EDC Is the brand, make, and model; really a status symbol? Why?

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Expensive guns are like expensive watches, some people covet them not because they tell time better or shot straighter, but what it means to have the means to own one as a status symbol; and there is nothing wrong with that if that's your thing.

At a certain point though, the extra expenses equals actual diminished returns as far as performance and actual quality value. Do I like Staccatos, sure, do I think a production gun is worth that much, hell no.

Decide what best suits your actual needs first, then decide if you want bling. There is no right or wrong answer as it is subjective to each buyer.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

I still don't get how you ccw a full size metal gun without it feeling like a boat anchor

When I was young and trim, a FS 1911 .45acp with 1-2 extra mags was not a big deal in a leather shoulder holster (barrel down) iwb, own and sob as I never noticed the weight/ discomfort. Fast forward 30+ years and there is no way I'm carry that, lol.

 

[Hindsight]

Expensive guns are like expensive watches, some people covet them not because they tell time better or shot straighter, but what it means to have the means to own one as a status symbol; and there is nothing wrong with that if that's your thing.

At a certain point though, the extra expenses equals actual diminished returns as far as performance and actual quality value. Do I like Staccatos, sure, do I think a production gun is worth that much, hell no.

Decide what best suits your actual needs first, then decide if you want bling. There is no right or wrong answer as it is subjective to each buyer.

I feel like motor vehicles like cars are a better analogy to guns. Both are mechanical in nature and experience a combination of extreme diminishing returns early on (relative to the entire spectrum of available options - both high and low) and there's a level of user input involved that heavily influences how well they perform or how capable one is of extracting performance out of a platform. The dude with the infinity open race gun might be a GM or national level champion or he might be some hype beast that takes the safe queen out once a year and gets smoked by some dude shooting a glock 26 making minor PF. Same thing with the dude driving the miata destroying guys driving supercars on the track.

High end mechanical watches are weird as they're functional jewelry and have long been less accurate, reliable, and durable than much cheaper quartz, solar, or other watches. A FP Journe or Phillippe Dufour won't tell time any better and there's not really a level of user input or ability that influences how well it runs.

 

[ikeo1]

I feel like motor vehicles like cars are a better analogy to guns. Both are mechanical in nature and experience a combination of extreme diminishing returns early on (relative to the entire spectrum of available options - both high and low) and there's a level of user input involved that heavily influences how well they perform or how capable one is of extracting performance out of a platform. The dude with the infinity open race gun might be a GM or national level champion or he might be some hype beast that takes the safe queen out once a year and gets smoked by some dude shooting a glock 26 making minor PF. Same thing with the dude driving the miata destroying guys driving supercars on the track.

High end mechanical watches are weird as they're functional jewelry and have long been less accurate, reliable, and durable than much cheaper quartz, solar, or other watches. A FP Journe or Phillippe Dufour won't tell time any better and there's not really a level of user input or ability that influences how well it runs.

I think you're both right.. watches and cars are good analogies. I like both and have gone through several watches and cars before getting into firearms.

Their reputations are what make and break each brand and each brand has a following. I accept their flaws because nothing is perfect and pay for it because it speaks to me. This site is far from perfect and there's always room for improvement but what speaks to me personally is your passion for what you're into. You don't have to be a good shot if you know all the technical details or even just the small details between each model. The fact people enjoy things is a good thing and its nice to have variety and a group you can share things in common with.

Enjoy what you like and there will be others who like it with you. Make friends, talk , and laugh.

Sometimes I think people get too serious and people think we're too serious. Enjoy what you have and share your stories...

 

[miles888]

Yes it’s a status symbol.

Same as watches and parking a nice car you never drive to preserve value.

It’s vicariously a look-at-me toy for insecure people who derive value from status.

The people making it don’t make it for that purpose, but they capitalize on it for sure. There are people who don’t play life like a game, and truly don’t care what other people think, but they’re also probably not carrying a staccato everyday either.

Short story kind of related;

I shot a 98 on a sporting clays course last year, I was shooting a 686 silver pigeon. It’s a field gun I’ve had for over 10 years and it looks the part. Not abused, just a worn in field shotgun I hunt and shoot a lot with.

The person I was paired with had a beretta DT11. All shiny and brand new out of the box. He had some George Digweed red dot installed on it lol. Pulled up in a Ferrari, had the watch, the whole deal. He made a couple off color comments about my gun, lack of gadgets, etc.

He scratched the hinge point forcing the barrel together while assembling it, then shot less than 50. He stopped keeping score, and was complaining the whole day while I ran a free clinic for him.

I remember thinking wow what a way to blow $15k. But he needs the small “nice gun/watch/car” moment to feel something I guess. Can’t say for sure.

I invest my money and drive a beater. I’ll spend good money on quality guns, and would love a DT11 level gun one day. But not until I earn it by squeezing all the capabilities out of what I already own first. So when I shoot a sanctioned 100 I’ll probably buy one.

Anyway I had a bacon cheeseburger and an ice cold beer after that round. It was a good day.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Just initially confused whether this was a real discussion topic or not. I was thrown off a bit by the tongue in cheek or not start and end of the initial message.
.

Which part of the start and end was the tongue in cheek; which part was considered code words or lingo?

 

[Darqhelmet]

Yes it’s a status symbol.

Same as watches and parking a nice car you never drive to preserve value.

It’s vicariously a look-at-me toy for insecure people who derive value from status.

The people making it don’t make it for that purpose, but they capitalize on it for sure. There are people who don’t play life like a game, and truly don’t care what other people think, but they’re also probably not carrying a staccato everyday either.

Short story kind of related;

I shot a 98 on a sporting clays course last year, I was shooting a 686 silver pigeon. It’s a field gun I’ve had for over 10 years and it looks the part. Not abused, just a worn in field shotgun I hunt and shoot a lot with.

The person I was paired with had a beretta DT11. All shiny and brand new out of the box. He had some George Digweed red dot installed on it lol. Pulled up in a Ferrari, had the watch, the whole deal. He made a couple off color comments about my gun, lack of gadgets, etc.

He scratched the hinge point forcing the barrel together while assembling it, then shot less than 50. He stopped keeping score, and was complaining the whole day while I ran a free clinic for him.

I remember thinking wow what a way to blow $15k. But he needs the small “nice gun/watch/car” moment to feel something I guess. Can’t say for sure.

I invest my money and drive a beater. I’ll spend good money on quality guns, and would love a DT11 level gun one day. But not until I earn it by squeezing all the capabilities out of what I already own first. So when I shoot a sanctioned 100 I’ll probably buy one.

Anyway I had a bacon cheeseburger and an ice cold beer after that round. It was a good day.

Makes me think of The Beretta Gallery in Dallas. I would go there to grab mags or a newly released pistol before most other FFL’s had them. I walked into the fancy gun rooms a few times and always laughed. last time I went some dude was buying a pair of shotguns that cost 125k. He will never shoot them just like he didn’t drive his Ferrari there, he sure was talking about it loud enough though.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Yes it’s a status symbol.

Same as watches and parking a nice car you never drive to preserve value.

It’s vicariously a look-at-me toy for insecure people who derive value from status.

The people making it don’t make it for that purpose, but they capitalize on it for sure. There are people who don’t play life like a game, and truly don’t care what other people think, but they’re also probably not carrying a staccato everyday either.

Short story kind of related;

I shot a 98 on a sporting clays course last year, I was shooting a 686 silver pigeon. It’s a field gun I’ve had for over 10 years and it looks the part. Not abused, just a worn in field shotgun I hunt and shoot a lot with.

The person I was paired with had a beretta DT11. All shiny and brand new out of the box. He had some George Digweed red dot installed on it lol. Pulled up in a Ferrari, had the watch, the whole deal. He made a couple off color comments about my gun, lack of gadgets, etc.

George digweed red dot as in he had some airsoft grade red dot? Or did he have the aimpoint s-1 or a-2?

 

[Darqhelmet]

Which part of the start and end was the tongue in cheek; which part was considered code words or lingo?

No no I too thought this was a troll thread.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Generally there are good reasons why some products confer status, and this is usually related to their quality. I don't care about designer clothing, but if they were cheap, ugly, and fell apart right away their status would suffer.

Gucci made quality saddles and leather bags initially for Italy's elite horsemen, and they have a long and storied history. Ferrari won a boatload of races coming up and have world class design and limited production/buyer exclusivity. Rolex and Rolls-Royce are synonymous with high-end quality. These are all status symbols...for very good reason.

It's one thing to own a high-end gun and generally they do have the looks, comfort, and performance to back up their reputations, but that's no replacement for training or an attitude of self-improvement. If I'm a rookie with a high-end tool I'm still a rookie.

I generally buy top-level products for any new system and they do make a difference, from quality tools to curated car tech and guns too.

My CZ TS2 Orange is not just a status symbol, it's a status symbol because it's a damned good gun, proven time and again like the Shadow 2 series. It's also a joy to shoot and it's the gun with which I'm most accurate.

My philosophy is to buy once, cry once and then grow into that high-end product, enjoying it all the while.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

No no I too thought this was a troll thread.

What made it look like a possible troll thread?

 

[Darqhelmet]

What made it look like a possible troll thread?

Herro

Gucci main purse with a emoji

Hippoint carry.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Herro

Gucci main purse with a emoji

Hippoint carry.

Herro - east Asian accent of hello

Gucci man purse with a emoji - example

Hi point carry - also an example

 

[Darqhelmet]

Herro - east Asian accent of hello

Gucci man purse with a emoji - example

Hi point carry - also an example

You asked, I answered. That is what came across as trolly.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

You asked, I answered. That is what came across as trolly.

Trolly? Is Mister Rogers on?

 

[Trapper]

In the early 1990’s I was shooting competitions on a weekly basis. I had a custom 1911 for competition and a slightly less custom 1911 as my carry gun. Well over 40oz for the pistol plus a couple extra magazines on my off hand side, even with a good belt, it was a lot to manage. Over the years I’ve carried a several handguns that might qualify as status symbols but shifted to function over fashion 10 or so years ago. Now I have three Glocks listed, small, medium and large (43, 19, 20) all with the same holster and mag pouches. Reliable, accurate, but not status symbols.

 

[Hindsight]

Which part of the start and end was the tongue in cheek; which part was considered code words or lingo?

Pretty much what someone else said. People wouldn’t usually verbalize/type out a stylized or stereotypical way of pronouncing some of those words to mimic an Asian accent. If that’s how you actually pronounce it in everyday life, that’s one thing, but intentionally typing it out that way came off as strange or an affectation.

I’m sure you could see someone who’s not familiar with it or maybe that it’s your “thing” or persona on the website would be unsure whether this was a serious post or not.

As I read the rest of the first post it seemed to be though, so I ended up responding, but I was initially confused by this.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

You asked, I answered. That is what came across as trolly.

Pretty much what someone else said. People wouldn’t usually verbalize/type out a stylized or stereotypical way of pronouncing some of those words to mimic an Asian accent. If that’s how you actually pronounce it in everyday life, that’s one thing, but intentionally typing it out that way came off as strange or an affectation.

I’m sure you could see someone who’s not familiar with it or maybe that it’s your “thing” or persona on the website would be unsure whether this was a serious post or not.

As I read the rest of the first post it seemed to be though, so I ended up responding, but I was initially confused by this.

For the Herro part, sometimes I joke around, and greet people in real life by saying hello like that either in person or answering the phone.

 

[Gawernator]

Herro

 

[stockb0y]

its called whatever floats your boat imo. People have biases and preferences so what you like won’t be what everyone likes! Imo guns are like s just do you and don’t worry about what anyone else is packing lol