[chuckusaret]

Any gun is better than no gun, a $125 HiPoint will kill a person just as dead as a Kimber and for about a tenth of the cost

[danf_fl]

There are deals to be had if one is willing to find them.

What I don't understand is those who will "never buy a used gun, it has to be NIB".

They don't know how much they could be saving.

[CrazedJava]

Just to emphasize, I'm too new here to really say I see much snobbishness at this forum. But I have known quite a few gun owners that turn their nose up at "budget shoppers" and think it's foolishness not to go for the best.

On the flip-side, I see nothing wrong with owning a SIG P226. Damn fine gun and maybe someday I'll have one of my own.

I'm not a big fan of used myself but I wouldn't pass it up either. I just don't have good luck with used, whether it be guns or cars.

At the same time, one of my best guns is used. Passed down from my father. Really a testament to how timeless a gun can be with basic care.

[John_Deer]

Originally Posted by danf_fl

There are deals to be had if one is willing to find them.

What I don't understand is those who will "never buy a used gun, it has to be NIB".

They don't know how much they could be saving.

In this area I can buy a new gun for the same price as a used gun. The only deals are on BAR's of different calibers. Changes in hunting laws induced a lot of hunters to trade their BAR for a light weight bolt action. In turn, every gun shop has over 10 used BAR's they need to move. BAR's are not moving that well because you can buy a new AR-10 with the same money. Younger hunters are more attracted to the AR-10. Older hunters have a gun and aren't interested in buying anything.

This summer I bought a new P95. I saw the same gun priced as high as $350 used. Some of the used guns included a holster but they were $20 Blackhawk holsters, not like they were including a $100+ custom leather holster. I got a new P95 for $327 NIB plus FFL.

[danf_fl]

I bought a used Ed Brown that included shoulder rig, IWB holster, extra mag carrier, 3 mags, and a box of ammo for $1800.
That is considerably less than a new Ed Brown for the gun alone. $2745.

[JonM]

It depends on the usage. I see a lot of cheap guns that dont run well or function well at the range and the owner will tell everyone in earshot about how great it is (happens a lot with clones of military firearms) just as often as the guy with the pricey gun doing the same thing.

As a moderator here ive had to jump in between the two types and mete out justice for disturbing the peace. So ive seen it all.

When it comes to my personal gear i buy what works. I also take chances from time to time on some gear and guns. If it works well it stays if not out it goes.

Im an advocate of buy the best you can afford and if the best is out of the price range look it for it slightly used or save a little longer.

Best is not always a function of price.

[HOSSFLY]

Originally Posted by danf_fl

I bought a used Ed Brown that included shoulder rig, IWB holster, extra mag carrier, 3 mags, and a box of ammo for $1800.
That is considerably less than a new Ed Brown for the gun alone. $2745.

I've found there are two things mandatory in locating a "deal" on the gun you want-
Patience & Perseverance

[Doc3402]

Originally Posted by CrazedJava

Not accusing the members here or anything, but I have been exposed to a certain snobbishness in the past towards people who choose a gun for price reasons. Personally, I think you can find a good compromise between cost and quality without buying junk, but here is an article from Massad Ayoob that I found interesting -

Cheap guns are good enough

I completely subscribe to the school of thought that the best gun of all time is the one in your hand.

This is something I keep in mind on those occasions when someone asks me about gun purchasing advice. I don't tell them to go out and buy Hi-Points, but you don't need an HK either.

Hell, if all you can afford is a Hi-Point, it's a fair sight better than nothing at all. Not knocking Hi-points, but I'm not a fan of straight blowback for full combat calibers.

The most expensive handgun I ever bought was also the biggest piece of junk I ever bought. Kimber eventually bought it back from me.

[orangello]

Originally Posted by Doc3402

The most expensive handgun I ever bought was also the biggest piece of junk I ever bought. Kimber eventually bought it back from me.

Was it you that had the insta-rust Kimber? Somebody on hear was NOT HAPPY about that one.


It occurs to me that all of my pistols would be considered "value brands" with the possible exception of the CZ75b that i picked up used while buying my Ruger GP100.

[BeyondTheBox]

It's just squeaky wheeling man. Simple as that. Exaggeration and frantic over-the-topization. Until one can prove mathematically that an SNS gun is more prone to malfunction or have "catastrophic failure" (love that one... hyperbole finds its way into everything) I think they should just relax.

I wouldn't at all be surprised that if actual numbers were taken we'd find that the percent of SNS guns failed from those sold is less than that of high regard; the number of people killed or injured from a so called ROF manufactured handgun is less than that of a Colt or Remington or etc... There are stupid people of every social class and financial categorization.

That's my take.