Is cost a major factor for you when buying SD pistol?

[JohnBiltz]

It was for my first Glock. I was returning from Korea, just divorced, broke and I lost my Sig 226 in the divorce. Every dollar at the time mattered. So I bought a Glock. When I bought my next Glock though price did not matter.

Rented a HK USP today. Not going to buy one and again its not about the price.

 

[Mike J]

Price is always a factor for me. I always look for what I believe to be the most value I can find for the money spent. I know there are nicer guns. I know that some folks might look down on some of my choices. FWIW my humble acumalation includes handguns made by Ruger, Kel Tec, Dan Wesson (old revolver), Heritage (inexpensive single action rimfire revolver), & a Springfield XD. Everything works well enough for the purpose I bought it for. I have what I need.

As to whether or not this would effect the outcome of a poll pitting different models & manufacturers against each other. It might effect how other people vote. Personally I will not participate in a poll comparing the virtues of various guns I have no experience with.

 

[beatledog7]

Price is a factor in everything I buy. Duh!

 

[M2 Carbine]

I spend whatever it takes to get what I want
but
if a $500 pistol will do the job I don't spend $1,000 just for a brand name.

 

[Bobson]

Of course it is--if you work for a living --have kids. a house and a car ---how can it not be?

That's kinda what I was thinking when I answered. Obviously there are going to be people who make six or seven figures per year who can afford to go out and drop a grand or two on a gun a few times a year, and never think twice about it. At a time when there are more millionaires in America than ever before, I would expect that to be increasingly true. At the same time, with America's unemployment rates among the highest they've been in recent times, and the median American household annual income is less than $50k (Census.gov, 2009 - All Households), how can price not matter, for most people?

Personally, I find myself coming in under that median - not terribly far away, but under it all the same. Yeah, on this topic, when a person is being asked to put a value on protection, most of us are going to be inclined to stretch upward as far as we can without falling over, and that's easy to understand. Also, if I were making three to four times more, I might read this sort of post and think, there's a guy who's trying to make himself feel better. I can't say I'd fault anyone for thinking that, but I don't believe it's what I'm doing. Just making an observation really. Of course price is going to be a factor for most people.

All this being said, the guns by SIG and Hk aren't exactly set aside for people driving Maseratis, at just a couple hundred bucks to 2x the cost of a Glock. If they sell significantly fewer guns than manufacturers like Glock (and I really don't know if they do or not), I would think it's because most people feel the difference in price just doesn't balance with the difference in quality. Whether or not that's actually true is up for debate.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My wife and I are both full time students, so price is always a factor in what I purchase, especially on guns. I wanted a Sig and had to settle for an SP2022 because I couldn't afford a P229. That's life. When we graduate and are making better money, I'll be able to afford the more expensive option, but for now, it does what I need it to do.

Buying things you can't afford is stupid, especially when you can stay within budget and get the job done just fine.

 

[browningguy]

Price really isn't an issue for me, up to a point. With both the kids out of college I could afford to buy any pistol I wanted. But for the life of me I could never spend the money for a plain jane Nighthawk 1911 for example. For the kind of money some of those companies charge it should at least have some really pretty engraving and a fine finish. Most of those seem to just be overpriced, as opposed to expensive.

My 1911 is a S&W SC, lightweight commander size frame and nice to look at. I think they are only around $1200-1300 new, and that seems pretty reasonable. I can also see up to $2500 or so for an Ed Brown, but above that it has to be really pretty to boot. I've got some lightly customized BHP's also, so I'm not afraid to spend money on a gun.

I don't happen to like most Sig's and HK's, except for a couple of single action models I just don't care for the triggers and for the price it needs to be something that works for me right out of the box. Actually I don't care for any double action semi auto pistol triggers but that's another story.

I believe for the vast majority of people price is a big issue. The median income in the US is only around $50k per year, and if you are raising a family with a couple of kids it get's darn difficult to justify $1000-1200 on a pistol. And since it's not really a status symbol it's much easier to justify $4-500 on a low priced pistol as long as it's reliable. The reason companies like Bersa, Taurus and the Philippine companies are successful here is they can offer a cheaper gun that works pretty well.

 

[MedWheeler]

Cost is a contributing factor, but it does not need to be a controlling one because there are a lot of affordable, but reliable, options in the SD/HD segment. Also, the available price range is so wide that it's ludicrous to believe that only those guns at the top of that range are worth having.

For example, I hardly think I made a poor choice in the Ruger P95 that ended up in my hands, though many other good options exist that, to me, simply cost more (admittedly, some look better as well.)

 

[jjones45]

My wife and I are both full time students, so price is always a factor in what I purchase, especially on guns. I wanted a Sig and had to settle for an SP2022 because I couldn't afford a P229. That's life. When we graduate and are making better money, I'll be able to afford the more expensive option, but for now, it does what I need it to do.

Buying things you can't afford is stupid, especially when you can stay within budget and get the job done just fine.

I like your view on things. you sound like a smart young man. cost is only a factor for us common folk. I've been buying handguns for 10 years now and have owned mostly all makers. got a used p229 for $500 at a gun show once and a used usp compact 45(still have) for $600 at a gun shop. I've never been rich but save here and there and before you know it you got yourself a handgun. if I could I would own a lot more of the high dollar handguns but I can't. if I had to pay msrp for the ones I did or do have it probably never would have been. really a handgun is not worth $1000 imho, you can get a nice rifle for that kind of $$$$. if you want it bad enough you gotta pay for it. there is plenty of reasonably priced guns that can get the job done. you do get excellent quality from those big name guns but don't for a minute think you're not also paying for the name.




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[saturno_v]

This is my take...cost is a factor up to a point....for SD duty I have to like the gun, it has to fit my hands properly, I have to be proficient with it and it has to be DEAD RELIABLE.

These are the prerogative...that said, If I can avoid to use a high price/rare out of production weapon for self defense that is what I do considering that in case of use there is a chance you have to kiss your gun good bye not to mention holster wear for carry pieces...but, again, I stress this point over and over, the gun has to be RELIABLE and ERGONOMIC for me.

To give you a practical example in my case, my "to go" pistol in case of SHTF is my Bersa Thunder 40 which I love, it fits like a glove, eats anything I care to put in the magazine, great trigger and dead accurate.

My SIG, my Berettas, my S&W 1006, etc.. stay all in the safe...why risk them?? A SIG or a Beretta would not give me any extra peace of mind or margin of safety, regardless of what the brand snobs think or say....

My pocket piece it's a Kel-Tec P11...again dead reliable, accurate enough at spitting distance for whisch is intended (I can quickly put a magazine in a center of mass) and I do not care if I lose it....

 

[1006]

No, not usually. Their are so many reliable pistols (Brand new) in the $400.00 to $600.00 range. I just buy what works for me. Modern manufacturing techniques produce some very accurate and reliable semi auto handguns. If someone could actually prove to me coughing up the extra $300 to $500 would buy me increased accuracy or reliability I would probably spend the extra money. I'm all ears. The OP did say, self defense pistol didn't he? Now if you just enjoy/prefer HK's and Sigs that's your Perogative (Bobby brown not withstanding) They are nice guns.

 

[Teachu2]

SD is about three categories: mindset; skillset; and toolset. Mindset is the most important, as no amount of skill or expense of weaponry will do the job if you are not mentally prepared to use it at the moment it is needed. Skillset is probably the most expensive part of the equation, involving both training and practice. The toolset won't make up for defeciencies in either of the others.

Who is better prepared, the guy with the $300 (or less) HiPoint who is mentally prepared to defend himself and others with deadly force, has a course or two of training, and has developed muscle memory from firing that gun thousands of times in various conditions OR the guy with a high dollar 1911 race gun that his wife bought him for his birthday three years ago, and it's still unfired and home in his sock drawer?

I own a $2500+ 1911. It's beautiful to look at, a pleasure to hold, and a dream to shoot. But I carry a Glock. I train and practice with the Glock. I shoot the 1911 for fun and relaxation. If they were both at hand when the need to engage an armed aggressor arose, I'd pick the Glock. If I needed to shoot a rabid dog at 50 yards, I'd pick the 1911 - but I'd want a rifle!

 

[TestPilot]

Hi Point makes a VERY reliable pistol that is a super value but most people do not select a Hi Point because they want something that they think is better. Hi Points are perceived as guns for people that can't afford something with more polish.

On the other end of the scale are the Rohrbaughs of the world. They are no more reliable than a Hi Point but they appeal more to the more affluent.

I did not buy a Hi-point, and that decision had nothing what so ever to do with me thinking Hi-point has less "polish." Guns I bought had features, utility, not vanity features, that Hi-point did not have.

 

[saturno_v]

I did not buy a Hi-point, and that decision had nothing what so ever to do with me thinking Hi-point has less "polish." Guns I bought had features, utility, not vanity features, that Hi-point did not have.

I agree with you...I respect Hi-Point reliability and they are fairly accurate but their ergonomics and trigger are simply horrendous and I would not consider one not even as a nightstand piece.

Luckily I can afford better. Someone that has only a new Hi-Point kind of budget should consider some old used S&W revolvers a used Ruger autoloader or a used Bersa.

 

[leadcounsel]

Eh, sort of. Now it's way down on the list, but it used to be higher.

Price vs. Utility

Once Utility is achieved, any additional money spent is just for entertainment.

I happen to LIKE Glocks.

A LOT.

Pretty guns are the ones you show to your friends.
Ugly guns are the ones you show to your enemies.

I agree.

It used to be when I didn't have a good income. No way I would buy a $700 gun when a just as good gun could be had for $400.

Now, I'm still good with my money. But I would buy and carry the BEST gun regardless of the cost (within reason).

It just so happens that my tastes in carry gun hasn't changed from when I was cheap to now, despite my ability to afford higher prices.

And, frankly, over the life of the gun, the cost of it is trivial, especially when compared to the cost of ammo.

If I had to list the priorities, they would be:
1. Reliability, reputation
2. Ease of use/egros/size
3. Accuracy
4. Capacity vs. caliber
5. Cost
6. Availability of parts/mags/holsters

 

[Zaydok Allen]

For anything under $1000, no it isn't. If I'm going to stake my life on something I base my decision on quality and if a particular gun will work for me. If it means saving longer to get what I want, so be it.

If its a SD gun that is much over 1 K, then I question what it will be able to better than a $500-$800 carry gun.

 

[Girodin]

The reason I ask this question is to ascertain whether pistols like H&K and Sig Sauer are ignored due to generally higher price tag than lets say Glock, Ruger, etc. Thus, in general poll questions they (H&K and Sig Sauer) get less number of votes due to lack of ownership for very reason - cost.

No, and for what it is worth, I own Sigs and an HK, (I also have a multi thousand dollar 1911) and they are not what I choose to carry.

Also FWIW, I could afford a $7000 1911 but I don't think one would be a better defensive gun than say and HK 45 so I would be completely disinclined to buy something that cost that much, even though I could afford to buy it. Also even if I wanted a 1911 to carry, I could get a very well built, duty worthy 1911 for thousands less. I don't choose a fighting gun based on cool, pretty, nostalgia, etc.

I'll also note that if one shops wisely one can get used Sigs and HKs for pretty reasonable prices. Prices that are in the same ball park as say a glock. One can get a used USP for $550 all day. My guess is there are a lot of folks like me that would rather have a glock than a sig or certain HKs based simply on the gun and not cost. I know a lot of guys that have ARs that cost $1500+ with a $600+ T1 and mount, and $1000 worth of suppressor and they have glocks in their holsters.

I agree with you...I respect Hi-Point reliability and they are fairly accurate but their ergonomics and trigger are simply horrendous and I would not consider one not even as a nightstand piece.

And that is coming from someone who carries a Kel tec P11!

 

[Girodin]

I wanted a Sig and had to settle for an SP2022 because I couldn't afford a P229.

Just my humble opinion but I don't think you settled much. There is a pretty rationale argument that the SP2022 is in fact a better gun in many respects. And I say that as a P229 owner. With Sig USA I don't think the quality to price is really there. At least with an HK the to hell and back durability is there, even if they are still a bit overpriced IMHO.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No...

 

[TahoeDust]

Price was a factor, but not the determining one. Once you get past the basic requirements; reliability, accuracy, and comfort, everything else becomes a subconscious cost benefit analysis. There are some pistols I like better than my M&P, but none a like better enough to offset the increase in cost.

 

[saturno_v]

And that is coming from someone who carries a Kel tec P11!

Yep, as a service caliber pocket carry is hard to beat (is not my main carry).....trigger pull is just very long for safety reasons but at least is very consistent and smooth....especially with the magazine pinky rest it fits well in my hands and it is dead reliable and accurate at its intended range. You cannot compare a Hi-Point to a P11.

 

[Berg]

I bought my Sig in new shape from a guy who was switching to a Glock. He said if he shoots someone with his gun the cops will take it for evidence and there's a good chance he'll never see it again. He would rather lose a $500 gun than a $1000 gun.

 

[TahoeDust]

I bought my Sig in new shape from a guy who was switching to a Glock. He said if he shoots someone with his gun the cops will take it for evidence and there's a good chance he'll never see it again. He would rather lose a $500 gun than a $1000 gun.

You bought your gun whose logic is so flawed it makes me question rather he should own a gun at all...lol

 

[saturno_v]

You bought your gun whose logic is so flawed it makes me question rather he should own a gun at all...lol

Explain to me why is flawed.....

I guess police officers which risk their lives every day need a custom $3000 1911, a Glock is not good enough.....

 

[limpingbear]

Cost is a factor, but not the deciding factor. For me, the gun has to be reliable. I normaly do not look at guns that have a reputation for needing long periods or high volume of shooting to "break in" before they are considered to be reliable. Then comes cost. Also there is the factor of replaceability. For what it costs to buy a Kimber or A Sig 1911 I could buy 2 Ruger SR9's. So here is something else that I think about....If I am involved in a shooting, there is a good chance the police will take my weapon, even if only for a short time. It sucks to lose a 1200 dollar 1911, to the police evidence locker, Not so much a 400 dollar Ruger.