I retail the high end and the one man shop guns and have for many, many years.
I post this from listening to my clients wants, waits, and "whooops" in purchase decisions. Just to give you a slight perspective.
Hardest thing to to is WAIT and get what you want. There is a world full of talent and quality product out there but one of the ways to insure you get the best value not the best price is do your research.
Once your research has you in a direction you like then starts the product search. Now look for the product or the best value, Quality product, from a reputable source at what you can afford is the best value.
Remember discounts are always for a reason and your undying gratitude has nothing to do with it.
Price shoppers always have an issue of some kind, the looker bought price not product. Why do you think the return lines are so long after a sale.
How many times have you heard, I got
but it was "cheaper." The forums are full of those.
Keep price in mind when you compare the top three i.e. Baer, Wilson, Brown.
Compare comparable guns and in line with the research part examine the details, fit, finish, features of what you may be interest in.
Comparable guns for example a Stainless checkered Les Baer, vs a Stainless Checkered Wilson, vs a Stainless Checkered Brown. Now a blue gun vs. a blue steel gun with corrosion protection vs whatever.
If one is "cheaper" and is blue vs. the other stainless. One will corrode in high humidity and the other does not. Remember on a carry piece what is the humidity 3/8" from you body in an IWB holster on the "good" deal on a blued gun vs. polyteflon coated vs stainless when you see rust start. OH yes , I whipe my guns down every night. (that is a once upon a time story)
Remember everything has a cost, a benefit and either advantage or disadvantage.
Then get in to the fine detail on one will have a serrated main spring housing, one will have a 30 lpi, and one will have a blended 30 lpi. One blues steel barrel as standard, (still accurate but now corrosion protection), one uses a fitted stainless match barrel, one makes his own barrels from stainless.
One will service the gun if it is preowned and not "butchered" by some one else. One will answer the phone when asked a question. Yes, most have voice mail but remember the customer service aspect.
One will have a test target that you can see, one or two does not. One takes the risk and says what ammo works for them, one does not. One will.........................................this is the part where you do your research.
That is a small example of what I mean by fine detail and features.
When you make a decision always, I mean always, keep in mind discounts are for a reason and your undying gratitude is NOT it. Price too good to be true......... one small example I have seen numerous times on so called good deals.........make sure you are not getting a preowned cleaned up gun.
Now on one man shop vs the top three.
There are advantages to both and most of all it is time to get what exactly what you want vs a shorter time to get close to what you want.
Hope I have helped a little in your thought process.
Remember my tag line. Do your research but you get what you pay for up front or back end
