Last updated: March 31, 2026. USA Gun Shop is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Should You Buy a Used Gun or a New One?
This is probably the most common question I get from readers, and the answer is frustratingly simple: it depends. Some guns are absolutely perfect used buys. You save a pile of money and get something that runs like a Swiss watch. Others? Buy new or you will regret it. I have learned this the hard way more than once.
Used guns typically save you 20-40% off retail pricing. That is real money, especially if you are building out an entire collection. A $500 gun for $350 means you have an extra $150 for ammo, a holster, or maybe a second gun if you are smart about it. The savings add up fast.
But here is the thing nobody wants to hear. Not every used gun is a deal. Some are beat to hell. Some have hidden problems you will not spot until you are at the range and something goes click instead of bang. And some “deals” are barely cheaper than buying new once you factor in the transfer fee. You need to know which guns to buy used and which ones deserve full retail.
I have been buying, selling, and shooting used guns for years. I have found incredible deals that made me feel like a genius, and I have bought lemons that taught me expensive lessons. What follows is everything I have learned about navigating the used gun market in 2026.
When to Buy Used (and Save Serious Money)
Police trade-in Glocks and S&W M&Ps are the single best deal in the used gun market. Full stop. These guns were issued to officers, sat in holsters for years, and got shot maybe a few hundred rounds at annual qualifications. The exterior shows holster wear, sure. The internals? Barely broken in. You can pick up a Gen 4 Glock 17 or 22 for $300-350 that would cost $500+ new. That is free money.
Revolvers are another slam dunk used buy. A well-made revolver will outlast you and your grandkids. Smith & Wesson Model 10s, Model 19s, Ruger GP100s, even old Colt Pythons if you can stomach the prices. The lockwork on a quality revolver is so overbuilt that “worn out” basically does not exist for most shooters. I have a 1960s S&W Model 15 that shoots better than most new guns on the rack.
Lever actions and bolt actions fall into the same category. Simple mechanisms, fewer parts to break, and they wear incredibly slowly. A used Ruger American or Savage Axis bolt gun makes total sense. Same goes for lever guns from Marlin and Henry. These actions are literally designed to go tens of thousands of rounds without issue.
Then there is milsurp. If you want a Mosin-Nagant, a Mauser 98, an SKS, or a surplus CZ-75, used is not just the smart choice. It is the only choice. These guns are not made anymore. The supply only shrinks. Prices only go up. If you find one in decent shape at a fair price, grab it before someone else does.
When to Buy New (Don’t Cheap Out)
Your carry gun should be new. Period. This is the gun you trust your life to, and you need to know its complete history. That means zero mystery rounds through the barrel, a full factory warranty, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing nobody beat on it before you. A used carry gun might run great. Or it might have a worn extractor that causes a failure to extract at the worst possible moment. Not worth the gamble. Check out current handgun deals before settling for used.
AR-15s are another category where buying new just makes more sense in 2026. Budget ARs from PSA, Ruger, and S&W are so affordable that the used market barely undercuts them. You can get a brand new AR for $450-550, and used ones go for $350-450. That $100 savings is not worth losing the warranty and not knowing if the previous owner used steel-cased ammo, shot it suppressed without proper gas tuning, or swapped out internals with cheap parts.
Anything with a polymer frame deserves extra caution on the used market. Polymer can crack, flex, or develop stress fractures that are nearly impossible to spot visually. A tiny crack near the rail or around the trigger pin can turn catastrophic under recoil. Metal frames show wear honestly. Polymer hides it. If you are set on a polymer gun, buy it new and break it in yourself.
And if you are planning to put thousands of rounds through something, just buy new. High round count guns have worn springs, tired extractors, and barrels with the rifling slowly fading. You want a gun with a full service life ahead of it, not one that is already halfway through. This goes double for competition guns. The best time to buy a gun new is when you plan to actually run it hard.
How Much Do You Actually Save Buying Used?
Let me break down real numbers because vague percentages do not help anyone. A new Glock 19 Gen 5 runs about $499 at most retailers. Used Gen 5s go for $380-420 depending on condition. That is roughly 15-25% off. Police trade-in Gen 4s? Those drop to $300-350, which is a solid 30-40% savings. The sweet spot is always police trade-ins and older generation models.
Premium guns hold their value much better, which means used savings shrink. A Sig P226 Legion retails for $1,400+ and used ones sell for $1,100-1,200. You are only saving 15% or so. CZ Shadow 2s hold value even tighter. If the used price is within 10-15% of new, just buy new and get the warranty. The math only works when the discount is meaningful.
Always check current new prices before buying used. Seriously. I have seen people “score” a used gun at a pawn shop for more than it costs brand new online. The used market is only a deal if you actually know what the new price is. Use our price comparison tools and do your homework first.
Where to Buy Used Guns Online
GunBroker is the 800-pound gorilla of used gun sales. It is basically eBay for firearms. The selection is enormous and you can find almost anything. The downside? Scammers exist, shipping adds $30-50, and you still pay an FFL transfer fee on top. Factor in the total cost before bidding. I have seen auction fever push used guns past their new retail price. Do not be that guy.
Guns.com has a solid used and certified pre-owned section that is worth checking. They inspect and grade their used inventory, which takes some of the guesswork out. Local gun shops are another great option, especially the ones that take trade-ins regularly. You can actually hold the gun, rack the slide, and look down the bore before handing over money. That matters. Pawn shops can be hit or miss, but the hits can be spectacular. I have found $200 revolvers at pawn shops that were worth twice that.
Gun shows are worth the trip if you know how to haggle. Prices are negotiable at every table, and by Sunday afternoon, dealers are motivated to move inventory so they do not have to pack it back up. Compare everything against current online prices at our gun price checker before you go. Walk in armed with knowledge and you will walk out with a deal. Browse the cheapest online gun stores first to set your price ceiling.
How to Inspect a Used Gun Before Buying
The bore tells you everything. Look down the barrel from the chamber end with a light behind it. The rifling should be sharp and well-defined with clean lands and grooves. If the rifling looks rounded, pitted, or the bore looks like a sewer pipe, walk away. A worn bore means accuracy is gone and it is not coming back. This single check eliminates 90% of bad used gun purchases.
Rack the slide or work the action. It should feel smooth without grinding, hitching, or rough spots. Check the frame and slide for cracks, especially around the locking lugs, barrel hood, and anywhere metal meets metal under stress. On revolvers, check the cylinder for endshake by pushing it forward and backward while closed. A little play is normal. A lot means it needs a trip to a gunsmith before you shoot it.
Ask about round count, but take the answer with a massive grain of salt. Most sellers genuinely do not know, and some straight up lie. Go by physical condition instead. Check the feed ramp for wear marks, look at the breech face, inspect the extractor claw. These parts tell the truth even when sellers do not. Dry fire it if the seller allows. The trigger should break cleanly and reset consistently. Any gun that feels off during dry fire will feel worse under live ammo. Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
Used vs New: The Bottom Line
If you are on a budget, buying used is one of the smartest moves you can make. Police trade-in Glocks, surplus revolvers, and used bolt guns are genuine steals. You are getting proven, reliable firearms at a fraction of new pricing. The key is knowing which categories are safe to buy used and which are not. Stick to simple, overbuilt designs with a track record, and you will rarely go wrong.
If reliability is your top priority, or if you are buying a carry gun, buy new. The warranty alone is worth it, and you know exactly what you are getting. Either way, compare prices before you spend a dime. Check today’s gun deals because sometimes new gun sales are so steep they beat used prices entirely. And always run your search through our price checker so you know you are getting a fair deal. Your wallet will thank you.
New Gun Deals Worth Checking
Before you settle on a used gun, check what is on sale right now. Sometimes the deals on new guns are so aggressive that buying used does not even make sense. I have seen brand new Glocks and M&Ps on sale for less than what people ask for used ones. Browse the latest deals below or head to our full best gun deals page.
Updated: April 1, 2026 at 12:01 AM EST
We've scoured the top firearms retailers to find today's biggest discounts. Here are the best gun deals available right now, ranked by percentage off retail price.
April 1, 2026
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Buying online, whether new or used? Make sure you understand FFL transfer fees before you commit. Our guide to buying guns online cheaper covers every strategy for maximizing savings. And check our ranked list of the best online gun stores to find the most trusted retailers.
Used vs New Guns FAQ
Is it safe to buy a used gun?
Yes, as long as you inspect it properly. Check the bore, action, trigger, and frame for wear or damage. Most used guns from reputable dealers or pawn shops have been checked, but private sales require more caution. Always do a function check before buying.
How much cheaper are used guns than new?
Used guns typically sell for 20-40% less than new, depending on condition, age, and model. Popular models like Glocks hold value better, so you might only save 15-20%. Less popular models or older guns can be 40-50% cheaper.
What guns should you always buy new?
Buy new when the price difference is small (under 15%), when you want a warranty, or when buying polymer-framed pistols where used savings are minimal. Also buy new for any gun you plan to carry for self-defense, so you know its full history.
Where is the best place to buy used guns?
Online marketplaces like GunBroker, local gun shops, pawn shops, and gun shows all sell used firearms. Online gives you the widest selection and best prices. Local shops let you inspect before buying. Pawn shops occasionally have great deals.
Do used guns come with a warranty?
Most manufacturer warranties do not transfer to second owners, though some brands like Smith and Wesson offer lifetime warranties regardless of owner. Some dealers offer short return windows on used guns. Always ask about the return policy before buying.
How do I check if a used gun is stolen?
If you buy through an FFL dealer, they run a background check and the serial number is checked against stolen firearms databases. For private sales, you can ask local law enforcement to run the serial number, though not all departments offer this service.
What should I look for when inspecting a used gun?
Check the bore for pitting or rust, look at the crown for damage, inspect the frame and slide for cracks or excessive wear, test the trigger and safety, check magazine fit, and cycle the action. Bring a bore light if possible.
Are police trade-in guns a good deal?
Police trade-ins are often excellent deals. They are typically well-maintained, lightly shot (most officers rarely fire their duty weapons), and priced 30-50% below new. Glocks, Sig P320s, and Smith and Wesson M and Ps are the most common trade-ins.
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