The REAL cost of buying a new handgun

If a gun I have takes magazines, I have to have Three mags to suit it.
I just got a Ruger MKIII, and I like a light trigger. If a friend and I can lighten it up by doing some polishing, Great.
If not, I think I will be buying a Volquartsen Hammer.
I find rifles to be far worse, because when I get one, I want to put a decent piece of glass on it.
 
I can't seem to help it either. I need to kit out any firearm I have, at the very least with extra mags. For my pistols, I seem to have a desire to get a holster and mag pouches as well, just for fun
 
The OP's experience doesn't mirror mine however the cost of a pistol is not the retail price you see at a store, I totally agree. I need a holster and mag pouches as well as a belt. I have two belts, won't need another. Any future 1911/2011 guns will use the same holsters that I have and share mags in common calibres. I have 6 mags for each pistol. I don't need a light on each and every gun, not at all. Now I have spent a fair bit to get to where I am now so buyers with less will have to outlay the $$$ to get here.

I also shoot from a holster and on the move. If you are just paper punching at the line you don't need this stuff except maybe the mags.

What you do need is a range membership, ammo and likely the ability to get it cheap which means make it cheap so you are now into reloading - another rabbit hole (very fun activity that supports shooting).

Don't forget the range kits being sold out there. Some guns come with holster, mags and mag pouches, they are a great deal. Also don't forget that EE has guns with benefits for sale, you can buy the accessories you want in a one stop shop!

Our sport isn't inexpensive but there are ways to buy, collect, shoot, that are less expensive than others!

Enjoy!
 
Even that is just the beginning. I just bought a Dillon 650 to feed the damn things. And the problem with a Dillon as I am finding out, is that all the parts that actually make it go fast (electric case feeder, bullet feeder etc.) are optional, which in turn is more money
 
Great thread Still alive :)
I can't help myself either, I need a holster, mag carrier and at least 6 mags for every hand gun I own, and then I need to double down for the wife's pistols!! It's not cheap to play these games,lol. After figuring out we shot about 15k rounds of 9mm this year I guess it's time to start reloading, more cash outlay,,,,,, and from what I understand, once you start reloading you shoot WAY more ammo :)
 
If you're into serious bullseye shooting you'll need a good spotting scope with a tripod, extra mags, a digital timer, stapler, a couple of quality red dot scopes for your guns, and a couple of Pelican cases to carry it all around.

Did I mention the prescription ballistic glasses for indoor use and another set for outdoor use?

And don't forget the Dillon 650 to load all your .45 ammo. And a case of ELEY .22.

Isn't this game fun?
 
Still alive said:
Anyways, how many of you guys are like me and need to fully accessorize your gun before you feel complete? Are there many of you who just buy one gun with one mag and are happy with that?
Click to expand...

I do that as well, making sure I have the accessories needed for any firearm: sling and scope caps for a rifle, extra mags and a nice case for a handgun.

It is the tinkering of reloading that means I have "completed" a firearm. I have to get the best reload for the firearm, usually meaning: the best operating for a semi-auto, the most accurate for a rifle and the best suited for the use overall.

I almost feel relief and a bit of of sorrow when I have a firearm working flawlessly with the best accuracy on my reloads.
 
Still alive said:
...the true cost of actually owning them.
Click to expand...

Well, technically not pistol related, but there's a similar cost for any firearm. I have bolt action precision rifle and I bought a dragbag for it to get to and from the range, a bipod, a rail, rings, an optic, bubble level, rear bag and a cheek riser... Next up is a chassis and dump the stock. And for a lighter semi-auto rifle, there's extra mags, a bag, sling, accessorized it with a rail, a light, a 1-6 scope, back up irons... Then you need cleaning kit and a set of tools (torque driver helps a lot, levels, a vice, etc).

When I was a newb gun owner, I bought more guns than I needed and ended up scrimping on ammo, tools and accessories. Big mistake. I sold a bunch of firearms (thanks EE!) and now have only a few now that I really enjoy shooting. My money was better spent accessorized them as I want them and using more of my money for ammo (well, and reloading components - now I shoot enough that the reloading cost is finally being offset in ammo savings).
 
Preemptively bought a D Hammer Spring, spare mag and Hogue Grips before I got my 92FS. Depending on if I get used to the mag release button I might get one of those Wilson Combat improved mag release for it. Other than that, if I find cheap spare mags I'll probably get those but will most likely spend money on ammo and nothing else.
 
snooze98k said:
The cost of the firearm and gear is Irrelevant to the cost of ammunition in a lifetime of ownership.
Buy what you want and shoot it.
Click to expand...

That's how I see it. If you're actually going to shoot the darn thing, purchase price and accessories mean little. Much of that can even be recovered. Ammo and components are just gone. Range membership money is gone like last year's snowman.
 
I have no issue with range finders, cool eye and ear pros, spotting scopes, sleds, reloading equipment, range memberships and ammo etc. We need all that for all our guns so they’re amortized.

I don’t even add custom stippling, Ceracote, compensators and aftermarket triggers to the price.
I’m just saying that, for me, a stock gun has hidden costs that a Nutter like me must pay to equip them the way I want to shoot them. And there’s the rub!




Every gun must be fully set up or I feel incomplete!!! It’s a sickness! And this is regardless of whether I shoot them or not! I rarely shoot these two.

And that’s why I can’t justify the costs involved with a new gun. Like I said, there really is nothing innovative about guns now. A 9mm is a 9mm. A .357 is a .357. I’ll rather just buy ammo for the ones I do own already.

Who else feels that way?
 
Last edited:
Nope. I have two X5's and an X6 but every time I see an X6 PPC I start scheming. Same with .22/.32 target guns; I shoot one platform and my shooting would probably be worse on another, but every time I see an AW93 or Matchguns product I think....well maybe I could.

My financial saviour is I don't shoot rifles larger than .22lr and those are irons only. I have zero interest in AR's, dont hunt, and am too impatient for long range. I also don't have 12.6. That would be a whole other fiasco.....I'd be swimming in revolvers. That's a beautiful Smith you've got there.
 
Ahhh....I see your problem, Still alive. IDPA. You have a need to make every gun you own all ready for IDPA. If you just stuck with your plastic fantastic for IDPA, then other guns can stay bench shooters. You wouldn't need to kit them out. lol!
 
Now where’s the fun in that...we all have our vices...i for example...prefer a minimum five mags for every one..and a holster...and mag pouches..etc...crazy sport....
 
"Accessories" are as much the cost of the gun in the same way fitting a light bar, ineffective exhaust system and impractical tires for highway use on your truck. They are not absolutely necessary. If you are shooting a particular type of match, yes a particular holster and extra magazines will be necessary to shoot the match. I have only one holster and extra mags for one service pistol I used/use in action match. Every other pistol only has two mags each, and a universal soft holster that fits them all. Revolvers have a similar shape to fit a universal (6" or less barrel) leather holster... speed loaders are not expensive. For the most part, factory sights have worked (though some service pistols leave room for improvement) but I'm of the group blessed with good eyesight.

If you want to try other handguns, there is not reason to force yourself into thinking you need a bunch of accessories.
 
I never see the need of holsters in Canada :) unless in some competition

Only gun I have holster for is a Jericho that came with it :)

One gun only I modified - grips for SR1911.

Shoot them more than you accessorize them, that's my thinking :)
 
I just want to get better at shooting, ammo will always be the biggest expense for me. Sure I just bought an SFP9, but I'll easily blow past that purchase price in a year or so with ammo costs.
 
New Camper said:
If you want to try other handguns, there is not reason to force yourself into thinking you need a bunch of accessories.
Click to expand...

That’s my point! I can try all the guns I want but if I were to buy one, I must have the proper holster, 3-4 mags, mag carriers and good sights. If not, I’ll always feel like I’m missing something and have that itch that must be scratched!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom