Does the manufacure date of a gun matter?

K

Kazaam

New member
Should I try to get a gun with the newest manufacture date I can, or is it not really important/doesnt matter at all?

Is a few months difference a big deal? For example, I can get a new stainless elite p226 with a really recent manufacture date if i wait a bit (out of stock at the site I prefer), or I can wait and get one now, which might have an older (probably a few months difference) manufacture date.

I'm pretty new to all this gun stuff so I'm trying to see if newer = better like it does with a lot of todays stuff.
 
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That varies.

Some people prefer guns from previous generations, as they don't like the newest modifications from a manufacturer.

For example, a lot of 1911 fans don't like the Series 80 mechanisms, and prefer older Colts, or other manufacturers who use the Series 70 pattern.

For another example, a lot of Smith and Wesson fans don't like the new revolvers with internal locks, and prefer older revolvers. Among pre-lock revolvers, some afficionados prefer even older S&W revolvers, that still have pinned barrels and recessed chambers.

For yet another example, a lot of Glock shooters prefer the Gen 3 over the Gen 4; grips aren't as nice, but the Gen 4 has had some recoil spring issues.

So, the point is, you will have to research any given model you are considering, to find out what its fans consider most desirable, and then see how that fits with your priorities.
 
I like guns manufactured before 1898..I think the newest gun I have was manufactured in 1991...but purchased in 2012.
 
As MLeake said, it varies with the model and features. You might like older features on a particular model, as he gave examples for, but if a model was recently introduced and had problems, newer dates may have some of the design issues resolved. To use an example that MLeake used, some folks are looking for recent build dates on Glock 9mms that have revised springs and extractors that are supposed to be the fix for the ejection problems that the 4th generation models had.

The real answer is to read up on the model you are interested in and decide if there is a difference that matters to you.
 
It all depends on the gun.

There was a period in the early to mid-2000 range when Para-Ordnance had a run of several years with zero quality control. There was a period of a decade or so awhile back when Colt's quality was in the toilet. The first and second generation SIG 1911s should be avoided like the plague.

I don't think this is something about which you can safely generalize.
 
Not all manufacturing changes are bad. Yes, sometimes they make changes to "cheapen" the process but sometimes it is because they have identified a problem and are changing a part or process to correct it.
 
You didnt mention where you are at. With that said, if you reside in a state with an AWB, the date the firearm was manufactured matters if it is counted as a preban firearm or a postban firearm.
 
Well, the short version is for a Sig P226, the difference between one made very VERY recently and one a few months old is absolutely nil.

The long answer is that depending on the exact make/model/design and the generations of revisions at work, one can be more or less desirable. You'll find this a fair amount with S&W revolvers (where the model revisions are easily tracked) or with other collectible guns. But for recent production mass market guns, unless there was some particular issue (like new design teething issues like many new guns have had), there's just no difference.
 
Makes no difference for the most part unless you are seeking a certain model prior to some engineering or design change. Examples are the various generations of Glocks and the various -x numbers for S&W models. It could certainly make a difference with regards to an old Colt handgun, but generally not a couple months difference... years maybe.
 
You aren't looking at different generations of guns, you are simply looking at a month or two difference in production dates. From that stand point, without a generation change, a gun made in February is no different than a gun made in April. If a gun is taken care of, they can have a hell of a long shelf live. With a bit of care a gun will out live its owner.
 
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