Used shotgun ages?

M

Merck

Member
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Vancouver Island
Hey guys,

In my looking online for what's available in the used market it strikes me that rarely is the age or year of make of the shotgun included in the description. Is this normal? Should you avoid an ad without it or does it not matter? Is it just that they can last forever as long as their well maintained?

Thanks!
 
Maintenance trumps age. If its been well cared for they can last for generations. They may occasionally break a spring or wear out moving parts but that can take more then a century depending on use and care, as well as quality of build materials.
 
Lots of the time the age gets lost through multiple ownership. Or getting passed down through the family. A nice gun is a nice gun. It is like cars not every 2004 is nice but there is some nice 1969's that are nice. If it functions well and isn't worn out age doesn't meen nothing in my book.
 
Merck said:
Is this normal? Should you avoid an ad without it or does it not matter?
Click to expand...

~ Yes, it's normal.
~ Very few ads will list the age, unless the age will raise the guns value.

Merck said:
Is it just that they can last forever as long as their well maintained?
Click to expand...

While this can be true, it's not the reason. Most people just don't know the year of manufacture, though they may know the era.

On the flip-side, if the buyer knew the year, would they actually know what that means, have they researched the brands and models they are interested in.
~ Remington 870 and 1100 20ga shotguns were made on 12ga frames in the early years, some parts are no longer available.
~ Ihaca Model 37's didn't have interchangeable barrels at one time, later guns used readily interchangeable barrels.
~ Browning A5, dozens of variations over the decades.
~ Benelli M1S90 and SBE's used a different design on early guns, requires different parts.

And the list goes on and on. Unless you have a specific interest, look for a modern, well known brand, and a model that has been around for numerous years. The gun should "look" good and have original finish. Shoot the gun if possible, use with light loads and heavy loads.
 
It's all a learning experience. Often a date of manufacture (DOM) can be found using the serial number, or letters stamped on a barrel, etc.
 
With Remington You have to contact the factory to figure out the age by providing the serial #.
I just bought a Wingmaster receiver on EE that was listed as "early 90's" model.
I called Remington and was told it was made in 2005. No problem for me really, I was just curious.
 
I like my shotguns to have age and wear after all they are a working mans gun id rather have a old model 12 with lots of bluing wear then a new Mossberg 500 i use my shotguns i like them to show that use I would also like to say that bluing wear on some guns makes them look so much better (most pump action shotgun and GI style 1911's look nice worn a bit)
 
Last edited:
In SOME cases, the older guns are actually built stronger, better, higher quality steel and quality finish, than the newer units of the same manufacturer same model. See, in some cases, certain companies have decided to "cut corners", offering a poorer barrel, or a crappy finish than the gun used to feature for decades.

There's more than one company that's done this, but one in particular seems to crop up regularly in the last few years. Big name company too.

But again, like the others said, you need to examine it yourself to see if it's worn out, or old but "low miles driven by Grandma"!
 
RickR1100 said:
In SOME cases, the older guns are actually built stronger, better, higher quality steel and quality finish, than the newer units of the same manufacturer same model. See, in some cases, certain companies have decided to "cut corners", offering a poorer barrel, or a crappy finish than the gun used to feature for decades.

There's more than one company that's done this, but one in particular seems to crop up regularly in the last few years. Big name company too.

But again, like the others said, you need to examine it yourself to see if it's worn out, or old but "low miles driven by Grandma"!
Click to expand...

You said a mouthful there, brother. The older guns, generally speaking, ARE better than the newer models. Labour is expensive and the bean counters running today's gun manufacturers like to cut corners. For the most part they are not "gun people" just looking out for the bottom line. My 2 cents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom