1st cheap-then upgrade-why?

[chicharrones]

Interesting statement. I have a Ruger Single Six .22LR/Mag revolver with the 6" barrel that I have used occasionally for hunting. Once, I had to take a shot at a squirrel 10-12 yds. away using only my strong hand (rt.) as I was balancing the 12 ga. in my left. One shot w/ iron sights, right through his throat. This gun has never had any modifications done to it nor do I see any need for them.

It depends doesn't it.

After many months of time with my 9.5" barreled Single Six (years ago), I did a trigger job on it by reducing the sear engagement on the hammer and bending the trigger return spring legs for less pressure. That plus a larger grip to offset the muzzle weight made that gun much better than out of the box.

I almost forgot, I had to polish the chambers on both cylinders with that Single Six after the first outing as cartridges wouldn't seat fully after 2 or 3 cylinders full being fired. That was a huge help for me actually liking that gun.

I did similar work to my GP100 trigger and hammer mechanicals recently after owning it in stock condition for a couple decades. If I would have had more knowledge about the GP100 back in the day, I probably would have done that work back then.

What I like about the Ruger revolvers is it is relatively easy to do some basic work to compared to some guns.

 

[Teachu2]

Sometimes cheap IS good enough. I killed hundreds of squirrels with a cheap 6x scope on an inexpensive rifle.

 

[JohnBiltz]

If you are starting a sport, say shooting clays. You don't know if you are going to like it or stick with it for long. Much better to pick up a Remington pump than a 20 to 30,000 double barrel. The wife will never let you forget that thing is sitting in the gun safe. There is a reason for the term "entry level". I would say the same thing about a carry. You can research all you want but until you live with one for a time you really don't know what you don't know. I'd bet 95% of the people on this board who carry are not carrying what they started carrying with. And the reason was not to upgrade to quality, it was because they changed their mind on what they needed. They started carrying with a service sized gun and it got too heavy or started with a LCP and decided they wanted more gun. They went from a revolver to an auto or back the other way.

 

[Manny]

Most times it comes down to really thinking through what you need/want in a firearm and then researching what best meets those needs and then having the discipline to work/save to get whatever firearm that is and don't get distracted into spending your money on "better deals" that don't meet your criteria. It is virtually never a better deal to buy a gun knowing that it will need significant upgrades to meet your criteria. Spending more up front for a better quality gun that meets your needs/wants from the start is nearly always a better way to go. I have never regretted spending what I needed to for a quality weapon or tool, I've nearly always regretted getting something lessor.

 

[Jesse H]

Depends on the intended use.

Many of my weapons serve as defense or duty use, so I always "buy once, cry once" with them.

But because of being accustomed to quality gear that's reliable and durable, I won't skimp and go with cheap stuff. I won't put $1500 glass on a .22 rifle, but I'm not going to find one at Walmart either.

 

[WestKentucky]

I try to buy lower in the midrange stuff. Scopes are a great example. Could I buy leupold or Nikon? Sure could but that glass does the same thing and doesn't do it any better. It may be clearer but it doesn't make the gun shoot better, and I could buy ncstar, or Burris, but they have not held up on the guns I have gotten with them on it (all traded into or bought used). So if I buy, I buy Tasco. Affordable unit from a company I trust based on my experience.

Similar in reloading dies...I buy Lee because they are cheap and they work.

When it comes to guns I read a lot of reviews. I don't typically just fly off the handle and buy indescriminately. I try to go With the Ss in handguns...Smith, Sig, Sturm Ruger, Springfield...but if reviews are good (model specific) I will gladly buy a Taurus or other "budget" gun. Rifles...I'm picky.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Back when I was young and relatively poor---I bought a Browning A-bolt on sale with the intention of going deer hunting-----the season was coming up fast and I still needed a scope for the rifle------I didn't have much money for a scope plus I needed money to go hunting---not to mention I had just bought a rifle.

I found a new old stock Redfield 4x scope for $99 --mounted it---sighted in and went hunting----by the next season that rifle wore a Leupold 3x9x40----that old Redfield still gets used on a .22 rifle.

Never much saw the benefit of a full conversion on a 10/22---my 10/22s are stock except for scopes and the VQ hammer mod.

 

[Reefinmike]

Im pretty sure this happens with nearly everybody in the world regardless of the items being purchased. Cheap out and get a cheap product only to replace it later with one that wont ever need replacing.

I quit buying taurus and other low end firearms after a horrible customer service experience with a taurus tcp that was shipped to taurus 5 times for repair over the course of 1.5 years. Turnaround time was 2+ months each time I sent it in. Since then, I have ponied up the extra $100-200 for nicer, well known manufacturers that actually stand behind their products.

I dont have any problem spending more on a gun considering I spend more on reloading components to keep the gun going bang.