Today are you more likely to buy an older rifle or brand new one ?

Since I prefer left handed model 70s and Ruger M77 Mark IIs, all my bolt guns are over 20 years old or the base for the builds I have had done are over 20 years old.
 
This is far older than me. I am perfectly happy with it and we are off to Namibia again next week.
 

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For a hunting rifle I prefer older.

For precision PRS style rifle I will but new components and build a rifle that fits my requirements.

Since I have a very long LOP, the only rifles from the factory that fit are double rifles in most cases. Bolt and single shots i always have to restock or add some big spacers and recoil pad. So in most of my hunting rifles that are bolt or single shots i look for the quality of the barreled action first
 
For me, I only buy used and vintage rifles. Its usually because they are no longer made, but its occasionally because a near-new rifle on the secondary market is far less expensive than the brand new equivalent.

There is a new-rifle myth that they are somehow going to be miraculously accurate and a used rifle whether 1 minute old or 150 years old is likely to be "shot out".

I've owned hundreds of fine rifles and guns and I've never had that situation manifest incurably. Sure, I've had a few rifles with throat erosion but handloads that allowed the bullet to get further down the chamber turned them into 1MOA rifles even though 100+ years old. Pre-64 winchesters are notoriously sub-MOA rifles with modern factory ammo that is far better than what existed in the 1940s-1960s.

There's just no reason to buy new for the above reasons. In addition, there are very, very few new rifles that exist that have any appeal to me even if they were offered for free. I don't want a gunwerks or other plastic rifle at any price, for example. Regardless of their costs, about the only new rifles that I'd consider if I was infinitely wealthy would be Heym double rifles, Rigby bolt rifles, remanufactured Dickson round action shotguns, Westley Richards Rifles, Hartman & Weis rifles, and Parkwest rifles.
 
I prefer modern guns based on older designs. Mauser type action, CRF, 3 position safety, metal floor plates, etc. Think CZ550 and Ruger M77. I appreciate a good wood stock and nice blueing but I also appreciate stainless steel and synthetic stocks for adverse conditions.
 
Muskox said:
I can assure you as a thing or inanimate object, firearms do not have souls.

Technology doesn't bother me. Modern metallurgy and manufacturing is several factors better than it was even 15 years ago.

I appreciate older guns, but I seek them out because I remember a certain model from my youth. Not because I think it is abetter firearm.
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Guns will have souls if I get to know them intimately ... and if I know someone before me has known them intimately. I can only imagine the life my two rifles had before me during WWII. That gave them a soul before my hands ever touched them. And my hands have only added more soul for my grandson's hands to absorb when I am gone.

True hunting out to 200 yards doesn't require a lot of tech beyond what's been available since 1900. Most of the new technocrap is overkrkill for the sake of marketing. I'm not thrilled about being exploited needlessly. I'll pass.
 
Mostly older….
I enjoy the craftsmanship that went into them like the hand chequering, inletting and the wood to metal fit.
There’s nothing wrong with synthetic stocks. They most definitely have their place. I also really like the aftermarket triggers we have these days.
 
I like new rifles and shotguns, but mostly custom build or customized for my left handed needs. Or left hand bespoke for someone whose specs are close enough to mine to be a good fit and value.

That said, I have several older rifles and shotguns that I don’t use or hunt with. I just somehow ended up with them…
 
I like vintage guns in impeccable condition OR those that I bring back to life by rebarreling if necessary. Blued walnut and steel please. ONE synthetic, a Tikka.
 
My doubles and lever guns are old and blued timber and so are some of my newer rifles (CeraKote replaced blueing) but most of my hunting guns are synthetic stocked, because when I go hunting it rains every damn time! (My hunting buddies call me the Rain Man)
 
I already know my next rifle will be a Pre-64 that was owned by a PH close friend whom I knew for more than 40 years. He passed last year and I’m buying one of his rifles from his widow. We’re still deciding which one I’ll get, but my first request was for his 300 H&H and it looks like that’s the one I’ll probably get.

If it all works out in time, I’ll probably take it to Africa this year. It’d be a great way to honor him.
 
Since I have a deep seated dislike for black plastic I am more likely to go with classic guns. With that said I have purchased a couple of newer models such as a CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62 and a BLR takedown in 358 winchester both wood stocked but bought brand new.
 
Old for me as I love things that have stood the test of time. My first Safari I carried a matched pair of FN Browning rifles in 308 & 375HH and they were perfect. My main deer rifle is an old WWII era Mauser 98K custom in 270. I appreciate and own a few newer rifles but the oldies are my 1st love.

FN Browning 308.jpgSwede ERShaw.jpgTwins.jpg338 com mag pkg.jpg
 
I enjoy both new and old but my heart leans more so towards older guns. The history, nostolgia, craftmanship, and cartridges they come in are just a few things I love about them. Not to mention how well mine shoot.

1912 Oberndorf Mauser in 7x57. 50 yard group 1/2". 100yard was at 1.1" 3 Shot with factory ammo.

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Husqvarna m98 8x57

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If you are a classic hunter you should use a classic rifle. If you are just a range shooter use something modern. And by classic I mean those that started it all. Ruger, Rigby, Winchester, etc. And only wood. Nothing classic about composites.
 
Good old rifles that are experienced, tested and have been well taken care of are my preference. My most recent purchase was a Browning FN Safari in .375 H&H. It's just a couple years "newer" than I am.
For high volume shooting and varmint / target rifles I make an exception, I like "new" for that.
 
I really don’t see any reason to buy any rifle newer than about 1938.
That said, I have had a couple vintage (pre 1920) rifles restored which makes them as close to a new rifle as I will likely ever own.
Well, wait a second..
I have bought two new Pedersoli muzzle loaders and a Chiappa mini sharps (44-40) and a Taylor’s low wall (38-40) in the last 10yrs but that’s it. Mostly because they are classic replicas and reasonably priced.
 
Rez Exelon said:
As much as I like older stuff, the thing that kills me is finding good deals. Like I've been debating a new Savage Axis 2 in .223 in a Magpul Hunter Lite stock, 2 AICS mags, and wearing a VX-3HD that a LGS has for 625. Like I don't need it, but dang, that's like half off what that would be new. So that's the kind of thing that blows my 458 Lott budget though.
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Yep. I too have purchased a couple of used rifles with quality scopes/rings on them for good prices. The included scope made the deal for me.
 
I have old guns (blued steel and walnut), new guns (blued steel and walnut), and new guns (composite and cerakote). Some of my old and new guns are lever actions or single shots.

I always find it interesting because many folks, including me, like the old guns. I tend to feel nostalgic because these are what the old timers carried many decades ago. Of course, many decades ago our "old guns" were "new, often cutting edge guns", so I often ask myself the question:

"If it were 1900, or 1935, etc., and the hunter could carry one of their current-made guns or a quality, modern gun from their future (our present), which one would he choose?"

While some would stick with their current guns, I think many of our old heros would say, "Give me that 6 pound rifle with the composite stock that doesn't rust, and is guaranteed to shoot a ragged hole."

I don't think they weren't looking for nostalgia back then like we do today; what we see as nostalgic guns were the cutting edge guns of their day. If they wanted nostalgia, they'd have been shooting black powder. Or so I think...
 
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Daryl S wrote on mgstucson's profile.
Hi - the only (best) method of sending you the .375/06IMP data is with photographing my book notes. My camera died so the only way I can do it is with my phone. To do that, I would need your e-mail address, as this
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Hey Steve, This is Steve Washington we met at KMG last year. I am interested in your Winchester. Would love to speak with you about it. I work third shift and I cannot take a phone with me to work. Let me know a good time to call during one of your mornings. My phone is [redacted]. Live in Florida so I have to account for the time difference.
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Good day, Slider.

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