No Love For Open Guns?

[Sniffer]

Its no secret that thanks to Lloyd Trudeau handgun sales are pretty crazy right now and everyone is trying to get what they want while they still can.

In the course of looking at what I would like for my "forever" guns I have noticed that almost everything is in short supply (even used) except for used Open guns (new Open guns are pretty scarce), there are a few of them out there (some beauties too).

To be clear I am referring to full on race guns that run major power factor for IPSC with frame mounted red dots etc.

I have never shot an Open gun but I imagine they are fickle being so high performance so maybe that turns people off? Or is it the fact that they are expensive? Or maybe they offer more performance than most people need?

I also got to thinking that it could be due to the unknown of them being a race gun (so could have seen a lot of use / wear) which puts people off (running high pressure major ammo probably doesn't help either).

Thoughts?

 

[TT1900]

It’s because the ask prices aren’t reasonable.

99% of handguns are barely used. People buy them, don’t shoot them, want the latest and greatest so sell to “trade up”. 75-80% of new price for a lightly used firearm is reasonable.

Competition handguns don’t fit this paradigm. They are bought to be run hard and cost enough that, in general, only those who actually use them buy them. When you see them for sale they likely either have very high round counts or are underperforming samples. Ex: I know a guy who buys 3-4 examples of his competition guns; he keeps the best shooter and sells the rest, cost of being on/near the top.

So, why would anyone pay near new prices for heavily used or underperforming guns that may need significant work to be competitive?

 

[Janeau]

Open gun have mostly high rounds counts of high pressure ammo. They are usually fitted tighter and work well with specific ammo. Some are usually not very forgiving ammo wise.

Many need to be tuned - proper springs - need changing as rounds count pile up.
Sear and trigger do need replacement once in a while since they are usually have a very light trigger to start with.

Unless you know how to take care of it AND maintain it ( not monkey it) , this is not for everybody. But they are the F1 of guns, fun to shoot and great performers.

Before saying a used one is expensive, cost it, specially with mags..

 

[mebiuspower]

I started doing IPSC about 20 years ago... shot with guys with race guns and they jam a lot.

Went to the IPSC Nationals a few years back in Quebec City, guys with race guns still jam a lot.

They put a bag over their gun so dust doesn't get inside and they clean their magazines with a special brush between every stage. They still jam.

 

[Sniffer]

I started doing IPSC about 20 years ago... shot with guys with race guns and they jam a lot.

Went to the IPSC Nationals a few years back in Quebec City, guys with race guns still jam a lot.

They put a bag over their gun so dust doesn't get inside and they clean their magazines with a special brush between every stage. They still jam.

Yeah, it seems when you are running that close to the upper limit reliability becomes an issue - everything has to be just right (not much tolerance for something that isn't perfect).

That could get real frustrating real quick.

 

[greentips]

They are more like specialized sporting equipment, like a race boat or a race road bike. If you are going into high performance area of the sports, you need a race gun. I see that almost like olympic pistols.

It is kinda ridiculous for anyone that is not into races to use racing equipment. kinda like people dressing up and riding high end road bikes but going at low speed around the park and eating hot dogs. pfffff

But if you are going into formula 1, you are going to have a proper formula 1 car because you aspire to race in that echelon. When you are racing formula 1, you aren't going cheap out because you are wanting to be the top. You want to be the fastest, other things do not matter. You analysze everything, every turn in the course.

just my 2 cents.

Saying that, I do see the appeal for collectors to collect race cars - if people collect race cars, there is also certain appeal to collect race guns as well.