I'm starting to think that I'm not picky enough to be a gun nut

[Jason_W]

The "never buy" thread got me thinking. Evidently, I have a pretty lax set of requirements for my guns.

1. I have to be reasonably sure it will boom when it's supposed to.

2. It has to be consistently accurate. I don't care about 1/4 MOA groups, it just has to be predictably accurate if I do my part. If I can consistently bust a gallon jug at 100 yards and a soda can at 50 yards, I'm happy.

3. It has to be comfortably carry, and when I shoulder it, I want it to feel like an extension of my arm. I find many modern style weapons to be lacking in the ergonomics department.

4. It should be fun to shoot. If it's fun to shoot, I'm going to shoot it a lot, and If I shoot it a lot, I'm going to become good with it. IMO, being a good shot usually trumps shooting a more powerful round.

That's really all I can think of. Those four things will make me happy with a firearm.

 

[gabepossenti]

I completely agree with you. That's why my favorite gun is my Marlin 1894 in 357.

 

[Jason_W]

That's my favorite as well.

 

[orionengnr]

I think your criteria show a good thought process, and you will be a happy gun owner for years.

 

[bannockburn]

Jason W

You don't have to be picky to be a gun nut. All the criteria you have listed are perfectly valid and quite normal, and are probably utilized by the vast majority of gun owners.

 

[Erik M]

I think a part of it is shrewdness acquired over time and brand loyalty that grows stronger with age. I didn’t have much or a preference for anything when I became old enough to buy firearms. I wanted a shotgun to hunt with and a Beretta 92 because it’s what the military had just switched to. After a few years I’ve developed tastes for certain guns/brands while distaste for other brands has also grown.

 

[brandon_mcg]

i have gone through this same process. I read and read what others were saying about their weapons. what i failed to realize is that a lot of people on forums such as these are either:
1) Much farther along in their skill level than I am
2) Shoot much more than i do (i shoot 100 rds a week at the most)
3) Shoot competitively (i do not)

So what i decided is that as long as the gun is reliable and pleases me then i am happy. I am just a regular guy who likes to shoot and shoot well.

I am a little more picky when it comes to a carry weapon as i do not want to cheat myself in this category.

I have long learned that a 300 dollar rifle with a 100 dollar scope will kill a deer as good as a 700 dollar rifle with a 700 dollar scope.

To me it boils down to fill the need that you have and that should be enough.

 

[griff383]

There is no such thing as a "gun nut" the PC term is "gun enthusiast"

Seriously though I completly agree with the OP

 

[Lakeshore]

OP I too like your four requirements. For me I'd add one more, and that is the gun should be interesting. Not necessarily pretty (else I would never have bought any Glocks), but aesthetically pleasing to behold from a design, engineering, quality and uniqueness standpoint.

 

[wally]

I completely agree with you. That's why my favorite gun is my Marlin 1894 in 357.

These are sweet shooters and very easy to load for, Mine is fine with 38 specials giving a few extra shots when plinking

 

[oldfool]

agree with OP
I am real picky about my personal picks
but picky only in the sense of personal fit and feel, not prestige or power or extreme performance, nor popularity

some of my own favorites are remarkably cheap make/model; I own nothing most folks would consider high performance, or worth big bucks. Never have yet paid over $600 for any firearm, likely never will. Have paid $100-$200 for some I am real unlikely to ever let go of. True, a lot of those are 20 year old prices, but if you are picky in that sense, you will be well served for a long long time.

 

[CTPhil]

I agree with the OP, but I have the added criteria that the gun must look good to me. If I find anything unattractive about it I don't want it. I know it's arbitrary, but I won't buy a gun if I don't totally like how it looks.

 

[22-rimfire]

No need to concern yourself. Gun ownership and shooting evolves as time passes. I started out with 22 rifles and 22 rifles have again taken the fore front of my purchases in the last 5 years. I just like them and I love to shoot them. I have little desire to rattle off 500 rounds in an AK or AR just for the thrill anymore. It still happens but not often.

 

[gbran]

I'm picky. I'm such a lousy shot, I have to buy nothing but the best equipment.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I would point out one additional (though related) factor.
If your rifle shoots 1/4 MOA, but you can only demonstrate that from a bench rest then it's "inaccurate" to describe that rifle as accurate. The same is true of handguns.

So, that ergonomic feature might also be described as how well the firearm shoots in the real world and thus be the single most important feature of any firearm.

 

[allfouledup]

Jason, your four points just defined exactly my criteria for "is this a keeper" when I shoot a new (new to me) gun of any kind. You are a Gun Nut.

 

[Jason_W]

It's good to know I'm not alone with what I want out of a gun.

 

[A.H. Fox]

...not usually advertised...but there is a 12 step program for nit picky gun owners.

 

[minutemen1776]

To condense your requirements, a gun must be:

1) Reliable
2) Accurate
3) Ergonomic
4) Fun

I think that fits most of us here.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Actually, I think being less picky would make you MORE of a gun nut... but it sounds like you aren't picky enough to be a true gun SNOB!

 

[Lefty Wright]

Plus one on the 1894 Marlin in .357. Bought one for cowboy shooting and its become my favorite. Wish I'd bought one 50 years ago.

 

[Iam2taz]

I like those requirements..... Hummm.... Now I need to find a gun to fit those....

 

[danprkr]

You are completely correct, you are not picky enough to be a gun nut. So, you need to box all of your guns, and ship them to me as soon as possible.