I usually buy used guns and have no concern over doing so. Most gun owners take pretty good care of their guns and many used guns have hardly been used by their owners. I can usually buy two great guns for what I would have paid for one at the retail shop. I'm not against buying a new gun but I get a lot more for my money on the used market. I visit gun shows, pawn shops and bid on gunbroker.com, etc. and occassionally get a phenomenal deal. Although I have never had a problem, I know I can crank on a new barrel if necessary and still be hundreds of dollars under retail. I also pick up extra goodies in the deal like scope bases, rings, scopes, bipods, match triggers, upgraded bolts, firing pins, etc. for no additional cost.

I have no problem at all buying used guns. The first one I ever bought was used, and I still have it today.
However, I have a problem finding left handed used guns. LH configurations are 1. Cherished by their owners. 2. In a caliber I already have. 3. Chambered for some obscure shoulder buster that the owner cannot shoot, cannot find ammo for, and wants to dump.
I have made some good bargains on used handguns and shotguns that I have found, but rifles usually have to be new to get what I want.

I just took one of my well used rifles to the range and shot 1 1/2" groups with it at 100 yards - - with Lyman peep sights! Which one was it? A 1950's Savage 99F .358 Winchester! Handloads with Hornady 200 gr Interlocks over H4198! Can you say "brush gun"?

Nothing wrong with a used gun as long as it has been taken care of and not abused. I've never bought one but I wouldn't hesitate to if the price was right and it was in great shape.

My grandfather bought a used Model 12 Win in the 1920's that he used, my late dad used and that I use today. My dad bought me a used Mod 12 in 64 that is still my go to duck gun. I own a Ithaca deerslayer that I bought from a buddy that he bought used, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used gun at all. In fact, I would have a real hard time justifying buying a new gun, unless it was for a specific purpose such as self defense, or a special gift. The only "new" gun I own is the 30 06 760, that my late wife bought me as a wedding gift in 1971.

I purchased my first rifle as a new condition used. I have had absolutely no troubles with it. It was a local trade the gun guys knew and that it was very lightly used. If a gun looks abused, it probably has been.

I live 20min. from the Cabelas' Hamburg store. They have a very large selection of used guns. The prices on the used guns are close to the price of a new gun of the same model. One thing you should consider is the accuracy guarantee you can expect from some manufacturers. The sales person told me that they wouldn't give an accuracy guarantee in a used gun. Unless Cabela's is giving some type of special deal, I can purchase a new gun at about the same price that they are selling a nice used one from dealers in my area. Cabelas' had a rude awakening when the came to the Lehigh Valley area on gun prices, they now will match prices locally.Also, don't accept the first price they tell you about a used gun, they will do better if they know you are aware of used prices. But, I still would buy a used gun at Cabelas' if it was in really good condition,what I wanted, and couldn't find it elsewhere. I think this same logic could be applied to other large dealers.

Correction: I meant to say "the second part of the question."

crm3006

Well, maybe I got lucky! I have had the .358 for a while and it's not going anywhere. It has the lever safety and metal butt plate, so you best be wearing a recoil pad when you touch it off from the bench.

For the .300 Savage, I picked up some IMR 4064 and Accurate 2460 since both cross for the.308 Win, .358 Win and .35 Whelen. I'll try both and see what works best. I'm just looking for a moderate and consistent load for the .300 Savage since I will probably only load 130 and 150 grain bullets for it. It has open sights so I don't need a load over 2,600 fps MV.

I agree with an above member that states it isn't always the best discount.

Gander (at least here) told me that they buy for 65% list and sell for 85% list. So unless it is a hard-to-find rifle, to me it was worth just getting new.

I bought a S&W Model 63 .22 Cal with a 2" Bbl yesterday, anyone know its value? The lady that had if only put 6 rounds threw it ( she is a good friend and I trust her) and she gave me three boxes of CCI LR "Stingers and 1 box had 6 out of it. I took it to "The Bullet Hole on OP KS and fired 40 rounds to test it.