Buying new vs. used? Looking at Sig 220s

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Lugnut

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Well... I guess I must be picky because I haven't really been interested in buying anything used- at least with regards to firearms that is.

Here's my dilema. I went to a local shop to check out some Sig 220s. No new 220s were currently in but they did have a handfull of used 220s. There was a real nice used std 220- stamped slide, no rails, all black for $575. It certainly looked nice- however- a new one goes for $725. Although the used one was very clean I'm not sure I can get myself to consider a used for only $150 less- no Sig CPO warranty either. Now if it was $500 that would move it over the threshold for me I think. FTF for old guns would be better as no tax is incurred... but obviously from a dealer tax on used guns is applied.

The price differential isn't enough IMO AND you never know if someone tried or did any internal mods that just didn't work out.

Thoughts on this subject? How does everyone else make these tradeoffs?
 
More then half my collection was bought used. Luckily I have yet to get a used firearm that was a lemon. For me, the savings in price is worth the risk. $575 for a Sig 220 is actually a little lower then what they are selling for a FS, so if it looks good, that is actually not a bad deal. The only problem I found with waiting for a FTF type deal by searching on forums like this one is that they almost never seem to be selling what I'm looking for when I'm looking for it. If you know what I mean.
 
I've bought both new and used firearms. I'll be honest, I love my used guns. I really don't see much need to buy new. Even new guns can malfunction and if it's a good gun then the manufacturer will stand behind it whether you're the first or twenty-first owner.
 
I've bought many used guns of all types (no Sigs, though) - in fact, many of the guns I'm interested in aren't made any more, so there's little choice, or the wood, engraving, and fit on the new ones is inferior to the earlier versions of the same gun. Little of that applies to a Sig 220, of course, and I agree with you that $150 off a $725 gun just isn't enough.

Like a lot of things, the only fair price on a used gun is what a willing seller will accept from a willing buyer, so if you figure out what the gun is worth to you (maybe the $500 you mention) you've got nothing to lose by making that as an offer.

Of course, you always take a chance with a used gun, which is part of the reason the price is lower. I guess I've just been lucky (I'd like to think I'm a savvy appraiser of vintage firearms, but I know myself better than that) but I've never been burned with any of the used guns I couldn't resist over the years.
 
My experience buying a used sig from a dealer:

I traded and kicked in some cash for a used p245. It was very
clean, but when I used it I found that about 1 in 50 primer hits were
weak. I traded out some of the likely springs. No dice. So I sent
it to sig for their SSP. $125 + fedex shipping. 7 days later I got back my
sig with new night sites, a total strip and clean, all new springs, and
proof that they tested it out with several boxes of carry ammunition.
It runs great and it was worth every penny. However, if I added up
all of the costs (wasted ammo that I used to figure out the weak
strikes, maybe 500 rds, the cost to ship + SSP, the springs I bought,
+ the cost of the gun) I would have done just as well with a new
Sig and had none of the aggrivation. I would have spent more time shooting
and less time fixing.

Next time, I will either buy new, or plan on dropping some money on
bringing any gun that I plan on carrying up to top condition.

I'd go new. I've seen them listed for $750 with night sites. So $575 + $150
for SSP and night sights and your used savings = $25.

F
 
I bought all but two of my guns used. The only new ones I got were a S&W 642 because I was a newbie and didn't know any better, and a 4" S&W .500 Mag because I couldn't wait to find a used one and really wanted the gun. I doubt I'll ever buy a new gun again unless somebody comes out with something that I can't live without (like the .500).

I like to buy used because I know I'll be able to get all of my money back should I ever sell it. Remember, when you buy a new gun, as soon as you've run a box of rounds through it, it becomes "used". In this case, that first box of rounds will cost you over $150.

I've never gotten a "lemon" when buying a used gun but I have bought guns that I didn't end up liking (Para Warthawg). Because I bought it used, I was able to get all my money back when I turned it over.

You can usually tell if a gun has been well cared for. If you're really anal about it, you can go to any number of internet fora and find out everything you'd need to look for when buying a used example of any gun. Go to THR or the Sig Forum and ask what to look for; you'll learn all you'll ever need to know and then some.
 
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I have bought a number of used guns for different reasons. You probably take a greater chance that a used gun will have a problem, but the better the brand the less likely the chance is that it will be defective. To guard against this you should have a clear understanding that if there is a problem, the dealer will take it back and either try to fix it or refund your money.

One of the reasons that used Sigs may command a high price is the reputation and availability here. Most of the used Sig P220s I have handled have been broken in very well and show it. I second the suggestion to offer less and see whathappens.
 
All good advice- thanks. Also for some reason... I do like the older stamped slides. Not for the reasons like everyone else says- better balance, etc. But at least you can easily break down the slide to clean the breech block and FP. Yeah... when I do a detailed strip I wanted nothing unchecked. The newer slides have pressed in pins (FPPP) that suck IMO.
 
Cross-X said:
Hey, Lug, you want it for cheaper? Here's a novel idea: have you tried offering less than the shop is asking?

C-X
Click to expand...

LOL.... I'm in sales so I well understand negotiating. [wink] However... there is more to this than just price. It's a firearm afterall... I'm not even sure what "MY PRICE" would be. I only negotiate when I'm sure it's what I want. Price isn't primary. I'm just giving it a little extra thought....
 
I've bought new and used. I buy used mostly now because what I want isn't
available new. I haven't found much issue with any of the guns I've bought
used. Pistols are usually harder for me to evaluate than revolvers. I can pretty
much look at a revolver and have a darn good idea of condition. I look for
bargains and try to stay away from my "got to have" emotions because more
than once that has bit me in the ass when buying. Of course if there was a
S&W 16-4 floating around......

..............
boogie.gif
................

TBP
 
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I've recently bought 3 Sigs, 2 used and 1 new.
The used ones are nicely broken in and have fantasic trigger pulls.
The new one needs another 500-100 rounds. The trigger is nasty and gritty.
Add the cost of 1k factory ammo to the price of the new gun.
 
FPrice said:
But the upside to that is you get to put 1000 rounds downrange with your new gun!

[mg]
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It was only new for one shot....then it was used and dirty[shocked]
Seriously, I don't have any qualms about buying a good quality used gun.
I've got Smiths, Rugers and Sigs and I know that the makers will stand behind their products, even used.
Besides, it helps me stretch my gun budget. [smile]
 
Seriously, I don't have any qualms about buying a good quality used gun.
Click to expand...

My dealer has a used Sig P220, looks like it has been well used but the trigger is sweet and the internals seem to be in very good condition.
 
I have a Sig 229 in .40 that I picked up new from FS for $675.
I also have a Sig 226 in 9mm that I bought used from FS for $399.

The used firearm feels better, has a smoother trigger, and shoots way better than the new(er) one. The used one is cosmetically inferior to the new one, but, so what. I'll continue to look for used stuff and occassionally find a very lightly used gem.


Chris
 
Cross-X said:
That last dog don't hunt.
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Totally off topic... that slogan always irritated me. Poodles DO hunt. They are water retrieval dogs. I am sick of those anti-kerry fliers that insult my intelligence.

I would honestly rather buy a used gun from someone I know then the trash that they sell in stores. Sig, S&W, Ruger, it doesn't matter, the odds with a new gun are lousy. If you buy a used gun you know that the another shooter who actually expects it to perform has fought with the manufacturer to get the bugs out or has thoroughly vetted it. QC is a touchy topic for me as I have very little respect for what they are doing for the almighty dollar, forcing those of us who actually use our firearms (the minority) to go through multiple rounds of repairs.
 
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adweisbe said:
...If you buy a used gun you know that the another shooter who actually expects it to perform has fought with the manufacturer to get the bugs out or has thoroughly vetted it....
Click to expand...

Of course, that might be *why* it's available used...
(Speaking as one who had to pay to get the bugs worked out of a used pistol)
 
Most of my guns are bought used, but not abused!

In my early days, I bought a lot of them from a trusted friend (FFL, fellow police officer and Brother Mason). He was a certified armorer for a few manufacturers and could really look a gun over and tell me all that I needed to know about it. I trusted him and never regretted it. Regrettably he's retired and living in NH now.

As I reflected on this topic (indirectly) in discussion with Ted Oven on Tuesday, the last new gun I bought was the P22 (that I sold here) back in 2002.

I've had better luck with the used guns than the new ones:

New:
- OMC Backup .380 - safety broke, returned to factory for repair.
-S&W 40V - first time I shot it a bunch of springs and components broke (after 2nd mag, all mags "dropped free" as you raised the gun from the bench). Shipped off to S&W and they repaired it, then I sold it.
- Walther P22 - FTF, aka jam0matic! I polished the feedramp and then sold it. New owner reported no feeding problems, so that seemed to have solved the problem.

Used:
- S&W 1911 - needed to go back and they replaced the barrel and some other parts.
 
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values

The blue book of gun values @ 95% $500, @ 90% $450.

the other is the dealer, have you done business there before and what
has happened....

New is not always the best way to go.

JimB
 
I know Four Seasons has quite a few Sigs - mostly in similar price range to your $575 deal. I think most, if not all of theirs are factory reconditioned, which I think comes with a warranty. They have four 220's

Worth a call anyway!
 
Lugnut, I'm going to solve your problem here. You don't want those boring blued, non rail Sig 220s that have holster wear and you don't know where they came from with two mags for $595.

You want an almost new 95%+ Sig 220 ST that has less the 1000 rnds through it that comes with 5 mags, instruction book and factory box. Shoots awesome, not one FTF and has been well maintained.

Where can you find such a firearm you ask? Well I'll tell ya. I just so happen to have a Sig 220 ST that exactly matches the above description. I'll sell it to you for $650. Not bad for an $800 plus gun.

Of course, I'm going to take that money and immediatly add some of my own cash and buy wchandler's Springfield Armory 1911 Champion. Damn thing is haunting my sleep. [smile]

See, it's a win win situation for both of us.
 
I forsee most of my guns that I will buy, being used.

Simply because of the money factor.

I could see buying new if you were hunting for a particular gun that you just dont see being sold used often.
 
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