Quality or Quantity?

[C5rider]

I got back into firearms a little over a year ago. Handguns have been my main focus. I'm beginning to feel that I've come to a crossroads so far as firearms are concerned. Do I go with Quality or Quantity?

More than simply how much you pay for a gun or even what type of gun you own, would it be better to own only one gun and shoot it VERY well or, have several that you're pretty good with?

Each gun I own has its own "personality", like whether it shoots high/low or whatever. Some of them have adjustable sights but some don't.

I think most of us aren't immune to seeing another gun and (whether we'd admit it or not) wanting it. I'm envious of those guys who have gun safes the size of bank vaults, but do they really shoot EVERY one VERY well? Probably not. And, if I decided that I don't need an arsenal, when I find one that I do really want, do I make room by passing another on to a different owner?

I guess I'm just going through the process of finding my own means within this great American sport. What say you?

 

[OARNGESI]

A little of both is nice like one day youll want to shoot a 357 the next time a 1911. No reason to limit yourself

 

[Sky]

Probably by the time you place one in the trunk of your car and one in the glove box ( not to mention your carry piece) with several others strategically placed sneakily through out your house you can call it good unless you are a collector. Some get the warm and fuzzes from just owning and rarely shooting.

I know guys that do all the above and I just figure it is a free country so do what gives you individually the fuzzes.

 

[PabloJ]

Definitely quality over quantity. I have hunting revolver, pocket pistol, centerfire rifle and no use for any shotgun. I do not want any more guns. If I buy one another must go.

 

[mgmorden]

As said, a little of both. I like to have a nice variety and have my bases covered. When I want to shoot a wheel-gun I want to be able to do that (and several more modern ones + single actions). When I want to shoot 9mm, or .40, or .45, I want to be able to do that.

This "little of this, little of that" approach necessitates that some of my guns be a bit budget oriented. Not el-cheapos that don't work - just solid pieces for good prices.

Once the bases are covered though, unless I find a specific use for a gun, then getting yet another full-size plain-jane 9mm just because it's a good deal becomes boring. Unless I find a specific job for the gun, most of my current wish-list stands head and shoulders above anything I have now. For example, though its a ways off, my #1 wishlist item right now is a custom built 2011 pattern .40S&W built on an STI frame. Runs $2500-3000. I can't afford it right now so I'm still saving, but realistically anything less simply isn't going to do much for me.

 

[Roan]

I generally recommend that you have a handful of high quality pistols that you like and treat you well. Then build a collection of lower priced handguns to satisfy your magpie-like acquisition instincts. That way, you can occasionally pick up a new, interesting toy but never have to worry about using it in a critical situation because you can fall back on the much more quality pieces.

 

[MrBorland]

Even if you're not interested in quantity for the sake of a full safe, you'll likely go through some quality and quantity to discover what it is in a handgun you like and shoot well. It's a normal process; take your time, and it'll be a fun journey.

I myself got hooked early on revolvers, but even with the specialization, I'm still experimenting and adding (sometimes subtracting) to my safe.

 

[The War Wagon]

QUALITY will never disappoint you - especially if you have to part with some of it, to finance something else!

 

[MrDig]

I'm in the middle ground here, I have an assortment of guns, mostly rifles and handguns. Due to budget I was a if it goes bang buy it buyer. I shopped mostly used and tended toward Bolt and Lever Guns, Revolvers and all metal Semi-Auto Pistols. I found a good deal on a Sig P250, and a Used S&W Model 10, I'm starting to see the light on why people would pay $1000 for a gun, sometimes you do in fact get what you pay for, and Quality in a Smith and Wesson is vastly different from Charter Arms. Ruger is a nice middle ground between Smith and Wesson and Taurus for quality and price point. These are all things I have learned from shopping around and buying a "big" name brand when the price is fair. In the end Quality is important but if I didn't buy other guns that disappointed me from a Quality perspective I would never know the difference.

 

[C5rider]

All good responses and thanks for sharing. I bought my first shooter (a Tokarev) and wondered about folks paying $1000+ for guns. Either I've gotten used to the taste of "burgers" or, realizing that value CAN have a price tag, now I'm starting to look at some chunks of sirloin. I'm certainly not up to "filet" standards, yet.

Like most of you said, I'm likely just finding my own level in the sport. Nice thing is that there's room for everyone and, I can change my mind as my tastes move around.

 

[bannockburn]

Really nothing wrong with either side of the question on whether to go with quality or quantity when your getting back into the gun buying realm. When I started out it was mainly quantity as I didn't usually have enough money to buy the more expensive quality guns that I wanted. As I grew older and my income level rose accordingly, I focused more on quality, having found that for some guns there really was a strong connection between paying more and getting a quality ( more reliable, better accuracy, nicer finish), gun in return.

 

[tarosean]

Taste that filet and you will never go back. .. Id rather have 10 quality guns than 100 mediocre run of the mill ones.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'll take quality any day. Quality guns are decent investments. I have some firearms that I have used and not made into safe queens that are now worth several times what they cost new.

 

[Bobson]

I'm in the quality boat too. Obviously I enjoy guns, whether looking at them, handling them, cleaning them, or shooting them; but I get more enjoyment out of owning one or two guns, and shooting them well/accurately, than I could ever get out of owning ten or twenty guns and not shooting them nearly as well.

While some people might be able to own twenty or thirty guns, and be proficient with each of them (and that's awesome, don't get me wrong), I know I couldn't do it, due to matters of time (at the range) and money (for ammo and such) if nothing else.

 

[mcdonl]

I am all for the little of both, but with a little different take on it...

I say start out with quantity... for instance... buy an RIA/ATI/Norinco 1911 AND perhaps a Rossi/CA .357... if you find that you really love, or really do not care for one of the guns then ditch it and get something else...

I know some are going to say there is no comparing a RIA to a Kimber (As an example), but thats BS IMHO... they are similar enough where you will know if you enjoy the platform.

Then... once you have gone through a few guns, and learn what you enjoy or do not enjoy then go for the quality. That worked for me... I now have less but I have better quality.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Quality.

100 cheap guns that don't shoot accurately or are unreliable are not as fun as 5 that shoot lights-out each time you pull the trigger. (And some style points are awarded for an aesthetically pleasing gun that you can tell someone worked on)

A Glock is a cheap, but quality gun.

I would rather have a Wilson Combat (or other high-end 1911) than 5 Glocks. The 1911's will shoot better, and they just look good

 

[Dnaltrop]

Life is too short.

Buy fewer, nicer guns and you'll be happier in the long run.

Not that there aren't reasons to own cheap guns, (C&R's, low income, tickled fancy...)

People collect PEZ dispensers... bottle openers... shiny spoons...Ceramic Shoes...

5 decades of newspapers stacked through the house and 3 mummified cats...

I'd rather see 5000 boxed high points than the newspapers and cats again.

 

[Guillermo]

I never saved money buying a cheap gun or a cheap tool

 

[Lawdawg45]

I got back into firearms a little over a year ago. Handguns have been my main focus. I'm beginning to feel that I've come to a crossroads so far as firearms are concerned. Do I go with Quality or Quantity?

More than simply how much you pay for a gun or even what type of gun you own, would it be better to own only one gun and shoot it VERY well or, have several that you're pretty good with?

Each gun I own has its own "personality", like whether it shoots high/low or whatever. Some of them have adjustable sights but some don't.

I think most of us aren't immune to seeing another gun and (whether we'd admit it or not) wanting it. I'm envious of those guys who have gun safes the size of bank vaults, but do they really shoot EVERY one VERY well? Probably not. And, if I decided that I don't need an arsenal, when I find one that I do really want, do I make room by passing another on to a different owner?

I guess I'm just going through the process of finding my own means within this great American sport. What say you?

To me, a firearm is a most valuable possession in that it can passed onto your children, but some day your life may depend on it's flawless operation, so I say buy quality and become familiar and proficient with it and let the quantity amass over time.

LD

 

[mr.scott]

I have my select quality guns. Then I have stuff just for fun. I like hitting up pawn shops and making deals in other people's stuff. Lol

 

[JustinJ]

I like variety. Just for concealed carry i have an HKP2000sk, Ruger LC9 and Ruger LCP. Which is carried is primarily a funciton of what i'm wearing. For HD and plinking i have a Glock 21, SW MP .40, Tokarev, SW .357 mag, etc. I'm sufficiently proficient with all that may fill a defensive role against realistic threats.

 

[22-rimfire]

I only buy quality tools and I only buy quality firearms. That was not always the case, but I learned. The cheapies are gone for the most part.

I would rather have fewer firearms that are well made. But every gun does not have to be made by S&W, Colt, Kimber etc. Ruger makes pretty good stuff.

 

[browningguy]

100 cheap guns that don't shoot accurately or are unreliable

As a famous (or infamous) man once said, quantity has a quality all its own.

There are a lot of inexpensive guns, rifles, pistol and shotguns, that function just fine and are accurate enough for their intended use. I shoot a (relatively) cheap EAA Witness Match and would be happy to shoot bullseye at 25 yards against any of the guns costing twice as much, because they aren't any more accurate or functional. A CZ 52 is a cheapo relic, even though the ergonomics are terrible it works fine and shoots good enough for a battlefield pistol.

I actually like 1911's, and even though I can afford whatever I want I could never convince myself to pay $3k for a production 1911. I would pay that much for one with nice engraving and superior fit and finish though. Once you get above a certain threshhold the only thing making it worth to me more is aesthetics. My EAA for example has been fired in numerous 3 gun and IDPA matches, and it has never had a single failure, you can't get much more reliable than that, no matter how much you spend.

I ahve some customized HiPowers that look and run sweet. But I also have a pair of XD's in 9mm that run and function just as well, they just aren't as pretty.

 

[easyg]

Here are a few points that I consider when buying firearms:

I don't buy guns to impress others.
I buy guns to defend my family and myself.

One need not spend a fortune in order to obtain some excellent quality reliable firearms.

It there ever comes a time of civil unrest, more guns are better than less guns.

Some say: "Fear the man who owns but one gun. Chances are that he knows how to use it".
But I say: "Pity the man who owns but one gun.
If it ever breaks he's S.O.L.".

 

[jmace57]

OK - I'll be in the minority here. I like quantity. I won't buy crap, but I'd rather have 5 CZ-82s. than a single Colt 45. I'd rather have 2 walther PP clones than a real one.