What gun buying "rules" can you add?

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Hokkmike

Hokkmike

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I have learned a lot about shooting and buying guns over the years. Mostly my mistakes have taught me some basic "rules" that I try to follow in acquiring and keeping my collection.

Here are 3 of my rules or guidelines.

#1. Always buy the best you can afford. Don't be satisfied with something less only through impatience or a lack of willingness to wait and save the money. Generally, you get what you pay for. For example, if you want a Colt, save up for it and don't buy a clone. In the end, you will end up getting what you want anyway.

#2. Guns can be beautiful but they are not, strictly speaking, art. If I am going to buy a gun it will be used for something. I don't buy a gun because it is availble or cheap or anything else unless I also think I will find some use for it. Exceptions might be gifts and/or family heirlooms. If you are buyng guns as a collector then I suppose this rule would not apply.

#3. I try not to duplicate. If I have a great deer rifle I don't need two. However, I may have a larger big game or smaller caliber "varmint" rifle that could double as a deer rifle. This would allow you latitude to shoot with something different or possibly "lend" a gun to a friend for a hunt. But I wouldn't purchase a .260 and a 7mm.08 in the same type of bolt action rifle. A matching or sequential pair of firearms might be an exception.

So, what gun buying rules can you add - even if they disagree with mine?
 
1.) You don't always get what you pay for. There are some really great bargains out there. Don't assume that $200 swiss rifle isn't a great gun or that your $900 HK handgun is better than all others because you paid more.

2.) Guns can be great toys. Buy some guns that make you happy because of their recoil, bang, price, or aesthetics.

3.) Everything mechanical breaks. If you don't want to be without your gun you better have a replacement to take its place.

Had to be contrary :D

Now to be controversial.

Sell the guns you don't shoot. You're not getting any enjoyment out of them and there are plenty of guns in the world to replace them with. Get something you like.

Check pawn shops for guns. A lot of them are going to be overpriced, beat up, or just plain junk but you'll find a gem now and then.

Follow your state laws when buying and selling guns but don't assume that the person you're dealing with is willing to treat guns like radioactive waste and hand over their drivers license info to you to make the deal.

If you're buying so many guns you can't afford to shoot much, you're buying too many guns. Go to the range more.
 
3.) Everything mechanical breaks. If you don't want to be without your gun you better have a replacement to take its place.
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Your contrary rules do kind of make sense.

You know, as I think about it - I have never had a gun "break". I have had one or two unreliable guns. They are GONE. An unreliable gun is like a cheating wife.
 
I'm a shooter, not a collector. So my rules include:

1. Do the research first.
2. Buy what I think I'll shoot.
3. Sell those I don't shoot.
4. Repeat.

The better I do #1, the less I do #3.
 
Buy what you want

and can afford. There are members here who seem to derive a great deal of pleasure from their collections of (fill in the blank).
That said, I did get a KelTec PLR because it seemed to be just the sort of gun to be banned under a Democrat president.
 
An additional rule to those mentioned above.....

-Always perform a safety check of the firearm before purchasing.
 
#3. I try not to duplicate. If I have a great deer rifle I don't need two. However, I may have a larger big game or smaller caliber "varmint" rifle that could double as a deer rifle. This would allow you latitude to shoot with something different or possibly "lend" a gun to a friend for a hunt. But I wouldn't purchase a .260 and a 7mm.08 in the same type of bolt action rifle. A matching or sequential pair of firearms might be an exception.
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While I tend to agree, it was easier (and each comes out cheaper) to build three AK's than one.
 
Buy the gun, not the story;)

Make sure that a purchase is mechanically sound or repairable and do not let your judgement get clouded by the "might have been at Wounded Knee" kind of tales.
 
If the seller won't let you dryfire a few times (with a snapcap if necessary) you don't need to hand him your money.

If the seller doesn't know the 4 rules (sweeps me with the gun, etc. etc.) I tend to question his/her knowledge of firearms in general and that leads me to wonder about maintenance of the firearm in question.

Never, EVER, buy a used firearm without running a boresnake and then using a borelight to inspect the barrel.
 
My thoughts on getting started from scratch...

1. Buy a reliable, simple shotgun.

2. Buy a reliable, simple handgun.

3. Buy twins of the guns of steps 1 & 2.

4. Buy a reliable, simple, high powered rifle.

5. Buy a reliable, simple .22lr rifle.

6. Buy whatever you fancy.

7. Repeat step 6 as desired.

=====

My General Rules...

1. Leave room in your budget for lots of ammo, cleaning supplies and parts.

2. Learn as much as you can about your prospective purchase; for example, research videos and articles on field stripping your desired gun BEFORE you purchase.

3. There's nothing wrong with used, but be anal to the point of being annoying.
 
After you buy guns:

1. You will buy new furniture - Buckmark
2. You will buy new drapes - 1911
3. You will buy a new purse - Glock 26
 
If you're buying so many guns you can't afford to shoot much, you're buying too many guns. Go to the range more.
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I need to take your advice, sir.

If only those da**ed self-serving politicians weren't such a grave threat to me eventually, buying the guns I want I definitely would shoot more often and buy guns less frequently.

As it is now, I usually only go centerfire shooting once a month and try to buy as many gun that I can that potentially qualify for AWB2.
 
When buying ask yourself can I feed this. I had a 1911 before I got into shooting and it was no big deal because the same bullets were always in the gun, once I got into shooting it became painful at $25 to $30 a box for WWB. On a side note I just bought reloading equipment...
 
#1. Always buy the best you can afford.
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1) Don't buy something that's "almost as good" just because it's cheaper. In the long run it's cheaper than selling off something you're not satisfied with.
 
1) Do your research first, before you hit the stores or shows. Buy with confidence.

2) Every time you buy a gun, buy a book. It doesn't have to be about the gun you just bought; it could be about something you're planning on buying next. Build a good gun library.

3) If possible, take along a close friend (preferably a gun enthusiast), to give you a different perspective about a possible purchase.

4) Know your price ranges for what you're thinking about buying; is this a good deal or is it too high priced? Compare and contrast similar guns with different dealers.

5) With todays political climate, consider purchasing certain guns ahead of others if some sort of bureaucratic limitation seems imminent.

6) Buy the best you can afford. Consider layaway, if available, if cost exceeds current funds but the item in question is what you really want.
 
1) Snooze you loose.....When buying a rare hard to find specimen don't wait to think it over, pay an extra 20-25% if necessary. It may be years before you find another one at any price.

2) When buying a rifle, figure to spend the same amount on optics and accessories later.

3) Mint condition is always worth extra.

4) Buy guns that are of high quality, low production numbers, and of classic designs.
 
1. I agree with doing RESEARCH 110%. Thats rule number one with me on any big purchase, not just guns. I walked into the dealership to buy my truck and knew more about the truck than the salesman did. This includes prices, variants, accessories, etc.

2. I agree 100% with bring a knowledgable friend. I have had friends point out big-deal flaws on guns I'm looking at, and I've been the friend. Two heads are definitely better than one when gun shopping.

3. If you're buying a gun for a specific purpose, don't just focus on one manufacturer. i.e. I'm not a big handgun guy, but I own them for the purpose of concealed carry. So I looked for a concealable 9mm, not a Glock, or a S&W or a Sig etc.

4. Price isn't the only measure of quality. I see no reason to blow $1000 on a gun when a $500 gun will do the job. This relates to #3 above.
 
Just because it is more expensive doesn't make it better.
Dont pass up the revolver for the bottom feeder.
Rent one and shoot it before you buy it.
 
1) Does this gun do anything that a gun I already own does not? (If NO, then STOP[unless you actually ARE shopping for a duplicate/replacement for a primary SD/HD/CCW gun]; if YES, then proceed to: )

2) Am I likely to find this same make/model of gun in the same store, or in a different place, at a later time, for the same price or less(especially if used)? (If YES, then STOP; if NO, then proceed to: )

3) Is the price a good(or at least fair) deal? (If NO or UNSURE, then STOP; if YES, then proceed to: )

4) Can I afford to pay the full price and take it home right now, without the slightest bit of either doubt or regret regarding ANY part, portion or aspect of the deal or of the gun itself? (If YES, then buy it; if NO, then either SECURE THE GUN WITH A DEPOSIT OR PUT THE GUN ON LAYAWAY.)

5) You can always get more money - you can't always find a REALLY good gun. To paraphrase the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, "Guns will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times with no guns." ;)
 
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