I can’t remember the last time I bought a new gun. I usually purchase all steel collector pieces from other people that were obviously shot a few times or I will wait to purchase a polymer once someone shoots it once or twice and sells it via my LGS.

My son wanted to shoot a Springfield Echelon 9mm full-size. I found a used one at my LGS for $500. It was on consignment and the owner included two extra factory magazines and an $80 dollar Tulster OWB holster, along with the factory zipper pouch and box and everything else.

It was $580 out the door due to Cook County IL taxes but I literally got $150 in extras (2 factory mags and a Tulster). The gun looks like it was shot once or twice with zero blemishes. Meanwhile, they are selling new Echelon’s for $695 before tax. Buying used can be steal!

I've bought a lot of used guns. There's just a lot of things that I like that cannot be purchased newly manufactured; Smith & Wesson revolvers without a lock, Winchester 70 rifles without the MOA trigger, Remington 870 shotgun, etc. I've also sold some that just didn't work out for me.

Then there's also a lot of cool stuff you may find. Yesterday a police supply shop has a custom Hamilton Bowen Ruger Redhawk, unfitted cylinder chambered in .500 Linebaugh on consignment. I had no idea such a beast even existed. Then there's things like Smith & Wesson 329's and Ruger Alaskans that people bought thinking they needed a bear gun only to find out after firing one cylinder the couldn't handle the recoil. Always cool to see a Remington Nylon 66 or some of the olderWinchester and Remington autoloading rifles.

Just be wary of what you're buying and check it out. There's also some that I would never consider buying as used, like anything with the name Kimber on it.

I've bought mostly new, since I've been always interested in what's the latest in innovation, design and engineering. But I've also bought used when I come across a gun that I didn't act on when it was new, or when I find one that is at a price and condition that's too good to pass up.

It occurred to me that the three worst turds I've ever had were all new, but almost all of the used ones have functioned perfectly.

I prefer used guns over new as long as I can physically take a close look at them to look for signs of wear, abuse, breakage, etc. This practice yielded me several really good deals from the local pawn shops before they began mirroring what they garner on Broker. Sadly, the days of finding a rare gem for less than its actual value are becoming few fewer and farther between.

Not that I have already but I would have nothing against buying a used gun. I've bought new and used cars and used cars are more an iffy buy. I haven't bought any used guns because I like the new models. I was tempted one time to buy a W. German P226 to replace one I gave to my nephew but I got over the temptation.

I'm pretty much the opposite. I haven't bought a new gun since 2010 and only 4 of the guns in my safe were new. Three of those were gifts from my parents growing up. About half of my guns are older than I am.

For those that buy used, how often do you run into a lemon someone has traded in? That's my biggest fear with buying used.

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by cmparrish:
For those that buy used, how often do you run into a lemon someone has traded in? That's my biggest fear with buying used.

That's a good question and depends on a lot of factors. Over decades, I've bought many used firearms from gun shops, pawn shops, & private parties. I don't gravitate towards cheap quality guns, although I do look for cheap prices.

How do you qualify a lemon? If I were to define it as something with significant problems that require sending back to the manufacturer or to professional gunsmith, then IME, my lemon rate has been less than 1/100 and probably closer to 1/200 than 1/100.

I've bought some guns that other people might consider lemons, but all they needed was a detail cleaning, &/or a couple spring changes, or some parts were reassembled incorrectly. I don't consider those lemons, although they had issues that were easily resolved.

Some needed their sights replaced, which although sights are seldom cheap, I don't qualify those as lemons either.

I have a friend who buys a lot of economy guns: Taurus, KelTec, Combat Armory, Polymer80, Philippines-made 1911s, obscure Turkish makes other than Canik & Tisas. His lemon rate is considerably higher.

To be fair, I don't put 500+ rounds through every gun I acquire, so I potentially own or have owned lemons that weren't or haven't been discovered yet.