Gun buyers need some perspective

If you don't like finger-pointing rants, stop here. I'm in one of my moods.

Internet forums are a varied lot; sometimes informative, sometimes inflammatory, and sometimes downright exasperating.

This is a story about one of those exasperating ones.

On one of the forums someone made mention of a new gun from USFA (United States Fire-Arms, the single action folks headquartered in the historic Colt factory.) USFA produces superb quality firearms, and though one can occasionally take issue with their styling, one cannot fault the quality of their products.

The discussion on this forum soon centered around the "high cost" ($1400 or thereabouts) of this new gun. Several people chimed in to the effect that they, too, would "never pay that much" for a gun.

Why did this disturb my sensibilities? Because on forums and in magazines, there is an almost-constant complaint that guns "aren't made the way they used to be", along with the obligatory pining for a return to "quality" firearms. "Why can't anyone make a good gun, with beautiful blueing and perfect fit?" is a typical lament.

I saw one discussion where folks were asked to put in their wish lists to a particular manufacturer. Of course, they all specified high-end features, peerless accuracy, superb metalwork and finishing, and - get this - actually expected it to sell for "less than $500!"

Folks, this just isn't rational. In fact, it's downright silly.

The reality is that a high-quality gun - a gun that could compete with, say, something from the 1930's - is going to cost north of the thousand-dollar mark, and there is just no way around that fact. Even the best of the S&W Performance Center guns don't approach the kind of fit and finish that were commonly available in, say, 1935, but are still pushing a grand. If they were capable of finishing those guns to the degree of the famed Registered Magnums (and I don't think they are,) you'd see a minimum 50% increase in the cost - if not more.

We all have to face the reality that quality costs, it'll cost more tomorrow than today, and if you're not willing to pay for it then you really don't have much room to complain - buy a Taurus.

Rant off. (I feel better now!)

-=[ Grant ]=-