Gun prices vs. quality? Or how to catagorize a PCP thread

[avator]

There is a glut of guns (lots of bullpups) in the $1200. - $1500. range. I think of them as mid-range.

+1

If that's the case I'll be a low -life- end user forever.

[squirrel_hunter]

There is a glut of guns (lots of bullpups) in the $1200. - $1500. range. I think of them as mid-range.

+1

If that's the case I'll be a low -life- end user forever.

yep me too low end user and happy about it....i know my 25 Sumatra carbine costs more than the lowly Mrod but my Mrod will out shoot it even before the expensive mods.the carbine has more power but what good is power when your shot placement is not where you want it and the pellet goes whizzing by its intended target?

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

I guess I fall into the air gun equivalent of trailer trash, I haven't spent over $300 (initial purchase price) on any of my air guns, making them all low end!  Good thing I have the bar set pretty low because I could really fall into a deep depression after reading this post!  LOL!   

[avator]

Holy Smokes Paul... you spent $300 on one?  Man you are living high on the hog.. I have yet to break the $250 mark before upgrades.

[avator]

There is a glut of guns (lots of bullpups) in the $1200. - $1500. range. I think of them as mid-range.

+1

If that's the case I'll be a low -life- end user forever.

yep me too low end user and happy about it....i know my 25 Sumatra carbine costs more than the lowly Mrod but my Mrod will out shoot it even before the expensive mods.the carbine has more power but what good is power when your shot placement is not where you want it and the pellet goes whizzing by its intended target?

I'd love to have a Sumatra... something about that lever action repeater that knocks my socks down. I would be very tempted to give up my .22 SynRod with the TSS, MDS and JSAR light weight tube upgrades for one.....

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

Holy Smokes Paul... you spent $300 on one?  Man you are living high on the hog.. I have yet to break the $250 mark before upgrades.

I haven't spent $300 yet, but just under.  The .25 Mrod was $280!  I do have my limits!

[Taso1000]

So, what value would you put on the "tinker factor"?
Take a low end Mrod, add the cost of the upgrades and place a value on the satisfaction of fine tuning it to reach the quality levels of the so called "mid range" guns. I suppose one could be satisfied with dropping $1200 to open a box and shoot accurately until the cows come home but where would that leave you at the end of the day? For me, I would be left wanting more.
There are those that are happy going out to eat and paying for a steak dinner... then there are those who get more from picking out the right cut of meat and preparing it to perfection at home.

Bill,

You hit on something that is very important to the hobby.  There are people that want to buy the gun they want without customizing and tinkering.  There's nothing wrong with that.

There are others that like to customize and tinker.  If you're one of those people that is a big part of the hobby.  This group knows they will never get that money out of the rifle when they sell it.  But it was never about resale.  It was about the fun and experience.  That is the value.  You also need to factor your time if you're going to compare value to price.  People pay to go enjoy a movie.  Tinkering is the same.  You do it because you enjoy it.

One other thing that needs to be mentioned is that in the ready to shoot gun, you know what to expect.  Your customized gun may or may not out shoot the ready to shoot gun.

Price wise I think the customized gun and the ready to shoot gun end up around the same price.  On resale, you're going to take a hit on both types.  You may bump up the base price on the customized gun with your effective customizations.

I think pcp's will need their own price range as has been mentioned earlier.  The spring guns should have different price scaling.

Thanks,

Taso

EDIT:  I forgot to add, I love to tinker.  But anyone who's seen my posts can figure that out lol.   

[avator]

Taso... I learned back in the days of the "lego" guns that you'll never get out what you put into them. Then again... the knowledge gained was, and is, priceless.
I am currently in the process of "tinkering" a prewar Crosman 101 back into shape on another thread. I paid $40 to my door for the gun. Another $20 at the local hardware store and a day in the shop. I dare you to try to pry this gun out of my hands.... lol

[kingrude1]

I see

Low end/entry level at $400 and under
Mid level  $400-$900
Sub High End $900-$1300
High End  $ 1300 and up

I would agree with this. I think the entry level PCPs coming out now  have created another class, in my mind I can't put a Gauntlet in the same class as a Marauder.

[DHunter]

So if you talk about putting good glass on the gun, how would that glass price versus quality be categorized as appropriate for the gun?  Obviously you wouldn't want to put a great gun to waste by putting cheap glass on it; but OTOH, going up the range of scopes, there will be a point where going any further is pointless if the gun is not up to it.  How does that work out?  I have watched the Cyclopse's videos on scopes, including (but not limited to) his list of the 8 best $100 scopes, his list of 10 best $200 scopes, and I think he has also his picks for the best at $300.  (I know you can spend $3K on a scope, but I won't be doing that.)

[Nomadic Pirate]

 

-/+ 100 Bucks is all I pay and will pay for scopes 

[avator]

I'm at $80 tops on scopes. Most are $50 and less.

[Taso1000]

I like to stay below the $200 range in scopes.  I've bought 2 Athlon's, a Nikon EFR and a couple of the BSA 6-24x side focus scopes when they went on sale.  All were under $200.

One day I'd like to get a Super Sniper, just to see what they're all about.

Most of my scopes are under $100.  I don't see the return on investment of a $1000 scope on an air rifle.  I could see if you were competing at 1000 yards with a powder burner and making money doing so.  Ok.  99% of my shooting is under 20 yards so I don't see the benefit, for me personally.

I don't think the cost of scope should figure into the rifle category.  Everyone has a different use or purpose for the rifles they buy.  One could get the job done with a $60 scope while another wants or needs a $1000 scope.

Taso

[Bullfrog]

The only guns that get expensive scopes are those powerburners I buck hunt with. I can see a difference in light transmission at twilight between some expensive scopes and some cheap scopes. 100% of all mature whitetail buck activity and shots at mature bucks I've ever observed or had in legal shooting hours, not counting when one is chasing a doe, has occurred within the twilight minutes of morning and evening. I have some high dollar Leupold scopes that can transmit light well past light levels where I can see with the naked eye. I do have one such Leopuld set aside for a .30 Flex slug shooter I plan on ordering soon to be a 100 yard deer gun.

As far as holding a zero, I have yet to find many cheap scopes that do it any different than a high dollar scope. I did recently try one of those $30 50mm Chinese scopes and the jury is still out on it. Seems like name brand $80-$250 scopes do me just fine.

[Machinist]

I also have  three categories...

Cheap

Cheaper

Cheapest

My last Disco was a refurb  $150 to my door and then I splurged on the finest $15 dollar scope money can buy!!!

Steve

[triggertreat]

So, what value would you put on the "tinker factor"?
Take a low end Mrod, add the cost of the upgrades and place a value on the satisfaction of fine tuning it to reach the quality levels of the so called "mid range" guns. I suppose one could be satisfied with dropping $1200 to open a box and shoot accurately until the cows come home but where would that leave you at the end of the day? For me, I would be left wanting more.
There are those that are happy going out to eat and paying for a steak dinner... then there are those who get more from picking out the right cut of meat and preparing it to perfection at home.

Pretty much nailed it for me.  I'll pickup a heirloom eventually.   I have a liking for the Crown .30 for the moment. Let's see what JSAR comes up with first.

[Ribbonstone]

Seriously doubt that past a certain point, $ spent does not equal a proportional increase in performance.


Does normally equal to a nicer made PCP, better blue/nicer fit/ over all "rightness" of the rifle.



Which is something an owner might take some pride it....but it's kind of like worrying out the fit-finish of a hammer vs. he ability of the carpenter.

[Fussell]

Entry/Beginner level sub $400
Mildly Addicted level $400 - $1000
Full blown addict $1000- $2000
In need of psychiatric care at $2000 and beyond. I'm there to the 2nd power ;-)

[Ribbonstone]

I do like shooting at a range and making little groups with a "POS" cheapie aiurgun. Been worked over, but leaving little or no external evidence of the work-over.

I'll even pour some good pellets (like JSB's) into old/empty Daisy or Gamo tins to add to the confusion.

[Booger]

I've found that my Daystates, Pro Sport, & Mauser K98 have helped me mentally more than anyone can imagine. Yes high end guns are nice, but when the K98 is de-tuned she too will be a pleasure to shoot.

Not all guns have to be top end, but after you put the $$ or time in, you can have a really nice gun.