Why do people buy new guns?

[Black Butte]

In some cases, I am anti-new. For example, I refuse to buy a new S&W revolver with the integral lock.

 

[peacemaker45]

The four guns I've bought this year were half and half. A police trade Glock because it was a heck of a deal, and Glocks aren't exactly known for wearing out; a new Colt LW Commander, because Colt made a run of them in .38 Super, and they're hard to find in that caliber usually; a used Remington 700, because Remmy doesn't make the BDL in a left handed version anymore; and a new Savage Mark II GL, because left handed .22s are thin on the ground, and it's way too easy for a fool with a segmented aluminum rod to clean a .22 to death.

With rifles, I'd really prefer new, because bore care is more critical.

With cowboy guns, I prefer used. Either they've already been smithed, and are race ready for the same price or a little less than new, or they need to be smithed and cost a lot less than new, or possibly they're something that's not available new anymore, like 3-screw Rugers, big Vaqueros, Ruger Old Armies, Browning BSSs, etc. I can't think of any time it really pays to buy new, there.

 

[peacemaker45]

Repost

 

[Deus Machina]

In my area, it's often the same price to buy a new gun versus buying a used gun and the new springs, couple replacement parts, and new sights if you want to see them in the dark. Perhaps just a little more, but then it has a warranty.
The used market kind of sucks around here.

Really the only thing that's cheaper is good revolvers, and they're usually at a state where they need a trip to a smith, too.

 

[JohnBT]

Why buy new? Have you spent any time reading the gunsmithing sections of various boards on line? I joined my first gun forums back in the last century and the number of people working on their own guns with a rotary tool is downright scary. And they don't even bother to buy the Kuhnhausen shop manuals before they start "improving" their guns and swapping parts and stuff.

I'll buy used if I know the owner or it's something that's no longer made, like my Swiss Army surplus P-210.

John

 

[Picher]

There are some used guns I stay away from, mostly those in varmint calibers, including: .22-250 and .25-06.

I look for rifles that are well-cared for, checking bores, actions, and finishes. Hunting rifles that appear to have been carried a lot, may not have been shot much, but bores may not have been cleaned, either. I hate looking at guns, especially centerfire rifles, in gun store racks that have dirty bores and usually pass on them.

 

[Sav .250]

Maybe they are new to weapon ownership. Lost weapons due to fire,robbery,etc. Buying a "first" for a son or daughter,family member. Buying to "up-grade" their collection.
Lost their weapon. More reasons for sure.

 

[Reloadron]

I can give an example of why people buy new. Initial release of for example the Beretta Tomcat was in 1996. Months before that gun was available it had been hyped in every gun magazine out there. Hyped to the point there was tremendous demand before the first gun was available.

I had a collection of customers who were that way with just about every new gun released. The gun magazines would hype these guns and people just had to have one. The Tomcat being just one example and the list goes on and on.

Then we also have impulse buyers. They wander into a gun shop or large retailer and happen to see a gun that trips their trigger and they buy it new. Saw no shortage of them in my shop either. Beats me what motivates them?

There is also the "New is Better" group who just figure buying new with a warranty gives the buyer a sense of security. Because the gun is new in box with a factory aroma they want it. That is just their preference and since it is their money they may as well get what makes them feel warm and fuzzy.

Just My Take
Ron

 

[Godsgunman]

I buy new and used but it depends on how good of a deal it is for the used one. My experience is that even if you have a problem with a used gun, most of the manufacturers will fix it even if the warranty is supposedly only for the original owner. I bought a CZ Rami used and it developed a bulge in the polymer and I called them up and told them my Rami developed the bulge and they told me to send it in and they replaced it free of charge with a brand new alloy frame model.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I buy a lot of used firearms, but I won't buy a current production firearm used unless it's a screamin' deal or something really hard to find. Generally speaking, people think their used guns are worth more than they actually are.

 

[wally]

I find I can often find new guns cheaper than what individuals or gun stores want for used ones.

The reason I don't have very many used guns.

 

[chicharrones]

I usually buy new for the same reasons as the others. I will be the starting point for the history of the gun and there is a warranty if I need it.

I have purchased 4 used guns in my time, with two of them being worn out. I was new at purchasing guns at the time and didn't realize what I was getting into. One I gave away to my brother who collects guns and the other I have kept in case of a "gun buy back" program.

Even so, I have purchased new guns that needed some home mechanic work to get them properly functional. I should have sent them back under warranty, but I don't like to do that if I can fix it for basically my labor time.

One important thing with a new gun to me is it will more than likely not be worn out. No worn out chambers, sears, triggers, firing pins, etc., etc.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Because at age 52 I had never bought a gun, and I was totally ignorant of the fact that the GI version of the Carbine was, on average, a much better rifle.

There had been no prior reading. It was both my first and Last new gun. New guns depreciate far too much.

New gun depreciation must be pretty minimal, judging by used gun prices.

Anyway, this only really matters if you're looking to buy guns for a financial investment. Most people don't.

But hey, if that's what important to you, then I can't argue with that!

 

[henschman]

Personally I buy whatever I can find the best deal on. Frequently, with diligent shopping, I can find a new gun for a lower price than used ones are going for elsewhere. When I want a particular gun, I check gunbroker frequently, and eventually somebody will post one with a "buy it now" price that is lower than the going rate. You just have to be the first one to catch it and snap it up. This is exactly how I have made my last 4 gun purchases. I buy new and used with equal opportunity. I do consider a new gun to be worth a bit of a premium, but not too much over a lightly used one.

 

[LeonCarr]

With a little research and knowing what to look for, used guns can be a real bargain. A buddy got a smoking deal on a S&W Model 10 for 100 bucks a few years back because the trigger would not pull. He then bought an AGI Gunsmith video and invited me over . We took the side plate off, removed the 50 years of gummy WD-40/powder fouling varnish from the action, lubed it, reassembled it, it passed all the safety checks and shoots 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards with 148 Grain HBWC handloads. Look on Gunbroker and see what Model 10s are going for nowadays.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Dentite]

There are times when it makes sense to buy used and there are times when it makes sense to buy new.

Firearms don't depreciate as quickly or as severely as other things like cars, etc.

In some case firearms become more valuable over time.

If it's a matter of saving $50 and buying used vs buying the same thing new, I'm buying new. If the savings are greater or the firearm isn't made anymore or the configuration I want isn't made anymore, then it makes sense to buy used.

Pretty simple to me.

 

[mr.trooper]

If only more people would wise up and stop buying those over rated new guns...

Then in a year or two we wouldnt be bothered by those anoying adds and gimmicks, because all the gun companies would be out of buisness. We would all be better off then. After all, no gun companies is exactly what the IIA and the American work force needs.

 

[leadaddict]

The last two guns I bought were both new, a savage Rascal and a Savage Mark IIFV. I looked into the used market and couldn’t find a used one that saved me more than $20 on either. The hassle and risk weren’t worth the $20 savings. I’ve purchased both used and new in the past. In my experience more expensive the gun the more $$$ you’ll save buying used.

 

[stubbicatt]

With a new firearm, typically there is a manufacturer's warranty. I may be missing one or two, but in the last 10 years, every single firearm I have purchased that was made in the US had a glaring defect that required the manufacturer to fix. So, for me at least, I prefer new firearms because once the defect arises, I can send it to the manufacturer for redress.

Used firearms often have hidden defects that will arise after you fire them, and in such an instance, often the manufacturer (if they are available) will require payment for repair, or one is left with the option of seeking the services of a gunsmith.

I purchase both, but only rarely purchase a used firearm sight unseen, say from Gunbroker or the like, simply because of the concern for latent defects.

 

[sixgunner455]

Because they want them.

 

[armedaccountant]

I am always looking for a deal and a way to save a few dollars. Most of my firearms were bought used and are in great condition. However I recently wanted a SR40C. I looked at the used market and saw that people were asking $500+ for a used one. So I decided to save some money and bought a new one online for $403.00 with free shipping. After a $25.00 transfer I saved at least $78.00 over buying used.

The market is just constrained on some firearms and new can actually be less expensive.

 

[cougar1717]

There are just some guns that you aren't going to find used. Specific editions or models that usually don't sell well may take months or years before you can find them. It's true that the first time you shoot a new gun, it becomes a used gun, but remember that you ordered and bought exactly what you wanted. In a few instances (but not all by any means), I wish I would have just bought new instead of used.

 

[highlander 5]

Sometimes you can't buy a specific firearm new. Case in point 30+ years ago I was in a gun shop and they had a Ruger Redhawk in 357 magnum used at a good price I jumped on that in sort order seeing as Ruger no longer made the Redhawk in 357. Just recently I bought a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x 39 new as used are scarcer then hen's teeth.

 

[CGRifleman]

I buy most of my guns new... nothing wrong with a good deal on a used gun, but most of the people around here want absurdly high prices for used guns, especially black rifles and handguns. No one wants to admit that their 'investment' from last winter isn't going to pay out. The lowest I could find a used M&P 15 Sport for was $800 with 400 rounds fired... went to Bill Jackson Outdoors that same day and found a new one for $735.

 

[JohnBT]

"every single firearm I have purchased that was made in the US had a glaring defect"

I don't ever buy the guns with glaring defects. I tell the counter jockey to get me another one from the back room and if they don't have one I go home empty handed. One more reason not to buy mail order guns, but it's been true for decades.