[Amish]

Why do people pay more for handguns than rifles? I don't understand it. $700 for a SIG and Kimber. $1100 for a USP45 Expert and SIG GSR. And there are the $2000+ 1911's. When I see the high prices on "custom" 1911's such as Wilson's, I wonder what fool would buy one. What justifcation is there to spend so much on a handgun? Except for some "hand fitting", which I doubt is worth the extra $1000, and some upgraded parts that I can buy for less than a $100 there is no reason in my book to pay pre-ban rifle price for a silly Wilson or Les which aren't rare or collectable. The number of parts used is the same, the metal is the same, they hold the same amount of rounds and shoot the same bullet. Sure they may be a little more accurate and feel a little better, but at the expense of reliablity. The price to "accuracy/feel better" ratio is ridiculous. At least when you put money into a better car you get more features and upgrade in power and performance, but I seen no benefit of $1000+ production handguns like Wilsons. They aren't true custom guns like Tussey. At least they use exotic metal like Damascus steel in some of their guns.

[Mannlicher]

Expensive by who's standards? For some, expensive is a $85 Tokarev. For others, that might be a $50K collectable.

I can understand why folks with little discretionary income question another guy buying a Kimber, or a SIG 210.

Most people buy the best they can. For some thats buying quality used guns, for others, its what ever they want.

[tc300mag1]

I buy what i like do i hate the high prices you bet but do i love my HK 45 you bet .

Will i buy a pistol over 1K probley not Hk was close when i bought it but i usually average round 5-600 for what i buy but i buy mostly new as the deal on used here lately aint deals when i can pay 25-50$ more for brand new

[R.H. Lee]

Maybe because a handgun is a close-in defensive weapon. When you need it, you need it NOW and it has to work 100%. So maybe people think the more they pay, the more reliability they get :confused:

Or maybe it fits in with the "Tactical Poser" image some people like. You know, always gotta have the latest and greatest whiz-bang wondernineforty357sig10mm. Just like the FBI,CIA,SEALS, etc.

Some people just like handguns for no rational reason and like to collect LOTS of them.

I would rather limit the manual of arms to the 1911 and any double action revolver.

[litman252]

So my $1K+ Customized 1911 that I shoot the most of any gun I own, use for a house gun and want to start using in compitition is a waist of money???:rolleyes:
I saved up for 10 months, did not buy anything I did not need in that time to have a gun built that I hope to pass on to my kid at some point in time.
I want to have one custom rifle and maybe a shot gun at some time, but for now the 1911 is it in the custom catagory. My most $$$$ rifle is my Mod 70 classic in 7mmSTW and I have not shot it yet.

I like my $100 SKS, and my 30-30 from my dad more than most guns that cost more money than I will ever have, but don't tell me not to spend $$ on a once in a lifetime gun like my 1911.

Tony

[N3rday]

I don't know...surely there are plenty of folks who carry Makarovs?
Personally I wouldn't buy anything more expensive than a Sig or an H&K, but I'm frugal as heck.

[AZRickD]

At the risk of hijacking the thread, but sort of along the same line... I wonder why people spend so much time with their handgun and so little time with a quality rifle. Patrick Henry would like to know. ;)

Rick

[M2 Carbine]

Why do I have 11 Makarovs,
9 M1 Carbines
4 Kimbers
3 Polish P-64
2 M1 Garands
a UZI
a Thompson
and 53 other guns




BECAUSE I WANT THEM.

That's the only reason necessary.:D

[MrMurphy]

Because pistols absolutely have to work perfectly at the range they're used. Some people are willing to pay thousands to insure that. My $500 Glock hasn't had any problems and I'm happy with it, but I've shot $3,000+ 1911s and they ARE worth the money and labor put into them if you can shoot up to the level of accuracy and speed they are capable of.

I'd love to have a $1,000-3,000 custom rifle, but the odds of using it for anything other than punching paper are low. A $1,000 custom pistol can save your life. I've already nearly needed my Glock once and my S&W bodyguard once.

[c_yeager]

My carry pistol (sp101) has taken so much abuse. I would feel really bad if it was a $1000 dollar gun.

There ARE people that like certain kinds of expensive guns. There are also people that like to have PERFECT fit and finish. There is nothing wrong with that at all.

Of course there are also people that just have to have whatever is that 'coolest' gun on the block (not directed at any of OUR friendly H&K owners of course) :neener:

[Mr. Chitlin]

Might depend on how much you pay for a rifle. This one is $7300. A $2000 pistol isn't that expensive, then.

http://www.barrettrifles.com/images/front_rifles.jpg

[R.H. Lee]

Handguns seem to be addictive. Maybe because there are so many varieties. For example, I just read a post over on the Handgun forum. A guy carries a 3 3/4 in Ruger Birdshead Vaquero in .45 LC. A single action.

So I google'd an image and NOW I think I NEED one. :confused:

I just don't know what in the hell is wrong with me :scrutiny:

[stiletto raggio]

I have six pistols, five shotguns and four rifles. What is the gun I am most likely to use to defend myself? A glock 23, because that is what I carry. If I knew I was going to fight, I'd take my M1A and get 'em out at 500m ;)

I see your point about the point of diminishing returns for a handgun being lower than for a rifle. I am about to drop 6k on two shotguns that I hope will fill my skeet, trap and sporting clays needs for the rest of my life. I could buy several very nice rifles and pistols for that much, but there is something to be said for getting the best one can afford for the job to be done, training with it, and having it around to hand off to the next generation.

I do not buy cheap guns. I do not generally buy guns that I intend to sell, either. Buy what works. If it takes "Wilson CQB" on the side of the slide to give you comfort, fine, but know how to use it. I tend to think that most people who spend that much on a pistol think they can buy skill, but I will not dismiss the possibility of spending 2500 on an SVI because I think it is a work of art.

To each his own, but I don't see myself ever carrying a steel framed pistol except in war (ugh, Beretta), and there is no way I'm spending over 600 on a polymer gun.

[schromf]

Random number $1000.00, where did 1K come from. Is it because its a big number to you, a pain point or what. Actually $1050 to 1500 are pretty reasonable numbers on high end 1911's. No not the bone stock mass produced ones, but the semi custom's with some fitting. The 1911's are expensive guns to manufacture, when the price is $400-500 corners must be cut. There are hundreds ( actually probably dozens ) of ways to get to these price points but something must give, and usually its features and quality. And no I am not going to get into the merits and detractions of different models, but don't expect to pay the same for a pistol with a tool steel hammer, sear, disconnector and a match grade barrel as the less expensive guns you just aren't going to get it.

Actually when I look at some of the plastic pistols like Glocks, HK's, and some of the wonder 9's I wonder why these don't sell for the same price as a Springfield XD's or KelTec's. They are plastic pistols for the most part. Don't bother flaming me I know the answer.....QUALITY

[Gewehr98]

To each his own, but I don't see myself ever carrying a steel framed pistol except in war (ugh, Beretta),

Because the wartime Beretta you're probably gonna have to use is a M9, aka 92F series. It's got an aluminum (aluminium to some) frame. So you're all set, fear not. :p

Amish, I've got bunches of rifles that cost more than my $1000 custom 1911's, with some of them closer to $3000 once the scopes are mounted. Mine is a layered defense, with both rifles and pistols serving their purpose when the time comes. They fit me, because they were built either for me or by me. The money is well-spent when I have no qualms with a given gun's function and reliability. Folks who spend top dollar for their vehicles use those same criteria often enough that nobody bats an eye, what's the difference?

[SirPorl]

The spend more on handguns than rifles because they can and that is prolly what they are really into. Everyone needs a hobby.


SirPorl

[cracked butt]

If you compare a 1911 to a rem 700, the 1911 needs a whole lot more critical, inticate, and expensive machining than the simpler rifle.

I'm mainly a rifle shooter, but my most expensive guns are pistols. Go figure.:cool:

[pauli]

unless you dig the bum leg look, it's hard to ccw a rifle... ;)

step one: figure out your requirements.

step two: figure out your optionals

step three: figure out what class of device best meets the above.

step four: figure out where your budget and your optionals meet within that class.

i guess there are people who feel their requirements in a firearm are better met by a $1000 1911 than by a $1000 rifle or shotgun. ::shrug::

(me, i'd love a rifle, but *** am i going to do with it? seems silly to have a rifle and only use it at the local 25yard pistol range...)

[Greg L]

My USP rides on my hip most every day, my rifles sit in the safe 95%+ of the time. If I'm away from the house then the percentages get closer to 100% that the pistol is what I'll have with me (if I have to go somewhere where I feel the need to load up a rifle & stick it in the truck, then if at all possible I just won't go there :eek: ).

Besides, I have a C&R. Seeing as how most of my rifles these days cost around $100 or so, I would much rather spend a little more on a pistol than limit myself to Ravens or Jennings :neener: .

Greg

[GigaBuist]

Guns are inexpensive when you really look at it. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

$500 for a Glock is next to nothing when you consider what you're getting. $1000 or $1500 really isn't THAT much for what you're getting either.

We're talking about devices that will run for thousands upon thousands of rounds, last for a hundred+ years if taken care of, and always retain a decent resale value. You cannot find another product on the market like it. I cannot think of any moving machine that will last a lifetime or two except a good firearm.

Oh, and it can save your life too.

So, $1500 for a 1911 that'll last your life, your child's life, and your grand child's life and perhaps beyond (150 years say) is really just $10 a year.

There, now everybody's got a new excuse for the wife.

[greyhound]

I wonder why people spend so much time with their handgun and so little time with a quality rifle.

Best explanation I have heard about this is that as the US has become more urban/suburban than rural, we have become a nation of handgunners as opposed to riflemen.

I assume that means that the opposite used to be true.

Also, here in MD at least, its much easier to find a place for handgun practice than rifle practice.

[wanderinwalker]

I'll second the "guns aren't that expensive" approach! :D

I have a garage full of motorcycles. Well, only one is mine. Then there are my dad's and brother's wheels. My brother's is an older model, less value left in it (~$1000). My father and I both ride newer machines, with values pushing close to $6000. Now, in 6 years neither of those machines is going to be worth that much.

IF I had a $6000 firearm, I would expect it to have more of that value left in it in 6 years. Possibly alot more if it was a "rare, pre-2XXX-ban" model. :rolleyes: A firearm is better investment than most vehicles and cheaper too. Why not?

FWIW, I have a $1500 CMP-spec Armalite AR-15 hanging around in my cabinet. Is that an expensive rifle? Yes. Does it shoot with a Baer or Wilson. Hell yeah! :neener:

[Vitamin G]

I personally spend more time with pistols than rifles because I'm not too worried about invading armies. I'm more worried about the random idiot with a knife who wants my wallet, little sister, or someone i know to bend over in a dark alley.
Now, i LOVE my AK-47, but to be honest I use it for little more than a plinker gun. It just looks so COOL on the mantle (just kidding). I can't really see myself needing a rifle, but I train with it anyways. Very similar to me not really seeing myself needing a pistol either, but I train with them just in case.

As much as I hope i wont need either, the probability of me needing a pistol (everyday self-defense) is going to be much higher than me needing a rifle (extraordinary, "invading army" style self-defense.)

[Badger Arms]

Handguns are easier to tote in and out of the safe and to gun shows. They take up less space. They cost more per OUNCE than rifles do, therefore my profit/work margin is greater. ;)

[Warner]

Amish,

First.... thanks. Thanks for calling us fools.

Calling fools, the folks who know what works best, do the extra research, seek out the proper gunsmiths, and (in my case) save up a long time to secure one of the very best life saving devices currently available. It's far from a foolish process.

After your careless use of adjectives like “fool” “ridiculous” and “silly” that betrayed your knowledge levels in these areas, there is little incentive to clue you in to the real-world reasons and intricacies involved in the decision - and then the undertaking of this type. Further, your stated dollar/cost standard of a “pre-ban rifle price”, and then the use of that as any real measure of something says even more.

But I won’t call you any names.

Your own “pre-ban, collectible and rare” measures of firearm values serve to gauge only what the current market in these items will bear. But the value of owning a modern day "Excalibur" is something else entirely.

Wise up.


Edited to add: I looked up my 2001 costs on a Colt 1911 pattern gun for replacement of the MIM and some other parts, metalwork like checkering and deburring, new night sights and then regulating them for my chosen ammo, accuracy and reliability work, and finally a durable finish - $1145 for parts, labor & shipping.

My life's worth that.

[13A]

Amish asks: "Why do people pay more for handguns than rifles?"

Here's the answer: Because they want to.

[Wil Terry]

To those who understand no explanation is nessessary,
To those who do not no explanation is possible.

[litman252]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
what he said.

[Warner]

He did ask . . .

[pauli]

warner: did that cost include the gun, or was it just work *on* the gun? i'm not clear.

[Lone_Gunman]

Amish, do you own a pre-ban rifle?

Did you buy it after the ban?


Looks like you started this thread and then bolted. Are you still here?

[natedog]

Because they want one. Just because someone doesn't like the same things you do doesn't mean that they are uninformed or foolish. :rolleyes:

[JohnBT]

"$700 for a SIG and Kimber. $1100 for a USP45 Expert and SIG GSR. And there are the $2000+ 1911's. When I see the high prices on "custom" 1911's such as Wilson's, I wonder what fool would buy one. What justifcation is there to spend so much on a handgun?"

If that's all that's bothering you, then what you've got to do is stop buying cheap rifles. There're plenty of nice rifles available for $1000, $1500 and up. After that a $700 Kimber looks like what it is.

A thousand bucks isn't what it used to be - it's only about 2 or 3 car payments for a lot of people. My first new car was only 2 grand, but I didn't order AC.

John

[Warner]

pauli,

That was for parts, labor and shipping on my own firearm.

Thanks

[artherd]

My rifles (complete) cost me $1400 and $2800.

My Glock (complete) only cost $700.

Shoot that .45 USP Expert and you'll find out why it's worth every penny of $1100. It's the only .45 I've ever shot that I *really* liked (though the Kimber Gold Cup was nice too.)

[PJR]

There are people in this world who wouldn't understand the difference between a Lorcin and a Korth. Amish would appear to be one of them.

If he thinks someone is foolish for spending $1,000 on a pistol, heaven forbid he should ever start looking at higher end shotguns. :rolleyes:

[JohnBT]

I bought my father a nice .22 bolt action. I mean it wasn't even the top of the Cooper line, but it was nice enough. Got a good deal on it too. Only $1607 counting shipping and everything.

So far I've managed to only look at higher end shotguns.

John

[goon]

The most expensive gun that I have ever bought was a Kimber Custom Match Target. It cost almost $1000. At the time I had just gotten out of the Army and I had the money in the bank to afford it. I wanted it and I bought it. I later traded it on a SIG.
I am now fortunate enough to own several quality weapons including a SIG, a bulgarian AK, and a CZ-452 to name a few. These form the core of my collection. I put a S&W snubby on layaway last week ($175 for a VG M-36... I need a hideout gun...).
I generally just buy the best I can afford that fits my needs and preferences. It is true that a $300 CZ is a quality weapon as well and even that a $150 S&W M-10 will serve its owner as well as a $700 SIG. The thing is that I like the SIG better. I have owned it longer than the others and it is like an extension of my body. I have utter confidence in it.
You say why spend that much on a gun...
I say that $700 is a small price to pay for that peace of mind.

[hube1236]

So Amish asked a question, a few have interpreted as personal attacks, and have re-attacked Amish for asking the question.

It is a fool that buys a $1000+ gun when his kids are hungry and his wife jewelless. It is a man that pays the electricity so his kids can do their homework, and have enough left over for saving up.

America- good thing we have a choice.


I worked for a pricey stereo company once (rhymed with Hose) seeing all those idiots pay $400 for a clock radio- wow. But it gave me a few nice X-masses

[Gewehr98]

Because I didn't read that anywhere here. You'll have to point that out to me, really. :scrutiny:

I'll save you the search time. Nowhere did it say that owners of high-dollar handguns were neglecting their financial responsibilities to their families in lieu of firearm purchases. Nowhere. You pulled that one out of an orifice.

I have many high-dollar guns, and you know what? I made do with an old sporterized Mauser and a LE turn-in S&W Model 19 revolver for years, until I could afford some of the finer things. I've sold many guns to purchase others. My wife's got a nice rock on her ring finger. Nobody goes hungry at our house. Honest.

Now, if somebody's gonna start a thread and start calling people fools for buying high-dollar handguns, they'd better be prepared to endure the heat for saying so.

And if your own Valtro purchase got shut down because your cupboards have nothing but Ramen Noodles, and your wife said the kids need braces, that's not the fault of gun owners on THR, so don't take it out on them. That's weak, at best, and smacks of something. :(

Speaking of Bose, we used to joke:

If you own Bose, then hold your nose
and test your ears as well.
For when you get your hearing back
you’ll know they’re not too swell.
You’ve got 12 bucks of paper cones
and a flismy cardboard box --
not enough to be bare bones,
much less to say “It rocks!”
No top, no bass, just muddy noise
and cabinet resonance too.
It’s clear now that the K-Mart boys
gave you a royal screw.
Why buy Paradigm or Energy, B&W or NHT
when you can shell out twice as much
for Taiwan quality?
But be indignant; tell yourself
you don’t really think it sucks.
(what else can you do after flushing 600 bucks?)
You know as much as all us snobs
who put your purchase down.
Cuz now you is an awdeohfyle
with direct reflecting sound!

[Dr.Rob]

I haven't seen a rifle that has the complex machining to make a 1911 or Luger. (with the possible exception of the Full Auto BAR and Thompson)

I don't own a $1500 handgun, though some of them may eventually be worth that kind of money.

Then again I'm pretty happy with 'stock' rifles and pistols.

Then again I like buying things that are no longer made.

[MaterDei]

So, $1500 for a 1911 that'll last your life, your child's life, and your grand child's life and perhaps beyond (150 years say) is really just $10 a year.
LOL. Gee, that's only 20 cents per week. Less than a cup of coffe a week! What am I waiting for? I can afford lots more guns!

Anybody but me find it ironic that a guy named 'Amish' started this thread? :cool:

[Justin]

Why do people pay more for handguns than rifles? Probably because I'd feel mighty silly showing up to a Bullseye match with a rifle that cost four figures...

:rolleyes:

[444]

"A thousand bucks isn't what it used to be - it's only about 2 or 3 car payments for a lot of people. My first new car was only 2 grand, but I didn't order AC."
Two or three car payments ? Not for many years.

I often see these comparisons made on these on-line boards and I can't for the life of me figure out what they have to do with each other. What does the price of a rifle have to do with the price of a handgun ? What is the relationship that allows one to influence the other ?
One of my favorites: " I am not going to pay more for a scope (or whatever) than I did for the gun. "
What do these prices have to do with each other ? Where is it written that one has to be more expensive than the other, and who wrote it ?
What does the price of an apple have to do with the price of an orange ?

If it makes you feel any better, I have spent far more on rifles than I have on pistols. I even have an AR that sports a thousand dollar optic.
My main go-to pistol is a straight out of the box Colt. The finish is bad. It rattles. The sights arn't the best. You know why I don't buy something else ? Because - it does exactly what I want it to do. If I hit the lottery tonight, the only thing I might change are the sights. If it didn't satisfy me, money would be no object. The object is satisfaction.
If you are worried about spending more on pistols than rifles, I got one for you. I spent over three grand on a submachine gun that shoots eight feet to the left and looks like it was made out of a lawnchair by someone at the sheltered workshop.

[Jeff]

Or maybe it fits in with the "Tactical Poser" image some people like. You know, always gotta have the latest and greatest whiz-bang wondernineforty357sig10mm. Just like the FBI,CIA,SEALS, etc.


Close-minded.



I would rather limit the manual of arms to the 1911 and any double action revolver.


And boring.

[BamBam-31]

I think some of it depends on how well you shoot handguns. There are some that shoot well enough to justify buying high end pistols. For them, the difference is well worth the price.

For others, they just buy what they can, or whatever makes them happy. If they can afford it and they get enjoyment out of it, where's the harm? More power to them.

No need for sour grapes. I have friends that do that. Annoying, to say the least.

My Springfield cost five times more than my Finn M39, even though I can't shoot 1.5 MOA at 100 yds. with my Springfield (sorry, Bar-Sto). Am I a fool, then?

What I don't get is spending boo-koo buckaroos on jewelry, shoes, etc. Someone explain THAT one to me. I think I'm in the "no explanation is possible" camp on that one.

[artherd]

Jeff- thanks for saying what I was thinking!

[Kaylee]

so... in addition to not being about rifles, we start dragging each other through the mud over something as silly as whether someone's piece cost over three digits or no?

:scrutiny:

lights out.

-K