Old versus new firearms

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:49 pm Post subject: Old versus new firearms

Just curious if you good folks prefer old or new firearms. My preference is for quality and then I work on the price. Most of my time is spent scanning the used gun racks in the gun shops that I visit. The prices of new firearms choke me up and in my opinion are absurd. The looks of new firearms really turn me off.

In my opinion there were never better looking shotguns than the Remington 870 WingMaster pump shotgun or the Remington Model 1100 semi-automatic. The same could be said about the Winchester Model 12 pump shotgun, the Browning Auto-5 semi-automatic and classic double barrel shotguns.

I would also offer the Colt 1911 and the older Smith and Wesson and Colt revolvers are classics that have never been equaled. Of course I am opinionated and from another era.

Rifles are in a class of there own. How could anyone improve on a Mauser Model 1898, or a commercial FN bolt action, or a Winchester Model 70? I could go on, but I have exposed my biases. What say you? All the best...
Gil

Vince · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

I'm with you Gil. When I look at a rifle the first thing I "see" is it's heritage, age, history. I have a number of older rimfire rifles that I love shooting because of their age and, importantly, their inherent accuracy. In the case of my rifles, they are simple, non cluttered, but they work and work well.

I believe that the designers of rifles from days long gone were equally driven by aesthetics as well as function...and they usually got it right. There is nothing nicer than picking up a firearm with a nice smooth warm wooden stock that has grain with character...so much better that a lump of plastic.

It's the same as old cars...the older models had character, style and appeal...not like the cars of today with all the bells and whistles...and look almost identical.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

For me I think it depends on what I'm going to use it for. The last two guns I've bought are 100 years old (a Colt 1917 made in 1919 and a Colt 1903 made in 1909). I bought them for range toy/collector reasons. If I was buying something to hunt with I'd most likely buy new, but might get an old gun if it struck me right. For defense or reenacting I'd buy new.

Elvis · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

on local forum is a win mod70 .243 with very tidy woodwork and blue,selling with rings for $500 it will do sub moa with one brand of factory ammo listed
(never yet seen a twoforfree/EBRG that wont do that with most any load)
its not selling
new tikka t3 tupperware plastic spastic rifles selling for close to $2000 as package with cheap crappy $200 scope

I know which I would prefer....and Im not a fan of EBRG as a rule.....

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

I will purchase old or new depending on the deal I can get or the need at the time.

gelandangan · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

What he ^^ (Bushy) said.
Anything fits my need and budget at the time.

English Mike · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Old versus new firearms

Hmm, bit of a mixed bag for me, as I prefer the style of the 1911 & Hi Power/CZ75 but for revolvers it's the Ruger GP100 & S&W 629.
Give me the FN FAL/L1A1 over the AR15 any day.
I'm really taken with the style & utility of Schultz & Larsen bolt actions & own a Ruger M77 Hawkeye that to me has great lines & also shoots well.
As for shotguns; it's the Benelli Super Black Eagle & Beretta Silver Pigeon O/U. Can't get on with SxS or pump actions for some reason.

As for condition; I prefer new rifles & hang the expense but shotguns are something I'll happily buy used.
Last time I stuck a bore scope down a 'hardly used' .243 deer rifle I was interested in, there must have been an inch of throat erosion...