General question and concensus - "Only fired 50 rds, 200 rds"

[Chapped Hide]

I curently have a 1911 for sale in the market place with approx. 1000 rounds through it. My selling point is that I've saved the future owners $400 breaking it in . The gun is so much tighter and smoother now than when new.

I also have a habit of buying, selling and trading on a whim just to try new guns. Many I have only put a few boxes through before moving on to something else. For me, round count is less important than whether or not the gun looks like it has been taken care of.

With that being said I'd be willing to bet that most sellers understate the actual round count through their guns.

[JDay]

All used guns have "less than 500 rounds fired". Caveat Emptor!

[I Swan]

I have guns I've only fired 5 rounds through. Usually military rifles in obscure calibers. Most people don't have the time and money to fire enough rounds out of most guns to wear them out. Seems on CGN a lot of people think a gun has a lot of damage after 500-1500 rounds.

[GeeZer81]

Awesome feedback.

I'm looking and considering a used pistol. This help, as I try to understand the logic behind some of the claimed round counts. Sort of the reason why I've only gone new as of right now.

But based on current selling prices, LOL, new is not much more than used. At times even cheaper NEW than used.

I'm having fun and look forward to blow 3k rounds through my P226 this year. Like some say, it's just broken in.

[superhondaz50]

When I buy a gun I usually shoot in once then shove it in the safe never to see daylight again. All of the stuff I've sold recently I've never shot or has less than 100rds fired...

[mag88]

Not everyone has time/money to be shooting as much as the OP. I have my 1911 I got 3 months ago and last weekend just ticked the 200 round mark. It might change once I get the barrel swap to 9mm and I can find ammo more readily available (currently is 38 Super). But truth is even though I was trying to go shooting for 3 weekends before I finally was able to take it out last weekend. Just didn't have time to go before then.

[MrSam]

It could be either or.

For instance, fire 500 rounds through a Glock, and clean the barrel and the rest of the gun after every range session. It will look like you've never fired the gun.

A buddy of mine went through a period where he was buying a new rifle every week, and a new handgun every 30 days...plus whatever he could PPT. He would get the firearm, buy a few boxes of ammo, take it to the range, and fire it. If it wasn't "what he thought" he would post it for sale.
Some people just have money to spent, others don't.

[Tasty]

I have guns that have seen 4k rounds, and I have some that I've had for longer that have seen 0. There are a lot of factors involved. Cost and availability of ammo, I work a lot of OT, I have things around the house that need to be done, work on vehicles, vacations, other hobbies....ect.

Some of my guns I don't even care for all that much but refuse to sell. Mostly because I don't need the money and I'd rather hang on to them.

[beretta929mm]

As OP's collection grows and ammo prices keep creeping up, you will be in the same boat.

[JDay]

As OP's collection grows and ammo prices keep creeping up, you will be in the same boat.

Not necessarily. He could be like me and include a 1000 round case with every firearm purchase.

[JMP]

It would make a big difference in terms of what type of gun. For handguns, it tends to be less of an issue. I'd heavily discount the barrel if you wanted to purchase an accurate .243 Win, 300WM, .416B, etc...as some cartridges will have a shorter barrel life.

With Glocks, for example, you will soon learn that with 50,000 rounds, they are only starting to get broken in.

[adamjay]

The seller's reputation is a big deal & their longevity on the forum is another thing I look for when purchasing a used gun.

This, mostly.

Not too many people out there keep an accurate range book with detailed round counts on every gun they own, most are just ballparking. I trust a sellers rep and longevity more than anything else, if he's a little off on his round count, what does it matter?

That said, and prices what they are, I don't find myself buying too many current production guns used. I've got a kitchen table FFL that gets me excellent new prices. I certainly wouldn't be looking to buy a precision rifle used.

Saw a guy recently on a different site selling a 1940's Mosin with a zero round count, he had 0 previous sales. Caveat Emptor.

[The Last American Hero]

I got a Glock 35 I bought new about 5 years ago to use as an Armed Guard, complete with fancy Safari holster and fancy duty belt, and I've only put 100 rds through it on only two re-qualifications.

For some reason I like keeping it nearly brand new and shoot other beater Glocks owned by friends.

I got 3 other new guns I haven't shot that I've owned for a year or more, just because I'm lagging on customizing them.