How CA laws have improved my collection

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

i'll keep this short and sweet.

Californian gun laws suck harder than a Hoover; that's a given. But a derivative effect I've noticed is the quality of firearm and firearm components I own is quite high. This is not a brag, but rather an an observation that I have a significantly less quantity of firearms then I want, but the quality of what I have compensates for my lack of variety. My main purchases now are upgrades to my current collection in the form of reloading supplies, optics, triggers, barrels, etc.

Does anyone else see themselves frequently foregoing a new bang stick in favor of upgrading their current inventory because of how restrictive CA laws are?Moreover, do you think the quality of your arsenal would not be what it is now, compared to if you lived in America and you were unrestrained by what you could purchase/own?

[Mayor McRifle]

Does anyone else see themselves frequently foregoing a new bang stick in favor of upgrading their current inventory because of how restrictive CA laws are?

I just forgo calling my guns "bang sticks."

[Two Nuggets]

Most of my “collection” was acquired before SSE ended. I was part of the handgun per month crowd for off roster pistols.

[triplestack3]

No.

[9mmContagion]

Quality over quantity! Sold off all of my average guns to acquire higher quality guns

[beanz2]

I can't imagine adding expensive optics, AR uppers and parts would've made my rifles more "high quality". A cheap AR lower is a cheap lower, even with a Noveske upper. How in the heck would I upgrade an AK now? It's true that at the end of 2016, I gravitated toward buying higher end guns that I would have. If I were still imprisoned in that great state of yours, my collection would've stayed static because nothing that can be legally obtained is just boring.

If anything, the CA laws would've frozen my collection.

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

I don't have a lot of money to blow so I buy not the cheapest, but the cheapest of the "good" guns.

I buy SA over Glock. IMO spending an extra $150 for a Glock over a SA is not worth it. I don't care about the accessories or trigger upgrades. So long as the gun goes bang when I pull the trigger, I'm happy.

Same with an AR. I didn't buy the cheapest, but it's the cheapest "good" rifle manufacturer. I'm not trying to take out a target 400 yards away.

What I can't stand are gun snob elitist. If a HiPoint is all one can afford, leave them alone. They're not willing to charge a $1,500 Kimber on their Visa card at 28% interest. They're not willing to sell a kidney so they can assemble a $3,000 AR.

[Skip_Dog]

I do not have all the guns I want. And it is due to the roster and not paying a ton of cash for what I want from those that are willing to sell off roster stuff.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

I just forgo calling my guns "bang sticks."

It was my attempt at being light-hearted, much like how you did with your username :^)

[reverser]

It was my attempt at being light-hearted, much like how you did with your username :^)

[Dano3467]

I would like to be part of that crowd, (custom work) but sadly not.

I am however part of the buy all you can club in CA, as soon it will become more difficult to obtain ammunition. This is my priority now !

Sadly I'm running low on places to put it (ammo) an it's showing more & more, but I'm ok with that

But restocking is gonna be a B**** ! next yr.

[kcheung2]

On the face of it I can see your argument. Higher item costs & higher transaction costs would discourage impulse buys and encourage more discerning purchases. If it costs ($X+ extra CA costs) then it better be a good one.

But I think the opposite would be more true. In free America the lower item costs, lower transaction costs, and more venues for transactions would lead to a better collection for the same cost. Other states have real gun shows (vs the CA beef-jerky shows), higher density of gun shops, a large population that views guns as normal, and the ability to place an ad in Craigslist & meet in a parking lot. All of those factors make transactions more common & easier for a collector to build up a quality collection for less than CA prices.

[Win231]

I don't have a lot of money to blow so I buy not the cheapest, but the cheapest of the "good" guns.

I buy SA over Glock. IMO spending an extra $150 for a Glock over a SA is not worth it. I don't care about the accessories or trigger upgrades. So long as the gun goes bang when I pull the trigger, I'm happy.

Same with an AR. I didn't buy the cheapest, but it's the cheapest "good" rifle manufacturer. I'm not trying to take out a target 400 yards away.

What I can't stand are gun snob elitist. If a HiPoint is all one can afford, leave them alone. They're not willing to charge a $1,500 Kimber on their Visa card at 28% interest. They're not willing to sell a kidney so they can assemble a $3,000 AR.

Personally, I don't subscribe to the "All or nothing" mentality. Quality can be easily found between a $150.00 Hi Point and a $1,500.00 Kimber....for anywhere between $500.00 - $900.00.

[ar15barrels]

I just forgo calling my guns "bang sticks."

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

This is pretty accurate. I have seen a lot of stuff come up for sale that I couldn't fathom ever being able to pick up if I was still in CA. Plenty of cool stuff like a Galil, Norinco Type 84, MAK-90, IMI Uzi, Polytech M-14, suppressors, SBRs, MAC-11 (full auto), and all sorts of other fun items. Also saw an AR-180 for something like $1700 or so. A lot of these items don't really get "upgraded." With the exception of stamped items, transactions are as easy as meeting in the parking lot at Dairy Queen.
Interestingly though, the density of gun shops is probably about the same as CA. Internet sales probably have a major influence on retail store location density. Some shops don't even charge a transfer fee.

At the end of the day, more restrictions do not result in a higher quality collection. Restrictions put an artificial ceiling on collections.

Very good points. I did not mean to imply that I am satisfied with my truncated list of options, but rather I try to do the best with what I have under current local law. I probably will not go on a shopping spree when i move, but i will be more inclined to buy something different rather than compromise with what I have.