How do you decide when to buy a gun vs more ammo, or accessories, etc?

[Warp]

How do you do it, personally?

Assumptions for this question:
-You have basic needs covered for the time being
-You are like most of us and always want this, that, and the other, it's never-ending
-Your budget is finite

So, say you have budgeted, received, set aside, built up, etc, a certain amount of $ to spend on whatever firearm(s) or related items you want. How do you decide if you buy a gun, a scope, ammo, a training course, entries into matches, etc?

Is it an organic thing where you just have an itch for XYZ at that time, so you scratch it? Is it a plan where you have a list or outline, even if rudimentary and only kept mentally, of the approximate order you wish to acquire various items and you simply work down it? Do you take a bit of quantitative approach and evaluate your firearms/spare parts, etc, and ammo on hand (or ammo + components for loaders) and decide which one gives you more marginal utility?

Just curious/idle conversation here.

For example, I recently sold a gun and everything that went with it (including all ammo in that cartridge) but could only afford to spend ~40% of the proceeds on more gun stuff. I had to decide between a replacement gun (different cartridge, similar otherwise) or a case or two of ammo for guns I already had.

On the one hand getting a new gun is more fun and exciting, because I have enough ammo I can go out and shoot as much as I want, short term, without running out. But eventually I would run out, of course, unless I bought more (ammo/components), and I don't have enough ammo to wear out probably even one firearm, let alone all of them, so that makes me want to order the ammo. But how fun/exciting is that, when it's just more of what I already hvae and when I go to the range next time nothing really changes? I also could have signed up for a nice training course using the firearms/ammo I already have. After all, being more proficient with them is both fun and practical.




How do you do it?


(my guess is most people will just get whatever they feel they want the most at that time, which doesn't follow a process, it just "is", but I'm curious)

 

[rhinoh]

Flip a coin

 

[ku4hx]

Guns are no different from sewing machines or computers. When a new model comes out that seems desirable, wife and I talk it over. Cases in point, the Ruger LC9s guns to supplement the LC9 and the Glock 42s to fill a couple of holes. If we decide we want one or more we go shopping. If we buy guns that shoot a cartridge I don't already have dies for, I get dies and things at that point.

We buy very little ammunition since I load all we regularly shoot. As a dedicated hand loaded since 1970, I keep my stock of components at a certain level and when a given minimum level is in sight for a given component, I make purchases. Buying in bulk not only saves money, it spans periods of shortages. At least has so far.

 

[coloradokevin]

I buy ammunition as I need it, and have a sufficient supply on hand for any defensive needs that may arise. I don't go crazy on buying new guns with every paycheck, but when I see a need or have a strong desire for one, I'll start considering it.

My BIG thing this year has been trying to acquire gun powder for the rifle I use the most. If you reload at all, you'll know how hard powder has been to find ever since Sandy Hook. So, when I see H4350, I buy H4350. So far that hasn't resulted in more than a six month supply of powder for me… I'm currently using it at about the same rate I'm having any luck acquiring it.

 

[Scooter22]

I look at the most important guns I have and make sure I have enough ammo to keep them working in case of emegency. The rest of the guns I have enough for fun.

 

[Kleanbore]

I bought a new firearm this year after having decided, based on experiences in an intensive training course, that it was better than the one I had. But I sold the old one.

Advice to others? Two things:

1. If you already have the firearm(s) you need, spend your money on trainig and on practice;
2. and avoid having a number of firearms that are dissimilar in terms of manual of arms, trigger pull, and so forth.

Now, all of that is aimed at the person whose firearm is for protection. Collectors will have different priorities.

 

[Schwing]

I keep a "Want" list. This isn't just for guns but for everything that I consider a non-necessity but something I want.

I re-evaluate this list every now and then. If something manages to stay at the top of the list for 3 months, I budget for it and buy it as soon as the money is available. I probably should add that reloading equipment and 5 years of supplies were on my list and bought a long time ago so, except for occassional supplies that I find on sale etc, it is all about the guns.

It keeps me from buying stuff on a whim and gives me motivation to keep extra money in my savings account.

 

[WVsig]

I buy new guns when there are deals available. Like the C69 BHP with a Bo-Mar Sight for $400 I picked up the other day.

I always try to keep some $$$ in the gun fund so that I have the cash when good deals come up.

Right now there are deals everywhere. The market has slowed and there are people who need cash for the holidays and are selling at solid prices.

As for ammo I keep enough on hand so that I am never out or lacking. I keep a few thousand rounds of the calibers I shoot.

 

[redneck2]

I have friends that have lots of guns, but either "can't afford" ammo or don't have time to shoot. I worked in the LGS for a while. Amazing how many unfired guns got traded in.

At one time I probably had seventy plus guns. Now I'm down to a couple dozen and selling more. IMO, you can only use/shoot so many. After a while it turns more into greed than need.

I've got fewer guns. All my rifles have really good scopes. And I have a killer loading set-up. I have enough components on hand to easily load over 5k rounds

If you aren't a hand loader, I'd get a GOOD set up, then get a lot of components. Then shoot. A lot.

 

[Damon555]

I buy guns when I feel like it and reloading components (don't shoot factory ammo) when I need them.....

 

[jcwit]

Guns? When they strike my fancy.

Ammo? I reload, have more components than I'll likely ever use up.

Only ammo I may ever need (?) more of is .22 rim fire match.

 

[RugerBob]

Depends I guess.
The wife and I both do cowboy action shooting. So we need to have our reloading stock for that. I cast our 45LC's. Hers and mine rifles, and my sidearms. She has 38s for side arms. We have a complete set of spare guns for said hobby. I order her 38s from MBC as 2000 ship in 1 box for 1 fee. Try and stay 3 years + stock.
I do 3 gun. Use a 45 acp side arm. Cast for that also. 223 is cheap, but am getting stock together to load for that. 12 gauge shells cheap, but have all parts for reloading them. Shot to expensive now to make own shells for that. Save it for her cowboy 12ga loads, somewhat light. Get at gun shows cheaper.
Wants are a tough call.
I want many new guns. Some for sport, some for fun range time.
I NEED my reloading powder / primers at a certain point. I load 7 grains for 45LC, therefor need 1000 large pistol primers for each pound on hand. etc.
Having powder and low on primers or visa versa doesn't compute with me. Trying to have a 3 year stock is hard in todays market.
New guns. Always wanted. After stock completed.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I'm in limbo mode right now building a new Retirement Villa with most everything in storage except reloaded ammo for range time and social in the event of. I have always been in acquisition mode as far as buying guns, but I believe that I have all I need or want right now. Components for reloading exceed my ability to reload and shoot them in the next 25 years or so. When the home is built I anticipate it will take about 3-4 months to get the reloading bench set-up along with moving things from secure storage back to the home. I am in the Planning stage right now on how to make things work as functionally as I can after the move.

 

[J-Bar]

My firearms purchases are impulsive, emotional decisions. I see a particular gun and I think, "Oh yeah!! I gotta get that!" And sometimes I do.

But only a few types turn me on...so I don't buy often. I already have what I want/need for the competitions that interest me (cowboy action and bullseye shooting) and hunting (whitetail deer and birds in the Midwest).

Keep your black guns and semi-autos. Float a nice Smith and Wesson from the '50s-'70s in front of me and I will take a long look. Let me handle a nicely balanced side by side and I will drool. Show me an old Remington 513T like I had in high school and that I had to sell to meet college expenses, and if the price is right...

 

[huntsman]

I'm very stingy when it comes to buying accessories so it's either guns or ammo and I've not seen anything that excites me gun wise, all that's left is to buy ammo.

 

[BSA1]

Now that the Banic of 2013 - 2014 has calmed down my goal in 2015 is restock mainly on powder along with some primers and brass. Although I am mainly a reloader I'll be keeping my eye out for good sales on premium self-defense ammo.

 

[readyeddy]

I buy ammo and reloading components. Shortages are inevitable, so best to prepare.

The desire to buy guns is strong, but my funds are limited so I'm sticking to "needs" for now.

 

[Reloadron]

For me reloading components and gun support items are totally different than buying another gun. Tomorrow morning we will make the trip from Cleveland down to Columbus, Ohio for the holidays. This takes us right past Cabela's. We will stop at Cabela's and I will wander to the Gun Library as I frequently do. I will be looking for older Colt Government models and revolvers as well as older S&W revolvers. If I see something I like that trips my trigger I'll consider buying it. I am about due for another gun and tis' the season right?

On the other hand anytime I am out and about if I see reloading components, or other gun accessories I want or need, I just buy the stuff, the same is true for ammunition if I see a good deal. Stuff like this hardly requires much thought or even spousal consent. Always buying ammunition and components is insurance for when things go bad as this last shortage.

Ron

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Really depends.... .22lr @ <$0.08/round is pretty much buy on sight. Guns... I still have lots of wants, but the niches they fill are getting smaller and smaller, Ive really got them covered already. I have long term plans for a few specific firearms, and barring a change in my financial situation, will probably obtain them in the next couple of years. I already find I have more guns than I have time to shoot them, however, so I dont really impulse buy guns. Right now Im more into getting more out of my range time by allowing myself to shoot more when I do make it out.

I have yet to bite the reloading bullet, even though I know I should eventually. From a purely financial standpoint, that probably should be my next purchase.... but again I go back to the time. My time off that I get to spend on me is pretty limited.... not sure I want to spend that time reloading, even if it does save me money.

 

[Warp]

I buy ammunition as I need it, and have a sufficient supply on hand for any defensive needs that may arise. I don't go crazy on buying new guns with every paycheck, but when I see a need or have a strong desire for one, I'll start considering it.

My BIG thing this year has been trying to acquire gun powder for the rifle I use the most. If you reload at all, you'll know how hard powder has been to find ever since Sandy Hook. So, when I see H4350, I buy H4350. So far that hasn't resulted in more than a six month supply of powder for me… I'm currently using it at about the same rate I'm having any luck acquiring it.

I kind of reload. I am set up but only have dies in .38spl/.357 and have only loaded several hundred so far. My short list contains dies for 9x19 and 5.56, bullets for both, and powder for 5.56. I have the supplies to load another 1,500 158 LSWC and 500 125gr JHP. I bought stuff to reload for 300 blk then bailed on buying into the cartridge so I have some powder I can't use right away, may want to find somebody local to buy it or trade it or something and get powder for what I can/will reload.

I bought a new firearm this year after having decided, based on experiences in an intensive training course, that it was better than the one I had. But I sold the old one.

Advice to others? Two things:

1. If you already have the firearm(s) you need, spend your money on trainig and on practice;
2. and avoid having a number of firearms that are dissimilar in terms of manual of arms, trigger pull, and so forth.

Now, all of that is aimed at the person whose firearm is for protection. Collectors will have different priorities.

DEFINITELY agree. I'm big on that since defensive uses excel with consistency + I can't afford too much variety anyway. Maybe in a decade or two I'll be able to afford to collect.

I keep a "Want" list. This isn't just for guns but for everything that I consider a non-necessity but something I want.

I re-evaluate this list every now and then. If something manages to stay at the top of the list for 3 months, I budget for it and buy it as soon as the money is available. I probably should add that reloading equipment and 5 years of supplies were on my list and bought a long time ago so, except for occassional supplies that I find on sale etc, it is all about the guns.

It keeps me from buying stuff on a whim and gives me motivation to keep extra money in my savings account.

I do that as well. I have a word doc with most of my firearms and related info in it, one of the sections is an official want list. Whenever I buy anything that isn't ammo or components for a cartridge I already shoot I reference it to see if I am staying on track.

I buy new guns when there are deals available. Like the C69 BHP with a Bo-Mar Sight for $400 I picked up the other day.

I always try to keep some $$$ in the gun fund so that I have the cash when good deals come up.

Right now there are deals everywhere. The market has slowed and there are people who need cash for the holidays and are selling at solid prices.

As for ammo I keep enough on hand so that I am never out or lacking. I keep a few thousand rounds of the calibers I shoot.

It is nice to have a slush fund, or simply have some disposable income at your disposal (lol) on a regular basis, simply for life in general. Sometimes you come across something that is just too good of a deal. Lots of those things out there right now.

Really depends.... .22lr @ <$0.08/round is pretty much buy on sight. Guns... I still have lots of wants, but the niches they fill are getting smaller and smaller, Ive really got them covered already. I have long term plans for a few specific firearms, and barring a change in my financial situation, will probably obtain them in the next couple of years. I already find I have more guns than I have time to shoot them, however, so I dont really impulse buy guns. Right now Im more into getting more out of my range time by allowing myself to shoot more when I do make it out.

I have yet to bite the reloading bullet, even though I know I should eventually. From a purely financial standpoint, that probably should be my next purchase.... but again I go back to the time. My time off that I get to spend on me is pretty limited.... not sure I want to spend that time reloading, even if it does save me money.

Two full years of extremely limited .22lr availability now. It's amazing. I'm just glad I stocked up on it ahead of time, it was the only cartridge where I could afford to do so. I used to get a brick every time I was in Walmart or any other store that sold them. I sold thousands in spring 2013. I had to wait about a year before I found stuff in stock to replace it, but I had enough extra to keep shooting as much as I wanted during that time and was able to buy more ammo, of higher quality, with the money I got. It just took awhile.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I have never understood why anyone would sell a gun and ammo at a loss to purchase another gun. In full admission I am a collector, so I buy reloadable ammo when it is cheap, accessories (in my case that is usually bayonets, original slings, or other collectibles), or more firearms and do not sell weapons. I also do not follow trends in any other aspect of my life so maybe I am just boring but stable. As your inventory of shootable weapons grows your spare time from reloading shrinks so there is less time for pondering such dilemmas. I am able to afford mostly anything I want but having limited funds available should result in fewer economically disastrous decisions rather than more.

 

[Warp]

I have never understood why anyone would sell a gun and ammo at a loss to purchase another gun.

That's what I just did. I only had one firearm in .45 ACP and it just didn't fit my not-very-large hands well enough. I tried a Glock 20 in the past but sold it due to ammo costs/availability and grip size. Then I tried a Glock 21SF figuring the SF frame would help me out and .45 is of course far more common and affordable. But the grip still doesn't fit me well enough.

I kind of needed money so I haven't replaced it with another pistol yet, but when I do, it will be an additional 9mm Glock, probably a G17 or G34 since I lack a full size now. More affordable ammo, ammo/mags I have more of, grip that fits my hand.

Pus it's annoying to stash magazines in various places, you know, range bag, car glove box, get home bag, leg rig, belt pouch, whatever, and then when I switch from a typical 9mm gun to the .45 suddenly the mags won't work in it or I have to put two mags everywhere I want to have a spare and then if I ever want or need one, grab the correct one. That's just annoying.

Economically disastrous? lol. If you buy quality firearms at decent prices and take care of them selling isn't an economic disaster. Sure you take a loss, but it's not nearly as big of a hit as a lot of other items or products would be.

Sometimes it takes trial and error to realize what really works best for you and that trial includes/requiring owning them.

Why keep something that isn't a good fit?

 

[Twiki357]

Probably 99% impulse buys for me. If I see something that makes my ears wiggle and if the price is right and I have the money… It’s mine!

I will admit that I’ve over paid a couple of times on guns that I liked but didn’t know the correct/current value at the time. But since I like them, I’m happy.

 

[ku4hx]

As your inventory of shootable weapons grows your spare time from reloading shrinks

Regardless of how many guns you own, you can only shoot one at a time ... two if your wife or significant other shoots too. That being the case, I have no less "load time" for 400 guns than I do for 4 guns.

Back in 1969 I bought a Browning Hi-Power and all my 9mm loading effort (on a single stage RCBS Jr press) went to feed it. Now owning several 9mm guns, my loading effort (on a Dillon RL550B or RL650) produces ammunition for all of them. Changing ownership parameters necessitates changing procedures, but as my safes have grown in number and degree of fill, my loading habits have not diminished. The only way that could happen would be if you load X number of rounds for every individual gun you own and you own many, many different calibers. You as a true collector might have that situation.

I don't know any dedicated, long term hand loader that loads for specific guns unless one or more are very picky eaters or you require loading for an obsolete gun. If you cast your own bullets like I do, you do have to size them for individual bores. But generally, you can find that combination of powder, bullet size and lube that allows use in multiple guns.

 

[alexander45]

It's a very scientific method that goes as such

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