New vs Used

[bigolddave]

In connection with a firearms training class sponsored by the Sportsman's Group at my church, I tried to think of what handguns I had that would be readily available. Most of the trainees do not own a handgun, and we are going to give them a chance to try out various models and calibers.

Of fifty-eight guns, I have only nine that were bought new, and none of the handguns except a couple of Rugers are readily available new. (And not many used, either.)

Am I odd? I have been buying, selling, and trading guns for nearly sixty years, and probably eighty per cent were used.

 

[TAROMAN]

Well, my collection's about 95 percent used if that's any comparison.
On second thought I'm about 95 percent used up, too..

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[Mike McLellan]

100% of mine are used. All are S&W. Only a few are still available as "Classic" pieces.

 

[shouldazagged]

Over the years I've only bought two new handguns. Everything else has been used, and most were perfectly satisfactory to splendid. Mostly Smiths.

 

[rwsmith]

I bought my....

I bought my first gun new. That was the last.

 

[The Celt]

4 out of 7 were new. Most likely that will change over the years as I meet people I trust about guns.

 

[cmort666]

Most of my guns were:

1. bought used.
2. purchased face to face.

I'm not a big fan of a lot of what's being made now, and the government doesn't need to know what I've got or how many.

 

[chief38]

A quick guess is that only about 10% - 15% of my guns were purchased new. Most of the guns I've bought over the years were not being made anymore in the configuration and quality that I wanted. The newest gun I own (except for a CZ 453 American .22 LR Bolt Action - 2008) was manufactured in 1994.

 

[islamoradamark]

all my s&w are use and i am very happy

 

[kozmic]

I have a fair mix of both. All but a few of my bottom feeders were bought new and most of my wheel guns were purchased used. All of my Smith revolvers except my M442 were "previously loved".

 

[Brian41]

I tend towards older S&W revolvers so most were purchased used although some were never fired other than factory before I bought them. Only new ones have been S&W 325PD and 357PD because they didn't used to make them and both were good deals being old stock.
I have bought 1911s new but they're an old design and aren't really "new".
Even my long guns are mostly used ones too mainly because I can save lots of money on the gently used rack over buying new. Most of those too are based on old designs.
Nothing wrong with new designs and new guns they just aren't for me much.
I'd say 90% of my guns were purchased used.

 

[imashooter2]

22% of my guns were bought new. About evenly distributed between rifles and handguns.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I may have bought more new than used, but not lately. Early on, I made a terrible mistake, buying a new Ruger Mark I when the same store had a used Clark custom Mark I for the same price or a little less. I was later stationed with the original owner, who told me that there was nothing wrong with the gun.

For some time now, I have lived where I can try out a used gun before buying. And to top it off, until recently the prices have been downright low. And now new S&W revolvers are mostly kind of high-priced to start with.

 

[Arik]

Most of my have been used.

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[Bill Bates]

I've only bought one new firearm in the last 30 years. Guns are pretty durable and if even treated with a little care they will preform as designed. New guns depreciate about like new cars. buying used makes the most sense: someone else got to suck up the depreciation. If you choose wisely you can find something that does the job and may increase in value.

I see no downside to buying used.

 

[NYlakesider]

Up till a few years ago most of my handguns were purchased new (Started in 1972). Now with the proliferation of the newer Smiths with features I DO NOT LIKE, I have been augmenting my modest group with decent used but very good condition S&W Revs.

PS in my area it’s getting harder and harder to find the guns I want as other people are doing the exact same thing I do. Very few used revolvers available for sale at the many LGS I stop in regularly!

 

[feralmerril]

I have had plenty of both and couldnt accurately guess the mix. Years ago I bought a lot of guns that were typically from the old west and you cant expect them to be new. Those were my intrest. But for my shooting guns I bought many new ones. Most of them I bought from the 1960`s up through the mid 1980s. Bought lots of classics in good shape. Except for a few antiques all the used guns I bought I guess looked from 80 % up through 95%. I cant recall every being disappointed or surprised with the mechanical aspects with any of them. I was real lucky. Once I did buy a first year Winchester model 70 in .22 hornet. Shot it and discovered someone had reamed it out to .22K hornet. Still have it.

 

[5-Shot]

I have one revolver that was bought new and none that could be replaced today out of current (or recent) production. I don't expect that condition to change. Autos are a different story.

Ed

 

[BAM-BAM]

The new ones were not available "used" when I bought them......from the mid 80s through mid 90s...3913,3913NL,640, 4"686, 3" 66, a couple of PC autos...... but most of my S&Ws were bought "used" though most were LNIB.

There are several "gentlemen" that frequent the LGSs that seem to buy new guns...."play with them" for 3-6 months then trade them for the next "toy".......some never fired by the owner....... has made for some great deals................

also I did a fair amount of traveling around Pa. from the late 1980s through about 2012 often times I just couldn't pass up a really good deal in a rural gun shop....only wish I had paid more attention to older N-frames.... the internet has really changed that....starting about 10 years ago..

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In the last 30+ years I've bought around 200 handguns, not counting frames for 1911's I built with mostly used parts, I only bought 2 new guns. a Biretta 76 (semi-auto 22 target, BAD DESIGN, went to factory twice and got rid of it), and a Ruger LCP (lives in my jacket pocket at all times). I don't mind a handgun with worn blue as long as it isn't abuse, it will get wear if I keep it! Rifles; I have bought many new, and been disappointed, but almost every used rifle or shotgun I bought used was fine. BEWARE of used target rifles (especially team 22's) that don't show honest wear, they probably don't shoot well! A gunshop had taken 5, Kimber Government model 22's from a Pa school in on trade, they were stenciled 1 thru 5, #2 was like new but I bought #3. A friend bought #2, It would do no better than 2" at 50 yards. #3 would do 1/4" at 50 with the right (and expensive) ammo. Ivan

 

[Tom K]

....
Of fifty-eight guns, I have only nine that were bought new, and none of the handguns except a couple of Rugers are readily available new. (And not many used, either.)

Am I odd? I have been buying, selling, and trading guns for nearly sixty years, and probably eighty per cent were used.

Are you odd? Darn right you are - buying and selling guns for 60 years, and you only have 58? That's less than a gun per year!

 

[PA Reb]

Personally, I buy new and used depending on what I want the gun for. I have some I would never dream of firing and newer models that I'm not afraid to beat a little. Why spend $1K + for a .44 magnum in a beautiful box (which I have done more or less as an investment) if all wants is a gun to bang it around in the woods? In my opinion, older used Smiths are extremely nice but there's nothing wrong with the modern made S&Ws' either - I have never once had something wrong with any I own. Three cheers for S&W quality!!

 

[Jlduke]

I think new on autos since I really don't think they really have much character, while a good revolver to me is a work of art and older revolvers are typically far nicer than new ones.

 

[Aticus]

All of my guns are used, even the ones I bought new.

 

[Hunter8282]

...and the government doesn't need to know what I've got or how many.

I agree, but there's no way around it in MI at least. By a used handgun and you have to register it.

 

[bigolddave]

Tom K--

Not as odd as you think. Probably 500 rifles, handguns, and shotguns have gone through my hands, with about fifty on hand at any one time. Used to get the itch for something different pretty regularly, but not so much any more. Not enough good Smiths and Savages to tempt me.

 

[ordy]

All my revolvers were used (K frames) with the exception of my 642 which I bought new several years ago. All my semi's were bought new but are now well used.

 

[coltle6920]

New vs Used?

My criteria in order is ...What's available?...Desirable to me?...Affordable?

Anything in .22LR,9MM,.38spl,.357mag,.45ACP and 5.56 NATO tickles my fancy.Anything in S&W goes to the front of the line.

 

[Grayfox]

The only S&W revolver I still have that was bought new is a 586 purchased back in 1980. All the other Smiths are used.
Semi-auto pistols I'd have to say about 70/30 used vs new. Several of my 1911s were bought new as well as a couple others.
Long guns I'd guess about 50/50.

 

[old bear]

With one exception all of my revolvers were made by Smith and Wesson, and all were purchased used. I'm sure Smith and Wesson still produces an excellent product, but I currently have little or no interest in their current product line.