expensive guns....WHY?

[gottripletsNC]

Okay,
Here comes the can of worms......

I understand that some things are made to higher standards etc... I usually only buy higher priced name brand tools, only because they are stronger and last longer....thats in my experienced opinion only.

I own a Springfield GI that I customized to my liking, and the next one will be another Springfield, probably a loaded in the 4" size.

I can see 1000$ for a good quality customized 1911, but I have seen 3500 for some guns, sure there are nice cosmetics done, nice sights etc. with guarantees to have 1" groupings at 25 yards. However I can do that with mine with the customizations I've done to it.

So why all the money on the very expensive guns? Why spend all that money?

[stumbler]

Some say that you pay a gunsmith not only for what he does, but for what he knows. Some "Gunsmiths" think they know it all, but I am not impressed with some work I've seen. I have a little of everything, and yes, there is a difference in some in the quality issue. But some people have more money than time to do the customization themselves.


At the range, I have more interest in what you have done to customize your gun than what you paid to have customized.
Be Safe

[Mitrod3]

in our society money equates to quality. this goes for guns also. more bucks is seen by many (not all) as more quality, durability and accuracy.

many just have the money to spend and do so hopefully getting the bang for the buck that they believe is there. competition shooters in our area also like to go for what will help them get the edge.

in one case a personal friend of mine is spending upwards to $4,000 to have a custom made gun that will be all his dreams (and he has big dreams) wrapped up into one very nice 1911, just because he can and wants to.

i don't have the big bucks to spend on a gun so i just shoot my lower priced stock off the shelf 1911's and really enjoy doing so.

i have also seen (as we all have) high priced guns shoot well and not so well and low priced guns shoot well and not so well. part of it is the gun and part the shooter.....or maybe a lot of it is the shooter.

be safe, shoot well. :cool:

[HOG4DNR]

You know when I started shooting with a Sig P220 in the mid 80's I thought a $600-$800 was alot of money (which it is). I then got a part-time job at a gun store and was introduced to the 1911. I've shot and owned alot of 1911's from Mil-Spec's to SuperGrades and some of course shot better than others. IMHO once you spend around $1200 on a 1911 the accuracy of any gun is about the same give or take a 1/2 inch. With that being said the more expensive guns have different features that you either like or don't like.

The reason I think most people buy higher priced guns is that it's DONE. and in the long run cheaper.

Ex: A Les Baer Premier II is approx $1500.00

A Springfield Loaded 1911 approx $750.00 but once you send it out to be checkered, a reliability job, action work plus whatever you want will probably cost you a $1000.00 or more. Plus you will not have your gun for an undisclosed amount of time.

So sometimes it might seem like alot but in the long run it's not.(but it still is)

[gottripletsNC]

So pretty much the general consensus is....

to have a NICE gun without doing the work yourself then, or spend it cause you got it...

Just wondered what was the big stink about 2000+ dollar guns...

I'm broke most of the time so my USGI was alot of money for me, and I save quite alot doing all the work myself with the advice of some of the gentlemen on here.

[blain6]

like my springfield the way it is, why waste the money. at least thats what my wife says

[LtlBear]

gottripletsNC
I bought my Kimber Ultra CDP because it had all the features I wanted at the time for a Carry gun. I have changed a few MIM parts, but in general it is a carry gun and accurate and reliable enough for the job. Granted it is not a high end 1911, but all I can afford.
I am thinking about getting a government size 1911. I like to tinker with things, so I am going to buy a bare bones cheap ($) as they come SA and work my up to the gun I want. It will evolve over time and it will be a hobby and a way to have some fun. For me shooting them is only a part of the experience. I do not own any safe queens, but it may end up a range queen. Your last post stated most people’s logic. Buy it done due to time, money, and ability, or build it due to time, money, and ability.

[stumbler]

Gentlemen? I have to think about that. I've been called other things, but a Gentleman?

[gottripletsNC]

Gentlemen? I have to think about that. I've been called other things, but a Gentleman?


Well if it makes ya feel better, then I will use that term loosely Stumbler :D

[1911a1fan]

Buy a 750 dollar gun ,put another 500 bucks into it ,you still have a 750.00 gun

I have heard this before ,I once had a friend that scoffed at me for buying a Wilson combat ,”my kimber will shoot just as good” ,and you paid three times as much ,we met at the range one day he shot it once ,and knew why ,he has since sold his kimber ,and is looking to buy a Wilson ,it is not a matter of just a grouping at a target ,the feel ,and smoothness of a custom pistol is totally different ,most people that make statements referring to “my gun is just as good” ,I find have never even held a 2,000 custom gun ,or shot one to know what the real difference is ,sure a caviler can get you where your going ,and do the speed limit ,but it can no way get you there as smoothly as a Cadillac

Most medium end guns are just fine ,but a forged carbon steel frame that has been tested to upwards of one half million rounds is no comparison ,sure my buddies kimber shot very nice ,as well as all I have shot ,and own ,but I will have to buy three of them to achieve the life I will of one high end gun

Buy the way I drive a very cheap vehicle

[Big Sky Rancher]

I think that in general more expensive 1911s are nicer, more accurate, better fitted. However the degree of "better" that each subsequent dollar buys decreases as the dollar value goes up. In other words a $2000 1911 isn't, imo, twice as good as a $1000 1911.


So why all the money on the very expensive guns? Why spend all that money?

I think that at least part of this question is answered by how much disposable income a person has to begin with.

[Sifu]

I don't know guys. I have a Kimber Ultra CDP for CCW and a Les Baer Thunder Ranch for range work and I love em both but I'm now looking at Ed Brown and Nighthawk. Seems like the more we have, the more we want. It's human nature.

http://www.edbrown.com/images/handguns/kobracarry-ss.jpg


http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/a_BobtailTalonII.jpg

[1911snob]

Seems like the more we have, the more we want. It's human nature.


yep, then your consider a 1911snob ;)

which I am not :D

[SAWBONES]

It ain't the money.
It's having it just exactly the way you want it.

If you find the gun perfect out of the box, more power to ya, but most folks who know the difference require some changes for best use. Whatever that costs, it's worth it.

[Super]

Some of my very favorite 1911's are the standard M1911-A1s such as the Springfield Mil-Spec. I have a thing for the design of the 1911 and don't look down on "production" guns.

However, there is a big difference between a production gun and a full or semi-custom. If you compare them side by side the difference is obvious.

Some of that extra money is paying for better parts, but I believe most of it is paying for the labor of a highly skilled craftsman. Craftsman who are in an elite group of the best of the best. These craftsmen spend hour after hour machining, fitting, and polishing until the fit, finish and function of these firearms are close to perfect as can be. There is little fitting on most production pistols. The tolerances are large enough that they are simply assembled for the most part. That is not a put down, that is the way it has to be if you are in the business of selling large quantities of your product.

As far as those that say their production gun is just as accurate, this is not the case in my experience. The full custom .38 Super I had built for NRA Action Pistol competition shot a 1 3/8" 5 shot group at 50 yards out of a Ransom Rest. It cost just over $2000. I have seen many custom guns that could hold about 1 1/2" at 50 yards. It is VERY rare to have a production gun that will group 1 1/2" at half that distance. Some are lucky to keep 5 rounds under 4" at 25 yards. Most are somewhere in between. But like in fishing and racing, exaggeration is common in this topic, and lots of guys claim differently.

I do agree with Brass Balls though. In all things you hit a point of diminishing returns. The best of the production guns are very good, and you don't get twice the gun for twice the money. And as far as accuracy and function goes, by the time you hit the $2000 range there is little that can be improved on.

Super

[GCT00427]

I really think that it is not an issue of money, but an issue of having something that you want. Everyone spends their money on what they consider important. No matter how wealthy or poor they are, priorities are placed by what seems important. Some people will even sacrifice basic needs to have what they want.

To some people it is important to own an expensive gun, to others out of the box is fine. I am just thankful that here in Americe, we get to make our own choice.

Kind regards to all,

Chuck

[Sifu]

Just like anything a person takes a personal interest in, the more you experience it, the more exacting your needs and wants become. With more and more practice, we try different things to make ourselves better shooters. I've encountered a plethora of problems with production weapons and have come to realize - you get what you pay for.

When the wife walks in with a new pair of shoes, I don't say anything because it makes her happy and if she's happy then I'm happy. As long as we have a roof over our heads, food on the table and the kids have shoes, my wife supports my hobbies too.

Life's short, work hard and play hard too.