Who carries high-end pistols?
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clemsonu0219
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Personally, I want to carry a pistol that I feel is 100% reliable. Having my gun taken for evidence is a willing sacrifice if need-be. With that being said, I feel that my Sig p232 is more reliable than almost any 1911 I've ever shot.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Been there, and done that so too speak~! I spent over $1K on the first ever
Kimber 5" Raptor II that passed my way; then traded the Raptor in on a more
expensive Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. Even tho, I didn't spend the MSRP
of $1748 for the Baer; it was still quite a bundle, at a shade over $1500. Now,
you ask "do I carry it"? And the answer is, Well NO-except too the range; and
even then it don't go on foul weather days. Its true, one can never tell where
a viable threat may come from; muchless on weather conditions, or whether
the moon will be shining brightly in the dimly lit area of a possible attack. But,
I trust my $800 Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry too dispatch what ever perp may
come my way; while the Baer sits in the safe~!
Kimber 5" Raptor II that passed my way; then traded the Raptor in on a more
expensive Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special. Even tho, I didn't spend the MSRP
of $1748 for the Baer; it was still quite a bundle, at a shade over $1500. Now,
you ask "do I carry it"? And the answer is, Well NO-except too the range; and
even then it don't go on foul weather days. Its true, one can never tell where
a viable threat may come from; muchless on weather conditions, or whether
the moon will be shining brightly in the dimly lit area of a possible attack. But,
I trust my $800 Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry too dispatch what ever perp may
come my way; while the Baer sits in the safe~!
Commander Crusty
Member
My trusty S&W 645 was customized by Karl Sokol at Chestnut Mountain Sports. It had a trigger job, BoMar sights, carry bevel package, reliability tune-up, special finish and more. My custom gun was heavily used, scratched, dented, shot frequently, taken to class, yanked out of a holster in competition, slammed against barricades and carried extensively for about 15 years. All my customizing about doubled the price of the gun, but it gave me what I believed to be the safest, most effective, most reliable pistol in the world. To me, that confidence was worth a LOT!
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Att: buzz knox
You are so right, my friend. I guess I could rely solely on my Bersa Thunder
DT .380; or my KEL-TEC P3AT .380 too dispatch the same perp(s), at a
much lesser expense? But, my reasoning is- why let a perp get that close
to you, for you too have to make a nostril shot on a bad guy? I would lots
rather take a shot at him from within the 21 foot "comfort zone" that
the FBI determined that every citizen needs during an armed attack.
BTW and FWIW, I would rather take a chance on a perp with a gun; than
I had a perp inside the "21 foot comfort zone" armed with a knife, or some
type of a shank. Most perps carry less than the best firearms; which may
or may not jam; while chances are good a perp inside the "comfort zone"
armed with a hawk bill knife might lay your guts in your hands.
You are so right, my friend. I guess I could rely solely on my Bersa Thunder
DT .380; or my KEL-TEC P3AT .380 too dispatch the same perp(s), at a
much lesser expense? But, my reasoning is- why let a perp get that close
to you, for you too have to make a nostril shot on a bad guy? I would lots
rather take a shot at him from within the 21 foot "comfort zone" that
the FBI determined that every citizen needs during an armed attack.
BTW and FWIW, I would rather take a chance on a perp with a gun; than
I had a perp inside the "21 foot comfort zone" armed with a knife, or some
type of a shank. Most perps carry less than the best firearms; which may
or may not jam; while chances are good a perp inside the "comfort zone"
armed with a hawk bill knife might lay your guts in your hands.
Mandirigma
Member
Testify, brother. On a side note, I just pray that should that nightmare occur, I get the 21 feet to "play" with.
amen
amen
IndianaBoy
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I carry a Sig. Not exactly a 2000 dollar gun.
I know lots of guys carrying minty HK P7s around.
I know lots of guys carrying minty HK P7s around.
farscott
Member
My current carry pistols were built by John Harrison, one of the LTW smiths. Each pistol cost me somewhat over $3,000. The cost, while not inconsiderable, allows me to carry a gun that fits me and my shooting style. The sight notches and width are paired to work with my eyes, the grip frames have been reduced to work with my small fingers, the triggers break like I want them to break, the trigger pull length is what I want, and the pistols dehorned so as to allow me to carry without tearing up my garments, and all of the little nagging issues for me in a stock 1911 are addressed. The guns are accurate and reliable due to good barrels that are well fit yet require no bushing wrench to field strip and reassemble. I also spent a few bucks on aesthetics because life is too short to carry ugly 1911s. The pistols provide me with confidence that if I do my part, there is no issue. I practice more because the guns are fun to shoot.
I use the pistols; in fact, I use them so much one has been back to John for a new rear sight after I damaged the one it had. One has over 20,000 rounds through it, and the other just crossed the 7,000 round mark. One has been refinished because I wore through the polymer upper finish and the hard chrome lower finish was bare in a few spots. I also went through three holsters in that time. John has also built me guns that are not used as hard, including an ivory-stocked Series '70 with a metal polish that has to be seen to be believed.
Does one have to spend that much money to get a good 1911? No. But one can have a great 1911, and there is a difference between a good 1911 and a great one.
45crittergitter
Member
I figured my carry gun was my lifesaver, and the money saved on such a device was not of much use to me if the device failed. Likewise, I figured my life was worth over $2k to get the best lifesaver I could use. If I jumped out of airplanes, I would likely choose a premium parachute....
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
As one who owns and will carry 1911's that go past the $2500 mark, I was tempted to respond to this thread.
But then I read a bit further. And as I saw the responses from others who have similar reasons as me, I also saw them being attacked by those who couldn't appreciate those reasons.
I don't have to justify my choices to anyone. I think the original question was asked with good intentions. But as this thread progressed I've seen a lot of vemon. So I'll keep my reasons to myself. Those of you looking at that choice as "high-brow" and a waste of money wouldn't appreciate those choices, anyway.
Keep this discussion civil, or I will lock it.
But then I read a bit further. And as I saw the responses from others who have similar reasons as me, I also saw them being attacked by those who couldn't appreciate those reasons.
I don't have to justify my choices to anyone. I think the original question was asked with good intentions. But as this thread progressed I've seen a lot of vemon. So I'll keep my reasons to myself. Those of you looking at that choice as "high-brow" and a waste of money wouldn't appreciate those choices, anyway.
Keep this discussion civil, or I will lock it.
Michael Zeleny
member
NWdude83
Member
You should only spend $300-$500 on a carry gun, unless you are trying to prove something or compensate for something.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Really? And why is that? What would one gain by carrying a cheaper gun, and have lost by carrying a more expensive one?
For those who carry a cheap gun with the worry that it might get taken after a shoot, I have one question: "How much is your life worth"?
I only carry guns that I trust 100%. Some are very expensive. But even a $2000 custom job is cheap compared to the value of your life.
Further, the price of the gun is going to be paltry compared to any legal fees acquired even if never charged. There's a good chance any scumbag you smoke has relatives. It's not uncommon for a shooter, even when exonerated by the police, to be sued. A friend ended up with about $40,000 in debt after a totally justified shooting in which he was not charged criminally.
I only carry guns that I trust 100%. Some are very expensive. But even a $2000 custom job is cheap compared to the value of your life.
Further, the price of the gun is going to be paltry compared to any legal fees acquired even if never charged. There's a good chance any scumbag you smoke has relatives. It's not uncommon for a shooter, even when exonerated by the police, to be sued. A friend ended up with about $40,000 in debt after a totally justified shooting in which he was not charged criminally.
sm
member
Define high-end
-Is a good used police trade in Model 10/64, 19/66 , or 3913 a single mom chooses to buy not as high-end as a NIB version of one these?
-Is the physically limited person with serious hand and wrist problems that buys a good used, LNIB , Tip up Beretta in .380 :
a. Nickel one is more high-end than the blue one?
b. an idiot for paying that much for that gun?
c. stupid for having hand and wrist problems and using a .380 for defensive use?
-Is a Kel-Tec P-11 a high-end gun when the undercover cops uses it to blend in with the thugs that carry Jennings and Bryco's , or outclassed when the higher ups show up with stolen Glocks, Sigs, HKs, Colt Pythons...?
-Is the old bone stock Gov't model of 1911 that runs like a top that someone paid $800 for , less hi-end than the $1200 1911 clone that was in a magazine, and does not run reliably ?
Excuse me, I have to look up some definitions now...
-Is a good used police trade in Model 10/64, 19/66 , or 3913 a single mom chooses to buy not as high-end as a NIB version of one these?
-Is the physically limited person with serious hand and wrist problems that buys a good used, LNIB , Tip up Beretta in .380 :
a. Nickel one is more high-end than the blue one?
b. an idiot for paying that much for that gun?
c. stupid for having hand and wrist problems and using a .380 for defensive use?
-Is a Kel-Tec P-11 a high-end gun when the undercover cops uses it to blend in with the thugs that carry Jennings and Bryco's , or outclassed when the higher ups show up with stolen Glocks, Sigs, HKs, Colt Pythons...?
-Is the old bone stock Gov't model of 1911 that runs like a top that someone paid $800 for , less hi-end than the $1200 1911 clone that was in a magazine, and does not run reliably ?
Excuse me, I have to look up some definitions now...
Mandirigma
Member
....
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Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Yep and I am sure that folks who attribute high end guns to vanity have such a disdain for vanity that they only drive the least expensive function automobile that they can drive, live in the least expensive functional housing, wear the least expensive functional clothing, etc. They are so obsessed with defending cheaper guns, they have become vane in their crusade for denouncing more expensive guns.
vanzpp said
Unless you can objectively prove that a Glock is LESS reliable than a high-end gun, there's no reason (except vanity) to spend an additional $2,000 for a self-defense gun.
I guess the laser grips he purchased weren't out of vanity for his 642 (one of his carry guns), because they made his gun more reliable and less expensive.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4134684#post4134684
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4063142#post4063142
He also shoots some fairly expensive ammunition when cheaper ammunition would do the job. Vanity?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=329112
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=327979
He carries a fairly expensive Sparks VM2 when we all know there are cheaper holsters available and uses for is Sig P220 that is some 50% more costly than a Glock, but sure this isn't vanity.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=326353
Funny how it is that we a person decides it is okay to spend more money above the level of what would be considered functionally good enough that it isn't vanity, but when somebody else does it, it is. Why is that?
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Detachment Charlie
Member
I like guns and appreciate quality craftsmanship, machining and materials.
The first time I ever HAD to use a handgun, it worked perfectly. It was a S&W M&P .38 Spl. with round nosed lead "widow-maker" bullets.
The next time I HAD to use a handgun it was an Ithica-made .45ACP 1911, genuine Navy issue. It was so loose it really rattled. But, again, it worked as advertised with 230 gr. ball ammo.
Today, I carry a Rock Island Tactical .45 ACP, a Sig 9mm 225 or a S&W 2" Model 10. I want a Sig 220 in .45ACP, only because I like the way they feel and shoot.
If I was goin to a fancy Bar-B-Que, I might break out the fancy gold and silver buckle for my hand-tooled gunbelt and see if I could borrow a fancy $2,000+ pistola from a wealthy friend, just to impress the easily impressed.
These are tools, gentlemen. The tool does not determine the quality of the end product, only the ability of the user.
Just my $0.02.
The first time I ever HAD to use a handgun, it worked perfectly. It was a S&W M&P .38 Spl. with round nosed lead "widow-maker" bullets.
The next time I HAD to use a handgun it was an Ithica-made .45ACP 1911, genuine Navy issue. It was so loose it really rattled. But, again, it worked as advertised with 230 gr. ball ammo.
Today, I carry a Rock Island Tactical .45 ACP, a Sig 9mm 225 or a S&W 2" Model 10. I want a Sig 220 in .45ACP, only because I like the way they feel and shoot.
If I was goin to a fancy Bar-B-Que, I might break out the fancy gold and silver buckle for my hand-tooled gunbelt and see if I could borrow a fancy $2,000+ pistola from a wealthy friend, just to impress the easily impressed.
These are tools, gentlemen. The tool does not determine the quality of the end product, only the ability of the user.
Just my $0.02.
NWdude83
Member
To those who like to brag about carrying an expensive gun:
How reliable is a "cheap" Glock...?
How reliable is a "cheap" Glock...?
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Who here is bragging NWdude83? And what am I trying to compensate for or prove?
Many of those Glocks will cost you more than $500 by the time you get them home.
It's interesting that if a Glock costs $500 or less to you, your opinion is that it's a good gun, while the same gun, should it cost you $501, will be a demonstration of your need to compensate for something.
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