Does no one else search for perfection?!

[archigos]

Precision,
Keep in the game. Keep researching. Keep learning. I [certainly] still am doing so, and it looks like you're off to a good start.
You'll find that as your knowledge becomes more advanced, your tastes will become more refined. You'll find your own favorites, though if you're like many of us, you'll still want to keep trying more.
As a teenager, I know its a difficult time for you... especially because "look but don't touch" applies to a lot of this. I started researching firearms more in depth when I also was a teenager - living in NY, I couldn't even legally touch a handgun until I was 22 (after waiting through the permit process). That being said, you're in the perfect position - get a summer job, set up a separate bank account as a gun funding account, and set up direct deposit to contribute some small percentage to that (I still contribute 5% to guns). You'll find yourself in a good position to start trying different guns when you hit that magical age of 21.

 

[Zundfolge]

Once you've actually got a grasp on what goes into making a good shot, you'll be much more prepared to figure out what your "perfect" gun is.

Additionally you have to learn not only how to shoot but how YOU shoot. If there was only one way to be a perfect shot there would be only one gun design.

Guns are like underwear ... for some its boxers, for others its briefs ... for a few freaks; commando ... but there is no "best" underwear design or there would be only ONE underwear design.

The more trigger time you have the more you'll realize what "perfection" is (at least for you). Until then you're like a deaf person asking people to describe the perfect song.

 

[TrakHack]

Understanding what your definition of perfection is is good. It means you will easily be able to identify what comes close to (or is) perfection as you define it when you find it.

Know what you like. Know what a good price is for what you like. Buy with confidence when you find a good deal, and be willing to spend a little more than you might otherwise to get exactly what you want.

Don't try to convince anyone other than yourself that your definition of perfection is the absolute definition of perfection.

 

[grampster]

Shotguns are fun, especially if you buy some clays and a simple plastic hand launcher that a friend uses and then you switch off.

If you live in the country, a .22 rifle, some paper plates, and old real estate or political sign, a nice hill for backstopping away from people is also a fine time. If a shooting club is near by, have your folks sign you up for a membership for your birthday.

 

[CraigC]

There is no single "best". Most of us spend our lives and tens of thousands of dollars looking for "The One". We never find it but we also realize that the joy is not in finding the one but the journey. All the fun is in getting there, just enjoy the ride.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Welcome to THR, I hope you find the perfect firearm for "you".

In my collection/accumulation there are several that are "My Guns". I can't think of a better way to put it.

For some reason one or two of each type just "feel" like they are mine.
Of the 15+ handguns : Revolvers -1983 6" S&W model 586 .357/// Semi-autos -CZ 75B .40s&W
25+shotguns: 1976 870 Wingmaster 12ga. various barrels.
25+rifles: Scoped- Remington 760 Gamemaster .30-06 /// Irons -1950 Marlin 39A, .22

These have earned the right to be the "perfect" firearms for me.
Borrow or rent as many as possible. When you find the perfect one for you it will be obvious.

As far as durability/reliability...
These have all been over the mountain a time or two.
I don't know about combat, I doubt you will have much choice in firearms.

Good luck finding what works for you.

 

[WNTFW]

Precision,
I understand the pursuit of perfection. I also understand some other things like overkill & diminishing returns. Looking at things wholistically and in context are a good set of skills too. Sometimes perfect is a gun that didn't cost too much and has some cons that you can overlook for the reason you got it. I have a Garand that is nothing to look at compared to some others. It is perfect in the sense that is shoots well and I am not afraid to take it out the safe.
You might as well pursue your dreams. Some will be beat down by reality harshly or gently. Some will come true. In the end you will only regret the ones you didn't pursue.

 

[CZsp01]

I ended up with
<---

 

[dmancornell]

Way to not be helpful. Just sayin'.

Sorry, couldn't help it.

To OP, I had the exact same mindset growing up. No family tradition of firearms, lived in a country where guns are banned outright. Too many video games and Hollywood movies. Total ignorance.

When I came to the US I bought an AR-15 without doing any reading whatsoever, thought it was a killing machine out to 1000 yards. Overpaid big time it turns out and obviously no 1000 yard shots with Wolf ammo. Call it the $2500 lesson because that's how much money I spent by the time I figured out what I did wrong.

Since that first experience I've planned out purchases with a lot of meticulous research and each gun has its own specific purpose. Way more money spent on ammo and training than the guns themselves.

That said I still think my Swiss K31 is mechanical perfection.

 

[blindhari]

Hello Precision
I grew up in bay area about 70 miles away from San Mateo in the delta country. Firearms of all sorts were around me on a daily basis. By the time I was sixteen, (1963) I owned a ruger single six, a twenty guage winchester, a 30-30 winchester, and a 270 winchester. I had taken game with all of them before I was old enough to drive a car. About then one of my godfathers, (Fourth Marine Raider) took me aside and started to prep me for getting drafted. First he gave me a book by Robert Heinlien, "Tunnel in the sky". After reading it, he told me to pay atention to the lessons taught. He also taught me "to be good with my hands". When he was satisfied I had the basics, he told me to read the book again. Survival when thrust into a combat situation is a matter of will and attitude.
Over the years survival attitude and the wepons needed/available have changed quite a few times for me. The basicis have always been the same, reliability, availability, practice, self confidence, and the willingness to engage totally when all other avenues are denied.
I carried a Gerber Mk 1 in a boot sheath for years. I gave it away to a young Sgt. I helped train in search and rescue. For the time I had it, it fullfilled every criteria, for the Sgt it still does. For me now at my age and where I live, every criteria is fullfilled by a
.38 special snub. Please look for Tunnel in the Sky at your library, I know it is a book of science fiction written in 1955 for boys, the lessons are still there.
Best of luck in your search,

blindhari
Sgt, Ranger

ps the sgt I gave the knife to still calls it McBeth, no way was it ever a lady

 

[SaxonPig]

There is no such thing as "best."

At least not that all can agree on.

Ask 10 guys what's the best anything and you get at least 8 different answers and likely 10.

You have to figure out what's best for you. Sorry, there are no shortcuts.

 

[mcdonl]

To me, perfection is getting a gun that does what I want it to do, reliably for the lowest posible price.

I would never pay for something that does not add to the reliability or accuracy of a gun.

Perfection? Seeing my kids happy, providing for my family... doing good work... those are the things I strive for perfection at... guns? They are just guns.

 

[rbernie]

The chance that one day you will find that gun that triumphs over the evil forces of the world better than anything else?

Your search will never get you what you seek. You are the weapon; the gun is a tool. Different tools do different things. None of them operate themselves, and thus the real search is to gain the skills to use the tools in all sorts of different situations.

Until you start shooting a lot, you will probably not understand this. To you, the gun has become more than an object. It's a symbol of things that you value. But it's not a symbol. It's just an object.

Different objects for different tasks.

There is no perfection.

 

[xcgates]

Blindhari, that book sounded really familiar, and what do you know but I read it once when I was in high school, and I can remember the story like it was yesterday. Okay, so it was about 7 years ago, but still, that's pretty good for me.

Not many books can I say that about.

 

[killchain]

Want to know where the "Perfection" in a firearm really is?

It's in you, and your handling of the firearm.

95% of a firearm's capability rests solely on the shooter.

My Dad said it best, "Once you out shoot the gun, then move up."

 

[ddtaylor]

Why not buy all the parts you want and build your own AR15? That way it is everything you want and possible save a few bucks.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Back to the OP...

Justin gave some good advice. The difference in performance between a junk gun and a high-end match pistol in the hand of a duffer is negligible. YOU are the biggest factor in performance.

Now, it IS nice to have equipment in which you have absolute confidence. But what do you want it for? Me? I shoot the precision pistol disciplines, mostly black powder with the Olympic events as secondary. So I'll cheerfully put $1500 into an air pistol - because I know my Steyr LP10 can deliver a gold medal performance. Any shot that is not a 10 is MY doing, not the gun's.

 

[Tomcat47]

I think you would make a great career in:
Engineering!
Metalworking
Fabrication
CAD/Design

And you might just Invent the Perfect Firearm/Firearms for us Old Guys!

You Got a thought process not found in most 16 year old young men today!

Who Knows .... We might just see....

PRECISION FIREARMS: Because We All Dreamed We Would Find The Perfect One!

God Speed!

 

[K0ZZZ]

Think of it this way: You're going to spend months agonizing over the exact specifications that you think will make the perfect weapon. You'll read every review, every opinion piece. You're going to spend all that time figuring every little detail. Then you'll spend a ton of time finding the perfect price for what you want.

Then you'll finally have your "perfect" weapon, you'll take it to the range, and you're gonna hate it. Either the ergonomics just don't work for you, or you can't the amount of ammo you want to shoot.

And you'll see the guy in the next lane with a 40 year old lever action in 22lr having a ball. He's going to offer you a try on it, and you find it's the most fun thing you've every shot.

If you go in the military, you're not going to get the perfect battle implement either, you're going to get a weapon good enough to not trigger a congressional investigation made by the lowest bidder that will work acceptably in most but not all situations.

Don't worry about it though, most of us have been in the same situation...

 

[xcgates]

^Then sell it and start over, works for vehicles as well, actually!

 

[madstabber]

Fnh scar 16

 

[Tim the student]

Yep, best is subjective, and has a lot to do with you, and what you will be doing with that rifle/shotgun/handgun.

If you are so eager to get into combat, go talk to a recruiter, and talk your parents into letting you join up at 17. Don't forget to go to RIP too

 

[TrakHack]

+1 to Tomcat47!

 

[Black Butte]

The "best" firearm is analogous to the "best" vehicle, it defends on what criteria you are looking for. With the vehicle analogy, for example, the decision could be based on:

(1) best looks
(2) best gas millage
(3) best towing capacity
(4) best top speed
(5) best 0-60 acceleration
(6) best warranty
(7) best customer satisfaction
(8) best turning radius
(9) best after-market parts availability
(10) best safety features
(11) best handling
(12) best options package
(13) best cargo capacity
(14) best value

The list is almost endless!

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Both 4H and the Boy Scouts have shooting programs.

4H is definatly the way to go.

Being 18 I'm running into the same problem, now my stragety is to just "upgrade" guns to something I like better.