Can't Bring Myself to buy a used gun

[mrortega]

A lot of people recommend not carrying a pistol until you've put 500 rounds of whatever and 100 rounds of your good defense carry ammo through it. I've always put at least 100 rounds through all of mine before I felt comfortable. Most good handguns will just be considered broken in good with 1-2k through them. Check to see if the previous owner(s) has kept it clean and see if there is anything obviously wrong with it (heavily scuffed, dirty inside, hard to go into battery for a semi auto.)

 

[Colt556]

I wish more people would only buy new guns. That would leave all those old beautiful masterpieces for me! Some of the best guns ever made were built in the 50's-60's and just can't be compared to guns made today. Also some great guns are just not produced anymore. Keep buyin the new stuff boys!

 

[LtScott14]

After inspection, purchased many "used, but not abused firearms." If they have been cleaned, you can tell, no rounded screw heads, (from disassembly, and wrong tools being used), Light oil on slides, barrel w/no bulges. Original box and manual are a big plus. Sometimes a holster will go along, or ammo. To most sportsmen they are part of going out, cleaning is a part of ownership they are proud of.

Over 25 yrs of owning handguns, maybe 2 or 3 that had issues. Some had problems out of the box.(in 1989, owned a S&W M66 4in, cylinder would bind after firing. Factory repaired free, under warranty, but took 2 months to get back! Had a M10 4in,(dated from 1974) as a back up, and pressed into duty as my Service Revolver. New does not mean" fault free". Show me your used treasures.

 

[Hookeye]

New Taurus vs used Colt..............

 

[calcot7]

I don't have a problem letting someone else break them in for me.

 

[aclark]

I used to have a mental problem with buying used guns...kind of still do. However, I did just buy a used pistol, the price was right, and I knew the prev owner took care of it because I know him personally. There is just something in my mind that makes me want to buy a shiny new gun instead of a used one.

With a baby on the way though, I will be looking at more used guns over new ones now.

 

[INcountryboy]

Used guns are great.......if you properly inspect them and the price is right. Some of the best guns that I have bought have been at auctions. Personally, I don't care about round counts either.

 

[fishbass62]

If you buy a used gun and the manufacturer has a liftetime warranty you can't hardly go wrong. I purchased a used Taurus from a dealer and it wouldn't fire. I sent it to Taurus and they fixed it. It came back like new and they threw in an extra clip for it.

 

[Ted]

Think of all the things in life that we have all gotten "used".

 

[sparkyfender]

I won't usually pay much attention to a used gun if it is dirty. I don't mean been fired and not cleaned dirty. I mean sit on the car floor boards for a month dirty. I just feel like a dirty gun is an unloved gun and less likely to have been well cared for.

Of course for the right price and the right gun I would definitely consider a dirty gun if it is just surface dirt and not obvious abuse.

Dirty guns is one of my biggest complaints with gun stores & gun shows. I'm not afraid of cooties but a gun will have to be real cheap or special for me to touch it if it looks sticky.

I'm with you, but it depends on the gun. I bought my pistols all new, refused to buy anything used. However I'm looking for a pump action right now and would buy it used. I also like collecting WWI and II rifles, but those things are darn near impossible to find unused!!!

I can't get over it when I see posts on armslist or gunbroker that say (usually in all caps) "I bought this gun and never fired it"

In all caps and with spelling errors (for realistic effect):

I BOUHGT IT NEW AND NEVER FIIRED IT THE LAST GUY WAS THE SMAE

Oh really? So you mean to tell me you bought a gun and never used it?

I have bought several guns new, never shot them, and then sold them or traded them when I ran across something I liked better, or at least thought that I liked better. Right now I am sitting on an unfired, except for at the factory, Walther PPQ that I bought on a whim. May keep it, may sell it. Not sure yet.

A couple of them were sold right on here at INGO.

 

[davedolli]

I buy both new and used, but more used. If you check them properly you can usually spot problems. If you spot a problem, thats not all bad either, if you still want the firearm, get for cheap.

Dave

 

[kazaam]

Well, I kind of feel the same way as the OP. But in my case it's mostly due to inexperience. I would have literally NO idea what to look for to know if it's been taken care of really well or just completely neglected.

 

[LeeStreet]

Sometimes you get bent over & get screwed by the dishonest seller. Always by the government.

 

[dmfisher71]

i prefer to by used guns because thats usually the only way i can afford some of them...lol

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

I want the used gun the owner doesn't want to sell. That tells you something. No, really, I've bought several "used", some I swear you couldn't tell from new. Got a 92FS that was mint. A few milsurp, whatnot. Never had a "new" woman, but they've all done me well, in their way. Yeah, I went there.

 

[9mmfan]

I don't have a problem buying used guns. All depends what I'm looking for.

 

[Mackey]

Very interesting and thoughful comments (for the most part, except for those who assured me that I was alone in my adversion to used guns). Anyway, I think I've been converted. But the only way I'd buy used is if it were substantially cheaper than new. I'd say it'd have to be a price difference of greater than 100 dollars for me to go used. Maybe I'm just the Howie Mandel of handgun enthusiasts. I may need psychiatric help.

 

[Cherryspringer]

Used guns

Yeah, you're the only one.

 

[kjf48197]

If you buy a used gun and the manufacturer has a liftetime warranty you can't hardly go wrong. I purchased a used Taurus from a dealer and it wouldn't fire. I sent it to Taurus and they fixed it. It came back like new and they threw in an extra clip for it.

A guy at the trap club bought a used Browning O/U. When he closed it once it fired. Of course he stopped using it right away, called Browning, and mailed it in. Browning repaired it for free because of a lifetime warranty and there had been no modifications to the shotgun. He is still using it and because of this I bought a used Browning O/U without fear. I also have quite a few other used but not abused guns with no isssues at all.

 

[mjblazor]

I've sold guns I never shot for a $ loss. Someone got a great deal. I have no problem buying used guns. This is a hobby and when you gotta have something your willing to make a stupid move to get it.