New, Used or Both For You?

[Kid44]

After being somewhat burned on a used gun many, many years ago I have bought nothing but new guns since. By buying new I know exactly what I am getting, plus there is warranty. I take very good care of my guns, probably over the top in this regard.
I would buy a used gun from myself because I know how they have been treated. There are some good used guns out there and there are a lot of not so good used guns available. For me it is new only. I have all I need so buying any more for me is probably a moot point. New, used or both for you?

 

[ultratec00]

Both.. While I have an affinity for 629-5s, there are some -6 models out there that I wouldn't mind owning. Given that, I will NOT buy a -6 (I.e. post -5), or new build S&W revolver, w/o hand inspecting for barrel cant, timing, etc. When you buy used sight unseen, there is always risk. Unfortunately, that is the same for new nowadays.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

Every gun I own is used.

I've bought and sold literally hundreds of guns. I think I've bought four or five new guns in the past 10 years. One of those had to go back to Smith & Wesson for warranty work.

Honestly, most new guns bore me. Plastic and all-the-same-ness. The older guns are MUCH more interesting. I don't worry at all about getting a clunker. I was a pawnbroker for eight years and I've been active with guns for 30+ years. I can usually tell at first glance whether a gun is likely to have issues. Here's a clue: most won't. And those that do, can be fixed.

 

[andy52]

It's been 30+ years since I've bought a new revolver, the only new gun I've bought was a Shield 9 when they first came out it's my CCW gun.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have a preference for new guns for the reasons you mentioned, but I certainly wouldn't turn down a good used gun. One was a 3" 65 that turned out to be a great gun that I still regret selling. The other was a 2" 64 that had a bit of a hiccup at first, but replacing a broken part turned it into a great gun. The broken part only revealed itself during my first range trip and not during inspection.

 

[Rpg]

The currently manufactured Smiths don't interest me.

Likewise, nothing Smith has offered since about 1982 has been of interest to me.

Last new Smith I bought was a 29-2 which I bought in March, 1977.

So, if I buy a Smith, it's used.

 

[federali]

Both

I've only bought a used lemon but once, a Savage 99 off gun broker with a defective rotary cartridge feed. Most of my guns were bought new but there are lots of used gems out there. Consider this: tons of guns are currently being purchased by neophytes thinking they may need them to defend their homes incident to the Coronavirus crisis.. As normalcy returns, the handguns will languish in the underwear drawer and all those home defense shotguns will find their way into the garage, most will be test-fired if at all, and may suffer more from improper storage than anything else. Eventually, many of these guns will find their way to the used gun market.

Regarding deer rifles: most of these are carried for a weekend or two, shot once or twice, then go into storage until next deer season. They could be 50 years old and virtually in new condition. Turning your back on used guns is a mistake.

 

[loknload]

I buy both used and new. Never worried about warranty issues, never had a bad new gun? or a used one for that fact. One thing though I've never bought privately or from these auction sites it's always a reputable gun shop.
Now sometimes I have the problem with pulling something out of the safe, look at it and say Why did I buy this?

 

[CLASSIC12]

I must be at 80% or more used guns and that includes the NIB and LNIB. Main reason is that I have little interest in current offerings, and I won't buy a gun with a lock.

I have never had an issue with a used gun and it leads me to wonder how you can mess up a pretty simple and solid mechanical device like a gun.

Then I realised that at least here (Switzerland), most guns I bought seem to have had very little use. Maybe there are more collectors than shooters.

 

[Grayfox]

For me, buying a new gun is rare. I'd guess that 95% of my guns were bought used. But honestly, your chances of getting a bad used gun are about the same as getting a bad new gun. And with any that need work, its usually just a good cleaning that's needed. Maybe a simple DIY repair at most. In 40 years of collecting, I've only had to use a gunsmith twice.
The trick is to know how to properly inspect a used gun.

 

[george_lehr]

I like to buy guns and find gun ownership and shooting very satisfying. That satisfaction seems to be more heartfelt for me with the guns I've bought used.
Perhaps it has something to do with the always glowing reviews I read of new guns, but I've been disappointed with a good number of guns that I've bought new.

 

[murphydog]

Used with a close inspection, or from a reputable online seller with lots of images. New if at an irresistible price.

 

[Pine_Worker]

The only new Smith I have bought was a 28-2 back in the 1970s. Everything else has been used upon inspection.

 

[Jon651]

I've purchased both over the years, but since my favorite pistols are the 3rd Generation S&W semi-autos then I am forced to purchase them used. If they ever brought them back, I definitely would get in line! Yes, I do own a "plastic" pistol also, but a solid chunk of stainless steel sure feels good in the hand...

 

[Bob L]

I have purchased both new and used firearms with the majority being used. Shinny and untouched is nice but I really like the work horses that seem to have been there and done that.

 

[hkcavalier]

Only two S&Ws I bought new were a Shield at a fire sale price and a 442PC (no IL). The only two IL guns I have are two that are almost impossible to find pre-lock.

Warranty has never been an issue for me.

 

[jscheck]

I have purchase both, but favor used from a reputable source. Just don't like the "lock" Smith & Wesson. I have no rational basis for this other than ascetics.

 

[Tubbsy]

Ive bought 3 new guns in my life.... only one of which I actually shoot with some frequency, its my summer carry.

 

[memtb]

After being somewhat burned on a used gun many, many years ago I have bought nothing but new guns since. By buying new I know exactly what I am getting, plus there is warranty. I take very good care of my guns, probably over the top in this regard.
I would buy a used gun from myself because I know how they have been treated. There are some good used guns out there and there are a lot of not so good used guns available. For me it is new only. I have all I need so buying any more for me is probably a moot point. New, used or both for you?

I prefer used.....but, for me it's an issue of availability! memtb

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The last twenty years or so I have bought mostly used guns, particularly when buying fixed-sight revolvers. With the used guns, my LGS has allowed me to check them out for POI/POA relationship. No such chance with a new gun. His warranty on a used gun is at least as good as on a new one, plus it is generally not for sale if there is anything wrong with it, anyway.