Do you have to justify your purchases to yourself?

Most of my gun purchases have been for specific things on my short list. I got a H&K P7 (PSP) that I wanted since I was a teenager. I also finally got a DE .50AE that I wanted since I was a teen. I took a trade for a LAW-12 for services I provided a dealer. I bought a Saiga 12 shotgun to sell for profit but kept it for myself. Got a Ruger .44 mag carbine in mint condition, mainly for collection. Just a cool rifle all around.

I have cut back on guns I buy on a whim. Now I really think about what I want and keep to the list. I will build an AR upper in .300 Fireball (Whisper), get a .223 bolt action rebarreled to the .300 Fireball too, then get a .308 bolt rifle. Maybe a small .22 rimfire pistol like a Phoenix, not a Browning or Ruger. That's about it.
 
Lately, I've been justifying purchases by telling myself I need enough sport utility rifles to equip a fire team. Now I think I need to equip a full squad. :D
 
We all need to get real, buying firearms is like a drug addiction and we are all addicted to it!!:) You go into the gun show, you see something that you cannot live without. You have to have it because it is a real good deal!! You feel good when the deal is made!! :)The last gun show I bought a colt pocket nine. For 535.00 clams ( good Deal) I own A Kahr pm9 & pm40 do I need another carry gun (not). I also told my Spouse that she will be well taken care of if something happens to me. If she does not want to deal with the guns, just give them to the N.R.A. It would be no lost to her!
 
I believe we buy on emotion, and justify it aftwards with facts and reason. We know what stirs our emotions, and we "gotta have it." While showing it off to friends, or explaining to our wives, we say things like, "It's the last of a kind," or "better get it now while we can," or "This fills the gap between the guns I have now." Actually, the same can be said for most purchases, especially impulse purchases. Kirby has made millions selling a fine vacuum cleaner, at a very high price, on the emotions associated with wanting a clean home, and a quality piece of machinery. (appeals to both women and men) Think about other major, but non-essential purchases, such as pools, spas, cars, etc. Fun in the sun, soothe your aching back, etc. Then after you bought it, you will extol those features as the reason you "needed" it.
I'm not trying to discount sales appeal, just explain why we buy what we buy.
 
Nope.
My only requirement is that I must be able to have fun shooting it, meaning ammo must be readiliy available, size & recoil manageable, gun reliable & accurate.
Besides that, wanting to own it is justification enough for me.
Price can be an objection, though.

That's why the expression "disposable money" raised my eyebrows.
 
I suppose I do try to justiy any new gun purchases to myself.

I try to think long and hard about several things:

  • Will I use this? I don't want any more investments, I want things I will have fun with. I have to atleast think I will use it fairly often for one thing or another, be it target, everday carry, or what have you.
  • Is this a great deal? The price has to be right. I don't mind paying full price for something, but sometimes there are some bargains you can't pass up. Even if I can't afford it, I can usually put it on layaway, to be picked up in the not-too-distant future.
  • How rare is it? Will I likely get another chance to buy one? Sometimes I purchase a gun because I don't think I will get another chance in the forseeable future. I looked around for months for a 45 colt SA/DA revolver, only to have one fall into my lap right after purchasing another handgun. I would not have bought it when I did, but feared I wouldn't find another. I haven't seen one since.
  • Is it too similar to what I already have? I don't need to spend money on a 5" gun when I have a similar one in 4", unless of course I am trading.
  • Is it similar enough to what I have? I tend to stick to like-action guns so as not to have unfamiliarities with certain things. Also, I like ot stick to certain calibers so as not to have to stock more types of ammo.
    Will this replace anything I have already? If it will/can, that means I can trade in towards it to get the price lower.

All in all, I am pretty easy to talk myself into a new gun. I guess being single, with no kids and a good job help that. Unfortunately, I may spend too much on shooting these days.....
 
Many, many years ago, I felt compelled to "justify" every new purchase, but that has passed with age. Now, if I see something I like, I get it. Having said that, though, I do find the scope of guns I purchase is far narrower that in my youth. Now, my guns tend to be of a caliber I can buy in bulk (9mm/45acp/.38), even though I have the equipment and supplies to reload, if necessary. The exotic and highest-priced calibers are out. And in recent months, hi-cap semis have become more and more appealing for obvious reasons.

Boarhunter
 
if i find something that looks fun and is nice and purty then i will usually have to justify or rationalize the purchase but if i come across a particular model i've been looking for well then i don't need a reason... i just need it!
 
For more years than I can recall, I have operated on the 'niche' principle of gun-gathering.
Each gun occupies a certain somewhat specific niche. There's plinking pistols, plinking rifles, more serious target rifles/pistols. woods-bumming/scouting pistols, upland shotguns, waterfowl shotguns, defense shotguns, close-cover deer rifles, intermediate cover deer rifles, open county deer rifles, AR platform rifles, some for plinking, others in match config.

Anyway, you get the idea.

Sometimes you can think up a new niche. It's fun.
BTW - I'm married to a wonderful lady who honestly thinks one cannot have too many guns.
 
Yes I have to justify. I am by nature a cheap-son-of-a-gun. I hate spending money. It sometimes makes my stomach feel queasy. When I am "about to" buy a gun, what I really mean is that I spend weeks if not two months going over research on said firearm and over and over in my head if I "really" need it.

I have a blue collar middle income job and not "hurting". My sister and my wife's friends think we are RICH.....:rolleyes: :barf:. Yeah right.

I just have this thing about money and I don't like to spend it. I am notorious for waiting to buy stuff on sale. This last weekend Farm n' Fleet had 90 count clays on sale for $6.00. I had to debate myself on one box or two. :confused:

It's a sickness and not just with firearms.

P.S. I bought two, because I'm not sure when they will be on sale again. :confused:
 
One gun in each style.

One full poly (Light) 9mm semi
One Sub 9mm Semi
One Full Steel 9mm semi
One Full .357 Revolver (Ok two, one steel, one aluminum)
One Med .357 Revolver
One small .38 revolver (Ok two, but I got a great deal I couldn't pass up)
One Tokarev (Ok Two)

Mouse gun in 9mm, and a 44mag is the only ones left on the list.

I also try to limit my calibers.
 
Frankly, with anti-gun left-wingers now running Washington, buying guns and ammo is likely the best "investment" a person could make at this time. Perhaps this is the ultimate justification.

Boarhunter
 
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