Quality or Quantity
- Thread starter Dunkelheit
- Start date
- Status
I couldn't choose a response to the poll . . . I'm not interested in having a great number of guns, but I do want a good dollar value. I have one very good handgun (Ruger 6" GP100) and one really poor one (Ruger 22/45 Mk III, that can't hit anything but runs good), a Henry .22 Magnum that isn't too functional (poor accuracy; overheats), a Savage .22 bolt target rifle, and a Saiga .223.
All of these were bought new, and I didn't really do a lot of research on any of them. It's been sort of a try it and see how I like it approach.
Quality/quantity? Well, with the revolver I think I got both, on the basis of price. Definitely so with the Savage, despite its cheap, ugly plastic stock. The Saiga -- well, if you haven't seen one, just go look closely once; a disposable battle rifle in a cheap civilian suit, BUT it's probably the best dollar value I've got.
Ammunition is a value issue of its own. The Savage gets fed Green Tag, because I bought it for target practice and wanted the best accuracy, which I don't get from cheap ammo. The Ruger pistol gets MiniMag solids, because that's what it will feed and fire with 100% consistency. The revolver and the Saiga will eat anything, of course, so I can buy cheap bulk for them.
The Henry is pretty, and feels great, but I'd count it as the worst dollar value in my collection, and I'm thinking of selling it.
All of these were bought new, and I didn't really do a lot of research on any of them. It's been sort of a try it and see how I like it approach.
Quality/quantity? Well, with the revolver I think I got both, on the basis of price. Definitely so with the Savage, despite its cheap, ugly plastic stock. The Saiga -- well, if you haven't seen one, just go look closely once; a disposable battle rifle in a cheap civilian suit, BUT it's probably the best dollar value I've got.
Ammunition is a value issue of its own. The Savage gets fed Green Tag, because I bought it for target practice and wanted the best accuracy, which I don't get from cheap ammo. The Ruger pistol gets MiniMag solids, because that's what it will feed and fire with 100% consistency. The revolver and the Saiga will eat anything, of course, so I can buy cheap bulk for them.
The Henry is pretty, and feels great, but I'd count it as the worst dollar value in my collection, and I'm thinking of selling it.
BrandonBowers
Member
I actually do both.
Buy above average weapons (Ruger, S&W, etc) that are 100% reliable but not the fanciest on the planet and buy enough to have one around me wherever I go. Avoid Hi Point / Jenner types like the plague ...
As far as ammo, I get the ammunition that is reliable. Doesn't have to be the latest in uber-cop-killing-mercury hollow pointed stuff that the anti-gunners are scared to death of. Just reliable, you can always pull the trigger once more if you must.
I'd love to have something high end like Bowen or Gary Reeder custom revolvers and STI automatics, but that will come in time.
In the meantime to quote the dark evil guy Stalin ... the best is the enemy of the good. Get what's good enough for mission fulfillment immediately. Take the time later to get the perfect stuff.
For all his crimes against humanity, he got that one right.
Buy above average weapons (Ruger, S&W, etc) that are 100% reliable but not the fanciest on the planet and buy enough to have one around me wherever I go. Avoid Hi Point / Jenner types like the plague ...
As far as ammo, I get the ammunition that is reliable. Doesn't have to be the latest in uber-cop-killing-mercury hollow pointed stuff that the anti-gunners are scared to death of. Just reliable, you can always pull the trigger once more if you must.
I'd love to have something high end like Bowen or Gary Reeder custom revolvers and STI automatics, but that will come in time.
In the meantime to quote the dark evil guy Stalin ... the best is the enemy of the good. Get what's good enough for mission fulfillment immediately. Take the time later to get the perfect stuff.
For all his crimes against humanity, he got that one right.
Duke of Doubt
member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Messages
- 2,863
Almost a decade ago I started an interest in vintage military rifles by purchasing one or two each of a wide variety of types. I went for cheap beaters that I could work to clean, repair and restore without worry of ruining my investment. I learned a lot by working on those old guns. Over the years, I gradually traded or sold most of that early group, and now have a smaller collection of more desirable pieces. It took many years to settle on what I liked.
Duke of Doubt
member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Messages
- 2,863
BrandonBowers: "In the meantime to quote the dark evil guy Stalin ... the best is the enemy of the good. Get what's good enough for mission fulfillment immediately. Take the time later to get the perfect stuff."
If he said it, he borrowed from Gen. Geo. S. Patton, Jr. :
"The best is the enemy of the good. A good plan, forcefully executed NOW, is better than a perfect plan next week." - from "War As I Knew It"
If he said it, he borrowed from Gen. Geo. S. Patton, Jr. :
"The best is the enemy of the good. A good plan, forcefully executed NOW, is better than a perfect plan next week." - from "War As I Knew It"
Silvanus
Member
None of the above really...
That's more like it
That's more like it
Acera
Member
Both, hence no vote in your poll.
expvideo
Member
I've been thinking about stocking up on old surplus russian rifles. From what you said in the gun safe thread, it sounds like you got a pretty good deal on most of those.
I like the idea of having multiples of things in the same caliber. I don't think I should go into the details of why that appeals to me.
exflatlander
Member
I like to get as much as I can for my money but I would rather buy a quality used gun than a NIB cheap gun.
Duke of Doubt
member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2008
- Messages
- 2,863
I've bought only a few guns "new" over the years, and only own one of those now.
Let someone else put the first scratch on it, and take the depreciation hit. I own quite a few guns I bought at 99% plus condition, practically new, sometimes for half of what they went for new.
Besides, most of my favorites are old classics, no longer made.
Let someone else put the first scratch on it, and take the depreciation hit. I own quite a few guns I bought at 99% plus condition, practically new, sometimes for half of what they went for new.
Besides, most of my favorites are old classics, no longer made.
FoMoGo
Member
I much prefer quality.
I want a few GOOD guns that shoot great and will out last me.. than a lot of guns that are crap.
Jim
I want a few GOOD guns that shoot great and will out last me.. than a lot of guns that are crap.
Jim
Shytheed Dumas
Member
Looking through my modest collection, a couple of pricier quality guns that I bought after long periods of bargain hunting, and a couple of guns that were good values with modest (not rock bottom) prices and excellent track records for reliability. I bargain hunted, those, too.
Ammo? Cheap all the way at the range, and top of the line for personal defense.
So considering all that, I had to vote as much guns as ammo as possible for my money, but qualify that "as much guns for my money" means that I try to shop smart.
Ammo? Cheap all the way at the range, and top of the line for personal defense.
So considering all that, I had to vote as much guns as ammo as possible for my money, but qualify that "as much guns for my money" means that I try to shop smart.
kiawahman
Member
I buy reliability, (the kind I stake my life on), and I did't have to spend a lot to get it:
Kel-Tec P-32 NIB $230
Taurus PT111 MillPro 9mm NIB $325
Hi-Point 995 9mm carbine NIB $180
Marlin 336RC lever action in 35 Rem (like new) $300
Marlin 70P breakdown survival rifle .22lr $130 like new.
Slightly used Remington 870 magnum HD 12ga $200
Cheaper ammo for range and training. Top quality for carry, HD, and 200+ yards.
None of my firearms have ever failed to work perfectly in any way - ever. I may have too many guns for a bug-out scenario, but more than likely we'd hunker-down should SHTF.
Just like in anything else, a name and high price tag don't always indicate something is 'better'.
Kel-Tec P-32 NIB $230
Taurus PT111 MillPro 9mm NIB $325
Hi-Point 995 9mm carbine NIB $180
Marlin 336RC lever action in 35 Rem (like new) $300
Marlin 70P breakdown survival rifle .22lr $130 like new.
Slightly used Remington 870 magnum HD 12ga $200
Cheaper ammo for range and training. Top quality for carry, HD, and 200+ yards.
None of my firearms have ever failed to work perfectly in any way - ever. I may have too many guns for a bug-out scenario, but more than likely we'd hunker-down should SHTF.
Just like in anything else, a name and high price tag don't always indicate something is 'better'.
Kind of Blued
Member
I usually buy middle-tier firearms and shoot ammunition that is one tier above surplus, Wolf, corrosive, steel-cased, aluminum-cased, etc.
My guns tend to be between $400 and $1,000 not including extras and I shoot Blazer Brass & WWB in handguns. Maybe slightly better ammunition for rifles. I'll shoot good ammunition once I finally get around to handloading.
Exception: Russian long guns get Russian ammo (Wolf & surplus).
No price (currently) is too high for good self-defense ammunition.
Generally, I don't think there's any practical application which absolutely requires a gun costing more than $500. I'd raise that to $800 for rifles, but I'd never feel disadvantaged with an 870, Glock, used S&W, Yugo AK, Rock River AR, etc.
My guns tend to be between $400 and $1,000 not including extras and I shoot Blazer Brass & WWB in handguns. Maybe slightly better ammunition for rifles. I'll shoot good ammunition once I finally get around to handloading.
Exception: Russian long guns get Russian ammo (Wolf & surplus).
No price (currently) is too high for good self-defense ammunition.
Generally, I don't think there's any practical application which absolutely requires a gun costing more than $500. I'd raise that to $800 for rifles, but I'd never feel disadvantaged with an 870, Glock, used S&W, Yugo AK, Rock River AR, etc.
browningguy
Member
I voted for only a few selected guns, assuming that covers me up to 75, since I could have bought a lot more.
I believe the whole idea is a fallacy though. One does not preclude the other, for example a Bersa .380 is a chap but perfectly acceptable pocket pistol. No reason for anyone to feel like they settled for 2nd best.
The only guns I shoot the cheapest ammo through are my SKS and FN49, they will shoot anything.
I believe the whole idea is a fallacy though. One does not preclude the other, for example a Bersa .380 is a chap but perfectly acceptable pocket pistol. No reason for anyone to feel like they settled for 2nd best.
The only guns I shoot the cheapest ammo through are my SKS and FN49, they will shoot anything.
Winston_Smith
Member
Quality but used guns. I shoot a lot of surplus rifle ammo and WWB for pistols.
theotherwaldo
Member
I get what appeals to me.
I set off about ten years ago to get an example of each basic type of common civilian firearm, each basic configuration of MBR and military pistol, and each basic type of muzzle-loader. I'm getting pretty close to covering the types that interest me.
I'm cheap, though, so most are used or surplus. I like guns with character and a history, so to me that's a plus.
Bottom line: Expensive guns don't thrill me. I'd worry about scratching them. No, give me a fun beater every time!
I set off about ten years ago to get an example of each basic type of common civilian firearm, each basic configuration of MBR and military pistol, and each basic type of muzzle-loader. I'm getting pretty close to covering the types that interest me.
I'm cheap, though, so most are used or surplus. I like guns with character and a history, so to me that's a plus.
Bottom line: Expensive guns don't thrill me. I'd worry about scratching them. No, give me a fun beater every time!
Doc_Jude
Member
Somewhere in between.
- Status