The principle or dilemma of "Counterproductive Over-Investment" in defensive arms

[KBT1911]

I use the modest stuff but you should still keep it out of sight or locked up if not being carried or used.

 

[Badlander]

My ccw is A 1911 .45. I own several. About 10 years ago I ordered A Rock River made to my specs for A carry gun. Its just to purty for daily carry.
So I'm guilty

 

[mljdeckard]

The truck comparison is very applicable. We all see guys whose trucks are so pretty, they will never get them dirty. I have to ask why they have them? I know a guy who sold Hummers before GM bought them and released the H-2. He said; "It's the ultimate irony. You spend $100,000 on a truck that can do anything, but then you won't do anything with it because you spent $100,000 on it."

 

[rdhood]

Note: These two are the same depending on your definition of "really expensive" and "moderately priced". My definition of "really expensive": anything over $200. So I chose the first. Someone else's definition : anything over $1500. They would choose the second. I hate poorly constructed polls.

No, I don't worry about it, and carry or leave really expensive stuff out

No, because I carry/use modestly-priced gear, so it's not an issue

 

[mcdonl]

REMOVED POST

Leroy

 

[JohnBT]

"We all see guys whose trucks are so pretty, they will never get them dirty. I have to ask why they have them?"

Because driving beats walking? Because motorcycles are dangerous? Why not have them?

John

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I hate poorly constructed polls

Then I would suggest that you do another thread with a new improved poll - a "take 2" on this topic, since you're clearly smarter than me!

 

[mudriver]

My basic plan is to wear out every gun I own by using/shooting it. I'm sure I will likely not wear out more than 2 of my guns (most are used), but thats the plan.

I do, however, fret about my NFA gun and keep it in a safe deposit box...

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I do, however, fret about my NFA gun and keep it in a safe deposit box..

How do your bankers react when you walk in and out with it?

 

[huntsman]

how can one over spend on something that is intended to be a possible life preserver?

Now if you asked about over spending on too many

 

[Hoxviii]

I've kept one in a safe deposit box before, just walk in with it in a briefcase or other non descript container.

As for the poll, i voted "rarely". The only time I worry is if for some reason I have to leave a gun in my convertible; even then I'm not worried about the financial impact- just some lowlife getting ahold of it. I really need to get a locking box in it ASAP.

 

[vanguard]

I'm innocent. I guess I wouldn't want my rifle's stolen but at $500 combined it's not as if my family would never recover. I have about $800 in hand guns but they are for self defense. One stays locked in a safe (which could be stolen) and the other stays closer to me. If I had to replace by $350 carry weapon every 5 years I'd consider insurance cost.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I cannot yet bring myself to purchase the Eo Sights for the weapons. You are looking at like a thousand dollars for the Military Grade sights for two shotgun weaver rails.

Considering the funds already cleared and spent on the weapons program overall... that thousand is necessary elsewhere at the moment.

I could adopt the attitude that there will always be a thousand coming from somewhere and I can get those "Good" reflex sights someday but... nothing must be wasted.

An example. I might buy several boxes of triple ought. Fire a few. If I like it and they are on target, I will then go ahead and bulk order a bunch for the large 20mm ammo case in the one room.

Even more important today, no waste, no haste. Choose your needs carefully.

At the moment I happen to be examining some security cameras for day/night use on one corner of the home that will replace a obselete system. I hope to sort of cobble a system together to make it work around a GOOD day/night camera that works in all weather and hears too.

But until these things are solved, really nice things like those expensive sights will just have to wait.

That means either iron sight shooting or a laser dot sight until they get blown up by the recoils.

I have seen some examples of people who have truly spent a fortune and hope that it is not too much on thier hands when things really go bad. After all when you pass over to the great shooting range in the sky, you cannot take all of this stuff accumulated with you.

 

[Ed Ames]

So Hungry... if you had Eos and all that jazz, would the money you had in them stop you from using them?

I know three types of people:
1) Those who buy and use what they want, and end up with broken things (but a lot of memories)
2) Those who buy and store what they want, and end up with many and/or nice things (but never do anything)
3) Those who don't buy and end up with money for heirs to fight over.

The last group is the saddest.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I tend to use the hell of things I buy. I expect them to work and work well without failures or problems.

I come from a family that would buy a pair of work boots and when it wore thin, took that boot to the tanner who would re-sole it for a small fee.

Unfortunately the tanner would get fees equal to a new pair of work shoes.

See my thinking now? Do I feed the tanner or do I go replace the work shoes with another pair?

I cannot stand people who buy stuff and case em to display never used. I resent people who dont buy anything and leave a pile of cash or whatever for the survivors to fight over. Too many people gets hurt and familys broken up that way.

I like those who buy stuff use the hell of them, breaks it and gets more and enjoy the memories... but I prefer the product to be strong to withstand abuse. I recall one person who ran a motorcycle into the ground because it was more fun to ride all the time than it is to stop a moment and change the oil. What a waste.

It comes from the older trucks I used to drive in the early part of my life. I had a Diamond Reo that would NEVER EVER FAIL anywhere on the frame, body or instruments no matter what kind of terrain I forced it over off road coming out of the farms.

Today's trucks will spin a wheel and require a tow out of a little wet grass at sunrise with the dew. Bleah....

What good is this Nation when everything we are supposed to buy on Credit, Debt and Home Lines of credit dont LAST long enough to satisfy the debts?

 

[mljdeckard]

JohnBT,

BUT, you can spend more on the cosmetics than you did on the original unit. (For a truck OR a gun.) Jewelled bolts, camo finishes, aluminum rims, mirror-plated differential covers, two-tone finishes, etc have absolutely nothing with getting you from A to B, just how cool you look getting there. You make an object so pretty, you are afraid to use it.

 

[Sheldon J]

You get what you pay for...

So if you want top quality you pay for top quality, and you get as a perk higher reliability, accuracy, and durability, and it is your life you are trying to save isn't it....

Let me ask you this....
If you were going to jump out of a plane with a parachute, would you leave your good chute at home because it might get dirty or tore and take your old bargain somewhat reliable chute...

Or would you take and use the one you were not afraid to bet your life on.....

 

[danprkr]

Tools to be used. I also don't worry about scratches on my pick up. When I've worn it out, I either fix it or get a new one in both instances. They are mechanical devices, and while I admire them as the precision machines they are I'm not married to any of them.

 

[runrabbitrun]

Defensive arms?
What defensive arms?
We don't need no stinking defensive arms.
The govment gots our backs.

I'm one of the:
No, because I carry/use modestly-priced gear, so it's not an issue kind of guys.

I'll get the 'good gear' off the dead fools who try to take my modestly-priced gear.
Hope they wear those cool blue helmets too. It will be a snap.