Danger of Vanity

[Quickbeam]

So I am very happy with my Beretta 92fs and am certifiably addicted to shooting now. And like any neophyte, I am thinking about what my next purchase will be. I have pretty much decided on a Springfield 1911 because I read how reliable they are and 1911's seem to be the most customizable pistol out there.

My question is about the nature of customizing and more importantly, the danger of vanity. I am worried that if I set off down that road, I might end up spending $2k on a beautiful gun that is just "perfect" (or more likely, never quite perfect). All to satisfy my own vanity with chrome finish, ivory grips, etc. Is it worth it?

[Cato]

$2K? lol

You could end up dropping twice that much!

If you can afford it, knock yourself out!

[Quickbeam]

$2K? lol

You could end up dropping twice that much!

If you can afford it, knock yourself out!

That is exactly what I am afraid of. Basically, I know that if I start, I will probably end up spending tons of money on it, and for what? A pretty pistol?

[JanG]

yes it's worth it, but only if that is what you want to do. firearms are like cars, you can customize them all you want, but you may not get your money back when you sell it... if you sell it.

although you could get a head start by buying loaded or semi-custom models so you have the sights, safeties, etc already installed. unless you're planning on keeping the gi look for a bit of nostalgia.

[Mercureality]

Is it worth it?

In a word, "no". The 1911 is over fetishized by the firearms community.

[cbaer5]

Just a thought but why don't you save the cash get your 2k+ and buy a peace of History and get one from WWII then you couldn't be vain you wouldn't want to pretty it up that's what I would do if I had the extra cash

[cmichini]

To me, No. How it looks is WAY far down my list compared to how it shoots, feels, handles...

A couple of my pistols look pretty well used (they are) but when they're on the line they do the job well. I, admitedly smugly, enjoy the feeling of being next to somone on the line with a very pretty 'vanity' piece who sneers at my workhorse. That is, until the targets come back.

[Fishslayer]

In a word, "no". The 1911 is over fetishized by the firearms community.

"Overfetishized" I would agree with. I like 1911s but only own one (so far). The 1911 fanbois can be every bit as annoying as the Glockers.

I've been banned at a certain website twice. They tend to take themselves way too seriously.

As for vanity, have a look at some of the Colts in .38 Super.

[Merc1138]

You're worried that you might spend too much money accessorizing a 1911? Do you have some existing habit of this like dumping thousands of dollars into your car on rims and body kits? I fail to see what the issue is unless you have no self control when it comes to spending money on things, and you'd already know that if it were the case.

[Sunday]

Well lets get real here . I love 1911s but two summers ago I was able to try a full out 38 super 1911 race gun. The trigger was 1.5 lbs yet was predictable and I learned what breaks like a glass rod really means, with the hot 38 super rounds and with the compensator there seemed to be no recoil or muzzle rise . With the holo sight and the inhearant accuracy of a proper built 1911 the bullets seemed to want to go into the same hole into the target . To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The price I asked to duplicate? All together about $4,000 and them humbly added by the owner on the 1911 this is a lower end build. A 1911 can be a fighting tool a target gun or a Racegun or even a toy . What is needed and what you want to do with it as a toy and for 99% of us most guns are our toys, look and all the AR ,people and their tacticool builds. With a 1911 no MIM parts and go from there. Have fun if you have the spare $$$$

[jdg30]

If having a nice customized 1911 is important to you then it's worth spending a substantial amount of money on it. If you work and earn money, you should spend it on something that makes you happy.

I have one 1911 and that's probably the only one I'll ever own. It came with everything I need/want on it and I like shooting it. To me it was worth the cost and I don't regret buying it one bit.

[shooterdude]

If you are going to keep the gun forever then knock yourself out. If you are the type who gets bored and changes around your gun collection every few years and you will regret spending the money 3 years from now when NO ONE will pay your asking pricing then don't do it.

[gorenut]

Geez.. and here I am.. just waiting for the GSG 1911 to come out so I could have a "1911" for less than $400 and shoot cheap ammo.

Enjoy that big black hole in your wallet, hahaha

[Quickbeam]

You're worried that you might spend too much money accessorizing a 1911? Do you have some existing habit of this like dumping thousands of dollars into your car on rims and body kits? I fail to see what the issue is unless you have no self control when it comes to spending money on things, and you'd already know that if it were the case.

I don't spend money like water or anything. I just feel like it would be an expensive hobby to pursue, even more expensive than shooting already is. Perhaps if I limit my costs to re-coating and grips, then it might not be too bad. As many of you have said, I would rather have a reliable and accurate gun, than a pretty one, if I had to choose. Why not have both?

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I read some place, "Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun".

http://americanlegacyfirearms.com/Products.aspx?item=68

I have lots of ugly guns; all of them shooters.
I hope to have a really pretty gun some day, that is a shooter!

If you can afford it, go for it. If you can't, there are lots of other fish in the sea.