Researching vs. Impulse Buys

If it seems ridiculously cheap for what it is, I'll impulse buy. Got my High Standard Sentinel for $50 OTD a few years back, that way.

Otherwise, it gets researched. Return policy is generally nonexistant on firearms and I'm not loaded enough to blow $400+ on something that ends up shooting minute-of-barn or producing frequent clicks instead of bangs.

In the past, I've tended to buy on impulse. After selling a number of guns that just weren't for me, I've realized that research is the way to go, EXCEPT in the case of "Wow that's a neat looking old gun!" where the deal may go away quickly. Snagged a Beaumont-Vitali, Martini-Henry, and Swiss Vetterli that way...

I research things, seeing that I have more time than money. Unfortunately though (in some cases), I may tend to go overboard and do too much research. I often find (for me, at least), that it's possible to be armed with so much information re: caliber, twist rates, bbl lengths and contours, bullet weights/construction, and brand and model variations, etc., that I might just as well have made my decision by coin-flip and thus saved myself an enormous amount of time and sometimes post-purchase 2nd guessing.
Like I wrote in another post recently, I have often studied reloading manuals seeking the perfect 6mm caliber. Then I find that the 257 Weatherby looks pretty good in comparison. Before I know it, I'b debating the merits of the .338 superJesus and 378 magnums. Then I realize how ridiculous I'm being... I don't wanna shoot one of these; it's only a whitetail !! And I start allll over again. Heck, I've gone as high as the 460WM before, wondering, "can I download it to 45/70 pressures (I've been assured that I cannot do so safely).

I have to research my purchases. I want to make sure that if I spend money on it, I'll want to keep it. I don't want the trouble of buying something then not being happy with it and have to sell it. Once I buy it, that's the end of the road for the gun; it's HOME is with me.

I do both, three of my last five purchases have been impulse and I am very glad I did so. Got a Swiss K-31 with a fantastic stock, a Swede 96/38 , 1900 with two digit serial number, and a good Savage 99 in 300 Savage with Weaver K-4 with dot reticule.

I'm largely an impulse buyer, and sometimes it doesn't work out. Then again, most of the time it does, if it doesn't, I just sell the piece.

Most of the time, I have something particular in mind when I walk into a gun shop. The first thing I do is check out the used counter for handguns and the used rack for rifles. After years of visiting places like the High Road, I have enough basic knowledge to spot a potentially collectible firearm or at least a good value when it's in front of me. So if there isn't anything of interest in the way of something secondhand, I will likely pursue what was on my mind when I walked through the door. I always have 4 or 5 guns high enough on my wish list so that finding something that that I want is rarely an issue. If I am unsure of a purchase, and I think it won't be available for long, I will put it on layaway until I can think about it a bit longer. If I decide it's not for me, I roll over the deposit onto something I do want. The store owner sells a gun and I get something I wanted; everyone is happy.

Well both really. When I was looking for a precision rifle for 100 yard shooting I spent a long time researching, looking at used guns for sale, new guns for sale, took about 3 months before I finally bought a 12FV.

But I was walking around a gun show one day and saw a scruffy Sako A III Mannlicher stocked rifle in '06 for $400 and snatched it up. Now another '06 is really the last thing I need, but a little stock refinishing and it turned in to a really nice rifle.

Every time I've bought on impulse, I've paid too much. The last impulse buy was on of those HK P7 police trade-ins. Having wanted a P7 for years and being prevented from buying one due to the high prices they always commanded, I thought the almost $900 price tag was a pretty good deal. Then I got home with it, looked on the web, and found out that I'd, once again, paid too much on impulse. I've never bought a crappy gun that way, just paid crappy prices.

i should have voted other


research then buy on impulse.

case in point. recently i was trying to decide if i should buy a norinco or sistema .45. did research on both walked into a shop and got an sw1911

Impulse? Is that a new kind of gun? Gotta do a search.

Impulse? Is that a new kind of gun? Gotta do a search.

guns cost to much money to take a chance on getting something you are disapointed in. i dont generally spend weeks or months researching prospects before i buy, but i definitly have a very good idea of what i want before i go in to purchase. but no matter what i think i want, the bottom line is finding a gun that fits me, and has the features i want, in the price range i want to pay. sometimes, i have to pay a little more to get the gun i feel is the best one suited for me. sometimes, i get lucky, and find a bargain.. i dont think i have ever bought a gun that i was dissatisfied with. i have grown tired of a few, and sold them. or they no longer fit my needs, and sold those too. and i have sold some just because of money issues. that sucks! but overall, i am pretty happy with what i have. i want one more rifle (at least at this point) but money is tight right now, so it will have to wait. besisdes, i haven't really found what i am looking for anyway. this one will be a months and months research project.

Doing the research for a purchase makes it more fun. Learning about what you are looking to buy ensures you will be satisfied. Of course there is the impuls buy of an item I have been looking for, for a long time. When you come across that great deal you have to get it when you can.

When I want a gun as a tool, I'll research. I am fortunate to be old enough and have enough disposable income that I have all the tools that I feel are necessary.

Then there is my hobby: Collecting antique pocket pistols. Cheap as they can be, there isn't enough money to satisfy that want. Strange and curious make them all the more attractive, and they are relatively uncommon, so I jump when I get the chance.
-BothellBob

I buy then research ! J/K. I usually do alot of research before buying, but if I am at a gun show and see something tha'ts too good to pass up, I usually buy. But again...I wont buy something I know nothing about.

Both, on the same gun. The Imbel kit was an impulse buy, I saw the kit for $125 and figured I might as well buy one while they were cheap.

Researched the receiver, though, wound up having my local dealer order an Imbel for me ($179 from FAC, those were the days).

Tough choice. I do some of each.
I certainly do research on guns all of the time. When I go into a shop however, I may end up getting something different from what I was initially looking for. It may be that they don't have what I wanted, or just have a smoking deal on something else. I rarely regret a purchase, though.

I do some of both. Researched 1911's to death, generally satisfied with my RIA. On the other side I bought a Savage 29 at a gun show this year just cause I really liked it. I'd never seen one before. It looked good, fit good, the seller was a local gunsmith. I don't care that I paid too much for it. It works flawlessly is accurate and it's old, I like that too. I let 2 rifles pass me by this year because I didn't know enough about them. Mistake.