I'll attempt to answer as someone who has owned both new and old doubles and most recently having purchased 2 pre-war doubles.
"1) SXS users are primarily hunters so the guns will get blemished anyway so why waste the money on new."
Response: While a lot of SxS users prize these guns for their handling and hunting characteristics, I suspect a fine old double isn't purchased so it can be further blemished (my "beater" is a 12ga 870 express combo slug/30", Wal-Mart clearanced at $264, my Fox SW 12ga is worn and blemished, but I'll do my best not to add any wear and tear to my fine older guns).
"2) That a clays shooter is not apt to purchase a sxs for this purpose, and since in that intended use a gun stays in pretty fresh aesthetic condition these guys might be more apt to purchase new because of the hard use they will put the gun through."
Response, I agree if you are speaking of serious competition shooters, although I have probably fired nearly an equal number of shots at clays and birds through my SxS shotguns.
"3) Unlike a car that most of us start out with used but dream of new, that guns are more utilitarian than cars and new is just not as important. And with this is that a used gun is apt to have a lot more life left in it than a used car."
Response: Unlike cars, a new SxS is not likely better made, and if so, will cost more than most can afford.
"4) Used guns are older and thus better made, so that a new gun at even 2X-5X the price is in reality less of a gun."
Response: See #3, I agree, for the money an older SxS (American or European) is likely better made than what you could buy new.
"5) For the price of one new you can have several used in different bores and styles to better fit the various game you hunt and different conditions you hunt in."
Response: Not really. There are several inexpensive new SxS shotguns selling for prices well below the price of old Fox, Parker, Ithaca or L C Smith.
Some additional thoughts. The older SxS if you shop (and purchase) carefully and take care of it, will likely appreciate. On the down side, I have recently purchased two old SxS shotguns, a Fox Sterlingworth in 12ga and a French 16ga (pre-war). These older guns have some liabilities that I willingly accept, but you may not. Both of these older guns had some age related issues (the Fox, SW with some help of Fox forum members I managed to fix myself) and the French 16ga is at Kirk Merrington for a new firing pin. Like an older car (or home) there will be some cost associated with ownership that might not attend a newer shotgun. Also, you need to use care in what you feed the older doubles. Many were not designed to use the higher-pressure loads.
Doug
Last edited by dbadcraig; 02/05/07 09:04 PM.
