What is your opinion on buying used guns. Do you own any?

I don't only buy older used guns; I actually prefer them to most modern "new" ones.

In many cases the guns of years long gone are better made.

Daryl
 
The older I become the less afraid I am of buying used..as long as I do my homework beforehand to minimize any out of pocket risk or waste of time I'm all for buying used. Too many durable, well made guns out there to ignore or dismiss ..Hell the search is 3/4 of the fun anyways.
 
1\2 my collection was used when I got it.

That said, I know my limitations when buying used. I wouldn't know a good M1 from a bad one for example.
 
Buying new does not mean you're not going to get a weapon that doesn't have problems either. I bought a new Kimber Ultra Carry II. First time I fired it I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it. Turned out one of the lands in the barrel was gone. It was there when I cleaned it or I just missed it but Kimber replaced the barrel because it was a manufacturing defect. But I still had to go through the hassle of getting it sent back and be without it. And while it was gone I found another one used from their custom shop at a show that I could have got for the same price. So buying used can definitely have it's benefits.
 
I've got a collection that's about half and half.

I'm a shooter, not a collector.

I have to agree that staying to quality brands, especially used, is important.

I look at it this way, whenever I buy used, I seem to always find another

reason to buy it new.

And I like all my guns, and have made some fine used purchases.

But the used had no warranty,

came without original boxes and accessories,

2 were very dirty and required extensive cleaning,

and most of the used ones have had dings, scratches, dents or worn off

bluing.

That said, a collector buying used is another story...
 
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I have only bought 1 used gun... my 480Ruger and it worked out great.


But I normally shy away from them.



T
 
I only ever buy used.

I go into gun stores and go straight for the used rack and never look at the new stuff. If the store does not deal in used guns I never go gun shopping there again.

I like getting what I pay for and used is the only way this can happen.
 
I have bought 5 new firearms. Four were new models that year. Three were the first firearm of the new model to enter the dealer's doors. One was quickly traded. The rest have a nice home, and get shot a lot.

I have many more used firearms.

Used firearms are a better deal, to begin with (so long as you know what you're looking at). And... there is more room to haggle.


I go into gun stores and go straight for the used rack and never look at the new stuff. If the store does not deal in used guns I never go gun shopping there again
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I do the same (except for the complete boycott, if they don't have used racks). I hit the used racks, looking for my next project rifle, or, "holy crap, they don't know what they have here!" Once I'm done there, I mosey on over to the new stuff, and see if they've got anything decent, or new stuff I've wanted to get my hands on.


I look at it this way, whenever I buy used, I seem to always find another reason to buy it new.
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I had never really thought about it that way, but I seem to follow that same concept. Several of my used firearms have a new "friend" of the same, or similar, model. (And I'm about to add two more new Rugers in the single action line!)
 
Like buying any thing used, check it out prior and if it looks like it's been taken care of and well maintained, I don't have an issue buying used.

I own several mil-surplus rifles and have never had a problem with any of them. My sole used handgun was Glock 22 police gun. Finish was a bit worn but otherwise the gun has been trouble free.
 
probably 75% of my guns were used when i bought them. truth be told, i have had more trouble with ones i have bought new. go figure.
 
I could literally count on one hand how many new guns, of any type, that I've bought in my life. I've bought 3, 2 rifles, 1 S&W revolver, and I have bought 2 "used" but new unfired guns which actually is still considered used, IMO. But I have a couple more than those 3 (+2)....just a couple more....

The best guns aren't made anymore, for the most part.
 
I tried like hell to find a compact 9mm for a CCW for my wife. Every pawn shop and lgs in a 5 mile radius.

No luck. Ordered an LC9 new.

Around here, concealed carry handguns are hotter than the sun. You can find some high dollar ones, but that's not where the demand is. IF you can find one used, they're asking darn near the price of new, so why bother...

Sure do wish it were different, though.
 
I have only bought used guns, with one exception, back in 75.

I have yet to have a problem with any of them. After all most firearms are only slightly more complex than a hammer.
 
The revolver forum has a sticky thread on buying used revolvers. As for autos, the only thing I know to do is load a clip and manually cycle the slide 'til it's empty and see if it jams. Keep your finger far far away from the trigger.
 
I have a Heritage 45 LC, it is used. It was owned by a gunsmith, which gave me a little more faith in it. Works great, trigger modified to a soft pull.
 
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