Money questions.

[GaryinVirginia]

What can I expect to spend on....

A decent scope ?
Red dot I spent 40 have seen 1000?
AR 15 ....499. 3000?
Pistol 149-459. 2000?

We all have our own ideas as to what reasonable for example...I ride an 850$ unicycle, have several over 750$ also have one for 150 but they have different intended purposes. 150 is entry level. You can get one for $75 but the tire will peel off and frame fold up.

For weight lifting bars I have an $800 bar. You could probably find one for $50 but it has a different purpose.

Anyway when I say budget it means beginner entry level but functional.

I actually have a $60 and $80 gun but they jam every mag at least once. That makes them non-functional.

 

[Coyote3855]

I think you need to be more specific to get useful answers. A "decent" scope for a .22 rifle will not be in the same price range as a "decent" scope for a long range precision rifle. Same with red dots, AR15s, and handguns. The intended purpose of the items on your list will determine a reasonable price. Is the pistol for concealed carry, home defense, steel silhouette, IPSC competition, plinking tin cans?

 

[IlikeSA]

I'll venture, but like the above poster, you'll need to be more specific.

If you want to plink, a decent 22 lr rifle will set you back 2-300 new. Used can be cheaper. Ammo can be the cheap bulk packs.

If you want to get into 22 lr rifle bullseye type shooting, you can spend 1000+ on a 22 lr rifle, and you'll need to spend considerably more on 22 ammo.

If you want a pistol or revolver to occasionally shoot and keep next to the bed, decent runs at 350-800. Revolvers are more expensive new but there are nice revolvers that are used for cheaper. A reputable brand pistol/revolver in that price range can be carried as well for self defense. If you want a top of the line pistol or revolver, be prepared to drop a few grand.

Not an optics guy but people say spend at least what the rifle is worth on the optics. If you are just target shooting for fun by yourself, 2-300 dollars will get you started.

Regarding ar15s, the lower priced ones will work, but not as well for as long as the more expensive ones. If you shoot 20 rounds a year, the $400 AR should last you a lifetime. If you shoot 1000 rounds a week, splurge on the more expensive one.

 

[Speedo66]

I'll take them one at a time, decent price, good vale.

For red dots I find Bushnell TRS-25 to be a good value. They seem to work well, and are in the $75 range, so inexpensive enough.

The AR kits from PSA are the value leaders, nothing fancy, but they work and can be had for low $300-$400.

For inexpensive but good quality pistols I would suggest looking at the police turn ins at a place like AIM Surplus. High quality names for relatively little money. Many were carried often but shot little.

 

[GaryinVirginia]

Specifically I'm getting the M&P-15 for Christmas. I suppose I'll see how the sights work first. I'm thinking about a scope. I'll be plinking but may see a ground hog or something to take a shot at. That's about it. No plan for much distance

 

[AZAndy]

Ahh, value, always an interesting thing to ponder. One of my absolute never-going-anywhere top three handguns was less than 500, and is a real gem (S&W 6" Model 19-3). Another of my top three that I'll never part with is a 1911 that was about 1500 (Dan Wesson Valor). To me, they're equally valuable, despite the wide variance in cost. What makes something valuable to me isn't what I spent on it, but its design and how well-made it is.

I have a Burriss Fast-Fire that was around 200 that I'm very happy with, if you're looking for a reliable red dot for not too much.

 

[buck460XVR]

I think of guns as tools. One is only as good as their tools. Does a weekend birdhouse maker need the same tools as a custom cabinet maker? If one is just going to send a bunch of bullets 50-100 yards downrange in a hurry, just about any scope/semi-auto rifle will work. Want something you can depend on to make a 400 yard shot after tromping up the side of the mountain, in the rain, for a week.....not so much. The guy who shoots 50 rounds a year from a 1911 does not need the Les Baer or the Ed Brown Custom, but still, both are a great tool and are a great investment in shooting. Going cheap can be asking for frustration, but one needs to know the sport well enough and do it often enough to get frustrated with cheap. I generally go quality, but I don't need the best. Scopes on my handgun caliber carbines are not the same as what is on the ol' ought-six. I do my research and get the best bang for my buck for the purpose I intend. While I won't hunt with one, I have a HR .22 revolver for the grandkids to shoot. It's a hoot at the range at reactive targets and was only about $150 iffin I remember correctly. They don't know any better. For hunting revolvers I stick with S&Ws, most of them P.Cs, but that's me. Now as for a Unicycle, you couldn't give me one, much less expect me to pay for one.

 

[AK103K]

One thing to consider when you buy "cheap". It usually ends up costing you more in the long run, than if you just cried once, and bought the "good" stuff.

If I had back all the money I spent on cheap red dots when I first started buying them, Id have another Aimpoint and another mount or two.

Im still running the Aimpoint M2's and ML2's I bought almost 20 years ago too.

Another thing with the cheaper red dots is battery life. It has gotten better as things have progressed, but the cheaper one's arent really "always-on" capable. Forget to turn it off, and it will likely be dead next time you pick it up.

I'll be changing out the batteries on my Aimpoints and smoke detectors today. I did the same a year ago with my Aimpoints, and they are still on (they are on 24/7/365) and working, but, since these are the older models, they only have about a little over a years battery life. The newer models are 5 years plus. Not having that worry is one of the bigger pluses with the better sights.


That said, I picked up one of the Primary Arms "Microdots" from an M&P15-22 I picked up recently. It was on sale for less than $100. Even at regular prices, they are very reasonable. Comes with the mount and cowitnesses with the BUIS that came with the gun.

This one seems to work great so far. I just have to remember to turn it off when I put it in the safe. They dont really say what the battery life is, and I havent had it go dead yet, but I havent left it on either. They do use 2032 batteries, so they are at least readily available and cheap.

Just got an email for this a little while ago too......

SIG Romeo 5

https://www.primaryarms.com/SaleNam..._term=BANNER_1&utm_campaign=19_11_AD03_24Hour

Same basic thing, for $100.

 

[Tommygunn]

+1 On the Bushnell TRS-25 and Sig Romeo 5. They're both great values!

 

[GaryinVirginia]

I really appreciate all the advice.

 

[jmr40]

Decent optics, scope or dots, start at about $200 MSRP. It is possible to find them discounted below $200 and there are a handful of exceptions around $150, but I'd avoid the stuff closer to $100 MSRP. The optics I tend to prefer generally run in the $300-$500 range, but there are a lot of options at $200 that I wouldn't feel handicapped using. The $300-$500 stuff have features I like and it is worth the extra to me.

I haven't bought another AR in several years, but I'm thinking you can still do pretty good for $500-$600.

If aesthetics aren't an issue there are several handguns made by Ruger, S&W, etc., that are in the sub $300 range that I'd feel comfortable using. But once again most of the ones I actually buy are in the $500-$700 range. The cheaper guns will probably last the average shooter a lifetime, but if you enjoy shooting often the more expensive guns will hold up and are a better investment long term. But if looking for something to shoot occasionally and defend yourself with there are several $250-$300 handguns I'd trust.

 

[SharpDog]

That's a $500 question

Get a $500 AR 15
put a $500 scope or RDS on it
get a $500 pistol to go with

and then order $1500 worth of ammo

Note: You might could save some on the RDS so put that into holsters, magazines or more ammo

Also: I'm actually double these numbers. You get what you pay for.

 

[GaryinVirginia]

I'm starting to think this is a rich man thing. And people have more than half a dozen guns? A carry handgun and a big handgun, a shotgun and a rifle. What else is there?

 

[Trey Veston]

Specifically I'm getting the M&P-15 for Christmas. I suppose I'll see how the sights work first. I'm thinking about a scope. I'll be plinking but may see a ground hog or something to take a shot at. That's about it. No plan for much distance

Best value I've found for a non-mission specific AR is the Nikon P-Tactical for about $150.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-P-Tact...ywords=nikon+P223&psc=1&qid=1572828491&sr=8-4

 

[DustyGmt]

That said, I picked up one of the Primary Arms "Microdots"......

They dont really say what the battery life is, and I havent had it go dead yet, but I havent left it on either.

I have two different PA Micro Dots, the Advanced Push button and the Advanced Silver Series Rotary Dial, they both have a 5 year constant on battery life. I still have the boxes from both, they state "50K/hr Battery Life". I dont leave mine on but some notable YT reviewers have and they hold up as advertised so far. They also hold up to extremely abusive testing measures and I have confidence in them.

 

[Steve S.]

Money is a young man’s game; I was lucky enough to live long enough to be able to separate money from living life. Knowing what I know now, I would buy the best and enjoy it - not the most expensive but what my mind tells me is the best. Settling always causes regret - do it right the first time and enjoy it.

 

[Dibbs]

IMO, you have to trust the name brand. Leupold, Nikon, Zeiss, etc.
IME, you start seeing functional optics at @200$ and up.

One of the rites of passage of a firearms user is when they start worrying if they spent too little on an optic,
rather than too much.

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm starting to think this is a rich man thing....

No doubt, the sky's the limit, but you can actually do a lot of shooting without breaking the bank. There are plenty of shooters (myself included) who are not "rich."

....And people have more than half a dozen guns? A carry handgun and a big handgun, a shotgun and a rifle. What else is there?

There's so, sooooo much more. Besides, there's not "a rifle." There's a squirrel rifle, an AR, a long-range target rifle, a plinking rifle, a deer rifle, . . . . The same goes for the others in your list. Bear in mind, though, that many of us have spent several years accumulating what we have. I have a pretty modest collection, but it's taken me more than 25 years to get what I have.

Welcome to THR and to the shooting sports.

 

[GaryinVirginia]

Yeah. It's like everything else, once you get really into it. It's really no more expensive than anything else.

BTW. I caught the groundhog day.

 

[TikkaShooter]

Yeah. It's like everything else, once you get really into it. It's really no more expensive than anything else.

Same as so many hobbies, it is as expensive as you choose to make it.

 

[Buzznrose]

I'm starting to think this is a rich man thing. And people have more than half a dozen guns? A carry handgun and a big handgun, a shotgun and a rifle. What else is there?

Rich mans thing? Not necessarily...depends on how much you want to participate.

If you really get into this sport, you will find that, assuming you buy good gear from the start, your big cost will be ammo.

I have several handguns that cost me $500 that have fired well over 10,000 rounds each. 1000 rounds of ammo cost me between $280-$350, so 10,000 rounds cost $3000. For an AR, the costs are similar. But there are lower cost ammo choices like the Russian steel case stuff that is functional but can be less accurate.

That is factory ammo. Reloading ammo is whole other thing altogether, and can reduce your costs some but there are startup costs.

The M&P AR will serve you well. Buy several extra magazines. Stick with good magazines. I prefer Magpul and they work great and can be bought for $10 on sale.

Consider one of these:
https://www.ammoland.com/2019/07/cmmg-ar15-22lr-bravo-rifle-conversion-kit-3-mags/#axzz64JJPS5We

I have one and it is excellent! It will allow you to shoot .22 long rifle rounds through your AR by simply replacing the bolt carrier group. That takes 2 minutes, and you can put your original bolt carrier back in in another 2 minutes. This immediately drops your ammo cost significantly!

Shoot open sights for a while, until you can determine if you want a red dot sight or a scope. Hint: how far you shoot most will drive that decision....but it may not be evident now.

As far as handguns go, the cost drivers, other than ammo, are generally magazines and sights, depending on your preferences. You could hunt around and find a police trade in .40 S&W for under $300 that will work fine immediately. If you go Glock, you will have the advantage of being able to convert the gun to 9MM easily for around $150 for barrel and magazines, and you’ll have another “2 in 1” gun. Good value!

Carry guns can be pricy too, but a new S&W Shield 9MM can be found online for $250

I have a few and all perform flawlessly. Triggers can be gritty at first but lots of dry fire can solve that some for $0.

Just some ideas. Good luck.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I guess I'm a cheapskate
You can build an AR for a little more than $300 and on sale a LGS had nikon or vortex scopes for $100, with black friday coming up there will be some good prices on optics, I have the TRS25s on my 2 house guns that were less than $50 when I bought them, I think they are about the starting point for red dots. If you are interested in shooting farther than 50yrds accurately I would skip the red dots. You can use your iron sights and look through your reddot if you have to.
For pistols look at the S&W shield now for $250 and there is a rebate that makes it $200, for a full size look at the S&W SDVE that LGS has on sale $200 or used M&Ps around $250, There are cheaper guns like SCCY for $150 and a $25 rebate but I think the Shield is a better buy and I like the SCCYs and have not had a problem with them but the Shield is a smoother gun.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Law of diminishing returns... Cheap vs inexpensive vs value vs quality vs expensive vs overpriced

It's tough. But myself, I like good value at "just good enough" for the job i need it for.

For pistols in today's market, $400 gets you alot, and an $800 pistol isn't double better.

My ideal budget loadout is a Canik TP9 series pistol with a quality $500 AR like Ruger, Smith, PSA, or many others. A small price jump to Aero is probably worth it too. But got range work only a DD or BCM is probably overkill.

For optics for range or easy hunting, Bushnells aren't bad. But I like Nikon Buck master or Prostaff on a budget for "good enough" for most range and hunting. Vortex are also decent budget scopes. Leupolds are on the higher end of budget, but nice as well if you aren't shooting a 50bmg at a mile.

 

[jrkotz]

Similar to most hobbies, you can get entry level gear, or you can get highly specialized top of the line.

For me, I started with red dots in the $140 neighborhood (think Vortex Sparx/Holosun), a PSA build AR in the $700 area (cheaper now), and a Springfield XD I picked up used for $300. They all served me extremely well.

That being said, I'm now into Trijicon and Aimpoint for dots, Daniel Defense and JP for ARs, and high end Sig and CZ pistols.

All in what tickles your fancy and fits the budget. That being said, I wouldn't recommend some of the cheapest products on the market, they just aren't reliable.

 

[waterhouse]

Depends on what you want to use it for and what your priorities are.

My work pistol and work rifle both have red dots in the $400-500 range. While they both have back up irons, I’d really prefer they not fail in a gunfight. All things can fail, but I’ve generally noticed through attending and teaching classes and through competition that some red dots fail a lot less than others, and price tends to be a factor in the fail rate.

When I was doing a lot of competitions, the trigger on my competition rifle was ~$200 and my pistol was an STI Edge. I didn’t spend the money lightly; I tried out triggers on my friends’ rifles and tried a dozen pistols and then spent the money on the ones I completed the course of fire the fastest with. Now that I have kids and don’t compete as much I’ve sold off that gear and just shoot my duty pistol if I end up at a match. Also of note, I bought the Edge used, shot thousands of rounds through it, and sold it for about $100 less than I paid for it.

The .22 rifles and pistols that are just for fun have significantly cheaper red dots or scopes on them.