Posted: 5/4/2005 5:47:35 PM EDT
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Why is it that spending $400 for a cheesy, crummy 1911, or $700-2,000 for good (working) 1911, is seen as "a wise investment," while an HK USP45 at around $750 is "overpriced?." I don't worship at the altar of H&K. I think H&K the company is arrogant, condescending and utterly disinterested in the 2nd ammendment. And their products aren't perfect. But why, oh why, is a 1911 considered to be the be-all, end-all of handguns? You can praise 1911's to the sky and never find anyone to say "but," or "except that." Liking them is fine, but it seems like unless you worship 1911's, you're not fit to discuss hanguns. And recommend a 1911 to a newbie? You've got to be kidding, for a dozen reasons. Yet there's some people that can't help but send a newbie looking for a 1911 when they ask about their first handgun. But recommend that they shop around for a used USP? NEVER! Every time I see references to H&K's being "overpriced" I don't know whether to laugh or groan. 99% of the time these same people will tell you how great it is (or would be) to own a Wilson or Ed Brown or Les Baer for $1,500 -> $3,000. Sorry, had to rant. If the above bothers you, just move along to the next topic. |
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First off, HK is a business and must answer to the almighty dollar. Their past product offerings have been banned or have been shunned by the civilian consumer. With that being said: I own HK handguns, Sig handguns, Glock and a 1911. For defensive use, out of the box reliability, ability to injest everything it is fed and easy for CCW, my vote goes to something other than my 1911. FWIW, my EDC USPc was less expensive than my 1911. I have never had to call any of my handgun manufacturers' customer servce lines for anything other than ordering parts, so I cannot comment on their support. Should I bitch that I had to purchase a replacement part for my Sig? If anyone thinks a specific product is overpriced for their needs, the free market is great and they always have the choice to spend their money elsewhere. I can appreciate the craftsmanship in custom guns, but well beyond what I am willing to spend for my needs. My guns get dirty, sit in a holster, get exposed to rain, salt, sand, dirt, snow and get lots of "training" time hitting the bag or otherwise "exposed". I can't see doing that with any of the high end marques of 1911s. However, I do not begrudge anyone who chooses to spend their money on them. None of my guns are perfect, but they all met my utility:price ratio. |
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HKs might be a little on the expensive side, or at least seem like it until you really use it. Personally I think the $750 I dropped on mine was totally worth it. I feel I got far more value out of that than if I would have spent $550 and got the Glock 35. I had a guy ask why I would spend so much for a gun (glock guy) and I replied "Still cheaper than a 1911 that will feed and shoot right right out of the box and I feel I can depend on 100%". He basically nodded and shut up. He shot my HK a few weeks later and basically said "that LEM trigger is weird, but I understand why you like this gun so much" 1911s are great, and every serious gun person should have at least one. However, I think there are better weapons for general purpose use, the HK USP, USPc, and P2K are definately high on that list. I don't worry too much about HK's current policies because the US gov has jerked them around pretty bad and a lot of what is available to us is directly based on that. If HK were a US company we'd have all sorts of goodies, but they're not. In a way that would seem almost as wrong as having Porsches built in the United States. |
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Yes well, the 1911 is by many considered to be the "be-all, end-all of handgun" mostly because it has been around since 1911. Thats 94 years and in some, many, ok a lot of individuals opinions the 1911 has been, is and will be the end all best pistol ever but your observation that "unless you worship the 1911, you're not fit to discuss hanguns" is wildly innacurate. All things considered, telling someone to buy a 1911 as their first handgun is no more or less ludicrous thane telling someone to by a Glock as their first handgun. IMHO the best first handgun for a person that is not familiar with handguns or indeed not familiar with firearms at all would be a revolver. That's just me but I'm a dumbass. Ask anyone they'll confirm it. |
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My first ever pistol was a 1911. I am very thankful that it was. It was much easier to transition from a 1911 to other guns like a Sig, Glock or H&K. I won't say that I worship at the altar of the 1911 (I do worship at the altar of the .45 Auto), but I do believe they are great starting auto pistols. No one can go out there and say Brand X pistols are the be all and end all. It all comes down to personal preference. If you like 1911 design, fantastic! Not your thing and you like Glocks better? Wonderful! Get what feels good to you. This is America and we have the RIGHT to own whatever pistol we want.* We can browse our local gun shop and find what fee ls best to each individual and buy what we want. *Statement not valid in some states. |
It would if HK would make anything at that plant for civi consumption, which they have repeatedly said they will not. Of course that can always change, but as of now HK-USA says nothing will come out of the US plant intended for the civilian market. Gee, thanks for nut'in. |