New vs Used

Warranty and the assurance that wear and tear is effectively zero, compared to a used gun, for which it may be difficult to judge the condition and value, especially when it's your first handgun. And in most cases you can know how long it will take to get a new one from a retailer, instead of waiting an unpredictable length of time, maybe only a few days but maybe a few years, for someone to offer for sale used the particular gun that you want.

But buying used should be cheaper - often it is much cheaper and well made guns can last a long, long time and be great value at used prices.
 
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There are some very good deals on used guns out there, so there's a definite price advantage to used IF you have a good idea of the round count the gun has seen and the gun is of known quality. With a new gun you should get perfection, zero rounds everything as good as it can be, that's not always the case but then you should (notice I said should) have warranty protection. If you purchase from a shop like Armco (see top of page) you can get a used gun with a warranty that may be worth more than the warranty on some new guns (Taurus and Springfield Armoury come to mind)
 
There are great deals to be had on used guns at times. It really depends on the specific gun and how patient you are.
In my case I've purchased 4 of the same variety of handgun, 1 new from a forum sponsor, 3 used(2 of those 3 from the EE). The firearm in the worst condition when I received it was the "new" one from the forum sponsor.

If there are good pictures and the person has a solid reputation I don't have an issue with a used handgun - if there is a good dollar savings. If the price is close to new then may as well buy new.
 
Don't forget that you may be able to purchase a gun used that is not available new at any price due to being discontinued or out of stock for various reasons.

I have yet to buy any of my guns new (8 long guns and 3 handguns so far) and have no complaints about the deals I have found. Guns last decades, even centuries, with proper care. I have always bought from sellers with excellent trader ratings and have never had a serious issue because of that.

Mark
 
New doesn't always guarantee a good product. Yes, there is warranty, but that still may end up costing you money. For example, a shooting buddy had a new M&P that had to go for warranty work twice and she paid the shipping.

If you can find a used gun in good condition from someone you trust, you're just as likely to get a reliable one. Most handguns really don't get shot that much.
 
I have purchased 4 used pistols for 50-65% of new price. Two of them you could not tell from new; the others in very good condition. So they are out there if you wait for them.
 
ben hunchak said:
You can usually get a used one for slightly more then a new one here on EE.
Click to expand...

Trouble is that when one does show up on the EE and is in great condition and well priced (cheap), it lasts maybe 5 minutes before SPF goes up. :cool:

I have purchased most of my guns used and have rarely been disappointed.
 
I bought my first handgun not so long ago. A used one with a low round count.
The price I paid for what I got and the fact that it is a high quality handgun, was quite nice inevery point.
Buying used is a good way to know you got a functional and reliable handgun. Of course the seller needs to look like a honest person by how and when he answers your questions.
New isn't quite what it was a few years ago, quality control went downhill for some manufacturers.

Oh crap, my avatar says it all. :D
 
I'm in at about 50/50 mix. Sometimes 'used' is the only way you can get a particular model or type. All my handgun purchases off the EE has been great. As for pricing, yeah, some prices are on the high side but, sadly, when I've had firearms for sale I noticed that there are a lot 'tire kickers' and 'low ballers' lurking on CGN despite fair pricing. I also believe that some wouldn't even pay the shipping if you were give the handgun to them....:rolleyes:
 
I have 3 handguns only one of which, the most recent, was bought new. The first two used ones I bought from Wolverine. I trust them to tell me what is good and what is not so good and they haven't been wrong yet. It allowed me to get into the glock game for 40% less than new and is the only reason I could have possibly afforded getting a H&K (my favourite gun).
 
All of my handguns I purchased used. I'm cheap, and like bargains. Only one (a S&W 686 revolver) turned out to have a minor problem and needed work by a gunsmith, but it was fixed and didn't cost an arm and a leg. I agree that sometimes you want a pistol that isn't available new, so you have no alternative.
 
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