Do you settle when buying a gun?

[Arkansas Paul]

I wouldn't call what I do settling, but I set realistic goals that are within my means and wait until I can fulfill it.
I don't say, "I'm gonna save and get a Python," then go out and buy a Rossi from Academy if that's what you mean. Not saying I wouldn't buy a Rossi, but I would be aware of it from the get-go.

 

[shiftyer1]

I've found that most of the time a 500 dollar gun will do what a 1500 dollar gun will do aside from specialized tasks like competiton and such. It just won't be a pretty. I wouldn't say that I settle I just haven't broke that 700 dollar cap yet It seems those pretty guns only come out when your broke.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

Two words: Hi Point

 

[thefamcnaj]

It depends on the circumstances, and where I'm at financially and how patient I can be.
If I want another combat/service type pistol, I go glock or xd. I don't save extra to buy an hk. Last summer I wanted a pocket pistol right then, so I jumped on a pf9 because it was the cheapest thing I saw at the time. When I decided I wanted to enter the 1911 world I entered on the mid level with a sig sauer c3 1911.
I was happy with that because I didn't want to save up another 600 for a Les Baer.
When I entered the rifle world I got a sig sauer m400 enhanced model. Again I decided to go mid level and not spend another grand for a lwrc.
If I'm in a shotgun buying mood, it's 870 every time.
That's kind of how I've gone about it over time.
I do have money set aside for the day I ever run up on a python though.

 

[jcwit]

I buy what suits my fancy at the time. But I also price shop. My collection runs all the way from orginal antique arms worth a few thousand each, to custom made 1 off in the same price catagory, to inexpensive .22 and .25 ACP Ravens, and just about anything inbetween. Collection is now in triple digit numbers, and I like them all.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

It depends on what I want. If I'm after a specific model, I go for that specific model, and save until I have the money I need to buy it. For instance, a while back I bought myself a Beretta M9. I wanted that specific gun, so I went out and found one.

Now if it's more generic and the same basic product is offered by several manufacturers (ie, 1911 or AR15), I try to find something that's a good value. Of course, what I think is a good value and what somebody else thinks is a good value might be different. But that's how I ended up with a Springfield 1911 and a Windham M4; they are good quality weapons that do everything I need them to do at a price that's reasonable to me. Not quite Colts - which I don't need them to be - but more than an RIA or Olympic. So I guess I'm a mid-level buyer. But I have to be; I can't afford to spend thousands on a single weapon. (Well, I guess I could, but I'd only have one or two guns if that was the case!)

 

[coalman]

IMO, the concept of diminishing return applies. At some point, you're paying more to just pay more. But, it's a hobby, so pay for what makes you happy if you can afford it.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have some spendy rifles and inexpensive pistols in my safe.

If I had waited on my Colt 6920 I would have gotten a better price in 4-6 months. I didn't want an AR if I couldn't buy a Colt. As it was, I could afford it.

My 'cheap' pistols were Warsaw Pact guns. One I made a point of special ordering from a local dealer (FEG PJK9HP) and one was an impulse buy (FEG Pa-63) because I was pleased with the hi-power clone. Can't say I was dissapointed with either.

When you are looking for a specific used/vitage item (say like a Python) you often have to strike when the iron is hot so to speak.

That's how I got Colt Magnum Carry for $425.

 

[Ignition Override]

Having noticed the serious fraction of value lost after buying a brand-new rifle, why bother ever again to buy a brand-new gun?
I also learned to my regret that imitations of classics are not as sturdy and they can break during the warranty period (i.e.: my former A.O. M-1 Carbine, bought in Oct. '07).

My guns, which only consist of certain milsurps, were built or designed from WW2 through the Korean era, and those fortunate guns (out there) which were not permanently sporterized will only increase in value.

 

[wishn4more]

I almost always buy used guns, so yes, I guess I "settle"! I typically buy what I think are exceptional values. I don't typically go shop for a particular model. So I settled for them because I wasn't willing to buy the same model from the new cabinet. Doesn't mean they aren't nice!

 

[Warp]

I do not settle. I wait and I get what I want. So far what I want has generally been no more than $500-$550 so it isn't very hard to do. (Glocks and Smith or Ruger revolvers)

Except when I wanted a Colt AR15. I did the ultimate wait and get what I want with that. Until this year my only semi auto centerfire rifle was a Yugo SKS I bought way back in about 2007. I wanted an AR, but I wanted a top of the line AR. Not an RRA, not a Stag, not a DPMS...I wanted a Colt or equal. At one point I swore I would get an AR before Obama was elected. But I couldn't afford it and didn't want to buy lower quality, and I was convinced there would be no new bans because he was elected.

So I waited.

And I just finally got my Colt last week (would have been plenty happy with a BCM, Daniel Defense, Noveske, etc). The wait was worth it.

 

[smalls]

I'd love to own a high end 1911, but simply can't afford it, so I bought an STI. I don't really feel like I "settled", though. I got the most out of the money I could afford to spend.

Now, when I bought my Sigma, I settled. But the way I looked at it was like this : I wanted a Glock. I could spend $550 on a Glock, or I could save $250 by buying the similar Sigma, to spend on a holster, and lots of ammo.

Plus, all my guns are defensive tools. I just can't justify spending thousands of dollars on something is gonna get beat up, and that really doesn't do anything else that any of my other guns do except shoot a little tighter groups from a bench.

 

[wyohome]

I thought I wanted a Kimber Longmaster Classic. So I finally bought one. Waste of money. My old 788 shoots as well and is far more reliable. If I wanted to to jam a rod down the barrel after every shot, I could use my muzzle loader.

 

[Reloadron]

Sometimes while wandering aimlessly at a gun show I may see something I want and buy it assuming the price is right.

Generally when I am going to buy something new (new for me anyway) I do considerable homework and pricing before I buy. I am not real big on new stuff, I like the older S&W handguns especially revolvers as well as the older Colt pistols.

Purchases for most of my long guns are pretty well thought out.

Ron

 

[shep854]

If you think about it, any gun buy is useful; for the experience with a particular gun, if nothing else. I've bought some clunkers, but it was a good way to find out what I really don't like about a gun!
IOW, buy a lemon, make some lemonade!

 

[Buck Kramer]

I really want a detonics combat master, someday. That doesn't mean I don't want an M9A1, or a CZ75 etc. I don't think I'm settling but there are other niches to fill.

 

[waterhouse]

I guess it depends on how you define things like "middle" and "high end."

I've had people tell me I wasted my money on my low grade Beretta o/u, because I could have gotten a pump for a third of the cost. In a more joking manner, I've had friends with shotguns costing many thousands of dollars talk about my "lowly Beretta."

I doubt I'll ever pay more than $1500 for a shotgun . . .to some that is high end, and to some that is about as cheap as they will go.

I consider most of my guns a "good fit" for my use and my budget. In general I wait, save, and buy the gun that best fits my wants and what I am willing to pay for them, but the gun that I want isn't always "the high end piece."

 

[huntsman]

almost all of my guns are $500. guns some bought new some used but it seems $500. is what I'm comfortable spending. I don't know if that qualifies as low or mid-end so I voted mid.

 

[x_wrench]

depends. on the intended use, on the price, etc. few of us are actually able to have a real custom made gun made. i certainly can not anyway. so some settling is just part of the equation. unless i just want something to throw lead downrange, i usually do some research, and decide on what features i want, and look at what i can afford. i do insist on a certain level of quality. i seldom buy the cheapest thing out there. actually, i have never done that. i want the gun to fit me, to function reliably, and to be accurate. looks while important, is one area that i can live with less than perfect. that being said, i do not own a single ugly gun. i would rather wait a while, and get something i really want, than to regret it for a long time.

 

[Warp]

almost all of my guns are $500. guns some bought new some used but it seems $500. is what I'm comfortable spending. I don't know if that qualifies as low or mid-end so I voted mid.

Depends what you are buying. A carry pistol for $500 might be considered high end. An AR15 for $500 is possibly junk

 

[Esoxchaser]

All gun buying decisions are a series of compromises. We all want the $100.00 100 rd pistol that never suffers from an FTF, hits like a .308 and kicks like a .22LR. All in a 14oz. 4X5" package with a 9" sight radius..

 

[shep854]

Oh, I dunno...I'd go as high as $250 if it was 3x3, 10oz, hit like a Ma Deuce w/.22 kick, AND had a 100rd mag...

 

[RBid]

I voted "wait and go for the high end piece", though I meant, "wait as long as it takes to get the gun that I want".

 

[Esoxchaser]

"wait as long as it takes to get the gun that I want"

And after 2 months wait, this wekend I am driving 180 miles one way to pick up the only new EMP 9 in the state.

 

[bushmaster1313]

There are no guns I am actively seeking.
Last gun I bought was a Remington 31 Riot.
I had wanted one for a long time but I gave because the one for sale were expensive.
Then Gunbroker told me that one was for sale. I bid $375 and got it for less.