Pre-Owned Firearms

In the Market for a Gun? Consider Buying Used.

- Thomas C. Tabor

I'm always intrigued by new firearms that appear on the market, but a quick glance at their price tags often redirects my attention to the used-gun rack. Secondhand firearms frequently come with lower price tags, and many times they feature better quality and craftsmanship than their brand-new, higher-priced counterparts.

In fact, some of the finest guns I’ve ever owned were purchased second hand or, in some instances, even third or fourth hand. But buying used does involve risks. In order to avoid a bad case of buyer’s remorse, you must approach these purchases cautiously and knowledgeably.

Cosmetic vs. Serious

Seldom do pre-owned firearms come to the marketplace in the same pristine condition they did when new. In this case, a prospective buyer must inspect with a trained eye, separating cosmetic blemishes from functional shortfalls. While no one likes stock or bluing wear, sometimes those problems are easily remedied and aren’t necessarily grounds for forgoing a purchase. In many cases, this type of wear is the result of the gun being handled and carried a great deal in the field, in a vehicle or, in the case of a handgun, in a holster. Of course, these wear signs don’t always indicate actual shooting use, and in some cases, minor cosmetic wear may actually grant you bargaining power when negotiating a price.