[EvanWilliams]

Hi, guys. Worked a bunch of overtime lately. Got a bigger than usual check coming. Lusting after a Benelli M4. Problem is, the rational side of me says that no way should I pay 1500 for a semi auto short barrel shotgun. I could buy FIVE pump actions for the same money and have one in the truck and every bedroom.
The compromise would be an 1187 or the like. Tacticool isn't worth that much money.
BUT I WANT IT!!!

[N003k]

Wellll....

Ask yourself a few questions:
1) Can you afford it without worrying about other bills/food/other essentials?
2) Do you REALLY wan't it?
3) Is there something you wan't MORE and can pass #1 with a yes?

If the answers are Yes/Yes/No, then you REALLY need to find another site to go to to be dissuaded to buy a gun lol.

[esheato]

I won't tell you no...you worked hard, go reward yourself.

[EvanWilliams]

I do really want it but I think I might do the right thing. Might get my dad a 1911. He is old and has cancer. It just struck me sitting here that he would love a 1911 or an M1 (he is retired Army).
Maybe for Christmas, the M4!!!!

Sort of ashamed I didn't think of it sooner.

[ThePants]

+1 for takin' care of Dad. You only get one dad and I'm sure that would make him happy. Get if for him and take him out shooting and those memories will be better than any gun you could ever buy for yourself. Later down the pike when you feel you can afford it get yourself the M4 as a reward for being a good son, and a good friend to your dad.

I'll keep you and him both in my prayers over the cancer thing.

[willymike]

Dad comes first!

I lost my dad to cancer 15 years ago and I miss him every day. Each day is another day our family has been cheated out of his presence due to this terrible disease. I can assure you the time you have left with him is more valuable than any gun -- the time is priceless.

Take care of dad first. You'll have plenty of time later to worry about how you spend your money on a gun that you just gotta have. Guns are like the leaves on trees. You only have one Dad!

I'd treat dad to whatever gun would make him happy and spend that time with him shooting for as long as he can be with you.

You'll never regret that!

May God Bless You and your family.

[offroaddiver]

Dad's make awesome range buddies. I know how great those bonus amounts in checks are they never happen enough. A suggestion i might make is that 1911 plus a 22 conversion so a few hours at the range only costs $15. Bought dad a 22 revolver for xmas this past year and his health has improved, he has diabetes that's affecting his legs and overall health. Always good times out at the range.

[Tim the student]

Evan, you will have to figure out what your priorities are, but generally speaking, I say if you want it, get it. If you want a certain thing, something else isn't the thing you want. You may be surprised and really happy with what you substituted, but it's not the same.

But if you want me to talk you out of it, I say go get an M1 and a carbine and some ammo from CMP with your money.

Or, like you said, do the right thing and get your pops a new shooter.

[ccsniper]

I don't buy stuff because it is cool, or because it looks good. I buy stuff because it fills a need I have or is functional. If you can get an 11 87 for the same thing, it is what I would get. Don't do impulse buys as they tend to let me down.

[Girodin]

I don't buy stuff because it is cool, or because it looks good. I buy stuff because it fills a need I have or is functional.

We were all at a point where our gun buying was like that. After all your needs and niches are filled you often don't just stop wanting guns. I have found there is a lot of enjoyment to be had in buying guns that I think are cool or offer a gee wiz factor even if they don't have a purpose. I would be very very sad to only have the guns that have a clear purpose (although if I was faced with that I can do a good job of justifying them and distinguishing each one's niche from the other) Nothing wrong with buying something you like, even when after "function based" guns there is nothing wrong with buying the "cooler" option as long as it is equally or more functional. If you hard up for cash it might not be okay or wise if a less expensive option will suffice but otherwise get the one you like. People buy all kinds of stuff just because they like it more.

[ugaarguy]

Evan, hopefully this will help ease the pain. I too think the Benelli M4 is cool. I've learned there's just one minor problem: It's made in Italy. That means the civilian guns have a dummy mag tube extension to get to the barrel lug while still keeping the capacity restricted so they can be imported as sporting shotguns under 922(r). You're going to go through major pains in the rear, if it's even possible, to get an M4 shotgun up to standard capacity while keeping it 922(r) compliant.

Even with a traditional stock (not a PG under shoulder stock) the BATFE ruled that the Belgian made FN SLP wasn't 922(r) compliant. FN kept the mag capacity as it was intended by bringing the entire SLP operation over to FNMI in Columbia, SC to manufacture them domestically.

As I said above, I hope this eases the pain. Heck, you could get your dad a nice 1911, and get yourself an 11-87 for the price of the M4. You could also spend a few more bucks, and get yourself an SLP instead of the 11-87. :evil:

[Sav .250]

Take a couple of days and think it over. No hurry!

[chas08]

+1 for takin' care of Dad.
I'm for that. I just lost my ONLY HERO in August. When that 1911 or M1 comes back to you it will mean more to you than a benelli ever could. You are thinking right.

[boostedxt]

take care of dad. if your dad is anything like my dad HE is the reason why I have guns and shoot guns. He introduced me to them when I was 12 and I have been shooting ever since. I recently got the joy of taking my dad shooting for the first time since I am an adult. we talked guns, we talked life lessons, we talked marriage(I am engaged), and we talked about nothing. I have been to the range hundreds maybe even thousands of times...but nothing compares to the day when i got to take my dad. those are memories no M4 or any gun for that matter can replace.

get dad the gun, take him shooting....there will be a time when that gun comes back to you. cherish it, and most of all...shoot it.

joe

[snooperman]

You will feel better about it too.

[N003k]

Well, now that the options are slightly different, I have to chip in with getting your dad something.

You can always get yourself the Benelli at some point down the line.

[EvanWilliams]

thanks to you all, especially for the kind words.
I have a line out on a 1911 that my buddy never wanted but ended up with as security for a 500 buck loan. The guy defaulted. NIB never shot. Has had it for 8 years and never done anything with it (he is not a gun guy). So he is gonna let me know make and model etc. Only wants 500. Dad is gonna get a gun either way.
Thanks all.!!

[JShirley]

Gun for Pop all the way.

And enjoy the M4. Take care of your responsibilities, and enjoy after that! :)

J

[geniusiknowit]

Get the M4 for your dad. He'll probably let you borrow it once in a while.

[hammerklavier]

As for the M4, would you be happy with a FN SLP? If so, get that and save $600 or more. If not, keep saving :)

[evbutler462]

I'll chime in here real quick and back out. No way would I pay that much for a gun. They are nice guns, so is the 1100 and 11-87. I have a limit on gun purchases. If it costs over $500, I don't buy it. There are plenty of good used guns out there for that price. I wish that one of my children would buy me a gun, used or new, but I'd not want them wasting money on a name.