Why are so many gunowners ungenerous?

[Dunkelheit]

Why do so many people spent alot money in guns but use cheap optics or crap ammo & equipment?

For example a friend of mine bought an AR for $ 4400 and only fires Wolf ammo and has a small nylon case for transport. The Eotech always travels in the shipping box to the range.

 

[loki.fish]

Because they spend all their money on the gun? I have no idea how an ar can cost $4400, that just boggles my mind.

On a serious note, some people might not know any better or are too intent on owning the gun to think ahead about other things. I myself am somewhat guilty of this, as when I buy new rifles, I'll buy a cheap scope to use on it so I can shoot it and save money for other guns instead of accessories. I tell myself all the time I should finish with optics and other accessories before buying something else, but I never listen.

 

[CTPistol]

I never worried too much about what my friend spent on his guns or his accessories.

 

[dirt_j00]

Because they can...

Not trying to be a jerk, but each person has the right to choose what they spend their hard earned money on.

Doesn't matter if its high-dollar guns, scopes, ammo, grenade launchers, cars, whatever.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Most of us use optics at the range rather than in the field, under slow fire controlled conditions, and we tend to mount them on rifles we are pretty careful about. Accordingly, we can get away with fragile (cheaper) scopes so long as we are careful. Hunters will want more rugged optics than range shooters need.

As to ammo, the temptation is to spend money on what you keep -- the gun -- and not what you burn -- the ammo. For long distance marksmanship, better ammunition makes a lot of sense. But for short range plinking, the cheapest round that will reliably and safely fire without damaging the firearm is what is called for. The only reason I don't run Wolf through my AR or my 1911 is I don't want to damage the extractor or wear the ramp and throat. But I run Wolf all day long through my AK and SKS patterns.

 

[scottgun]

One friend who got ripped off on an AR does not equal most gun owners.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

What does using inexpensive gear relative to gun cost have to do with being generous? Do you mean to ask why so many gun owners skimp on some things?

Just what AR did he get for $4400?

The Eotech isn't cheap optics.

As for the ammo, if it shoots well from his gun and functions well in his gun, then why should he spend more for ammo?

Nylon case? Maybe you think he needs a Pelican case? Have you actually asked your friend what his wants and needs truly are and then evaluated his decisions?

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know why, but it is certainly common.
Here, the Weatherby rifle and Tasco scope combination is a common sight.

I read and see a lot of the "buy big and shoot small" attitude. Often seen as a frantic search for a 9mm barrel to put in a .40 calibre pistol. Is it because of the cost of ammunition or the recoil?

 

[Rubber_Duck]

The Eotech always travels in the shipping box to the range.

Shouldn't the EOTech be on the rifle?

 

[prelaw09]

What does using inexpensive gear relative to gun cost have to do with being generous?

He is in Germany. If English is not his first language, something may have gotten lost in translation. He may have meant something else.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The only reason I don't run Wolf through my AR or my 1911 is I don't want to damage the extractor or wear the ramp and throat.

I have yet to see an extractor, ramp, or throat worn out by Wolf ammo and unfortunately (because I can't stand the smell of Wolf) I have friends who use it as their primary plinking ammo. Besides, with the savings on Wolf ammo, you could buy a spare extractor with every case of Wolf and still have change to spare.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Probably for the same reason that people with three car garages keep them full of "stuff" and leave the 40K to 50K SUV's out side. I don't have an answer.

One theory about the guns, though, is to buy the best gun you can and not spend the money on fancy cases or expensive ammo. If they are anything like me, they'll buy the best gun they can afford to fill whatever need they want to fill, buy a good reliable scope minus all the bells and whistles, an adequate case for travel/storage, and cheap ammo for practice. But, they'll keep a sufficient stock of the best ammo for hunting, self defense, or SHTF duty.

Like building a good house, you want a firm foundation. The $4,400.00 gun is likely the foundation of a good arsenal. The good ammo and accessories can always be added later like better shingles, outdoor lighting, and paving the driveway for your new house.

These are just thoughts. Other people might have a different reality than me.

Woody

 

[Hk91-762mm]

He might not realize that we are in the BUY guns Mode -Because of pending Gun Bans --
Ill buy an expensive rifle and go cheep on a scope to save money for another rifle before the ban .. I can up grade scops after the ban !
Besides anyone price a kales-Zeiss. scope lately

 

[sharkhunter2018]

His money, his rig. He can distribute the money anyway he wants.

 

[Cannonball888]

Quote:
The Eotech always travels in the shipping box to the range.

Shouldn't the EOTech be on the rifle?

Maybe he didn't want to spend money buying a screwdriver and was hoping someone generous at the range would lend him one.

 

[Dunkelheit]

Just what AR did he get for $4400?

He got a www.oberlandarms.com Rifle, Model M5 with some addtional features.

I do not condemn him or people like him, but i can´t understand it.

Of course should the Eotech be mounted on the rifle, but its used for more than one gun.

 

[Cannonball888]

Of course should the Eotech be mounted on the rifle, but its used for more than one gun.

Now that is ungenerous

 

[sharkhunter2018]

but its used for more than one gun.

That seems like a PITA and rather dumb, considering you would have to re-zero it everytime.

 

[SavageMOA]

I was under the impression that private gun ownership wasn't legal in Germany?

We just had a kid from Germany visit my University and he was shocked when he found out we owned guns.

That and when he first got to go to a Walmart you would have thought he'd looked at the face of God

 

[Cannonball888]

That and when he first got to go to a Walmart you would have thought he'd looked at the face of God

My Ukrainian in-laws are going to have that expression Feb 28th when I take them to a 2,000 table gun show. Ukraine is uber-verboten to private firearms.

 

[Dunkelheit]

Luckily not, but we have a lot more restrictions than US citizens. For eg. no CCW, no silencers, no full auto etc.
I´ll never forget my first visit in a american Walmart. I was on vacation in AZ and about 16 years old, i felt like in paradise.

 

[CoRoMo]

I do not condemn him or people like him, but...

...you you certainly will label him/them ungenerous?!!?

Ungenerous??? Ever heard of range ammo?? It's designed to be inexpensive.

Is a gunowner then generous if he wastes away all his money on the most expensive ammo just to be used at the range??

That horse is mighty high IIDSSM.

 

[Dunkelheit]

I don´t say you should use match grade ammo for fun shooting, but i think it should be at least brass and no steel. If it was a AK or Mini14 i´d have no doubts about using the cheapest round avaible. I for myself will never fire a single round Wolf in my Sig551. I´m too much afraid of damaging it.

edit:

I checked a dictionary, maybe i chose the wrong word. I think frugal could fit in also. I´m sorry.

But this shouldn´t get a pro or con wolf thread, it´s a generally question. The AR was just an example. In my shooting club are still people who shoot twice a week but not even care about a suitable hearing protection.

 

[blkbrd666]

$4,400.00 for an AR?! Is this post about generosity or common sense? It could be that he has no money left for anything more than a nylon softcase...or he told his wife how much he spent and she took away the credit card.

 

[sharkhunter2018]

I would run Wolf through a AR without thinking twice. I've both seen and fired plenty of Wolf in a couple of different AR-15s. Of several thousand rounds, the only time something went wrong was when a spent case got stuck in the chamber.

If it eats what it's fed without a hitch, I don't see a problem.