Buying used guns

[GKC]

I have always preferred to buy new guns. When I have bought a used gun, I've never been comfortable with it...and eventually it gets traded or sold. I'm not bragging or trying to sound like I am rich (I am definitely not)...it is from a sense of insecurity, that if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix it, and finding a gun smith any where around where I live has been a challenge. Some manufacturers, like Taurus, don't care if you are the original owner or not...but I don't want to buy even new Taurus products. When I buy a new gun from a maker with good service and a warranty, I feel a sense of security...but I also feel like I am missing out on a lot of very good options. For example, the other day I saw a very good CS9 (it looked good to me) and I was going to buy it...then didn't. You don't see those every day!

Again, I am not bragging or criticizing; I am asking, though, what is your thought process when you buy a used gun? I know many, many people do and enjoy them...but do you ever worry about it, or have any concern about not being able to get parts or repairs? I browse in gun shops a lot, and I see a lot of used guns, or older guns...I want to buy them, but then my concern kicks in. To me, it isn't the same as buying a used car...there are plenty of mechanics.

Am I just an idiot?

 

[sureshotbob]

Most of the gun's I like are old model's .So if I find them they are used. You must do your homework and check them out before you put down your cash. I only had two in 30 years of buying used gun's that had problem's and in both cases the dealer corrected it.

 

[quneur]

The problem I have with buying used is the condition may be worse than what the seller stated. This is usually true when buying on-line. A little rust can be half the gun. The other is price. Prices on auction sites are usually on the high end.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I almost always buy used guns. When I do buy a new I buy it on line. The gun stores here are over the top on prices. I have never had a problem buying a used gun. Generally speaking if a gun looks in good shape on the outside it is good on the inside. It's like buying a used car, if the car is beat up on the outside you think this car may have not been taken of on the inside. I think you are missing out on a lot of fun looking for used guns. Don

 

[old bear]

The only way I will purchase anything sight unseen, is the following:
Seller must have a brick and mortar store. Must offer an inspection/return period by my gunsmith. Is willing to accept major credit card for payment, that way I can dispute any charges if and only if all other attempts fail to resolve problem fail. Following this rules I feel fairly safe in making a blind purchase.

I have missed out on some deals following these rules, but how many bad deals does it take to wipe out a year or two of good deals.

As another poster wrote, Internet prices usually seem to be on the high end, especially when you add in shipping and FFL fees.

As for face to face sales I have the chance to inspect or have my gunsmith inspect any purchase before cash changes hands, so no worry.

 

[oldman45]

I would rather buy a nice used gun. Never had a problem in doing so and have saved thousands of dollars by doing so.

Seldom does one need a warranty and most gun makers honor their warranty for anyone sending the gun in for repairs. I have owned hundreds of guns, some bought new, many bought used and of the five times I have sent a gun in for repairs, four of them were new guns.

A larger advantage to owning used guns is there is no paperwork to fill out.

The disadvantage is the gun possibly could be stolen. I always get some ID on the seller and a Bill of Sale that shows their driver's license number, the serial number and description of the gun, the date of sale and more. If they do not want to deal with that, then they can keep their gun. If I have doubts about the gun at the time of my inspection, I will also call the serial number in for atheft check.

There are many that will not buy things used and it has little to do with personal wealth. I know several multimillionnaires and they seldom buy new.

 

[Raider]

The only guns I buy are used; usually in a FTF transaction. I learned long ago how to check out a used firearm. Bought the books, learned how to repair them and learned where to find parts. Used guns can be a good deal as long as you are careful.

Charlie

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

There are three things that I would rather buy used than new-cars/trucks, boats and guns. Particularly boats and guns as it is next to impossible to wear either of these out and in most cases when you buy used you are paying used prices for an essentially unused item. Cars/trucks you got to be a bit more persnickity about, but where you get the great deals is used guns and boats.

 

[Maddog 521]

"For example, the other day I saw a very good CS9 (it looked good to me) and I was going to buy it...then didn't."
May I ask where in Texas did you see this CS9?

 

[bushmaster1313]

They still make new guns?

 

[JCS&W]

Mostly buy used guns (Smiths). I never wanted to buy anything online, but I have to admit that I have purchased three on line in the last 16 months. Luckily, they have been as the seller described, in fact two were actually better than the seller described them. I would much rather do a FTF, but when looking for a specific used gun (Smith), you have to alter your plans.

 

[turbo38gn]

I have always preferred to buy new guns. When I have bought a used gun, I've never been comfortable with it...and eventually it gets traded or sold. I'm not bragging or trying to sound like I am rich (I am definitely not)...it is from a sense of insecurity, that if something goes wrong I won't be able to fix it, and finding a gun smith any where around where I live has been a challenge. Some manufacturers, like Taurus, don't care if you are the original owner or not...but I don't want to buy even new Taurus products. When I buy a new gun from a maker with good service and a warranty, I feel a sense of security...but I also feel like I am missing out on a lot of very good options. For example, the other day I saw a very good CS9 (it looked good to me) and I was going to buy it...then didn't. You don't see those every day!

Again, I am not bragging or criticizing; I am asking, though, what is your thought process when you buy a used gun? I know many, many people do and enjoy them...but do you ever worry about it, or have any concern about not being able to get parts or repairs? I browse in gun shops a lot, and I see a lot of used guns, or older guns...I want to buy them, but then my concern kicks in. To me, it isn't the same as buying a used car...there are plenty of mechanics.

Am I just an idiot?

I can identify with you. I overcame the used gun fear, mostly due to my LGS, he backs up everything he sells, but also because as time has gone by, I have become a little more savy about purchasing guns. Many have spoke about how cheap and well built the older guns are, my take is they all break, but by the same token, if they are ancient, most can easily and cheaply be repaired. Like when I buy a used car, I am in the performance auto business, I always try to purchase with the knowledge that the price has to allow for repairs should they be needed. Or, worse case scenario, I can get my money back should a situation occur. I don't usually buy a gun until I have researched my options on the web and know what I'm getting into.

 

[walnutred]

I prefer to buy used guns. Let someone else go through the long, frustrating break-in period that seems standard with new firearms today.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't even look at the new gun cabinets at my local gun shop. It's straight to the used rack. I know enough about what to look for, especially with a revolver, that I don't worry about it too much. Generally speaking if the gun looks like it's been taken care of, it has been. You learn to tell the difference between "honest wear" and abuse or neglect.

I also have the advantage of dealing with a very reputable dealer. The one time I did find a problem later, with a 22 rifle of all things, they just gave me a choice. Full refund...cash or store credit?

Besides. They don't make guns I'm interested in anymore.

 

[brucev]

I buy used guns often because I cannot pay the price of new examples of the same make or type. I am cautious especially when the price seems to good to be true. I cannot remember being concerned about function, accuracy, etc. There have been a few disappointments. The overwhelming majority of used gun purchases have been fully excellent. Some have even been superlative. I prefer to buy any gun face-to-face. I've bought a good number of guns on-line... from reputable sources such as the Civilian Marksmanship Program and a few private individuals in whom I have confidence. I have never bought a gun off a on-line auction. I probably never will. That is just me. There are other persons who see things differently. More power to them!

 

[steamloco76]

I much prefer to buy used guns. Heck a lot of what I like is only available used. If you know how to examine a gun correctly, you can usually make out just fine buying used.

 

[GKC]

"For example, the other day I saw a very good CS9 (it looked good to me) and I was going to buy it...then didn't."
May I ask where in Texas did you see this CS9?

Now that I think about it, it was several months ago, which I guess is more than "the other day" (time seems to go by so quickly these days....) but it was at B&S Guns in Garland. They had gotten in two (I didn't ask how...maybe an estate sale, or something) and the salesman who mentioned it to me bought one for himself, and the other was still being shown for sale. It was sold shortly after he mentioned it to me (I asked about it later.)

There is another gun shop I go to often (Wiley's in Will's Point) that usually has a lot of used guns. I was in there the other day, and they had several 3rd generation S&W pistols...a couple of 3913 variations (like a TSW and a Lady Smith) and a 469. They got these from an older man who was selling off his collection...most had never been fired. I don't know if they are still there are not...I do know that some of their prices seem very reasonable, and some seem high. One of the 3913s had a $800 tag on it...the 469 was like $450. I thought the 3913 price seemed high...I bought one a year or so ago, that was supposed to be NIB, for like $500...and traded it later; mine was a TSW model (with the rail) and I didn't like the rail...I found out later that I could have sent it in to S&W and they would remove the rail for me.

Most gun shops seem like that around here...high and low. No one shop seems to be consistently high or consistently low on their pricing. There are several others in this area, and I have also bought new guns at Academy Sports and Cabela's. (Cabela's in Allen has some used guns as well.) I have never bought a handgun from an individual...just a retail store and/or gun shop.

 

[BearBio]

I buy both new and used. I prefer govt issue guns so most of mine are older and used. My most recent was a 1911 carried by a non-com on Iwo Jima. I've martially a marked Garand, Carbine, 1917 and a 1903. The 1911, a 1917 Smith and a 1917 Colt are all govt issue and look like combat vets. I've a Detective Special from the "skunk works" (Lockheed research facility out in the Mojave). Can't get that stuff new.

Gotta know who you're buying from (at least his reputation) and what you're buying. But it can be a rush that you can't get from something new in the box.

 

[mg357]

The very first two revolvers i ever owned were used and they were darn good guns.

 

[H Richard]

Of all the S&W's I own, or have ever owned, (Makes quite a long list) only a Mod 41 (which I bought direct from the factory on a NRA Instructor special sale years ago) and a Mod 17-6 which had just come out and I bought the first one in town, all others were bought used. I have S&W's from every decade from 1860 to 1990, (except the 1930's for some reason). I have yet to have to send a gun back to S&W (or other gunsmith) for any kind of repair. Check out the Forum for how to evaluate a used S&W and don't look back. You get a much more interesting and better made S&W by looking at older guns.

Unless you want just the latest wonder nine or forty, then buy new.