Author Topic: Do you purchase New or Used? (Read 3313 times)

dougk · « **on:** May 15, 2007, 06:30:13 AM »

I have purchased both and have mixed feelings. Mostly positive with purchasing new or used double action revolvers. What are your experiences and thoughts?
Thanks
Doug

StrawHat · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:25:09 AM »

I guess I will have to drop on the used side of this poll.

My last new revolver was a S&W M686, 6" with Patridge front and black rear sight. That was in the 90's. Since then they have all been used.

If you take your time and know what you want, you can find it.

I check them over fairly well before purchase and anything that comes to light after I buy, I repair.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2007, 04:37:02 AM »

used ! most of the time , seems like lots of people buy a gun and never or seldom shoot it and then only with factory ammo , so if the timing is good and the screws aren't buggered up and the first owner has paid the premium , why not enjoy a cost savings ?
a gunsmith showed me a quick way to check timing ( other than drag marks on cyl. ) hold a finger against the cyl and cock the hammer if the bolt locks the cyl as the hammer sets its mostly ok . if you set the hammer then can move the cyl before the cyl locks up ya may want to pass . another old test is to put a pencil in the bbl and let touch the breech face , cock and release the hammer to see if it has the power to lift the pencil smartly ( inch or better )
bore should look good also , watch out for heavy oil in bore as shiny oil can cover a bad bore in some cases

PeterCartwright · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2007, 05:14:40 AM »

New or used? I vote "yes".

SAA · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2007, 06:41:33 AM »

Everything I own is second-hand...almost.

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2007, 02:09:25 PM »

New unless I find a deal I just can't pass up. KN

canon6 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2007, 05:38:06 PM »

used at least 90% of the time.every now and then a new one will jump up and bite and you know the rest Doug ;

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:27:17 AM »

I've done both. Sometimes even after a good checking over you will shoot a used gun and figure out why it was sold,ftf's, one cylinder out of whack or just not an accurate firearm. Of course you can get all of these with a new gun also. I don't have a problem buying used as someone said earlier most people buy a gun and don't shoot it that much (blasphemy) as long as the bore is good and it locks up nice and tight.

Some of the guns I own I had no choice, military rifles and pistols, again after thorough inspection.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2007, 09:51:07 AM »

grimjim , i find most revolvers have one cyl. that seems to shoot a bit off , we were not suppose to mark it when shooting IMHSA but most did , anyway good pt.

Uncle Howie · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2007, 08:52:50 PM »

Everybody shoots a used gun!

Might as well buy 'em that way and save a few bucks...

I'm into stainless rimfire handguns. That's probably about as safe a bet as you'll find on a used gun- no heavy handloads, little chance for rust blemishes, etc.

superjay01 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2007, 05:08:52 AM »

Both! Although 3/4 of mine are used. Just look them over good. More often then not you will get a good deal. Of course most people that buy used guns will get a bad one at least once in their life.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2007, 11:02:46 AM »

Yep , you can get a bad one ! but before ya get rid of it check it out really close , some i have gotten needed a real good scrubbing not just a cleaning ! a re-crown , remove lead from forcing cone , etc. replace springs , etc.
Best bet is to decide what its worth to you knowing a little cash may have to be spent on it , and go no higher !
If ya go to gun shows go on last day , i get better deals then !

Old Griz · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2007, 07:05:20 PM »

I got burned on a used gun once when I was first getting into handguns. It was a semi-automatic that shot 6" right and 8" high at 7.5 yards. Plus the magazine would disconnect once every 10 round load. Swore I'd never buy another used gun. HOWEVER, as the years wore on, memories of bad guns faded, and wonderful used S&W revolvers came into my life. So far I have stumbled across a 4" 10-5 made in the 60s that is one amazingly accurate gun. Then there was the 4" 57 (no dash) that I didn't want, but it just kept calling to be until I bought it. The last was a 6" 17-3 that is almost too pretty to shoot.

My only regret was the Savage 99 in .308 with the fancy walnut stocks that I had to pass up on . . .

papajohn428 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:57:18 AM »

I can only think of a few guns I bought new, and most of those were long guns. The vast majority of my handguns were bought used, often from pawn shops, and some were very sweet deals. My SW M-65, My Ruger Security Six and Redhawk were all bargains, and were carried a lot more than shot. And Griz, I know what you mean about that SW M-10-5, mine was made in 1961 and the action is smooth as glass. I only shoot it DA, and mostly at bowling pins, and it's hard to miss with!

Papajohn

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2007, 06:03:00 AM »

Used to buy new back years ago. ( Had a dealers licence then ). Now I buy mostly used at gun shows, gun shops or private sales. Never had a problem with one yet.

hemiram · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2007, 07:29:10 PM »

I've actually had much better luck buying used than new. All my Dan Wesson Model 15's have been used, except one I built from a box of parts I got when a gunstore closed up, and I got the whole thing for $50. My dud new guns included an FTL Auto Nine, a Colt Combat Commander, AMTs Back Up .380 and Hardballer Longslide .45's, and the worst, and my first gun period, a Taurus Model 83 Nickel .38, that had just about every problem it was possible to have and actually be able to be shot. My problems with used guns consist of a broken mainspring in my Colt Python, and a couple of loose screws in others. The last two new ones I bought were fine though.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2007, 01:04:38 AM »

I have bought new and used handguns, I never had a problem with getting good guns.

corbanzo · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2007, 03:13:42 AM »

There is nothing that is going to stop a new gun from being a POS. Same with an old gun. As long as you make sure it functions, why not? Like above statements, it's gonna be used the day after you get it. Every gun is new to me, some just have a few more holster marks than others.

Blowtorch53 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 09, 2007, 08:58:55 AM »

I buy both new and used also. Used revolvers are easy to check out like all the other guys mentioned. If it looks like hell it has probably been through it and I won't buy it. BT53

jlbeebe · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2007, 05:00:28 PM »

I just bought a used super redhawk .454 casull on gunbroker. Haven't got it yet but it is supposed to be 98%. Guess I will see when it gets here.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2007, 03:21:32 AM »

Most likely someone got it , looked at it until they needed $$$$$$$$$$ and sold it ! enjoy it !
safe queens are good buys !

Blowtorch53 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2007, 12:40:01 PM »

I buy a lot of stuff on auctions. Usually the pictures are real good and the people have been very honest and give you an inspection period. This is one of the best ways I've found to get something in particular I wanted without going to a gun show. Where I live there are not many shops that sell used guns and they don't have much of a selection. When I get the urge for a Schmidt & Weston Model 4783759, I want it now! There are a lot of good auction sites and I don't have to go fight the gun show crowd and pay $7 to get in and $7 to park and worry about someone trying to knock me in the head on the way out (or me having to shoot them). It's like a gun show with an unlimited selection on my computer. This is a very good way to get the items you need legally. My dealer who I buy all my new stuff from is very happy to do it for a small fee. Usually with the shipping and fee offsets the sales tax. I have been very happy with all the stuff I've bought on line and all the people have been very honest and nice. I think the feedback system and communicating by e-mail and phones works well. I love new stuff...I love used stuff...I love guns and shooting! BT53

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** November 22, 2007, 03:56:22 PM »

Most of the time used. It's been a long time since I purchased a new Revolver. I get sticker shock on the new ones. Most used are not really used at all and are a good buy. I like to keep two revolvers in the house as house guns. A revolver can stay loaded for years and years with out worrying about spring compression and feed issues.

teddy12b · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2008, 07:16:54 AM »

I'll buy new or used, but usually new. I like buying new because I know exactly what I'm getting and usually they don't have it on the shelf anyway so it has to be ordered. I'll buy used if they have what I'm looking for and it's a good deal. Around here they don't have good prices on used guns. For example if it's $450 for a used one and the exact same thing is setting next to it brand new for an extra $50 I just go with the new one. That way I know it's a fresh start. I wish there were better deals on used guns around here but I'm not going to hold my breath.

nilescoyote · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2008, 11:33:38 PM »

I buy second hand when what I want is available. Of course after check the gun out completely. My dealer is more that happy to field strip the guns to let me see all that can be seen. (that would be on auto's of course) On revolvers just check the bore and cylinder gap as well as timing.

In my experience most guns have not been fired more than 100 to 200 times, so you are getting a gun that has just barely been broken in, in most cases, and saving a lot of money most of the time.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2008, 01:23:14 AM »

some brands are better built and present less risk on the used market also !

teddy12b · « **Reply #26 on:** January 17, 2008, 02:51:47 AM »

My GP100 was used when I bought it. I didn't think I'd have a problem buying a used Ruger revolver.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** January 17, 2008, 03:04:22 AM »

tuff gun !

Heavy C · « **Reply #28 on:** January 17, 2008, 05:42:18 AM »

With the exception of one revolver all of mine have been used. Zero problems in every case. In order for me to buy new it has to be one heck of a deal or something I REALLY want.

wyocarp · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2008, 06:50:16 AM »

I've been surprised by the responses on here as to how many buy mostly used guns. To me, I've always liked new stuff and the feeling of not wanting someone else's used junk bleeds over into buying guns. Unless it can't be found new, I typically don't buy used. And if I do, I try to find one that has little use.