gun status quo

[Crankgrinder]

Ive noticed something for a very long time some have known all along true in just about every field. If you have gun with x name on it whether it functions 100% or not it will bring more money, but if you have gun by a different name, with a different finish that you know for a fact runs 100% whether people know its manufacturer has a good reputation or not it may be worth nothing in comparison. Kimber 1911 has just as many problems as any other i hear, so does springfield and colt and so on. RIA is a cheaper gun to begin with, but have heard nothing but good thins about its function still used kimber brings &1200.00 or more and only appreciates in value. RIA bought for $400 might get u $250 and lots of suspicion later on u try to sell it. People jump at a smith revolver and pay top dollar for one used while a ruger just as good will get you some suspicion and low ball bids from people offering to buy or trade for it. Yes it is true that some manuf. are more reputable than others,but it is also true that great guns that work just as well can be had for $1000 less in some cases. Are the "better" guns really that much better? better enough even to warrant a seemingly inflated price above that of their competitors? is it all about marketing? It seems to me that its much more about the name and appearance and $ than it is about the product itself.

 

[Sheriff Gotcha]

I don't know much about firearms yet, but what you're saying is probably spot on. The same thing has occurred for years and years with other items such as clothing. Will a $5 t-shirt work just as well as a $20 one? Damn straight, but if that $20 one has a Nike sign on it you better believe it's in higher demand than the same shirt without the logo for $5.

I was always under the impression that the higher priced firearms such as the Kimbers and Wilson Combats were that price because they were "custom"-ish made. Maybe hand made instead of mass produced. I don't know though really.

 

[MTT TL]

Are the "better" guns really that much better?

The question is "that much". I find with really expensive or really cheap guns they are not worth it. Things in a certain price range are delineated by the market.

Better enough even to warrant a seemingly inflated price above that of their competitors?

It is only inflated if people won't pay. If they don't pay than the price is too high.

Is it all about marketing?

All? no. Some? Of course.

It seems to me that its much more about the name and appearance and $ than it is about the product itself.

That is one POV.

 

[gun nut]

Definately the name. Ive sold some winchester rifles with horrible accuracy for three times as much as a savage that shot great.

 

[Crankgrinder]

its not just about 1911s thats just an example, and its no knock on anyones guns. Kimbers are great, so are springfields. But both are made on assembly lines, all use mim parts these days, no knock there either, but they cite cost savings yet their price never comes down, and springfields are made in brazil, assembled in the U.S, just as Taurus are. I know labors involved. Ive paid more $ for most of my guns because i know it feeds a homeboys family this is a fact but it is something to think about there are lots of good guns to be had if you plan to keep it yourself and one can overcome the status quo.

 

[Oysterboy]

It's like guitars. Names like Gibson and Fender holds their resale value but Carvin and LTDs, for example, were made as well and plays good tanked on their resale value.

 

[mes227]

Well, some of the OP is just incorrect. Used Kimbers might fetch $1,200 and up but the last one I bought got $700 and that included CTC grips; excellent condition and it did a fantastic job at the Front Sight 4-day course. Kimbers ARE more rugged than RIAs. Don't believe me? If you look at the Clarke .460 Rowland conversions, they recommend Kimbers (and a number of others) and say don't install the kits in RIAs (and others) as they are simply not up to the stress. As you move up the price range you get more than name. The next step up from Kimber is, in my mind, Dan Wesson. The DW's are 100% forged parts, not an MIM piece in the factory. Kimbers have a couple of MIM parts, everything else forged. As you move down the price range you get more and more MIM parts. Nothing really wrong with them - they are cheaper than forged but they are also a little weaker, a little more prone to failure, a little less perfectly fit. All DWs and the custom Kimbers are also hand fitted, the RIAs are not. Hand fitting makes for smoother operation, more precision, less wear on the gun.

As to Kimber's problems: I have 2 and each has seen thousands of rounds by my hand (one is now sporting a .460 Rowland). Not a problem, not a hiccup with either. And one is used of unknown history but clearly has had prior range and holster time.

I had the pleasure of handling a completely custom built 1911 a few months ago, selling for about $2,500. I'm sorry I did....because now I understand the difference! Cycling that slide, squeezing that trigger....pure magic! And perfectly balanced in my hand.

I've also done side-by-side bench tests of various 1911s. They DO shoot differently out of the box and the better made guns usually -- not always -- shoot better OOTB.

I had an interesting chat recently with a guy working at a local gun shop. He really knows guns and is a competitive shooter. He has a Springfield and said that by the time it got done making it suit his needs he spent more than a DW would have cost, and the DW Pointman is more of a gun. Serious shooters buy higher quality guns, and I don't think it's just because of branding.

That said, RIAs are great guns, probably the best in the price range. But they are not Dan Wessons nor are they Kimbers. And DWs are not Black Hawks or Wilson Combats.

 

[Trockstroh]

It is case by case, I shoot my Glock 19 just as well as any H&K i have ever shot and the glock was almost half the price of some of them. I also look at other issues like reliability and durability and I find that some of the cheaper to middle range guns due these issues better than most high end firearms.