New or Used for first timer ?

[Ashcroft]

Used guns can have problems. New guns can have problems as well. Used or new, buy quality, it wears well, rarely disappoints and will retain decent value over time.

[icedog]

I've enjoyed being in the hunting and guns game for a long time. A few years ago, one of my grandsons shot a turkey with the same shotgun I downed my first ducks with. It came to me, via other family, from one of my grandfathers. Of the 3 dozen or so perfectly functional long guns currently in my posession, most were manufactured in the 40s,50s and 60s. A few are over the century mark. Others are a fair bit newer, but I can think of only 3 that I actually purchased new, and even those are getting on in years now. Obviously, my suggestion would be to go with a used firearm. Shopping around and making the final decision on a purchase can be educational, and is certain to be a good bit of fun as well ... enjoy!

[HaliGunian]

There is definitely something nice about getting a new gun. And at least for me it was extra special because I won it in a draw that was part of a tournament at my Range (didn't have to win, just had to enter). But most of my guns have been used, and I've found nothing wrong with that either. I purchased a Sig 250, from my range, and a Kriss Vector carbine through the EE, both work excellent and I've never had a complaint.

I think my best suggestion would be to echo the others. There's no need to rush, even with things being a little hectic right now, so you can afford to take some time to shop around and think about what you really want before making a decision on what to purchase. Also, browsing can be quite fun! Even if something is out of your price range, it's still nice to look at a Red '9' Mauser pistol, or the sniper variant M1 that's currently on the EE, because you're not going to see too many of those anymore.