What parts make a gun feel expensive?
- Thread starter FanGuy
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Beerman
6.5 Creedmoor
A trigger that feels somehow both smooth yet mechanically precise, with palpable, tactile feedback during all phases of operation… A nice stock on a rifle, whether hand carved wood or CNC milled goodness adds to value. I think some of the easiest to add to a build, though, are optics. Nice optics make any gun feel nicer.
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
What kind of gun?
At the moment an Ar 15, but curious for all rifles as I plan my next gun to be a bolt action.
can't wait to post my final build pic once its done I think I've checked off two of those three you recommended. Any specific triggers you'd recommend?
ArmedCorgi
.475 A&M Magnum
Whatever one feels more expensive.
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
My Thordsen stocks added some unnecessary expense.
A good trigger is most important, followed by a good scope/sights/optic. A good fit between upper and lower receivers make the rifle "feel" solid.
A good trigger is most important, followed by a good scope/sights/optic. A good fit between upper and lower receivers make the rifle "feel" solid.
Any way to make the upper and lower be more snug other than getting a matching set from the same brand?
Beerman
6.5 Creedmoor
Some AR lowers have an adjustable set screw that screws in from under the pistol grip to put the slightest pressure on the upper, to take out that tiny bit of wiggle. But good quality uppers and lowers will generally fit quite well. If there’s a noticeable wobble then something is out of spec, poorly built, poorly engineered, or it’s had too much whisky. (No e.)
Modean
.223 Rem
I have used these in all my builds. Snugs everything up very solid. UTG Accurizing Wedge AR-15
Uninformed and Compliant
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Trigger, smooth action, feel in hand, good sights.
Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
what about chrome ..
lots of chrome plating on gun parts ..
you know chrome makes cars go faster ..
makes them more "expensive" too
lots of chrome plating on gun parts ..
you know chrome makes cars go faster ..
makes them more "expensive" too
Uninformed and Compliant
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Quick detach mounts on almost everything.
Anything part that increases smoothness/reduces friction. A simple bit of foam earplug jammed into the rear of a loose fitting AR15 receiver will dramatically improve the apparent, though not actual, quality of the rifle. Improved triggers and sights will improve its feel and performance which adds to a feeling of better quality as would parts that improve ergonomics such as grips or controls.
The Silent Buffer System by JP Enterprises for ARs makes the whole gun feel slicker in operation though I don't think it confers much of an actual benefit performance wise.
Frankly I am firmly in the buy once cry once camp. Delay your purchase, horde your shekels and.....
Then you won't need to "add" quality later. Or just be satisfied with something cheap and cheerful, nothing wrong with that.
The Silent Buffer System by JP Enterprises for ARs makes the whole gun feel slicker in operation though I don't think it confers much of an actual benefit performance wise.
Frankly I am firmly in the buy once cry once camp. Delay your purchase, horde your shekels and.....
Then you won't need to "add" quality later. Or just be satisfied with something cheap and cheerful, nothing wrong with that.
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Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I’ve never locked up a gun and thought this feels expensive but I’ll say the ammo.
FRANKIE
.308 Win
Top tier barrel.
you can dress and configure a rifle in any way
But it will never shoot straight consistently without a good barrel even with the best optic.
Real shooting starts with just the irons.
you can dress and configure a rifle in any way
But it will never shoot straight consistently without a good barrel even with the best optic.
Real shooting starts with just the irons.
jimc
.223 Rem
I have a LaRue trigger on one of my builds. I really like it and it's not as expensive as some others.
Hochulsucks1234
.357 mag
I know this is AR specific...but I have literally spent hundreds more on an upgraded stock...and I mean the wood. I have a thing for grade V/VI walnut. Also...barrels...barrels can really bring the price up.
For a bolt gun I'd say the chassis. I'm a big fan of the MDT chassis systems. They are pricey but well worth it. I'm in easily over $3k between a Krieger barrel and MDT chassis for my Ruger American overhaul. Although I'm a sick bastard and the only thing that will be from the factory RA will be the receiver.
I'm also trying not to buy a set of Baker wings for the build.
For an AR, I'd say it's user specific. I personally go with ergos first for a pinker. If your looking to set up a 3-gun, I'd go with a barrel.
I'm also trying not to buy a set of Baker wings for the build.
For an AR, I'd say it's user specific. I personally go with ergos first for a pinker. If your looking to set up a 3-gun, I'd go with a barrel.
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High quality wood instantly adds class to any gun, including ARs.
repete
.338 Win Mag
Ammo, A large supply of ammo so you can just shoot and shoot and not worry about will make any rifle 'feel' better.
Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
.. 
Xae289
.223 Rem
For traditionally-styled arms – fine, richly colored wood with a good finish that lets the wood's properties shine without feeling like a plastic coating. A mirror-polished, blued finish. Aesthetic details like scrollwork engravings, inlays, case-hardened parts, etc. Smooth triggers that break crisply. Slides, bolts, or cylinders that track so smoothly that they feel like they're riding on ball-bearings. Tight lockups on revolvers with little endshake and narrow cylinder gaps.
For modern arms, it's way more variable. Unmarred, durable, weather-resistant finishes. Smooth triggers that break crisply are nice, but there's only so much of that you can expect from some platforms like striker-fired guns. You just have to know the platform and what makes it good. Plenty of aftermarket trash out there for ARs, Glocks, and modern bolt-actions. If it looks tacky and gives out gas-station knife vibes, it's probably junk. In an AR, I like light weight, a good trigger, and no cosmetic additions. The proof is in the shooting.
Spending money doesn't necessarily equal performance. A well put-together, mid-tier AR is capable of better accuracy than most shooters and excellent reliability. My personal philosophy on it is that you:
A) As a baseline have to make sure it works reliably. Excellent reliability isn't expensive, but takes research to make sure you're not buying junk internals.
B) Needs mechanical accuracy. Pretty much all of that comes from a barrel. Buy the best barrel that fits your budget.
C) You need to be able to be accurate with it. To me that means buy a good trigger and sights/optics. The LaRue MBT-2S is my favorite for the money and what I recommend to anyone. If you're such good a shot that you'd benefit from a trigger like a Geissele, you probably don't need my advice. As for the optic, get the best one your budget allows for, keeping in mind that if you go for a scope, don't cheap out on the rings.
For modern arms, it's way more variable. Unmarred, durable, weather-resistant finishes. Smooth triggers that break crisply are nice, but there's only so much of that you can expect from some platforms like striker-fired guns. You just have to know the platform and what makes it good. Plenty of aftermarket trash out there for ARs, Glocks, and modern bolt-actions. If it looks tacky and gives out gas-station knife vibes, it's probably junk. In an AR, I like light weight, a good trigger, and no cosmetic additions. The proof is in the shooting.
Spending money doesn't necessarily equal performance. A well put-together, mid-tier AR is capable of better accuracy than most shooters and excellent reliability. My personal philosophy on it is that you:
A) As a baseline have to make sure it works reliably. Excellent reliability isn't expensive, but takes research to make sure you're not buying junk internals.
B) Needs mechanical accuracy. Pretty much all of that comes from a barrel. Buy the best barrel that fits your budget.
C) You need to be able to be accurate with it. To me that means buy a good trigger and sights/optics. The LaRue MBT-2S is my favorite for the money and what I recommend to anyone. If you're such good a shot that you'd benefit from a trigger like a Geissele, you probably don't need my advice. As for the optic, get the best one your budget allows for, keeping in mind that if you go for a scope, don't cheap out on the rings.
Appreciate you
spat
.700 Nitro Express
Surprised nobody suggested the gold plating.
OP asked what would make a gun "feel" expensive, not where the best place to spend money was.
Bonus points if you have Saddam Hussein's AK and you put a fin grip on it for NY LOL.
OP asked what would make a gun "feel" expensive, not where the best place to spend money was.
Bonus points if you have Saddam Hussein's AK and you put a fin grip on it for NY LOL.
Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
was looking for the gold tommy gun from a teen shooter and ended up finding this
2:00 mark is the gold bling ..
2:00 mark is the gold bling ..
The price tag and the name brand make it feel more expensive, sometime more than it’s worth.
Receivers, milled, fitted.
handguard Too much to discuss
A name brand barrel, Krieger, McMillan, Bartlein, Hart and many others.
Triggers, Timney , Geissle
Receivers, milled, fitted.
handguard Too much to discuss
A name brand barrel, Krieger, McMillan, Bartlein, Hart and many others.
Triggers, Timney , Geissle
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speerchucker
.40 S&W
For me it is how I go about building a rifle first I select the bullet then select a case then rap a match grade barrel around it and a bloody good trigger good pic rail good Rings good scope then a bloody good stock that fits put all them together and even if it's only a $3,000 rifle to me as worth 10 grand no matter what price it is it ain't worth shit if it don't group at a grand .
Xae289
.223 Rem
Wow, somehow it manages to be both one of the most expensive-looking guns I've ever seen and one of the cheapest.