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.