Firearm Quality Variation and Should I Compromise During Shortage?

[JeremiahJohnson]

Hello all,

This is my first real post here other than in the Introduction thread.

I'm looking to be a first-time buyer eventually here. Then I found out I didn't exactly pick the most consumer friendly time to be doing so, haha.

Anyway, I had my eye on a Ruger American bolt action, but apparently those are pretty popular.

So, I have two questions:

(1) Would you advise a new gun buyer to settle for a reasonable alternative make/model they can get their hands on instead of waiting?

(2) This is a very broad question, but how much variance in quality is there within the various types of guns? I.e., would you say, for example, 70% are decent and perfectly fine, 15% are exceptional, 15% are junk, etc? Let's keep it to new/never-used guns. There are some product classes where most of what's out there is pretty good, then there are other product classes where it's all over the board. Where would you say firearms fall in this area?

 

[Hartkopf]

I would recommend settling on a decent quality gun at first while you look for the “perfect” gun. Then demote the first gun to back up or truck gun or whatever when you find what you really want. And you never know when you’ll end up really liking the cheapo. (Like my $189 Maverick shotgun)


If you buy a very high quality brand, you get a little less variation. In my case, I have several Glocks and I’m really impressed with the quality and consistency of each one. Ruger can be great but sometimes you might have to send one back for a fix. I’ve had good luck with Ruger though. I would say overall, firearms have a good bit of variation.

 

[reddog81]

2 questions and both are kind of tough to give definitive answers.

1. I'd say wait a little while and buy what you want. The market for guns is bouncing back and last few times I've been in shops the selection was better than any point in time over the last 16 months. A Ruger American shouldn't be too hard to find. What caliber are you looking for? I have a 300 Blackout and 450 Bushmaster. I like them and feel like both are good guns for what they are. I know I've seen 6.5 Grendal, 350 Legend and 450 BM recently in Scheels. However, I don't think I've ever seen a 5.56 in person.

2. I think any answer will be dependent on specific brands and highly variable depending on who's answering the question. I have S&W revolvers from every decade going back to the 1880's. Some people will claim all the new ones are junk. For the most part I've found the new ones I've bought to be about on par with the older guns and there are guns being made today that were never available decades ago. A lot of the "plastic" guns being made today have less room for error built into the manufacturing process. If someone told me that 15% of Glocks are junk I'd be highly skeptical of anything else they say, but of course there are people who think all Glocks are junk, so there's that... I think most firearm manufacturers fall into the category of producing guns in the acceptable to good range. I feel Ruger is easily in that range and generally a good value. Any of the generally poor quality products can be rooted out with a few minutes of research online. With the internet I think it's harder for manufacturers to pass off junk onto consumers

 

[MedWheeler]

It all depends on what the gun is going to be for, and how urgent that purpose is. If it's gonna be a deer gun and season is eight months off, you've got a bit of time to shop around. If you were looking for a gun for home or self defense, then you might be wanting something sooner and might accept a lower-cost decent option over what you had in mind.

I'd say, for new guns, more than ninety percent of those priced at or above $250 are going to be serviceable out of the box, and will fulfill the purpose for which they are built. Below that price point, that rate falls to about 75 percent, above $150. What's left below $150 (in these times) is almost not worth mentioning, except the .22LR rifles and a couple of shotgun models.

One (of many) good things about guns is that, most of the time, they can be turned back into cash easily, and usually can recoup a higher portion of their initial purchase price (as long as it wasn't ridiculously inflated) than many other consumer products can, even after several years or more.

Also, scope out ammunition availability for your desired choice before you decide. You're gonna want to shoot it, after all.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I've purchased several guns during these crazy times. I've paid top dollar for probably all of them...but I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it.. and chose not to let price be the determining factor. If you can live with that..then get the gun you really want.

 

[CapnMac]

Your best bet may be to haunt the LGS (local gun store--store in this context) used gun racks. Pawn shops can also be good places to look.
People sell (or consign) rifles for any number of reasons, so, it's possible to get what you want after someone else has tried it out and found it did not meet their needs (that's how I got a good deal on a Ruger American Rifle in .243).

One of the signs that this recent debacle is fading is the very presence of used guns in stores. I saw a nice Remington in 7mm08 at my LGS the other day, and was tempted, especially for having decent glass already installed. But, it was not enough of a deal--for me--others might differ.

But, if you have something picked out, then wait for it. Even if you get something else now, you'll still want that specific item when it does become available.

 

[Tirod]

Over time - those of us who have some under our belts - you discover every manufacture has a quality cycle and that it goes up and down. They also have a cycle where they introduce new models with leading edge features, then over years grow stale and even decline.

Holding companies sometimes gain control and then who knows what happens. Of recent note they just bleed the cash ouf ot a good brand, force value engineering into a product, then abandon them. If they sell off the parts, you can only hope the new owners keep its identity rather than dismantling it for cash.

At best you can get a snapshot in time of who's ahead and who's behind. After last year it's been difficult to sort well simply because if it can push a bullet down the barrel it will sell. Another more subtle and difficult issue is that there are companies who offer services to place positive - or negative - post in media to influence the public's opinion. Read some of the more controversial issues in the last five years and there is a definite trend among some major brands to exploit campaigns to disparage competitors. The issue doesn't even have to exist, just complaints manufactured to slur the competitor.

The same companies who hire out for politics.

Here's the deal: you have to sort thru it on your own. Ask if Brand X is any decent and dozens pile in with reports of the lousy QC, impossible Customer Service, etc yet you eventually realize that most of the comments are based on 5 year old events and the maker is actually now putting out the best they ever have. Only the newer owners can report that information and the older ones are still mired in grudges over past problems unrelated to the present.

Case in point, Smith and Wesson was purchased by a British corporation who invented and held patent rights on a locking mechanism for revolver triggers, at which point they manufactured them and put them on the market. Right in the middle of the Clinton presidency, and the loyal buyers all raised Cain over the capitulation to the antigun administration for including the dreaded "Hillary Hole" on the gun - a port where the key could be inserted to lock the action against tampering or negligent handling by chilfren or others. Sales dropped, yet, similar options were offered on others and few even raised any issues. It was all about Smith and nobody else. You can still start a thread on Smith handguns and someone will find it to complain, decades later. But, is it really a problem? Not really. It's an emotional reaction to manipulate the market. When you look at it from the perspective of where the money goes, you begin to see the real reasons for the influencers.

By constantly churning the internet and creating division, the real issues of who's making good get trampled in the constant bickering over tribal associations and what role model is competing for the most attention this month.

It's all become so tiresome.

 

[Howland937]

Simple take. If you have your heart set on something specific, bide your time and get it.
Or get a stopgap one with the intent of getting the one you want when it becomes available, if you can afford to do so.

Quality is about as subjective as accuracy. Everyone's standards seem to differ...so again, get the one you really want. If it's new, it'll have a warranty.

 

[J-Bar]

I do not like the word “settle.”

I have no experience or comments on the Ruger American.

I think you pretty much get what you pay for.

Don’t buy any firearm until you are sure you really like it, want it, will enjoy shooting it.

 

[jmr40]

If you're looking for a bolt action centerfire rifle IMO the Ruger American is a great choice for an entry level rifle. But there are other options if you can't find a Ruger. The Savage 110 is arguably better and sells for a similar price. Locally at least I see a lot of the Savage Axis rifles. The Axis have a lot of similar design features as the Ruger and usually sell for less money. Not a personal favorite, but the Mossberg series of bolt guns have a lot of fans. Weatherby Vanguard and Howa are essentially the same rifle and have fans as well.

None of those are bad choices. None are junk, but they are budget guns. They will function just fine and probably be more accurate than you. But most are not the most aesthetically appealing. It just comes down to which features you like and how much you want to pay.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

The last few new Rugers i bought had some small Q.C issues. Nothing i couldn't fix myself. Loose front sights and roll pins creeping out. I bought a new Smith and Wesson Victory no issues and a CVA 44 mag hunter and CZ 457 no issues. Not downing Ruger. I own more Rugers than any other brand, Just something to watch for. My next rifle is going to be a CZ 527 in 7.62x39. Decided on it over a Ruger American.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Never "settle," ever, in anything.

 

[AJC1]

Simple get the ruger American that you want. I recommend the 7.62×39 because ammunition is easy to find and cheap even in these stupid times. It's a great way to get trigger time. If you intend to reload the 300 bo could also be a cheap option. Cast your own lead bullets and its arguably the cheapest option.

 

[375supermag]

Never "settle," ever, in anything.

Sound advice...

 

[bdickens]

Never "settle," ever, in anything.

Nope. You will regret it.

On the other hand, don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough, either.

 

[Frankl03]

Here's what I would do.
Purchase online: Better selection and lower price. (of course you may want to support your Lgs, great you pay more though)
If purchasing on line you will need to have the firearms shipped to an FFL near you. Guys working out off the houses are usually cheaper - $10-$20.00 Find your local FFL and ask them to send a copy of their FFL to the desired online retailer.

Good way to find your firearm online. Google search: Ruger American Rifle .308 Gun deals
The above search should bring up a listing of the desired firearm at a reasonable price. Put in the caliber of your choice.

Hope that helps!