Buying Used Expensive vs. New Cheaper Guns

Generally I agree with bds in the second post... however... I like to find firearms that have some intrinsic history. Like the 1942 Winchester Model 94 I found. For modern handguns I think the OP is right - I like new stuff so you know what you're getting. You also want to think about other things (with rifles especially) like throat erosion with a high pressure caliber... you could be buying a beautiful "older" rifle only to find it has a really worn barrel. This one bit me once many years ago.

used "expensive" trumps cheaper new guns in my book.


I have purchased many more used guns than new, and will continue to do so. I have gotten some pretty good deals over the years

RussB said:

used "expensive" trumps cheaper new guns in my book.


I have purchased many more used guns than new, and will continue to do so. I have gotten some pretty good deals over the years

Click to expand...

Right on, I agree.

use guns are usually barely shot enough to even matter, I would much rather have a better quality used gun that a lower end new gun. That new shiny smell doesn't make the gun better in my eyes only more expensive. To the OP it seams like you blaming a factory flaw on a used gun purchase I don't see how that's justifiable.

Don't buy a cheap gun

Don't buy a cheap gun

Click to expand...

friends don't let friends buy cheap guns!

I think, if you bought a used gun and put $75 into and it then cost more than a new gun, you paid too much for the used gun. If there isn't a large enough spread between new and used then it's not worth the risk.

If you can get a $1200 (new) gun for $800-$850, then that works for me. If the same $1200 gun cost $1000, then I'd think twice. The spread has to be worth the "risk" or cosmetic flaws it may have.

85% of my guns I've bought used and don't regret any purchase. Some needed minor tweaking but that's the price of buying used.

Most of my guns were bought used. Usually discontinued but desirable guns that I stumbled across. I field strip them and check them out as carefully as possible. Some were excellent deals, some I paid a little too much for but overall I'm pleased with each one. So far I've never been burned, all function well.

Nothing wrong with used if you educate yourself. Most everything I have is military and police surplus. If you only buy new you will miss out on some affordable classics.

What he said ^^^^^

Used gun prices are certainly too inflated.

When the difference is 50 bucks, you'd be a fool not to buy the new and get full warranty and warranty with your credit card.

wild cat mccane said:

Used gun prices are certainly too inflated.

When the difference is 50 bucks, you'd be a fool not to buy the new and get full warranty and warranty with your credit card.

Click to expand...

In those circumstances, sure. But just try buying a new Walther PP at all. Or a new S&W revolver for $225 like I just saw a Model 10 for locally.

I save a heck of a lot more than $50

You just have to be patient and know what you should pay

As a rule, only revolvers (of reputable quality) are what I buy used, because:

1 - Their reliability is generally as good as new
2 - Even more modestly priced TRADITIONAL Smith and Wesson revolvers cost too much as new guns. Example - I believe a model 64 lists for $800 new. I got one used for $318.

I generally avoid used semi-autos. I can look one over real good and still not know if it's going to work right.

With a used S&W or Ruger or Rossi revolver, however, I can cycle the cylinder and see if the firing pin travels the proper distance. Check lock up, front to back play, etc. I can assess it with more confidence prior to buying it. My used revo purchases have almost always turned out OK.

I like to find good deals, so if I decide that I want to purchase a particular gun, I will look for a like new used one for a good price.

Back in September, I found a used, like new, Springfield XD9 at my LGS for $350. It looks like it was hardly shot, it is 100% reliable so far, and I saved about $100-$150 of the price of a new one.

I bought a Ruger SP101 357 magnum the same day as the XD9. It was $400, and looked like it had less than 100 rounds through it. It was in pristine condition.

I purchased 2 guns that I had been wanting for a long time, that were in like new condition, and overall saved probably $300 off of what they would have cost me new. I'm happy with that.

Here is a pic of the two I took when I got them home.

I won't buy a used rifle or shotgun unless I can shoot it first. Upon thorough inspection they can be perfect but not shoot to POA on a shotgun or on a rifle be very inaccurate. I will buy used if there is an inspection period.

I am the same way with handguns with the same caveat and one caveat. The caveat is handguns no longer in production. I bought a CZ 82 and a Colt DS and Cobra from reputable dealers and had good luck.

On another note I have bought numerous firearms new the past couple of years and was able to sell them for what I price I paid.

I have done both, and will continue to do both. I have a dealer that knows me well enough to call me when he gets something on trade that I might be interested in and that is in sync with my interests. I have an interest in gun history, so many of my used purchases are because of that. I have had no problems with any gun I have purchased either used or new that was not a simple fix.

As a rule, only revolvers (of reputable quality) are what I buy used, because:

Click to expand...

I know I'm jumping in late, but I completely agree with this statement. Indeed, I am surprised at the cost of new revolvers when good to great used revolvers are out there at half the price. And while I'm not a MIM basher, some of the old revolvers are simply better fitted than the new stuff, with better quality metal in some of the parts. I've gotten target quality 38s for under $500. A great lesson is that police trade ins can be great bargins because cops generally don't shoot much. Lots of holster wear, but no function problems. I just got a S&W 15 trade in that has a ton of wear, but no rust, and, when I opened up the side plate, the innards are in pristine condition.

I've gotten my share of lemons too, but even the lemon guns can be quite fun. If nothing else, it gives me a chance to learn something about the construction and function of firearms as I try to track down the problem.

I also cycle through guns quite a bit. I have a few keepers, but most everything is up for sale or trade eventually.

I too am a "deal" hunter. I like to find used guns at below market price and save some money. So I would go for the "used expensive" over the "new cheap" most every time.

But I only buy guns that I am familiar with and that I can check out in person. That way there are no surprises or expensive trips to the gunsmith. I have bought several guns in the last few years and have never gotten burned!

And I agree with Cardboard that police trade-ins, whether revolvers or autos, can be a very good deal on a "shooter". Most have been carried a lot, but seldom shot! Therefore they are not the prettiest gun in the safe, but most often will shoot like new.

I have gotten good deals on used guns and only remember one that I had a problem with. I think people are funny when they sell their guns because they lost or do not have confidence in them anymore. It does not mean that there is a problem with the gun but maybe the operator. I have sold the ones that only collect dust in my safe ymmv.

ill wait unless its a special run of guns. then it may pique my interest. most of my guns have been purchased used, and i have plenty of room to make some scratch if i wanted to sell. most recent have been rifles, but still have picked up a couple of rugers, a 4" gp100 stainless ran 400, and a 6" blued security six ran 250....

If you know firearms, you will always make out better long term buying a used, quality gun. For example, I was looking for a good center fire target pistol. I could buy a used 52 Smith or a new 1911 then for about $500 - $600. I got the 52, got a more accurate pistol that is now worth in the 1K range where the cheap 1911 is now worth less than I would have had to pay for it.

I bought my HK SLB2000k used, a couple of BHP's, Sako AIII, etc.. New or used doesn't really matter if it's the gun I want. I do tend to inspect them carefully and if it looks like a previous owner has "improved" them then I pass.

I'm no expert since I've only been shooting for around 4 years now.
In Canada out pistols are for range use only so no CCW or being left
In a glove box somewhere.
I have found no reason to purchase a new handgun and I am very picky in what a gun looks like.
I have bought an HK P30-L, HK45, and a Springfield Stainless Loaded and all 3 were flawless and saved me hundreds of dollars when you consider the cost of 5 HK mags.

Originally Posted by RussB
used "expensive" trumps cheaper new guns in my book.

I have purchased many more used guns than new, and will continue to do so. I have gotten some pretty good deals over the years

Click to expand...

I agree 100%, if you shop around there are some terrific deals to be had on used custom and high end guns.
The most expensive handguns I've ever purchased have been used custom Colts and S&Ws built by guys like Jimmy Clark, Austin Behlert, Joe Bonar, and Marc Krebs. The most I've spent is about $1500 and I've gotten custom guns built by master gunsmiths that could not be replicated for three times as much, if you could even find someone willing and able to do that sort of hand work done by Behlert and Clark. Only one gun has had an issue, I was aware of it at the time of purchase, and I had it repaired at a very reasonable price. In fact, of the dozen or so custom pistols and revolvers I have only one was purchased new and only three of the builds were commissioned by me.