spare parts vs spare gun?

Onagoth

Onagoth

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What say you/...just looking for anecdotal evidence and experiences...I realize this is somewhat of a personal preference.

Has anyone ever seen something fail that couldn't be replaced with parts kit?
 
I've been fortunate enough to not have had anything break during a match...
'Seen it happen to other guys and really... Most of the time they're up and running again soon because somebody always comes up with the tools/parts needed to fix whatever's busted...
I have a few spare bits and pieces, but I rely on hope and luck that I don't need 'em
 
depends on the gun, if all the parts have to be fit to your gun anyways (ie:1911/2011) spare gun. if parts off the shelf go right in then spare parts (unless you can afford a spare gun, then spare gun)
 
I don't do any matches, so this isn't a match specific answer, but if you ever have to choose between spare parts and a spare gun, isn't spare gun the answer every time?

"but honey, i need a spare gun in case this one breaks..."
 
I know a lot of people have a spare gun but cost is a killer - if you are running Standard with an STI Edge then it adds up quick, and to be truly useful to the purists you need to do every modification on both guns.

Most people I know running 2 guns have a 'favorite' which they shoot 99% of the time.

For me a spare trigger group and other key parts are in the parts box so a quick safety zone rebuild gets you back in the game.

And for the record I had a rear sight set screw break halfway through a stage at the provincials a couple of years back, fortunately with some guesswork I still managed to complete the stage and with the spare screw in the box I could finish the match.
 
I fell once and drove my gun into the dirt. Nothing broke, but so much sand and grit got packed into it that it wouldn't function and it needed a cleaning that wasn't really practical at the match. A backup gun got me back in the game.
 
Many, many years ago I was at the annual Doug Fike Match at the RCMP depot. I watched a shooter who had flown in to Regina from the Northwest Territories for the weekend for the match, then on Monday he was flying from Regina to the US for another match. 2 stages into the match his gun went down big time, it was unrepairable without the help of a gunsmith. He had no backup, so he wasted a day and a half in Regina watching everyone else shoot, then he flew to the US to WATCH the match he was to shoot in.

I've been shooting competitively since 1986, I've had 3 handguns, 2 shotguns and 2 rifles break down on me during matches. When your shooting 5-7 stages in a day you don't have time to repair your gun on site. Backup guns are CHEAP INSURANCE when you sit and consider the cost of gas for a 26 hour drive to a match, 2-7 nights in a motel, food, match registration, etc that it cost you to get to the match. I'm personally not going to waste my time and money to watch a match, when I've paid to participate. If your shooting IPSC, you need only 2 guns, but if your shooting Cowboy action, your looking at at least 3 spares.
 
One "plan B" me and my shootin' buddy's have is that if one guys gun goes down bad enough... He can borrow a gun from the others.

Sucks sharing gear at a major match, but... We all shoot the same div. and we all pretty much use the same rifle/shotgun... Sharing pistol's would be a pain, but... 'Any port in a storm.
 
I have a kit of AR parts that I take with me to matches, but parts in and of themselves are only of so much help due to the time factor. E.g., if I were to break an extractor, I likely don't really have time to tear down my bolt and fix it. For this reason I have several complete spare bolts that I take with me so I can do a quick swap if I need to, and I have the individual parts as well so that I can repair the failed bolt later when I have time back at the hotel or something.

I have a spare rifle as well that I purpose built for 3Gun that I haven't had time to sight in yet. Once I do it will be the main gun and my current gun will be the backup.

I really wished I had a spare pistol this past weekend at an IPSC match, as my firing pin got gunked up and I was getting light strikes. Tearing it down on the range and potentially losing small parts wasn't really an option due to time and risk, but I managed to get it up and running by pouring some Froglube down its gullet. I do sometimes take a spare pistol but right now it's a huge pain as my primary is a 9mm and my backup is a .45, so that is never done lightly as it means double ammo, double mags, and another holster. I'm debating switching to a Tanfoglio and if I do I might buy two in one go so that I have a backup, although that will be quite pricey.

Taking backup guns for 3Gun is a #####, but if I was traveling far I would do it.
 
I usually carry a spare gun with me, especially if I am going to a match that is a long way from home. Here are my thoughts: I spend money for gas to get to the match, match fees, food and perhaps a hotel if it is a long way to travel. I get to the match and my gun breaks on the first stage. If I had only one gun, I may have spent a few $$$ to turn around and go home. Yes it is hard to justify the costs of another gun, but some people shoot handguns, rifles, shotguns and rimfires. Me, handguns are where my interest lies and my money is spent. I shoot IPSC, USPSA and ICORE.

I shoot a revolver about 99.9% of the time. I have broke a hammer pivot pin, once. Presently one of my guns is either at Murray Charlton's or S&W, because I broke the trigger pivot pin. The trigger pivot pin broke while I was at my Club practicing, two days before a match.

Perhaps I am hard on guns, but I don't want to be sitting at home for two months, while my gun gets repaired. And NO I am not going to switch to an autoloader. I have a couple of them as well. I think it depends on how much one has a desire to shoot and not worry about downtime on your gun.
 
I had a trigger return spring break on me at an IPSC nationals 2011.
Had only 4 shots left in the stage so was able to finish off the stage.
Went to my backup gun for the rest of the match.
That evening I replaced the broken spring which took 30 minutes to do.
No time in the match for those types of repairs.
I'll always have a backup gun.
Too many costs to not have in my case, airfare, car rental, hotel, meals etc.
Would be a shame and a waste of money to not finish the match.
 
In an ideal world, two guns plus pre-fitted spare parts. A match gun and a practice gun, both set up exactly the same. If the match gun goes down, go to the practice gun until you have time to fix it. Most of us don't live in the ideal world however, so we get what we can afford and do the best we can. Generally, the spiteful Gods of competition will wait until the most expensive match of the year and the gleefully snap in half the one part you don't have a spare for.

Hmm, that may have seemed a little bitter.
 
Onagoth said:
What say you/...just looking for anecdotal evidence and experiences...I realize this is somewhat of a personal preference.

Has anyone ever seen something fail that couldn't be replaced with parts kit?
Click to expand...

The first time you drive 4-8 hrs to a match in NY/PA/MI,QC and your only gun craters, you'll have your answer.

Match Fee >> $100
Hotel >> $49/night
Food >> $50/day
Gas >> $100
Broken gun on first stage/first day >> $ Priceless

A few years ago at the Provincials in Barrie I had a spring break - the only spare part I didn't have - glad I had a second gun.
 
ironsights said:
I had a trigger return spring break on me at an IPSC nationals 2011.
Had only 4 shots left in the stage so was able to finish off the stage.
Went to my backup gun for the rest of the match.
That evening I replaced the broken spring which took 30 minutes to do.
No time in the match for those types of repairs.
I'll always have a backup gun.
Too many costs to not have in my case, airfare, car rental, hotel, meals etc.
Would be a shame and a waste of money to not finish the match.
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly.

I have two identical X-Caliburs at most matches.
Only time I've switched guns mid match was due to a primer issue.
I switched to eliminate the possibility that it the ftf was due to a firing pin issue.
 
Spare gun here too, though not always identical. The cost/benefit is worth it if its a 2 day match or a long distance. All kinds of small and big things can go wrong, crack a frame or slide and well...
 
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