pretty good shape but they wanted $200 again.
Thanks for your input. I was also just looking to hear what you think about used guns in general. My specific gun that I want lends itself to buying used and new, but I was/am interested in handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
Zen21Tao
Member
Like others I too prefer to find a good used deal than spend retail for a new gun. I also agree that how the previous owner cared for the gun is more important than the actual number or rounds put through it. I would rather have a gun with 2000 rnds through it that was cleaned after every range trip and stored away the rest of the time than a gun that only saw 500 rounds but was only cleaned by the store/seller to sell it and was tossed around like a rag doll.
- Status
