Can you afford the finest?

[Winchester67]

For me, the answer is "sometimes". But since this is fighting forum, I am not going to talk about the finest cars, yachts or homes. Instead, I am going to talk sidearms. In the 1980's when I came of age, I purchased a Colt Gold Cup 1911. It was factory throated for 185 grain target loads, so it would feed hollowpoints of the day. The sights were too frail, but take it all around it was the finest available. Today, I have a Glock 19, which while it does not cost too much I consider it the finest fighting platform available today. Well, at least I did until Gabe came out with his own upper with a red dot. We are witnessing the future here. When Gabe brings out a 19 upper, he will get my money. And that, gents, is the highest complement I can can pay.

[dbaierl]

I have to agree.

[Dr_Dave]

you know sometimes if you skimp on quality tools it bites you. I learned that the hard way. So did many of our troops with cheap knockoff M9 mags that couldn't hold up to the sand it the litterbox.

[M1A's r Best]

For me the question I answer is this - If you use it to save your life, or the life of a family member/loved on, the cost doesn't matter.

Having said that I do not buy the most expensive guns available. Up to this point in my life when I've seen someone with the high dollar guns I've also seen someone else with a gun(s) that was not in the same "class" outshout them. Whether or not something really works is more important to me than the name on it or the cost of it.

[Craig R]

I had that question regarding motorcycle helmets the other day. A rider I know didn't want to spend too much on a helmet, but dropped $11,000 on a new sportbike. I just said "We'll it's your head that's in it, it's your call I suppose."

[TrojanSkyCop1]

I had that question regarding motorcycle hemets the other day. A rider I know didn't want to spend too much on a helmet, but dropped $11,000 on a new sportbike. I just said "We'll it's your head that's in it, it's your call I suppose."

Penny-wise and pound-foolish.

It's like spending oodles of money on a custom 1911 and then not having any money left over for practice ammo to (1) maintain proficiency with it or (2) ensure that the damn thing is actually reliable and accurate enough to stake one's life on it.

[Winchester67]

Dogface, I have reached the same point in my life. I have a lot of fun firearms I have not even shot in a couple of years. I am making a list of what goes and what stays...not all practical of course. For example, I am going to keep the Walther P-38 just because it is fun. But I need a Glock 19 slide set up for the RMR, so it is time to thin the heard. It is tough for me, as I am a chronic packrat. Good news is I was cleaning out my house to sell and found lots of yellow box Norinco 7.62 X 39 ammo from the 80's...my basement is like a treasure hunt!

[Netpackrat]

Will I buy the "finest" just because it is the finest? Usually not. But if spending a little more will allow me to do what I need to do more efficiently, and/or have something that will last longer or take more abuse, then I'll spring for the better item almost every time. What is more important in my mind, is to be able to discern when you are paying extra for added utility, or just the perception of it. I'm more than willing to pay for the best when there is some real advantage to be gained by doing so.

The problem these days, is that most products are made for the masses, and the masses demand cheap. Brands that were formerly trustworthy are no longer so, and in many cases, the best just isn't available anymore, at least new.

[PERVADER1]

Even if I can afford the top tier item, I will avoid getting stuff which will either just get trashed or stuff that just doesn't make sense if I can help it. What purpose does a $____ custom made work of art built to outshine everything else in it's class serve? Especially for it to just sit in the safe? If you're thinking family heirloom, what are they going to want to do with it, keep it in a safe just like you are doing?

But FIREARMS are different though...:biglaugh:

[Jesuvuah]

Well, I can afford the best v 1.0 which is my G17 with WTS. But now that this new system is out, which I believe to be the best, no I cannot afford it this year, and maybe not next year, but we will see. But as usual, the best is not always more expensive. A $500 dollar glock can get you a lot further than a lot of other more expensive pistols. HK pistols are nice, but for the money, I do not see anything they can do that a glock or xd cannot.