Just can't pull the trigger...

[CZsp01]

I was the same way with my first handgun. I work too hard to just throw $600 on a gun. Now that I'm in the game, I learned that if I buy used at a good price I wont lose much if any at all.

 

[btg3]

^^^ +1

Years ago I was advised to always buy depreciating assets used, rather than new. If you think any new gun you buy today will appreciate sufficiently to allow you to make a "bad" purchase, go for it.

 

[TCU]

i have an XD-9 subcompact, thats my carry gun. I do all of my pistol drills with that and its a great firearm. Shoots well, doesnt jam, easy to take apart, just feels good. I recommend just going and buying it, its worth it.

 

[snakeman]

I have the same problem. I can hardly bring myself to order new handguards for my ar! And the ones I want are 20 bucks

 

[CB900F]

WArwick;

I know the feeling, BTDT. But, I've also learned that what you're feeling is a, (depending on your philosophical leanings) sub-consious warning, inner karma, combat itch, etc., etc., telling you that this isn't really what's wanted.

In other words, do more research, rent more guns, or conduct a rigorous self-examination. Sooner or later either the right gun will show up, or you'll understand what other factors are influencing your decision, or lack thereof.

900F

 

[redneck2]

I think that perhaps member of our society are starting to truly analyze our spending habits. Used to be we'd just whip out the credit card and worry about paying for it later. Enough people have gotten stung during the economic slowdown that it makes you think before spending.

Funny, but it's easier to spend money you don't have (credit cards) than it is to spend money that you actually have in your pocket. When you pull out that green folding money, it is actually real live money instead of your signature on a paper slip.

I was the same way with my first handgun. I work too hard to just throw $600 on a gun. Now that I'm in the game, I learned that if I buy used at a good price I wont lose much if any at all.

FWIW...as already suggested, you might consider getting something used if at all possible. If you buy right, you'll lose little or no money. Let the other guy take the beating on it. I've got some VERY nice guns, and can only remember two that were new, and they were both bought on sale at or below dealer cost. Unless you're absolutely dead set on a particular model, something will come along that fits your needs.

IMO...Your hesitation to squander money is a sign of maturity.

 

[Shear_stress]

If it's truly what you want and you have the money . . .you'd have the gun already. Shop around.

Now that I'm in the game, I learned that if I buy used at a good price I wont lose much if any at all.

Good advice.

 

[jiminhobesound]

Pulling the other trigger

I have the opposite problem. Because I lost my job I need to sell most of my guns for the money. they are not worth a lot but it is something. Problem is that I do not have a good outlet of potential customers do I plan to try to sell on gun broker or auction arms. I had to sell guns in the past and it is painful to lose them and receive much less money than I spent on them.

 

[cottswald]

I have the opposite problem. Because I lost my job I need to sell most of my guns for the money. they are not worth a lot but it is something. Problem is that I do not have a good outlet of potential customers do I plan to try to sell on gun broker or auction arms. I had to sell guns in the past and it is painful to lose them and receive much less money than I spent on them.

Jim, I feel your pain. I had to go through the same thing and it's no easy task. Here's one thing that helped me; No sooner did I begin selling my guns, that I also began planning for my next collection. In time, my new assortment of guns proved to be more useful, appropriate, and enjoyable because of the things I had learned previously. Remember, "patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet". Best of luck to ya!

 

[Ole Coot]

When I stop to reconsider buying another firearm and get a twinge of guilt I just tell myself how I worked all those years to provide for my family and how I did without to buy them everything I never had and by that time the guilt is gone and I have decided time to treat myself and do before the guilt starts again.

 

[BENBRU]

I've learned that if I want a new gun I price it... let's say a Glock costs $416 (LE/MIL dealer and such) I'll save over $600 by the time a I buy it. That way... I've got some $ left over and I'm on my way to the next one.

I think that saving up exactly what it needs and seeing it go from $XXX to $0 in that fund is the most painful part. Keep saving, make sure you know what you want, spend when you've got some spare change.

 

[BeerSleeper]

It's nice to see that someone still thinks before they spend in this day and age of "spend it, whether you have it or not".
That said, you can always return to buy it later. Once you've got it, there's no returns on guns anywhere I've bought. Think on it until you're sure.

 

[788Ham]

I have to go along with Ole Coots line of thinking, I too worked many years of 7 days a week work, every hour in the clock. Now, when I have the monies in hand, I see a firearm I've been wanting, I lay it down. Yes the thought of "should I be doing this" plays over and over, but when the gun check with the fed's is over, I quit worrying and smile as I walk out the door! IF you feel you've earned the new firearm, quit worrying and get it over with! Happy Trails!

 

[Caliper_Mi]

I know the feeling, BTDT. But, I've also learned that what you're feeling is a, (depending on your philosophical leanings) sub-consious warning, inner karma, combat itch, etc., etc., telling you that this isn't really what's wanted.

+1. There are ALOT of 9mm polymer handguns out there. Take another look at the market and handle/shoot as many as you can stand to.

Also consider stuff more expensive than you may have looked at before. I know how hard it is to save and agree that money doesn't guarantee a better product, but there is a saying that the regret of a poor product will last longer than the pain of a high price. You do forget the moment of biting the bullet and laying down a pile of cash when you have the thing that you really like and enjoy having/using.

 

[DustyVermonter]

Yeah, I had planned on buying a Saiga in .308 for about 7-8 months and when I called the gun shop to make sure they had one they told me that they did, so I go down to the gun shop, looked at the Saiga for about an hour and decided very randomly to purchase the Springfield M1A scout that they had behind the counter.

I ended up selling the scout squad about a year later, but I have this funny feeling that if I had bought the Saiga I would have never sold it.

I guess I just don't like owning really expensive guns for the fact that if you get a scratch on a $400 gun as opposed to a $1800 it doesn't depreciate it and devalue it as much as the top dollar one, ya know?

 

[DustyVermonter]

Why I decided to make the jump from a $500 gun to a $1600 one, don't ask. It was a total impulse buy, but don't knock yourself for being cautious, were not all millionaire's who can throw $500 down and not think twice.

An XD or any gun for that matter are not an insubstantial financial committment, its better to iron out all those little last minute questions than to just buy something and end up finding out that the grip angle is too awkward or something like that.

Sit on it a while longer then tell us how you like your new Glock. He he

 

[fallout mike]

I'm the same way. I don't like spending a lot of money at once. I like to put toys in layaway then I don't feel guilty buying them. I'd rather spend a little a week than a lot at once.

 

[labhound]

Listen to your inner self. If you can't bring yourself to buy the gun, then don't buy it. Look around at other brands and models. You'll probably find something you like better.

 

[BWarwick]

Ill probably go stare at it some more tomorrow. I was looking at couple other pistols at academy yesterday. I liked the PX4 storm 9mm but alas its right handed and the mag release is a pain to work lefty but it sure felt nice in the hand.

Layaway would be nice, I think I could probably get it if I only paid a couple hundred a week until its paid off.

 

[Fuzzy7]

I have buyers remorse after everything I buy........except a new pistol! Go for it!

 

[ForumSurfer]

I do that all the time. Once I have enough money set aside, I figure out other things to do with that money.

Even if I have my priorities right and everything with the family is taken care of, there's that little voice in your head that screams at you to put that little bit of money back up. Most of the time I don't end up with a new gun, I end up buying some bulk ammo and putting the rest of the money away.

 

[KingContraryMan]

I'm an impulse buyer. It's got it's good and bad points.

Usually when I see something I want, I buy it (good)
Usually pay too much (bad)
I don't worry too much about it (good)
I sometimes buy junk (bad)
Realization I can't take it with me (good)

Probably didn't help you at all!