What "sells" you a firearm?

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jeepmor

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All,

I'm curious as to your buying strategies. I know I could put this on a more general thread, but have currently caught the handgun bug, so I think it's appropriate here.

Is it impulse....damn that feels good in my hand no matter what it costs? :p

Is it caliber, Dude, have you seen the "your new fantasy cannon here?" ;)

Is it gun rag endorsement? :rolleyes:

Is it budget? :scrutiny:

Is it just a ZEN sense of...this one just spoke to me...buy me, I will put you on target. :D

Is it caliber? :)

Is it research? :scrutiny:

OR...Is it freedom like....y'know, nowhere else in the world am I free to use a 50BMG for varmint hunting out to 3000+ yards? :evil:

How do you convince yourself? I'm interested in the good and bad experiences that either create or disintegrate our loyalty to certain product lines and/or calibers.


For me, I like Taurus so far. The prices are low, the function (of mine thus far) is exemplary. I've read of many issues (how much did I pay for this range queen POS!) with firearms exceeding their prices by a factor of 2 or more. I'm just starting the firearms hobby, but quickly gravitating into the "lifer" from dabbler category quick. I've owned handguns less than 6 months and have already purchased progressive reloading equipment. But I have always naturally been a DIY sort.
 
All of the above. :)

I've bought for practical reasons, after research, pistols intended for defense or competition.

I've bought on impulse, and later found out I payed much more than I needed to. I still don't regret the purchases though. I bought my CZ 97B on impulse, liked it very much and that led to my PCR, and from that to many more and total CZ fandom.

Nonq
 
Caliber, budget and Zen

Well, I've got a thing for .45acp, I cannot afford to buy as many as I'd like, so I wait until one really piques my interest with some feature I like. For example, my latest buy was a Para Ordnance 1911 with a bobbed hammer, beavertail grip safety, 3-dot sights and stainless-looking controls. Nice looking pistol, 1911, .45auto and I got my tax refund back early. A few kinks at first, but it runs good now and I'm happy with it.
 
I suppose for the most part I've always bought what I wanted, with an eye to the budget. That doesn't mean I've always bought the least expensive, but that I do have a price ceiling in mind.

Two exceptions come to mind. I bought a Hi-Point 9mm just to see if they were as bad as "everyone" says they are. Mine isn't.

Then last weekend, I was looking for new pistol. I didn't have any real "need" for it, I just wanted one. I had my eye on a Taurus 24/7 or a CZ 100, but as soon as the salesman put a Springfield XD9 in my hand I blew the budget and got it. It just felt right.
 
Good topic:)

First and foremost it must be a "reputable" gun. By that I mean one of the time tested and proven gun makers such as HK, Colt, Beretta, Seecamp, etc. I don't waste time or money on second tier usually. The exception was a Bersa, which proved my point. Second tier is not as good as first tier.

Second, it has to fit my hand, which is by man standards a medium. Not all full frame guns feel confortable.

Third, I have to be able to afford it. I'd love to have a HK P7, but I can't see how while college age kids are under my roof.

Lastly is the trigger. They all feel different, but a quality trigger makes a world of difference in how one is able to accurately shoot.
 
I do it for most of the reasons listed. The biggest is feel and zen. After I realize I'm in love and it was meant for me, I research, and then buy. I have bought on impulse before, and while I don't regret it, I am wiser nonetheless.
 
Quality (reliability), caliber, (I want what I want, in this department) fit, and price. If it won't shoot for me, why would I want it? It must perform the desired task.

This is a good thread!

Scott
 
First is research. This usually gives me a pretty good overview of what people think about the gun company in general as well as the specific model. Does the gun have a reputation for reliability? How is customer service? It bothers me when a gun doesn't work, but it bothers me more if a gun doesn't work and the company won't fix it. If I find in my research that a company has great customer service, I'm a lot more comfortable buying their gun.

After that the only things I really think about are how well it fits my hand and how good the trigger is.
 
My strategy is very complex:

I like to start by finding a justification ("everyone NEEDS to own at least one model 10"). Then I tell myself that its not in the budget now, but I'll save up for it. Then, I spend hours and hours searching the forums for feedback on the firearm I've justified needing...then to auction arms and gunbroker to check prices.

At this point, I take a short break becauae I realize that I'm not buying anything now. :rolleyes:

The next step, of course, is to start hitting the pawn shops, "just to see what's out there" and hanging out at the local gun store to shoot the breeze. I'm really not in a position to buy anything at this point.

This is the point where evil forces beyond my control come in. A gun that I had no intention to buy jumps in front of me. Sometimes it's not even the gun I had worked out a justification for. But when I find a once in a lifetime deal, what am I to do? I mean, hell, I have to buy it...it would be stupid not to.
 
I'm usually finicky about brand and caliber......but sometimes for cosmetics. I always just say "if it tickles my fancy".

The biggest excuse I find to NOT buy a gun is that it is in a caliber I don't already have (which is why I'll probably never own a 40 or 10mm). I've got enough calibers to keep track of, as it is, I sure don't need another. Keeping ammo on-hand gets expensive.....which is now why I reload.
 
When I go out intending to buy a gun I use the following criteria:

My first consideration is how it feels in my hand. That is why I like Glocks, Baby Eagles, 1911's, and revolvers. I hate top heavy guns.

My next consideration is trigger pull. This is not as critical as long as I shoot the gun well. However, that is why I have more revolvers and 1911's than anything else.

After that, it comes to repair issues. Factory service, spare parts availability, ease of detail stripping.

When I go out on an impulse buy, it is usually because the gun is so inexpensive or rare.
 
any number of reasons. does my agency use it? if so, then there's a chance that i'll end up using it in the field and since training opportunities can be iffy, any chance i get i want to practice. that led me to my G19, HK Tac, Remi 870 and AR purchases. With the AR's, what's reputable, what brand does the job use, all play a factor. Will I encounter it in the field? That led me to my AK purchase. Can it be a good carry weapon? That led me to my 1911, which I then narrowed down to what felt right and had the right options for me. Thus, a SA loaded operator. Then there are the "I just like it" purchases, and the "I need to support it so they'll continue to offer it" purchases. The former resulted in a Storm, the latter will result in the Sig 556 and the PS90. A ton of reasons as you can see, and everybody has their own spin.
 
I have pretty specific criteria and buy 3 types of guns:
1. Battle rifles - I am an M1A shooter and a marksman. It's pretty clear that mastery of marksmanship (the goal) depends on mastery of my rifle. It's the desire for that mastery that has me shooting only one type of rifle. I have a SA standard and am looking for a good Scout and a NM.
2. Fighting handguns - Similarly, I believe Col. Cooper's assessment that the 1911 is the finest fighting pistol ever conceived. So, I shoot 1911s. I'm always looking for more and I buy high quality, standard featured, steel frame 1911s whenever I find a good deal.
3. Sporting arms - my turkey gun falls into this category...I may buy a deer rifle or a plinking .22 in this category too, but it's low on the priority list.

That's how I do it.
 
"The Plan"

There is a certain number/types of firearms that should be in every houehold.
Basically, one or two rifles of varying caliber, a shotgun, and a pistol or two of varying caliber.
As soon as I have the money, I go shop and buy what is available.
Brand names aren't all that important to me. Basically I go with proven standards. (AK-47, Winchester, etc..)
That's the justification I've used so far. Problem is, I have all these firearms now, so I'm working on a justification for that M4.
I'm sure I'll come up with something convincing soon.
 
Mostly reliability and quality of workmanship that got me to buy it.

It doesn't matter how pretty the gun is, how gun rags hype and rave about it, how customizable it is, but if it's a jam-omatic, then it's not good enough for me.

I want weapons that work right out of the box, no tweaking needed. If factory can't even put out a gun that works right out of the box, I wonder their overall competency.

Supreme quality of workmanship and reliability. Must have 100% in those two criteria :)
 
I do research work. When I was going into the police academy, I researched police firearms. Sig seemed to be the most suggested, the "Ferrari" of police firearms, if you will (HK being the Lamborghini). I eventually chose a P229 .40S&W. It's was the ultimate compromise between caliber as I'm addicted to .40S&W for too many reasons to list, and size because it's small enough to carry concealed, large enough that many departments use it for duty weapons, and I'm shooting 6" groups at 75 feet. I went to the gun store anf purchased a used P229, but even then I researched at the store... I checked out all the used and some new weapons they had, and chose mine because of it's lack of internal wear and minimal barrel and finish wear. I've never had a problem with it, and it's the most accurate and reliable handgun I've ever shot.

Now with my newly acquired Spas-12, things were slightly different. I saw it at the gun store, negotiated price, and then went home and researched it. Went back and bought it the next day. Such a fun purchase...

Currently I'm researching AR's, so you can guess what my next purchase will be....
 
It's a combination of things for em.

I like the classics. 1911s, older wheelguns, single actions, and most recently have been seduced by cap & ball revolvers. So when I get the itch, I already know, at least vaguely, what I'm looking for. Sometimes I have a plan. Sometimes I go looking, hoping to find "something interesting". The only thing I know for sure is that impulse buys almost never work out for me.
 
There's a few reasons:

1. Because it's a damn sexy (cute) gun and it's been featured in a lot of gun advertisements (the movies)
2. Because of those stupid California laws like SB 489 telling me to buy what I can NOW.
3. Reading about them on THR. :neener:
 
Is it impulse....damn that feels good in my hand no matter what it costs?
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Many times, yes. I have gone into gunshops intending to get one thing, got home and realized that somehow I bought something else.

Is it caliber, Dude, have you seen the "your new fantasy cannon here?"
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Not yet, but I am getting a hankering for a 45-70 BFR or maybe a .500 S&W. The .500 is about as exotic as I care to get. I want to be able to afford to go shooting.

Is it gun rag endorsement?
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Most times, a gun rag will think anything is the best ever made. Endorsements? Couldn't care less. I do like to look at the pictures, though.

Is it budget?
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Depends on what you mean by budget. Budget as in "How much money I have" is always a consideration. Budget as in inexpensive, here's my experience: I've gotten several that were budget and am very happy with. Makarovs, Polish P-64, Arcus-94, FEG PJK-9HP (I think that's the model - copy of BHP is what I mean). All have given exceptional service. Only thing I got cheap that I didn't like was a Golan .40SW. Too big, too blocky. No complaints other than the fact that it didn't like reduced power "target" .40 reloads.

Is it just a ZEN sense of...this one just spoke to me...buy me, I will put you on target.
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Haven't really had that happen yet.

Is it caliber?
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Most times I prefer 9mm with a smattering of .45s and .40s thrown in for good measure. My carry guns are pretty stable, so most of my stuff is largely for range work.

Is it research?
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Most of the time. I decide I like something, then read everything I can on it. Including several firearms boards like this one. Great sources of info.

OR...Is it freedom like....y'know, nowhere else in the world am I free to use a 50BMG for varmint hunting out to 3000+ yards?
Click to expand...

This is a little out of my budget for a while, but sure, I'd like to try it. :D
 
Attraction sells me. I don't buy a pistol based on looks alone, but I won't buy an otherwise good pistol if it doesn't appeal to my eyes. I don't own good pistols like Glocks and Rugers because they don't appeal to me.
 
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