Over-investment in a handgun

[Timjoebillybob]

“As uncomfortable as the unshaved femur bone of a mountain goat”

“It’ll fire 150 screaming eagles at your enemy...”

Great video, worth a hearty laugh. Thanks for aharing

I agree on the video, but don't thank me. Thank Itchytriggerfinger for making the gun and loaning it to the guy that made the video.

 

[Biggredchev]

Guns are like cars. People modify them to have fun, not for the resell value. Youve got your daily driver edc thats stock or mostly stock, then you have your money pits that are probably worth more parted out than sold whole.

That said i picked up a new to me P320 money pit today and im going to enjoy losing my butt on it.

 

[DocIndy]

Customizing anything is a matter of taste and intended use. My XP-100s for example, have been built for what I wanted them for. I’ll never sell them for what I have “invested” in them, but knew that going into the build. My 1911s are not going anywhere, so they are set up to suit my taste. Its gratifying to have a range trip and let someone experience a built 1911 compared to a bone stock piece. Back to back comparison is the best way to appreciate a gunsmith that knows their trade.

 

[bw210]

Probably my most expensive firearm currently... Don't carry it anymore and hardly shoot it which is a shame. Probably can never sell it with going upside by a lot. Customs are great until it's time to go... Enjoy.

 

[doddg]

I'm embarassed to admit my love for the lowly SW22 Victory. It cost a mere $300 and the more I shot it the more I loved it. When I decided to start adding parts I knew that it would be lost money but I doubt that I will ever sell this anyway. View attachment 148092
I added Tandemkross trigger and hammer. Then some Altamont grips, just because they were on sale.
24,000 rounds and I'm still in love.

I like your style!
I've had 4 or 5 Victorys, & that is just gorgeous.
I think it's very cool to take an "ordinary" gun & upgrade it some to enjoy shooting it more & the grips are just dynamite!

 

[doddg]

I behave myself & spend modestly on guns I buy, keeping an eye on what I pay for any particular gun b/c I never know what I'll keep so I need to be able to sell it to help pay for the next one.
A nice way of saying I have a reputation as a cheap-arse, haha!

I think this CZ Shadow 2 shown below was the 3rd or 4th CZ I ever bought years ago.
It was and still is the biggest splurge, paying more for it than any gun then or since: big potatoes for me at the time & still is.

Pic on the bottom is shown as originally bought for $950.
Pic on top & middle is same gun which now I have $1400 in it.

Little by little I justified upgrading this & that, inside & out.
The Wizard did some internals, Allen did the Cerakote, with the Hogue grips & stainless steel base plates from Zachcz.
I thought I'd never sell it b/c I love it more than any gun I've ever held in my hand.
I failed to use my usual restraint.

A few years back I got to reading the CZ thread & got hooked.
I've owned 10 CZs at last count.
Only this Shadow 2 & an upgraded CZ Rami have survived waves of "trimming the safe" of all but one other 9mm.

Beautiful Tungsten finish.



Before pic, with ugly Urban Gray finish, which I referred to as dirty diaper.

 

[doddg]

I don't have pics.

But I know of a guy who, years ago, bought a used Ruger 22/45 for $250.

And then he bought a $250 threaded PacLite upper for it. Then there was the $250 + $200 suppressor.

Then there's the extra rail segment and the Burris FF II.

Then there's the pile of used magazines he lucked into in a gun shop.

That's become a quite expensive cheap gun.

Best gun hobby confession I've heard in a long time!
Nothing wrong with having a $1000+ .22LR pistol!
Better the wife not know, however, but all the 22LR aficionados here understand.

 

[pmbiker]

G41
RMRcc
KKM barrel
TLR-1
Trijicon tall night sights.

WTF.....

 

[Tactically Fat]

Best gun hobby confession I've heard in a long time!
Nothing wrong with having a $1000+ .22LR pistol!
Better the wife not know, however, but all the 22LR aficionados here understand.

I asked him. The guy said that almost all of the major expenses were done so long ago that she's forgotten.

 

[doddg]

I asked him. The guy said that almost all of the major expenses were done so long ago that she's forgotten.

My wife never forgets anything I tell her.
I can't believe she can keep my stories of this person & that & which gun & that straight: I can't!

 

[armalitesheepdog]

It took a looong time but I have my wife convinced and somewhat rightfully so that guns are a investment. Not all guns. Just the right guns..probably not a glock 19 but blue steel and wood or stainless...lol. if bought right and held a few years you will always get your money back. And probably some profit Problem is I just never want my money back. I love them all.
And so will my Children. But...if something happened I could raise alot of cash fairly quick

 

[doddg]

It took a looong time but I have my wife convinced and somewhat rightfully so that guns are a investment. Not all guns. Just the right guns..probably not a glock 19 but blue steel and wood or stainless...lol. if bought right and held a few years you will always get your money back. And probably some profit Problem is I just never want my money back. I love them all.
And so will my Children. But...if something happened I could raise alot of cash fairly quick

I haven't bought many guns in the past 1.5 yrs b/c of Covid elevated prices, but when I did I had to pay a little a more than "normal."
As I have sold those same guns lately, I uncharacteristically sometimes would lose a little ($25-$50) or at least broke even.
My wife discovered over time that it wasn't the cost of the gun since that is usually fully recovered.

It was range fees, holsters, rails, rings, scopes, red dots, ammo, targets and upgrades that are the huge true expenses that are never recovered.
I have kept track of my expenses (guns on another ledger) over the past 4 yrs.
Costs have nearly doubled every year in the first 3 yrs, but this year I'm on track to spend 1/3 less than last year.
Last year's costs were escalated b/c of sorting through .22 rifles, since I had access to an outdoor range .

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I haven't bought many guns in the past 1.5 yrs b/c of Covid elevated prices, but when I did I had to pay a little a more than "normal."
As I have sold those same guns lately, I uncharacteristically sometimes would lose a little ($25-$50) or at least broke even.
My wife discovered over time that it wasn't the cost of the gun since that is usually fully recovered.

It was range fees, holsters, rails, rings, scopes, red dots, ammo, targets and upgrades that are the huge true expenses that are never recovered.
I have kept track of my expenses (guns on another ledger) over the past 4 yrs.
Costs have nearly doubled every year in the first 3 yrs, but this year I'm on track to spend 1/3 less than last year.
Last year's costs were escalated b/c of sorting through .22 rifles, since I had access to an outdoor range .

Those are very valid points. But if it wasn't gun stuff it would be fishing stuff golfing stuff and what not. At least for me. I'm a person that just needs hobby for a distraction from the day to day. Fortunately the wife has her hobbies so I guess it's a trade off. If she were to ever get into shooting I would have it made...lol. She just won't take to it. I wish she would.

 

[Tactically Fat]

It took a looong time but I have my wife convinced and somewhat rightfully so that guns are a investment. Not all guns. Just the right guns..probably not a glock 19 but blue steel and wood or stainless...lol. if bought right and held a few years you will always get your money back. And probably some profit Problem is I just never want my money back. I love them all.
And so will my Children. But...if something happened I could raise alot of cash fairly quick

Many many moons ago, I told my wife a story about "one that got away". Literally.

I saw an HK P7 for sale in the used case at the Castleton Gander Mountain.

For $650. They were regularly over $1000 at that point in time. It was mis-marked as a standard PSP model - and priced accordingly.

I didn't buy it because I didn't have the opportunity to talk to her first.

Later in the work day when I finally did get to speak with her and got the OK - it was gone. Someone else had for sure noticed the mistake and bought it.

Since telling her about that, I have the general approval to jump on GOOD deals if/when I see them. Of course, she looked me in the eye and said "I trust you to make the right decision".

So tacit approval and non-approval at the same time. LOL

 

[NKBJ]

My .40 caliber.

 

[88E30M50]

I haven't bought many guns in the past 1.5 yrs b/c of Covid elevated prices, but when I did I had to pay a little a more than "normal."
As I have sold those same guns lately, I uncharacteristically sometimes would lose a little ($25-$50) or at least broke even.
My wife discovered over time that it wasn't the cost of the gun since that is usually fully recovered.

It was range fees, holsters, rails, rings, scopes, red dots, ammo, targets and upgrades that are the huge true expenses that are never recovered.
I have kept track of my expenses (guns on another ledger) over the past 4 yrs.
Costs have nearly doubled every year in the first 3 yrs, but this year I'm on track to spend 1/3 less than last year.
Last year's costs were escalated b/c of sorting through .22 rifles, since I had access to an outdoor range .

I do find that I talk myself out of some new gun purchases with the thought that the gun may be cheap, but the ammo to run it before carry and the holster and spare mags to carry with it will kill the budget. Buying copies of what you already have does help with that

 

[pmbiker]

What is this budget you speak of?

 

[doddg]

I do find that I talk myself out of some new gun purchases with the thought that the gun may be cheap, but the ammo to run it before carry and the holster and spare mags to carry with it will kill the budget. Buying copies of what you already have does help with that

Very smart!
I learned long time ago not to buy a gun just b/c it was a great deal b/c of that very reason.
I have trimmed calibers, & I still think of a SW MP Shield .45 acp that I really liked, but I didn't want to have to keep .45 acp ammo in stock.
I just recently sold a .32 acp that I loved & intended to keep forever but realized I didn't want to buy the ammo & last time I shot it realized the joy was gone.
Still wish I had that Shield .45 though, haha!

 

[88E30M50]

What is this budget you speak of?

That is the imaginary number you plan to spend on shooting each year. Shift the decimal point one place to get closer to reality

 

[mcapo]

That is the imaginary number you plan to spend on shooting each year. Shift the decimal point one place to get closer to reality

Wow....you nailed this year for me.....lol