I have found that I like to buy used guns more than new. This is because I can get a good used gun for less money, but also because, like a new car, I am afraid to get the first scratch on it. With a used gun I can also get my money back more easily on a sale.
Which do you prefer overall, new or used?
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Well if money were no object - new of course. But, as I work for a living, I usually go used. For example, today I bought a Glock 34 with night sights for $475 otd (well actually put it on layaway). It was technically used, but it had never been fired. I am guessing I saved ~ $150 by letting someone else own it before me. So, I guess to answer your question - I prefer used guns because of the money saved. Now days all guns are test fired before they leave the factory. So, you are never the first one to fire it anyway - even if it is new.
I buy new when I can, but have also bought a used Ruger Blackhawk in the past. I don't think it was ever fired, but it had a small cosmetic blemish on the grip, and thus had to be marked as used.
I've also bought a M1 Carbine and M1903...where were in good condition yet quite used, but I like them that way
I think if you know what you're doing then you can definitely get a good deal on a used gun. For most ppl, they probably get a gun to put in their nightstand for protection. They probably never shot the thing and took it to sell it because they never used it. Essentially what you're doing is buying a brand new gun. Some used guns already have the kinks worked out of them and you don't have to go put 500 rounds through to break it in.
I'm into Mosins, and like most milsurps they usually come used. Although I honestly believe my 1944 91/30 was "new," even though it was made over sixty years before I bought it; I don't believe it had ever been issued.
My 9mm Chinese Tokarev also qualified as new, sort of. The gun-shop owner where I found it on consignment later told me the seller (a friend of his he described as "a nice guy but a little screwy") had bought it at Turner's and never fired it.
But as a rule I'd rather have a piece of history than a pristine, new gun. A prime example is the 1903 Colt Pocket Pistol I told my nephew about, rather than buying it myself (a nice gesture I've been flogging myself for ever since). It was made in early 1904; it's well-worn on the outside but mechanically perfect, with a crisp clean bore. I'd love to know whose pockets it hung out in for two or three generations...
I've never owned a new gun in my life unless you count the Crosman BB gun I got when I was around 12 or so. There are several new guns that I'd like to have, but my family comes first, so I'll stick w\used for now.
New guns are just so cool, but I have nothing against good used ones either. Many years ago, at two different times, I bought really nice used 6" S&W Model 19's with target sights from newspaper ads, paid $225 for each one. Gawd, I wish I still had those, they were the sweetest.....
I like new, just because that way I can handle them the way I want out of the box. However, If I stumble on a used gun that I know was treated well and wasn't fired much, it's not a problem to buy it.
Its always fun getting a new gun broken-in and giving it a little character... But having one that was given character by someone else is always cool too.
Used.
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The right to own guns is the right to resist tyranny.
27% of the guns I own are used so I guess I like new better. I don't have a problem with the guns I have bought used in fact the ones I have bought used have been very good guns. I guess the main reason I have bought new is that I don't ussually go shopping and find a gun to buy rather I look on the net, do some research. I like to go to places like Bass Pro, Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse and Scheels. They have so many guns that you can check them out and see if you like the grip etc... Some of my guns I have bought from these places, A lot of times I will go to a local gun shop see if they have what I want and if not I order it and get the finish and exact gun I want. I guess that is what I like about New guns.
That being said Used guns are great too. Buying used can save money and some times there are things you can get used that they don't make anymore, even the same models have things about them that change and you may find an older model you like better. Smith and Wesson Stainless revolvers used to come with like colored triggers and hammers (I think they were nickel plated) now they come with blued triggers and hammers. If that matters to you then you would have to buy used. The gun you want may not loner be in production and so used is the way to go here too. For instance the Winchester 1300 defender is no longer in production but I just bought one used this summer.
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"I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!"
I guess my taste changed with age because it doesn't matter to me wether a gun is new or used.
I would pay top dollar for a used Marlin leveraction in 35 caliber if it were the model I want which is the short magazine models now called the big bore.
Used means history to me as long as the gun still has some years left in it.
But I only own 2 used firearms and there Mil surps.
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Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 10-17-2007 at 02:45 PM.
