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How do you buy most of your guns:

How do you buy most of your guns:

  • It's all about form, fit & finish. I don't mind spending more for the finest materials & workmanship

    Votes: 30 42.3%

  • Race Guns all the way, Give me the sleekest, best performing components, I don't care how they look

    Votes: 3 4.2%

  • Practical Tactical, every part on the gun has a place and it is the most efficient solution there

    Votes: 32 45.1%

  • Sentimentlal Classic guns finished up to excellent standards with classic parts have done their job

    Votes: 26 36.6%

  • Military Minds think alike, give me what the military use for the task and I'm happy

    Votes: 12 16.9%

  • Economy, guns are tools that wear out and need replacing, give me an economical solution

    Votes: 15 21.1%

  • Custom for my. I like to spend my creativity making my solution truly one of a kind

    Votes: 8 11.3%
  • Total voters
    71
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I reload for most of my guns and feel I'm pretty much at the max. I've have chosen guns carefully over the years and fortunately I'm not an impulse buyer. I don't get all excited over the newest thing or trend. There are some firearms out there that I would like, but for the most part I already have something as good or better. Plus I'm retired and don't have a money tree growing in my yard. I have to buy carefully but from time to time I do.;)
 
WestKentucky said:
Heresy! Trunk monkey may be a witch, burn him.

Honestly that’s my wife’s goal for me. When she mentions it though I tell her she’s starting to sound like my ex-wife...she don’t appreciate that, probably because she’s my first wife.

So trunk monkey, 357 revolver and a shotgun is pretty much it?
Click to expand...

For my wife and I both the base piece is a Glock 19. I have a 26 and we're looking at one for her. The 19 magazine will work in both models. So we only need a few 26 magazines and everything else is the 19 magazine.

The Next Step would be a couple of Glock 43s and we only have to buy 1 caliber ammunition and three kinds of magazines for all our self defense handgun needs.

The last step would be a Glock 22 as a just in case along with the new Ruger PCC in .40 S&W set up.for Glock magazines.

2 calibers/ four kinds of magazines.

An M14 for long range defense/hunting

3 Calibers/five kinds of magazines.

We have a couple other pistols and rifles that we couldn't sell without taking a loss so we'll probably keep them but we're not going to invest any more money in them and ammunition for them.would be low priority
 
While I was never whimsical with my gun buying Y2K brought a more focused approach. When CC was passed in my state a need was created that after 10 years I’m still refining.

But after all is said and done I’ve got what I need and enough of what I want to be satisfied.
 
I can't decide how to vote. This thread made me realize that I really don't know exactly what my criteria is for purchasing a gun. Sometimes I have to examine a gun and see if it "speaks to me". Then the little voice in my head starts rationalizing all the factors involved in purchase, ownership, usage, etc.. Sometimes it's because of a "what the heck;........ It's cool !!!" moment. Had one of those moments back in July when a Ruger PC carbine was handed to me at the LGS. Never owned or shot anything like a pistol caliber carbine and thought it would be cool so I jumped on it. Glad I did; as I really like it, otherwise it would probably just be for sale now.
 
When I first began accumulating guns I didn't have any plan at all. I just bought what ever appealed to me. I ended up all over the map on calibers and I was so busy buying guns that it never occurred to me to stock up on magazines for the guns I bought. If I had 3 magazines and a box or 2 of ammunition for a given gun that was a lot.

Two things happened that changed my outlook. The first was The Great Obama Ammo Famine. The second was the magazine capacity restrictions law (That no one thought would pass) in Colorado.

Overnight the magazines I had on hand for my Mini 14 and my M&P 9 where all I was ever going to legally own.

Ammunition was scarce or only available at ridiculously inflated prices for years.

At some point I decided that I was never going to be caught flat footed like that ever again and I sat down and came up with a plan.

With the exception of 2 guns that I'd bought in private sales (No 4473) I sold off every gun I owned amd put the money into Glocks' ammunition and magazines.

I'm not going to discuss numbers but we have an ammunition envelope and a magazine envelope and a Glock envelope and we watch the sales and when ever we can we buy a case of 9mm or 2 or 3 magazines or the next Glock on our list.
 
I start with a worksheet that includes what I am interested in. I also have a worksheet that is my short-list. The interested list will typically have an entry for why it isn't on my shortlist. An example would be like this:
Pedersoli Rifle (Double) Kodiak Express MK VI .58 Muzzle-load 010S661540 1,400 Too expensive for the amount of use I expect it to see
Click to expand...

Whereas my short list might look like this:
Ruger Rifle (bolt) 77/44 .44 Rem Mag 7401 680 2
CZ-USA Rifle (bolt) CZ 455 American .22 LR 2110 350 1 (this item has a strike-through, that is because it is now listed on the "owned" sheet)
Click to expand...

The number on the end of the shortlist items lists my preference. As you can see, #1, the CZ is fulfilled, now the Ruger is at the top of the list. For a gun to move from the, "interested list" to the short-list I will read a lot of reviews and give it a lot of thought.

I realize it seems very convoluted; but it helps me to stay focused when I see something interesting.
 
I buy what I want. Some purchases fit into your choices but many don't. The only one I wouldn't select is custom.

Since I was limited to 2 selections I picked "form fit and finish" and "sentimental classics". Most of the guns that I buy with the intention of holding onto are well made classics like Hi-Powers, 1911's, and S&W revolvers. I also prefer steel and aluminum framed guns over plastic.

But it really boils down to price and value. I've bought many guns just because I could get them for 60-75% of their worth and I just wanted fondle them in my own home and put a few hundred round through them before selling for a profit or trading up to something else.
 
I don't set out to buy guns. They just follow me home from the store.

Seriously, I've bought presentation grade rifles on impulse, yet spent weeks shopping to save five bucks on a 10/22. I just fall for what moves me in the moment. I've had days when I've woken up and had an irresistible urge to buy a gun--any gun (and have naturally yielded to temptation). I've also waited 15 years for a hand-built custom air rifle to be delivered.

As I've gotten older (matured?) my acquisitions have slowed, as I've grown to take more pleasure from all the fine guns I already own.
 
If we are talking a handgun-then performance and reliability all the way. If my life is dependent on it then its got to be the best of the best that i can afford. I don't need a Kimber or Les Bear but a S&W, Sig or Springfield will suffice.
Target and hunting guns-I have everything from a synthetic stock, stainless barrel and receiver to blued and wood. One thing i never understood is why guys like the walnut, high shine and checkered rifles to deer hunt with? I took my Marlin 1895 out last year and scratched it up just walking to the stand. Ill let it get a couple more and throw my buddy $50 to refinish the stock. I really don't go into a store looking for the prettiest gun. I go in there after reading reviews and information for months and see how it fits me and if there is 1 thing I don't like about I will walk away. I have a 22lr i don't touch because the trigger is terrible! It fits great and looks good but IMO its junk!

P.S. Thanks now im going to drive myself crazy reassessing my guns thinking i need something better! It took me a month to stop doing that the last time! :)
 
ohihunter2014 said:
One thing i never understood is why guys like the walnut, high shine and checkered rifles to deer hunt with?
Click to expand...
Some guys do it for the brag value, those arent usually the sort ive met tho.
Mostly its guys who just REALLY like the way a particular rifle, shotgun, pistol looks and feels. On the top end a well fitted custom rifle dosent have to be fancy, but for some folks spending the extra 2-5k on getting the exact wood, finish, and metal work they want makes them happy, and it makes ME happy to see those firearms being used.

I dont generally like high gloss on top end wood. I prefer a nicely finished oil rubbed stock, but with the correct checkering/engraving and metal work, high gloss can completely change the dynamic of the stock/firearm.

I usually have no reason to hunt, other than its very much a part of who I am, so my hunting guns arent tools exactly, they are an extension of that part of my personality. Carrying a beautiful piece of equipment, can and HAS, made a day out and about much more pleasant.
Im also broke enough, and live in a harsh enough environment that Ive only owned one very nice rifle, which I sold to fund a new car. I dont miss that gun, because ill buy another one of similar quality when I can afford to.

I spend a lot more time tinkering, and modifying than i do shooting or hunting these days tho, so Im happy with guns that are cheaper and rougher.

Im also a rifle guy, I shoot shotguns, and handguns, but they dont really feel like "MINE", so im less likely to want a fancy shotgun or handgun.
 
I have no real rubric other than, “Can I afford it without bumping against our fixed monthly expenses.” This is also known as, “Will the wife strangle me in my sleep because I spent too much on XX.”

I think my last four gunstore purchases were a Glock 17L and an LCP II (on the same day), a Ruger PC 9 carbine and an American bolt action in .22 WMR. No real overlap, none were truly necessary, but all met the above financial criteria and filled a void in my firearms psyche that I wanted filled. ;)

Stay safe!
 
Other than the "custom" checkbox, I think I could check them all. Shooting is such a vast hobby. Not sure what the op is going for here. For instance, a Sig P320 would cover Tactical, Military, and Economy - haha.
 
460Shooter said:
I'm about functionality, durability, and need.

But it can't be a hideous pile. There are two many options to buy ugly guns.

I figure out what I need, then what I want of the options that will fill that need, then I save my pennies.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself.
 
LoonWulf said:
Some guys do it for the brag value, those arent usually the sort ive met tho.
Mostly its guys who just REALLY like the way a particular rifle, shotgun, pistol looks and feels. On the top end a well fitted custom rifle dosent have to be fancy, but for some folks spending the extra 2-5k on getting the exact wood, finish, and metal work they want makes them happy, and it makes ME happy to see those firearms being used.

I dont generally like high gloss on top end wood. I prefer a nicely finished oil rubbed stock, but with the correct checkering/engraving and metal work, high gloss can completely change the dynamic of the stock/firearm.

I usually have no reason to hunt, other than its very much a part of who I am, so my hunting guns arent tools exactly, they are an extension of that part of my personality. Carrying a beautiful piece of equipment, can and HAS, made a day out and about much more pleasant.
Im also broke enough, and live in a harsh enough environment that Ive only owned one very nice rifle, which I sold to fund a new car. I dont miss that gun, because ill buy another one of similar quality when I can afford to.

I spend a lot more time tinkering, and modifying than i do shooting or hunting these days tho, so Im happy with guns that are cheaper and rougher.

Im also a rifle guy, I shoot shotguns, and handguns, but they dont really feel like "MINE", so im less likely to want a fancy shotgun or handgun.
Click to expand...
Don’t get me wrong I like the wood and prefer it as most my stuff is wood but I’ve fallen and dented a stock and scratched it so I stay away from extra $ for a nice stock.
 
ohihunter2014 said:
Don’t get me wrong I like the wood and prefer it as most my stuff is wood but I’ve fallen and dented a stock and scratched it so I stay away from extra $ for a nice stock.
Click to expand...
Thats cool, everyone is different on what they are comfortable with.
Im happy to have dents and dings on my rifles. If they get bad enough ill send them off to get refinished. Functional art is only functional if your willing to use it.
For other people that might not be acceptable, and I totally understand that.
 
Find good deals, pay cash. I have a soft spot for old .22’s and anything I don’t have a few of.
 
According to the liberals all you have to do is just walk down any street in Murica! and guns are laying everywhere - especially those evil military grade assault weapons. I used to work a lot of gun shows and I swear a lot of GREAT guns were bought and sold out in the parking lot. I bought and sold a few myself that way. Most of the time that I would take one of my used guns to a show to walk around with a sign and sell it - I never even made it to the door before someone bought it. "Whaddya got there man?" I loved it. No 4473 crap - no NICS - no hassle. Murica!!! I love owning guns that have no trail of paperwork on them.
 
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