Who cares about pistol prices??

Ex. Right now I really want a specific 1911 that runs $900, however, a Glock 19 and a threaded barrel would still leave me enough money for a bunch of ammo, or for a tax stamp for a suppressor.... Hard call.

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This is what I did last week. I was going to purchase a Kimber Covert for $1300 but, than thought about it and bought a S&W 686 .357 plus ammo plus a Milt Sparks holster and CT laser grips for my Sig 229 plus a Harris bi-pod for my AR for about the same amout...So I still got what I wanted just different stuff

I'm totally onboard with lvcat2004 on this one.

I've been purchasing guns for a long time; most of them when it was tough to save an extra $50/month. Still, my thinking hasn't changed: a price difference of even $800 has never been a deterrent to buying the gun I wanted. It just meant that I had to save longer. I've always prioritized my purchases by what I wanted rather than price.

I guess that's why I've only sold one handgun that I've bought (a duplicate) ever in over 20 years and I've never had buyers remorse. Now, with ammo prices sky high - and gun prices sure to follow soon - a few hundred over the life of the pistol seems a small price to pay for happiness. [I also understand that for many, saving money in the purchase is a big part of the equation and a necessary ingredient for their happiness.]

The only exception that I can think of to my philosophy was a Korth. I wanted one, but it was retailing for almost $3,000 back in '93 and I already owned a Python so I considered it frivolous. There were other guns I wanted much more so the extra $2000+ didn't make sense. But I wouldn't have blinked about saving and sacrificing to get one if that's what I really wanted. What I'm getting at is I didn't compromise because of the dough.

I'm thinking that those "expensive" guns we're looking and talking about right now that are $300 to $400 more than Brand X are only going to get more expensive. Something to keep in mind if you're putting off that purchase for "someday".

BTW, I just saw a Korth on Gunbroker. I'm thinking I should'a ponied up back in '93. Yeow!

http://www.forthehunt.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=96410087

I think being frugal is a factor for many of us. Sometimes what you want isn't what you need or would settle for.

Sure, I'd like to have a HK P7...but I'll settle for used SIG P6 for less than half the price. $300 buys a lot of ammo. Both are high quality 9mm pistols. Both are 8+1. Both go bang with equal aplomb.

Of course I should have bought a P7 20 years ago, then I wouldn't have this 'problem'.

Like any of these polls, this doesn't have an other response. Price matters if we are talking about the same gun. If, however, we are talking different makes and models we have to look at specifics. If I can get a Taurus that lives up to the same features and durability of a Springfield for a savings of $150 or more then I'm going with the Taurus. If I am looking for a good gun and the cheaper versions just don't measure up I don't care if it's $500 more, I'm buying what will give me the best reliability and service for the dollar. It's not just about money. Saving $200 on a gun that is prone to failure when your life could depend on it is just plain stupid.

If I want something I'll scrimp and save to buy it. But that doesn't mean that price doesn't matter to me. I have three pistols--a Ruger 22/45, a Kimber Custom II, and a Les Baer Concept II. The Ruger and Kimber were bought new, but I looked around for the best price. The Baer was LNIB and I saved almost $500 buying used. While I am willing to spend money I won't spend any more than I have to.

Price does matter~!

Do I need a Wilson or a Nighthawk?? No. It's nothing that my Colt or STI can't do. And the price is very considerable. I have wife and kids, but it's something I'd like to have. So it's something I'll be saving for.

Never be afraid to buy quality.

I think maybe the poll would be more accurate if it accounted for different income groups. Someone who makes $50,000 a year with a family would be much different from someone making $100,000 whose single.

That being said I voted for #2 since it's just me and my wife(no kids) with a double income household I could pretty much get what I want if I feel it's worth the money

I don't care how much it costs as long as it works. Unfortunately there is a only a weak correlation between function and cost.

I dont compare price if I am comparing apples to oranges but if it is a question of how much two identical apples cost then I most certainly am looking for a bargain.

I do care.

But, it does not affect my choice. My choice being expensive only means it will take longer for me to get it, unless it's for something other than personal security.

If it's "just for fun" gun, then that's another story.

When you make $400 last year and have to save up a bit to buy a crate of instant noodles...pistol prices matter.

It depends..

I am stationed in CA. Everything here is rediculous expensive.
But guns are even worse. I haven't bought anything since I got here in 06 and probably won't until I leave.
If I were somewhere else price would matter but only to the point of comparison shopping. If I wanted a 1911 say, and a Kimber cost 150 or so more than a Springfield armory and I got the same thing, I would go with the Springfield.
But If I were getting a FAL I would spring the extra cash for the DSA vs. the Enterprise.

i know i care but that's just because i am a college student with no money and loans piling on top of me.

I was at my favorite gun store and saw a S&W Sigma in either 9mm or .40 for something like $279 after rebate. The salesman took it out of the display case, and let me try it. I was simply not impressed, and the salesman was not either. He was in agreement with me that I'm simply not at a point in time where cheaply made firearms are going to make me happy, and that I'm simply going to regret my purchase and end up simply putting the Sigma in the back of the safe only to be taken out every once in a while.

We both agreed that I would be better off waiting until I have the money to guy a Glock, an M&P, a Sig or an H&K. I am going to agree with him on that one. I have only bought one gun new, the rest have been used but in good condition. I go there and look about once or twice a month to see if anything new comes in. Sometimes new things come in, other times its pretty much the same stuff.

But when $150-250 means the difference between settling for something and enjoying it for your lifetime, its worth waiting for the nicer gun. The same can be said about cars, computers, or whatever long term purchase you might make including appliances. $100 extra for the nicer Refrigerator is worth it if you will use the extra features.

I think maybe the poll would be more accurate if it accounted for different income groups. Someone who makes $50,000 a year with a family would be much different from someone making $100,000 whose single.

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+

But, it does not affect my choice. My choice being expensive only means it will take longer for me to get it, unless it's for something other than personal security.

If it's "just for fun" gun, then that's another story.

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+1 to those, ever talk to a Golfer? A loaded with all irons, woods, and wedges, etc. plus golf bag can cost the equivilant of many Wilsons Combats all custom tuned to your body and shooting style, but since their guns they're different. It depends if this is truely a hobby or some self defense/hunting tools. To me its quickly becoming a hobby so more $.

though most guns that i want i can maybe not afford i get them anyway and make up for it later, but there are some guns out there that i know i might want them more than anything else ever but i know better than to spend the money on it.

I don't support companies that charge more than they should for a product. Why should a 1911 with a few options cost $2000? Why? Why? Show me the justification and I want to know how much that pistol cost to manufacture.

I live in CA and I'm relatively poor but I've managed to build a large collection by shopping for deals religiously and being educated enough on guns to know what a deal is when I see one.

That said I have let $50 and even sometimes $25 too much break a deal many times on guns that I just didn't have to have, most guns these days to me.

If I didn't, I'd not be able to afford as many guns.

I make few gun purchases and like when I buy a car they are usually preceded by a lengthy research process. But once I get my heart set on it...its on.

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In addition to what I said earlier, this is also very much the case. I will buy used if it's feasible for savings, but if it has to be new, or if the used market is small, I will save to that point.

free money!

If 100-200 dollars is not alot to you, then PM me and I will give you my address and you can send me your 100-200 dollars extra that you dont need. That goes for everyone on the internet!

Free money!
If 100-200 dollars is not alot to you, then PM me and I will give you my address and you can send me your 100-200 dollars extra that you dont need. That goes for everyone on the internet!

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+1!!!

I wish I had thought of that. :banghead:

I don't support companies that charge more than they should for a product. Why should a 1911 with a few options cost $2000? Why? Why? Show me the justification and I want to know how much that pistol cost to manufacture.

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I see this a lot if you look at how some are made Kimbers do their checkering by machine yes they have a few models that are hand fitted but they start to get into the $1000 range. Les Baer does most buy file and hand.

My time is expensive and I expect the same of theirs. If you file on the front strap of my gun for 5hrs how much time does the rest take. Once you add up 10 people putting in 2-15hrs. a piece if you sell that gun for $500 dollars you probably are not going to have very good work coming out of your shop. nor would you be able to pay for your equipment, utilities or anything else.

So to pay $2000 for a 1911 I can see where the extra dollars go.

As for does it matter on how much a gun cost yes and no.

If it a gun that I want then that is what I will get. It might take me a little while longer to get it but I am not going to settle for something that will only make me still want what I want. Even if the gun that I buy is a good gun. I will still want the other.

I do shop around find the best deal. I will buy a Model that has a different safety or a different grip to save a few buck. But these are things that I can change out myself and sometimes save money doing it. If it doesn't save money doing it this way then save the money in your pocket til you can get what you want.

Heck a bicycle will get you from point A to point B, But most save up and drive cars.

$100 does not matter. $200 will get on the radar screen and depending on the overall price of a gun may affect the purchase.

The way I look at buying stuff is it is just a trade. I trade money for a product. The more I spend the better (more) product I get. So while I am paying more I am also getting more. Question then becomes do I need more (better) for the task at hand or does the extra $ really buy me anything, or just 1) stuff I don't need, or 2) a name brand.

I agree with what what has been said about getting the best price on a particular MODEL of firearm. Some gun stores act like I should be happy to pay $100-$200 more for a particular gun just for the pleasure of them letting me do business with them. *Cough* Gander Mountain *Cough*

That said I'm not going to buy a pot-metal Jennings because its cheaper then my Glock 17.