There’s a way to get high-quality optics in good condition for an affordable price. Don’t believe us? Then, welcome to the world of used optics.
Buying used comes with a lot of stress no matter what you’re after. It’s a balance between finding the right price and making sure the seller doesn’t rip you off with a broken item. But if you know what you’re doing, it’s a budget-friendly way to get a top-shelf kit for less.
Question is, is it a good idea to buy used optics for your rifle? Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of purchasing secondhand gun accessories.
Should You Buy Used Optics Over New Optics?
It’s easy to think that buying used is a bad idea. There are a lot of risks involved, and buying new provides more consistency and gives you access to warranties. But in the gun community, that’s not the case.
The Benefit of Buying from the Gun Community
Gun enthusiasts are a rare breed among men. They’re some of the most knowledgeable and level-headed folks you’ll meet. They know their firearms from top to bottom, and they take gun ownership very seriously.
As such, the gun community is unlike any other. It can be a tight-knit group of enthusiasts united under the common cause of the second amendment. As such, they treat their gear with care.
This isn’t like buying an old couch from the Facebook marketplace. Gun lovers usually take good care of their gear, and they know its worth. They’d be ashamed to sell it off for an unfair price.
Buying used optics and gun parts is in your best interest. You can often rely on the trustworthiness of someone whose reputation is on the line. If a seller is completely anonymous and the buyer has no recourse, then things might go terribly wrong. However, if the seller has a 30-day return policy and a great reputation to uphold, the buyer can be confident in a purchase. RKB Armory is the only online retailer that buys and sells used optics from people just like you.
Having Knowledgeable Help Along the Way
Further, help is usually available to you along the way. A reputable seller won’t shortchange you if a particular scope isn’t compatible or ideal for your rifle. RKB Armory will share their knowledge with you.
And if you’re still not sure, you can head to the forums. Expert enthusiasts frequent the firearm discussion forums. They’re more than happy to provide their expertise.
Getting Good Gear at a Reasonable Price
Last and most importantly, price. The pride, a gun owner, has in their equipment extends to when they sell it. Handing off scope in poor condition for more than it’s worth is a strike against their honor.
Gun owners usually take good care of firearms with the intention of passing them on to their kids. So when you buy from them, you can be putting yourself in good hands.
Determine Why You Want the Optics
As with all purchases, it’s important to evaluate why you’re making the purchase. This may seem like a no-brainer if it wasn’t for the fact that 73% of adults make purchases on a whim.
Take the time to reason why you need these used optics. This will help you in the purchasing process.
The Purpose of the Optics
For starters, why are you buying the optics for? Optics for a hunting trip will have different requirements than optics for recreational shooting. Close-range self-defense optics will differ from long-range precision optics.
A scope for hunting may have additional features compared to one meant for the shooting range. You may need a scope that’s more rugged. You may be in search of special features such as a reflex sight.
Or, you may be in search of an all-purpose scope with nothing beyond the shooting range in mind. All of these use cases will determine how you do your shopping.
The Distance of Engagement
Every shooter must determine how much magnification they need. Some scopes have a hard limit on their distance and will only give you a few meters of variation. Others will have a variable range between wide upper and lower limits.
Like above, if you only plan to take this to the range, then get a power appropriate for your local gallery. But if you need something more versatile, you may need to shell out more cash. Extra electronic features will cost extra, too.
The Seriousness of Your Use Case
There are some cases where a new optic may be the better decision. If you work in law enforcement, for example, you need something that’s reliable and comes with a warranty. If your life is on the line, then you may not be interested in saving money on used optics.
However, in many cases, you can get a very high-quality optic for a low price. Assuming the previous owner took good care of them, you’ll be good to go.
Reasons Why You Should Get a Used Scope
In most cases, people benefit from buying used optics. As mentioned, these are high-quality and meant to last a lifetime in rugged conditions. Let’s discuss the reasons why you should buy used optics.
- The Convenience of Online Purchases
Thanks to the internet, many people purchase gun accessories online these days. It allows you to buy a scope on your timetable from the comfort of your home. You can often get expedited shipping and receive your purchase the same week.
Online purchases don’t limit you to a vendor you dislike. If haggling on a gun forum is more your style, then you can do so. But if you prefer the structure and customer protections of a reputable company, you can utilize secondhand vendors.
Online shopping allows you to compare prices with greater ease. You can search out the specific optic you’re looking for across the web. If a cheaper option appears, you’re in luck.
It’s unlikely that this will change anytime soon. While buying weapons online and shipping them is tricky, gun accessories don’t fall in the same category. You won’t experience any run-ins with the law when buying gun accessories.
- A Wider Variety of Options
Following off the last point, buying used optics gives you more choices. With new scopes, you have to make do with inventory and availability. But with a used scope, you might find rare options that would be difficult to obtain otherwise.
- Costly Optics on a Budget
As mentioned earlier, you can get the cream of the crop for very, very cheap. Brand-new optics will be a hefty investment. The best of the best, more so.
High-quality optics often come with lifetime guarantees. They may have a lifetime warranty, regardless of the current owner. That, or they may provide repair services for a reasonable price.
These big-name scopes may give you access to features outside your price range. Aimpoint optics, for example, could cost significantly less when you buy them used. Despite not being in pristine condition, you’ll get a full-featured, very tough red dot without compromising your budget.
These more expensive scopes may have a limited inventory when on store shelves. Gun purchases have skyrocketed in recent years, meaning there may be a backlog of orders. Buying new can prove not only to be expensive but require a fair bit of patience.
Purchase Used Optics Today
If you’re on a budget, used optics seem like a great way to get what you’re looking for without breaking the bank. However, as with all things used, there’s the caveat emptor worry of being ripped off. Fortunately, used optics from RKB Armory are a safe bet for getting quality optics at reasonable prices.
Not sure where to start? While having so many options online is great, it definitely makes the buying process a bit more complicated for beginners. That’s where RKB Armory has you covered.
Check out our list of used optics for sale. And if you’re looking to sell your own unwanted optic, we’ll be glad to take it off your hands for a good return.