How you make gun buying decisions

[nakneker]

I use to try to justify every firearm I purchased, my ex wife okayed a part in that conditioning for sure. One my best friends, my Dad, kind of changed that one day. Advised me to buy it if I wanted it, as long as I was responsible as far funds go. His advice/lecture kind of changed the way I look at gun buying. It’s been a good thing too.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I use to try to justify every firearm I purchased, my ex wife okayed a part in that conditioning for sure. One my best friends, my Dad, kind of changed that one day. Advised me to buy it if I wanted it, as long as I was responsible as far funds go. His advice/lecture kind of changed the way I look at gun buying. It’s been a good thing too.

Your admiration for the hunting sport has created many great memories for countless family members and friends, your decisions have been a class act.

 

[nakneker]

Your admiration for the hunting sport has created many great memories for countless family members and friends, your decisions have been a class act.

You’re always too kind with your words. Thanks!

 

[Texas Solo]

This doesn't Only apply to guns. I find myself always wanting better accessories, like my new SEB Joystick vs my old Sinclair F Class.
Or my recent purchase of a $3500 March scope vs my old Vortex GE.

I upgrade when I feel I'm losing points due to inferior equipment.
I don't mind losing to a better shooter, but I hate losing because I can outshoot my equipment.

 

[Texas Solo]

Your admiration for the hunting sport has created many great memories for countless family members and friends, your decisions have been a class act.

My Dad always said "don't let your wants exceed your needs".
Great advice

 

[ronsatspokane]

As someone said above, if I see something that looks interesting I think about it for a while, do some research and if I'm still thinking about it a week or so later, it becomes part of my collection. That doesn't mean that I have not run across something and bought it on the spot. Latest example, I was buying a recoil pad that I found in the clearance bin that I wanted to add to a chassis because the existing one was too thin for the cartridge and I wanted a bit more cush to the push (so to speak). They wanted 12 bucks for it when the original price was 35 or 40 bucks. I look down into the class case at the checkout and what to I see? A model 41 in perfect shape with the original case, tools, papers just as if it were new. I now use it in informal rimfire pistol matches.

That said, I'm reducing my collection. Just yesterday I traded three firearms for two. One of them acquired to move up market, one of them because it was inexpensive and I wanted it. If I'm not shooting it, it becomes trading material. I'm getting rid of my safe queens. That includes anything that when you pull the trigger could result in a chipped tooth, a retinal detachment, a brain hemorrhage or even a bruised shoulder. I'm not going to encounter an angry water buffalo or rhino on the streets of Spokane so I don't need or enjoy shooting those big boomers anymore. Buh bye to them. Don't think I'll regret getting rid of any of them but you never know...

 

[4xforfun]

If somebody, somewhere thinks I shouldn't have something like that....I buy it!!!

 

[One Eye Pete]

God has been good to me and I could probably afford any gun I want. BUT I have three secure gun cabinets full of guns. At this point I ask myself, what am I going to use it for or why do I need it? I’d love to build another F-open rifle but I just don’t need it, it wouldn’t improve my score. To do that I need to practice. I have a bunch of really nice collectible engraved shotguns and pistols but I really don’t need anymore “wall hangers”. Although I’m good with a rifle I am NOT good with a pistol. I have a pistol for practice (which I need), I have my carry gun and I have my home defense gun. So the last gun I just purchased was a 9mm 2011, the reason I needed a this gun was that I have a condo in SLC and I needed something for home defense and target practice when I spend time there. The reason for the 9mm, I can buy ammo cheaper than I can reload, It’s good for self defense and it’s good for practice at a local range. I’m selling my varmint rifle (Savage LRPV 22-250) it’s a great gun but I don’t hunt and it’s just sitting in the cabinet collecting dust. It’s really hard to keep competitive rifles constantly in tune, and to have a whole bunch in sitting in the cabinet collecting dust doesn’t make you shoot better. To me buying guns without a purpose doesn’t make sense anymore. I think there is a lot of truth to the saying “beware of the man with just one gun he probably knows how to use it”.

 

[GetReal]

First thought…. “I need another gun like I need another hole in my head.” Then low and behold someone comes out with something I can’t live without so I chew on it a bit and then research it and if I still want it , I buy it.

2026 Shot Show is going to cost me a lot of money

 

[ISS]

If I see something I would really enjoy shooting, and it is in good condition' well... Then I look at the price tag.

I probably have too many thumpers, like the Pre-64 70 in 458 RUM I had Wiebe build me several years ago. But they are such fun to try and harness that power...

Life is too short to dance with ugly women, or leave a large estate. Besides, my lovely bride made more money than I did the first decade we were married, so she's set. And everything we own is paid for.
God has been very, very good to us.

 

[Lee in Texas]

“That looks cool”.

 

[demarpaint]

I go and look in my safes and to see if I have enough room to squeeze another one in

I did that yesterday, I'm fighting the urge to buy another shotgun.

 

[Downhill]

My firearm decisions are sheer impulse. I have firearms that I have never put a bullet in. But I just had to have it at that moment.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Im addicted to buying, selling, and putting guns together as much as actually shooting and hunting. I used to be on a really tight budget. These days I make enough money to mostly buy anything I want.

My general method is to obsess over the decision for a year or more. Then one day there is a combination of a sale and a bottle whiskey. Presto, a week later I get a call from the FFL to come pick it up!

The one thing I have learned is save up for something good. A few really good tack drivers is way better than a whole safe of mediocre guns that you don't even have time to shoot. Those cheap guns will often cost a lot more in wasted ammo and frustration.

 

[ISS]

I was good to go with just the 300NMI project. And, then Christian Silver posted that BAT 28N for two-grand. And I do not own a single 7mm.

Back down the rabbit hole...

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I bet I should throw in Politics and World events have sent us to buy several times.

 

[D Coots]

I buy a new rifle when she tells me to, using psychology.

After a year and a half of shooting like a pig, I mentioned to the wife that I was about ready to quit. She says, what would you do then? I replied, probably spend more time in the house. She immediately replies.....Maybe You Need A New Gun

No shit.....

Later

Dave