How Do You Define Quality In A Firearm?

[Macpherson]

Is a Kimber 1600.0$ better than a RIA?

Why?

The question I have long wondered as well. I haven't held or shot a kimber, but it really does strike me how two essentially identical handguns made with similar materials can be so different in terms of price. What are you paying for with a $2,000 Kimber that you aren't getting in a $800 Para Ordinance? Kimber is the easy target, but I've seen lots of other examples where price is determined by brand name and quality is not necessarily a factor. I've seen the same thing with AR's. There are many brands/makers who make them to the same specifications, but there are still folks who insist that a $1400 Colt is better than a $900 Bushmaster. Assuming they are made to the same specs correctly, what is it that you are getting that makes a firearm worth more? To me, quality is about functionality. I don't care about the fine checkering or blueing on my pistol if I can only shoot one brand of ammo through it, or if it still stovepipes after 3 trips to the gunsmith.

 

[qwert65]

To me quality is reliability and function High quality is relability and function and looks good

 

[Ala Dan]

The word QUALITY in a handgun-

First, one that works when you need it the most~! Cost, I don't think
is a major player here; if you have a $479 Springfield Armory G.I. model
1911 that stops an attack, you did well in your selection of a defensive
handgun. OTOH, if you spend $3,000 on a custom 1911 (take your pick)
that jams at the time of need; chances are good, that you won't be
able to get a refund~!

After acquiring a weapon that "works", I look at fit N' finish as in the
word "craftmanship". Do all parts "mate" as they should? Is the back
of the extractor (on 1911's) flush with the the slide; or does it protrude
out, say a 1/16th of an inch? How does the slide fit on the frame? In
most cases, does it have a decent trigger pull? On revolvers, how does
the yoke to frame look, does it have a "gap" in it? Is the barrel put on
the frame straight; or is it twisted left or right? Does the revolver "lock
up" tight, as it should? How many pounds is the double-action pull,
which is specfic to double-action revolvers. If equipped with adjustable
sights, do they present the "perfect" sight picture?

These are just examples of some of the things used to describe the
word QUALITY. And lastly, any make or model of semi-auto or
revolver with the word QUALITY attached, is 9 times out of 10
made by a major manufactuer'er~!

 

[tech]

Ala Dan,

I agree.

Mike