New or Used- which do you prefer,and why,when perchacing an airgun

I buy brand new for "piece of mind".

I think everybody here knows it's better to buy used and cared-for from a trusted seller than new. The thing is, when I decide what I want, I look for it used, and it's not availble. What do I do, wait?! Psh. Not gonna happen. I'm too anxious at that point.

If I decided: "I want something like xxx" I'd have better chances, but I don'w work that way. I decide EXACTLY what I want.

In many situations, it's BETTER to buy used, from a trusted seller, regardless of price? Why? It's terrible, but some manufacturers, [COUGHcrosmanCOUGH] you can't trust to put out a gun that will work properly, off the assembly line. Someone has to get it, fix all the Chinese factory's quality issues, and put his personal guarantee on it. Then, resell it in disgust, just when it's finally fixed up.

Both.
Used - If I find something in a pawn shop or garage sale that I want to tinker with. I will usually sell them after I'm done tinkering. 

New - If I find something that I just want for myself.

I have been known to keep a gun that I tinkered with for a while.

Being somewhat 'economically challenged' I buy more used than new, and have had good luck finding reputable sellers. The most I've spent on a used gun was $450, that was a face to face deal. I did buy my Beeman R9 new, my only comment about the R9 was 'why didn't I do this sooner?' I have read horror stories about used guns, but my experiences have been positive so far.

I have bought both . And had good experiences with both. If you buy anything ( not just airguns) and you are like me and know upfront you will sell it sooner or later, then new has a bigger downside as far a getting money back out of it . Used is fun but only if its in the condition that i s stated . I won't buy a used gun from anyone unless we speak on the phone . Its easier to get a feel for a man when you can hear his voice . There are bad apples in every sport , but the guys I mainly deal with are names that most guys who visit the forums regularly would recognize . But there i s something kinda cool about opening a box with a Brand new gun and taking it out for its first shots .

New, untouched .
Used if its at a good price, No warranty, as is More than a couple years going to need new O rings
Sometimes you end up paying more for a used gun than a new one.
Just saying
I know that when you want another gun you have to sell one , I have three good excellent shooting guns , I am wanting a new 25 Mutant, So I need to sell one.
how can you sell a perfect gun? I am just going to just have to add one more to the list and make it four,
I got a small fortune (for me)rapped up in scopes, Maybe the 25 will come with open sites, LOL. 
No one said this is a cheap hobby, Unless you guy a gun, a tank, a compressor and never look at another gun, Then its cheap to shoot.

Mike

I have bought both, but generally prefer used, especially if I can buy from someone "known" on the airgun community as someone who knows his stuff. Why?
1. Most of my airgun purchases are what the addicts would consider low to medium end rifles, under $700. And in the case of the most popular ones, like the Disco and Marauder, everyone is going to do the same thing when they get them...improve efficiency, make it quieter, fix the trigger. It makes sense to buy a rifle where this work is already done. And Crosman ships enough leaky guns that even when buying "new", I would just as soon buy a refurb. 

2. I have managed to get a couple of really nice Daystates used that would have been out of reach for me new. They aren't the newest thing on the market, but they are still fine shooters! Older, well cared for guns are a great opportunity!

3. Having a rifle tuned by a "pro" is expensive, you will never get the money back. Better to buy a nice used gun that costs what a new one does, but has the extra touch.

4. I'm left handed, and those guns don't show up very often. The current market trend favors RH only in the side-lever oriented market (yes, there are exceptions).

I have 5 air rifles right now and only bought one of them new and it was built by Mike Niksch.
The rest are Kalibrguns all of which I am very satisfied with.
Don't even want to think about all the money I've lost on the ones I sold last year ;-)

Fuss

I seem to buy alittle bit of both. But lately been mainly used. And if bought from a good member if there were any issues most have been resolved. I will likely (hoping and praying) only buy one more and that will be new and specifically a Mutant Veteran .25.

I look for pre-owned guns. New but slightly used. Kinda like shopping for a car. Let the first guy that has to be the first one on the block to own it. Lots of impulse buyers out there with $ to burn. Just chill and wait. A bargain will come your way.

I like to buy new airguns mostly. Had a couple of used that were not that great. Buy used cars, saves money to buy new airguns.

I might consider used if I was just plinking, but since I shoot HFT and 25M BR I stick to new.

New. No telling what bad ideas somebody acted on, or ignorance.

100+ pre-charged used, maybe 15 new. Used, and use common sense it the only $ smart thing ( but sometimes ya just "need" a new one ).

Strshooter,
I've always wondered why used rigs like Charles Garvey - and other well known folks -don't sell FAST. Ya he askes top dollar first , makes sense) but if not grabbed up he drops the price. A Proven 1st place nationals rig, to me, is well worth the price of a "used" ( and perhaps modified by the best in the world then so tested ... ) .
So any thoughts on whats up with not being able to sell a proven rifle with many $$$ upgrades for say 20% off new? 
Just a .177 thing?
I have a great AA 410 , custom stock, worked over by pro's, well know rifle at FT events ( .177 ) pretty decent condition, couldn't sell it for $550. .177? Just not the latest greatest?

John

I have about 50-50, but in a used gun I would prefer that no-one's worked on it. 

I like new & untouched. Had a bad experience purchasing something used. 

New because I don't want any intermittent problems to show up later that may not reveal themselves upon inspection/shooting when I'm checking a used airgun out.
That said, I've bought several used shotguns and 45 ACP pistols with no problems.
Airguns seem to me to have more potential for issues but that's just me.

I am just getting into AG so I only own one gun right now, but if it's like the other 10 hobbies I have I'm sure what ever I do I will buy high and sell low.

Used if it is going to a project gun or tuned by another.
New if it is going to remain stock.