New vs Used Firearms

[Ackleyman]

Buy a good stock , action , barrel, trigger group. Take to a reputable gunsmith for pillar bedding , chambering. Put good glass on it. You will have an accurate forever gun. One real good custom 7mm will put down any game in N America.
Who needs 5 clunkers in safe that you never-or hardly shoot.

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The most common issue that I see with rifles that don't shoot, are loose fasteners, either action or scope mounts. As surprising as it is, some people will not even check fasteners, before condemning a rifle and getting rid of it. The repair in this case, costs a little time.
If the rifle is older or well used, the issue is often either a badly fouled barrel, or there is oil or lube in the bedding area. Most people don't even how how to clean a barrel properly, to remove carbon and copper. And some people spray a lube or preservative directly on the barreled action, and it flows into the bedding areas. Again, both issues are resolved with some time, and some cleaning solvents/tooling , that a person should already have.
Then I see issues like damaged crowns, which do cost a little more to have professionally repaired, but a damaged crown is easily seen by someone that knows what to look for.
Then I see the odd rusty barrel, from the rifle being left in a damp place with no corrosion inhibitor in the barrel. That is an issue that can get very expensive, but if you know what to look for, it is easily seen.
Then there is the barrel with severe throat erosion, that isn't always easy to see without a bore scope, but it is also expensive.
Lastly is the rifle with a defect from the factory, either a bad barrel, or badly cut chamber, very difficult to see, and expensive to repair.
Then there are the supposed rifle issues, that are not really rifle issues at all, like defective scope, or a rifle that is a little more fussy, that doesn't like the one or two loads that someone tried and then gave up.

When it comes right down to it, yes there are more possible risks buying used, but if you know what to look for, you can still save a lot on a used rifle. If you don't know what to look for, buy new, and buy from a business that will help you deal with the manufacturer, or that will deal with the manufacturer themselves. If you buy from Cabelas, you are on your own, if you buy from Prophet River, they will work with you to resolve an issue.

Absolutely right, most people don't know how to maintain a firearm and thus most used rifles have been poorly maintained. From oil saturated bedding, rusty barrels, barrels shot when there is oil in them, damaged crowns and throats from poor use of a cheap cleaning rods, gummed up triggers, added pressure points from moisture, etc., etc.,.

And again, most people don't know how to maintain a firearm so they are ill equipped to deal with these issues if they buy into them, even the minor ones.

So to recap; most people (because they don't know much about firearms) should avoid the used market because most people they are buying from don't know much about firearms.

Repairing old firearms is a labour of love and nothing more. If you are paying a professional you would likely save money buying new.

Your original post suggests there is money to be saved buying used if you know what to look for. People that know what to look for already know this so the entire thread is basically a moot point. Those that don't should approach the used market with extreme caution or not at all.

Buying new is by far the best option for most people. Watch some YouTube videos on basic maintenance, buy a quality cleaning rod, guide and the proper solvents/lubricants.

New shotguns and rifles are simple to maintain compared to the complex mechanisms of days of not so long ago. Most anyone can disassemble and clean a new firearm. Try that with a not that old and seldom fired lever gun or autoloader and you will be heading to the gunsmith with a bag of parts in hopes he has that spring that went flying across your basement floor. You will have a bunch of marred screw heads and diminished investment to add to your enjoyment.

Buying from a trusted family member or friend is always a great option as the history of the firearm is known and often cherished. They most often will show you how to look after your investment.

And again, if someone as kind as yourself is willing to take the time to purchase for or accompany a newbie the risk is reduced, not gone but reduced.

All this coming from a guy that is going to greatly reduce the number of guns in the safe in the near future. They will be tested, well maintained and priced extremely fair but that is a bit of a rarity these days. There is a few people I would purchase from on here and other forums without much hesitation. A few years ago they were the majority, now few and far between.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by MK2750

Absolutely right, most people don't know how to maintain a firearm and thus most used rifles have been poorly maintained. From oil saturated bedding, rusty barrels, barrels shot when there is oil in them, damaged crowns and throats from poor use of a cheap cleaning rods, gummed up triggers, added pressure points from moisture, etc., etc.,.

And again, most people don't know how to maintain a firearm so they are ill equipped to deal with these issues if they buy into them, even the minor ones.

So to recap; most people (because they don't know much about firearms) should avoid the used market because most people they are buying from don't know much about firearms.

Repairing old firearms is a labour of love and nothing more. If you are paying a professional you would likely save money buying new.

Your original post suggests there is money to be saved buying used if you know what to look for. People that know what to look for already know this so the entire thread is basically a moot point. Those that don't should approach the used market with extreme caution or not at all.

Buying new is by far the best option for most people. Watch some YouTube videos on basic maintenance, buy a quality cleaning rod, guide and the proper solvents/lubricants.

New shotguns and rifles are simple to maintain compared to the complex mechanisms of days of not so long ago. Most anyone can disassemble and clean a new firearm. Try that with a not that old and seldom fired lever gun or autoloader and you will be heading to the gunsmith with a bag of parts in hopes he has that spring that went flying across your basement floor. You will have a bunch of marred screw heads and diminished investment to add to your enjoyment.

Buying from a trusted family member or friend is always a great option as the history of the firearm is known and often cherished. They most often will show you how to look after your investment.

And again, if someone as kind as yourself is willing to take the time to purchase for or accompany a newbie the risk is reduced, not gone but reduced.

All this coming from a guy that is going to greatly reduce the number of guns in the safe in the near future. They will be tested, well maintained and priced extremely fair but that is a bit of a rarity these days. There is a few people I would purchase from on here and other forums without much hesitation. A few years ago they were the majority, now few and far between.

Who you buy from is a huge factor. If you buy private, from someone unknown, and with no/low trader rating, the odds of a scam, or an issue, are much greater. If you buy from Cabelas, either new or used, you are on your own, even new, they refer you to the manufacturer. If you buy from Prophet River, new or used, and there is an issue ,Clay deals with the issue, and gets it resolved. If you buy on CGN, or on the buy&sell here, from a seller with many transactions, and a 100% rating, the odds of
an issue are very unlikely. And that is why when asked to find a firearm for someone, as I do on a regular basis, I will refer the person to a seller that I trust, if I can't view the firearm in person. So far zero issues doing that.

[fps plus]

Used can be an excellent way to go. However if you don’t have the knowledge or skills to evaluate better to spend the extra $ and buy new.

I have bought several firearms on-line and it is not my favorite way as most have been as advertised but a few have not been . I like to have the item in hand to evaluate before purchasing.

[6.5 shooter]

Buying firearms is a learning curve. Some are not willing to learn. Some of the best lessons I have learned over the years are from duds that I have learned to fix. Is fixing part of your make up? if not continue to buy new and I will continue to fix and turn lemons into lemonade.

[Don_Parsons]

I might build or buy 1 more bush rifle and call it good,,, most likely thin out the cabinet and supplies...

I'll see what transpires this season...