The "buy a gun for less and then buy more ammo" advice?

[Monkeyleg]

What's with this? THR always has threads with questions such as, "I have $800 to spend on a rifle/handgun/shotgun. Which would you recommend?" Invariably, someone always replies "buy x brand for $400 and spend the rest on ammo and so on."

Really, does anyone here ever spend all they've got on a gun, and put off buying ammo or accessories for weeks or months? The first thing I do with a new gun is strip it and clean it. The second thing I do is go out and shoot it like crazy. If I like the gun, the third thing I do is go out and buy all the reloading components so I can shoot it even more.

If I have $800 for a gun, I want an $800 gun, not a $400 gun. It's sort of like buying a car: I determine the price that I can afford, but I don't start factoring things like gas or oil into the equation.

OK, meaningless Sunday afternoon rant over. Nothing to see. Move along.

 

[CWL]

My answer is yes. The typical American handgunowner buys a gun, throws a few hundred rounds downrange and then thinks he/she is ready to take on the world. They are invariably, terribly wrong in this assumption.

This is equal to someone buying a Japanese sword off of the Home Shopping Network and it qualifying them as a ninja deathmaster.

They do not put money or thought into training and maintenance of gun and abilities. I'm not putting most of the members here into this category, as the members here obviously put more thought into training and readiness than most. We here also comprise of many who are collectors and sport shooters.

Firearms, like any other martial arts or sport, takes commitment, time and money.

The gun does not make the Operator. Training and mindset is more important.

 

[Jake]

IMO the "buy x brand for $400 and spend the rest on ammo and so on."
advice is generally a good idea for new shooter's. If someone is just getting into shooting all the expesive guns in the world are not going to be worth a hill of beans if you can't use them. If on th other hand, you all ready have experience and training then by all means if you have $800 and want a $800 gun I say more power to ya.

 

[Moparmike]

This is equal to someone buying a Japanese sword off of the Home Shopping Network and it qualifying them as a ninja deathmaster.

Yes, but aquireing a wrapping paper tube and making sound effects does make you a master Jedi.

Ideally, IMO people should start off with $800 guns in their suggestions, but also suggest the $400 gun + ammo.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Really, does anyone here ever spend all they've got on a gun, and put off buying ammo or accessories for weeks or months?

Nope. If I've got $800 to spend on a gun, I'll spend $1,000, then pour another $500 to $1,000 into it, and meanwhile work up the most accurate loads for it. Loading my own ammunition lets me save so much money!

Seriously: I consider firearms capital expenses, but ammuntion and components and range fees are from my pocket money funds. If you take small bites, the calories don't add up.

 

[Dave P]

buy a gun for less

Dick, a related item to think about: many of us that shoot a lot, end up spending a small fortune on bullets and powder, assesories, etc. Most of my monthly budget is spent on these consumables, with nothing to show for it at the end of the year.

Using this train of thought, I find it much easier to justify buying a more expensive rifle - it will still be here, and have real value at the end of the year!

 

[AJ Dual]

In all honesty, yes.

I know I'd have been much better served if my gun collection were half it's size and the value had been replaced in ammo, accessories/reloading gear, and range time.

Just can't seem to get over that chronic case of "gottahaveititis", and ammo and range money suffers for it.

Although, frankly, it's all moot right now. It's been a bad year, and I haven't even swung the $50 for something cheap and collectable on my C&R license.

 

[Obiwan]

I think what people are actually saying is that a more expensive weapon will not make you a better shot..(SACRILEGE!)....so spend your money on training.

It is related to the mindset that guns are tools...not objects of art...reliability is more important than beauty.

And that you shouldn't opay an extra $500 for the word "Tactical"

But everyone is different

John Farnam once told me....

"I don't need a $2,500 handgun.....a $500 one works fine for me..."

Now...I know he owns some $2,500 weapons...he just was pointing out that the $500 (GLOCK) will get the job done....if you can do yours.

There is a lot of truth to the idea of picking one weapon and practice with it...carry it...compete with it all the time.

 

[Tamara]

The gun does not make the Operator. Training and mindset is more important.

This is assuming everyone buys their guns to be an Operator.

I must say that my tactical reloads are a bit slow on my Schmidt-Rubin 96/11.

 

[Wanderer]

In all honesty, a $400 CZ will be as good as an $800 gun, and you'll have money left over for ammo, accessories, magazines, or customization.

 

[mattd]

If you want to spend 800 on a gun a m-4 style(800 dollars is a low price for a m-16) gun will be a good choice and in a year you will be able to turn it into a "assault rifle". www.bushmaster.com If you want to buy a gun and lots of stuff for it, buy a ak-47 clone, 10 30 round mags, 2000 rounds of ammo and kobra red dot sight fora little less than 750 dollars.

 

[GD]

I was just at an auction where the name and picture of John Wayne on the side of a Model 94 lever action make it worth $700 dollars more than another identical Model 94. I am a shooter as well as a collector and would never pay that kind of money to get a picture and a name. Each to his own.

 

[Wanderer]

Use a sharpie!

 

[TonyB]

If I had all kinds of money,I'd spend all $800 on a gun.However if I have that much money,I could buy a great gun(Glock,Ruger,s+w .....) and STILL have enough money to buy a holster and ammo.......If I were rich would I have $2000 guns,probably,but I'd still probably be shooting the $500 ones.
just my 2 cents....

 

[FPrice]

While having a price range is a good idea (from a financial aspect) I think it is equally or maybe more important to try to determine WHAT kind of rifle/pistol/shotgun one may be thinking of and what they want it for. That way any advice given can focus more on the purpose of said firearm rather than a simple price range.