All this talk about cheap pistols, rebates, sales etc.

[Fenway]

Guys, Since I pay the bill here allow me to get on my soap box for a minute

I see all this talk about questionable pistols. People looking for cheap pistols, rebates, the best deals, what is on sale???

We are talking about firearms here not friggen tennis racquets or golf clubs. These are tools that might one day save your life.

I'm sure many here have a huge collection of pistols and are looking for something else. cool. But if you are someone who is going to own one gun do you really want to base that purchase on what is on sale, who has the rebate going, who throws in the pos holster and mag carrier?

I'm all for looking for the best deal. When I bought my carry pistol I bought it used FTF.

I'm not directing this at anyone. I've just noticed a bunch of posts about rebates, sales, stuff like that. I'm not saying you have to buy the Ferrari of pistols to feel safe. Or some special tactical full size operator HK .45 with threaded barrel and light laser combo. (had to get that in there Lars )

But if you come on here and read reviews of people talking about slides flying off while shooting, crappy reliability etc. Do you really want that gun? I don't care how cheap the damn thing is.

IMHO

/soap box

[IUGradStudent]

Very true. This is partly why I decided to go with Glock for my first pistol -- instead of hunting around to maybe save $50-$100 bucks I figured why not get the gun that I thought was most reliable and I liked to shoot?

[turnandshoot4]

Get what you want. It really comes down to that. I have had that experience many times. I bought the cheaper version only to want the higher quality version as well. I have only sold one gun in my entire time of gun ownership and this was the cause. Now I have to justify the purchase of a $1400 pistol :P

[SilentWarrior1]

I think that it all stems to the cost of living going up. People want to protect themselves and be prepared for whatever comes, but the reality of it is that some people aren't able to go and shell out $5-600 base for a pistol.

One of the biggest forms of advertisement is word of mouth. So, people share their experiences, or things that they've seen that might be of some help. Some pistols work for some, but not others... It's a YMMV type thing.

I paid nearly $600 for my Glock 19 after everything was said and done and still looking to put money into it. However, I would gladly Buy a stock Bersa thunder 9, which is half that, and use it for defense. Where did I learn about it? Right on this board.

People share experiences, so the burden of homework is lessened.

Again, Your mileage may vary.

[abnk]

Generally, I agree with the original poster, but as SilentWarrior mentioned, not everyone can afford $500-600 firearm right away.

I bought my first one shortly after an incident that reminded me how vulnerable I was. At that time, I was a lower enlisted in the Army and my budget for this purchase was $150-200. I ended buying a reliable revolver for almost $300 (tax included). That had to suffice until I could afford something better.

Same story with my dad. He went with a $100 High Point. It was an ugly, awkward, and heavy piece of sh!t, but it went BANG! every single time. About a year or so later, when he could afford it, he bought something much more expensive, reputable, and carry-friendly.

YMMV...

[Bronsonbull]

I understand what the first poster is saying. However, I think in most cases, people are trying to find the best deal on an item that they have already selected. Like, where they can get the best deal on a Glock G19 or Fiocchi 9mm ammo.

I haven't seen too many that have said "Help me find the best deal on the cheapest 9mm pistol".

I think these forums are a great way for us to communicate where to find the best on-line deals.

I actually bought a Smith and Wesson MP9 because I learned about the great rebate promotion and CDNN pricing via this site. I had been looking at them for a little while and held an over-priced one at Gander Mountain ($550).

I was able to get one for $399 from CDNN with a $50 rebate and 2 extra mags because of the forum.

Just my 2 cents... Please keep sharing the deals via this forum

Again, I agree with the first poster. Please do not buy your personal defense weapon without doing research on what you want to purchase. Then go find a deal on that particular weapon.

[Glock Lover]

I agree with original post. Come on.....a Glock is a great pistol...for $489 dollars you can have one brand spanking new....I know that's a lot of money...but if I can afford one....ANYONE CAN...seriously if you only knew....save...save...invest in your life and the lives of your family members.

[Fenway]

Let me put it this way. I have never been sky diving, but if I was going to do that and had to buy my own parachute I would research the shit out of it. I would seek out people with the most experience in that area and buy the very best equipment I could find to get my ass on the ground safely.

It wouldn't necessarily have to be the newest stuff or the most expensive. I would be looking in terms of reliability and positive feedback from people who have jumped out of planes hundreds of times and lived.

This is the way I'm thinking about a pistol. Again I'm not looking for most expensive. I paid $450 for my gun with some goodies used. But sales, rebates, and other stuff is not on my mind because I only own one pistol and I don't collect them. If I can get the pistol I want on sale that is awesome. But I'm not seeking out "on sale" pistols.

Just my point of view

[Ri22o]

Although I haven't read any of the "Where are the cheap guns?" threads it could also be that someone doesn't currently need another one, but if they found a deal or sale or rebate that they couldn't pass up that they would make the purchase.

I'm currently that way with a number of things. I don't need a G26, but if I knew of a sale or rebate that I couldn't pass up I would go for it.

[WestSider]

While I do agree to a certain extent, I'm not sure what falls under the category of questionable pistols.