How many folks actually.........?

[Empe]

Some people like very nice firearms and they have the money to spend on them.
Just because I wouldn't do it is no reason for someone else not to.

 

[Echo40]

I'm an H&K fan in a couple of ways, I preferred the G-3 to our M-14, love the MP5 in every configuration I have ever had my hands on and also find their pistols unmatched when it comes to basic ergonomics and operation. I have never had any of our H&K firearms issue a FTF and I have gone out of my way to do everything except fire one under water to find out. My bedside handgun is an HK45C with Streamlite weapons light. The trigger reset is very similar to the MK23 which is another amazing firearm although big and heavy. I never sprang for an Elite in the same way I never bought one of Sigs 210 models, I never sprang for a MK23 due to cost and that a HK USP Tactical .45 is significantly lighter, I think I got the supressor on the USP for the price difference between the USP and the MK23.

The HK45 is a nice gun, it was basically designed to be a more modern version of the USP45 with improved ergonomics and a M1913 Rail over the proprietary rail system on the USP. The only thing that I feel was a step backwards was replaced the USP's recoil-reducing Recoil Spring Assembly, since without it you can't shoot high pressure .45s in the stock configuration. Granted, that's really only a knock against it if you want to shoot .45 Super or .450 SMC, and even then I'm sure it could be easily modified to do so with an aftermarket heavier RSA.
Yeah, the MK23 (FTFY) is an incredible pistol, but its cost is extremely high — at least 2x that of the USP45 Elite — and it's larger/heavier too! I've seen some folks jokingly refer to the MK23 as the "H&K Desert Eagle" due to its massive size. Nevertheless, if someone wants at top quality .45 ACP pistol that isn't a 1911, with unsurpassed durability and virtually no recoil.

Personally, I prefer the USP45 Elite because it's aesthetically more pleasing to me, lighter in weight, smaller in size, yet still extremely durable, accurate, and less expensive to boot.

 

[Golddollar]

Some people like very nice firearms and they have the money to spend on them.
Just because I wouldn't do it is no reason for someone else not to.

And isn't that great? I'm just as happy to have my .455 Webley, 1895 Nagant , wartime 1911s and L-35 Lahti as my customized guns.

 

[Oldsalt66]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

[tops]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Are you sure? Larry

 

[Kinman]

The HK45 is a nice gun, it was basically designed to be a more modern version of the USP45 with improved ergonomics and a M1913 Rail over the proprietary rail system on the USP. The only thing that I feel was a step backwards was replaced the USP's recoil-reducing Recoil Spring Assembly, since without it you can't shoot high pressure .45s in the stock configuration. Granted, that's really only a knock against it if you want to shoot .45 Super or .450 SMC, and even then I'm sure it could be easily modified to do so with an aftermarket heavier RSA.
Yeah, the MK23 (FTFY) is an incredible pistol, but its cost is extremely high — at least 2x that of the USP45 Elite — and it's larger/heavier too! I've seen some folks jokingly refer to the MK23 as the "H&K Desert Eagle" due to its massive size. Nevertheless, if someone wants at top quality .45 ACP pistol that isn't a 1911, with unsurpassed durability and virtually no recoil.

Personally, I prefer the USP45 Elite because it's aesthetically more pleasing to me, lighter in weight, smaller in size, yet still extremely durable, accurate, and less expensive to boot.

My favorite reference for the MK23 is that it is large and heavy enough to qualify as a "crew served weapon." The trigger reset on the MK23 is amazing, I find the HK45C has a very close copy.

 

[Hairtrigger]

Everyone should get to own or at least fire a quality 1911
I am not much for the tricks nor do I like rails and red dots but to each their own
Alchemy makes a very good handgun

 

[.41magfan]

I think most reasonable folks can agree that beauty, value, quality, _____, _____ is in the subjective eye of the beholder.

But to be quite honest, when I handle something like a (used) standard production N-Frame from the 70's to 80's that someone is asking $2k for - complete with obvious machine marks, less than perfect timing, a front sight insert that looks like it was done by a 6th grader, etc, etc, I consider one of my $3k+ Ed Brown 1911's to be an absolute bargain!

YMMV obviously.

 

[richrd]

If I had the money, I would have a Wilson Combat.

But my money seems to get parceled out a bit at a time for other hobbies.

That said, when I was a dumb, broke kid, I bought a series 70 gold cup for $200 and had Cylinder and Slide Shop rebuild it for me for bullseye with a couple of combat mods. It;s still my favorite and extremely accurate.

 

[Llance]

Do people actually buy these tricked out handguns?

They must or the companies would be out of business by now. Does that mean everyone should?

NO.

In my opinion only those with the excess cash and the time to really enjoy such a firearm should buy one. Is it for me? Yes, but only if it is given to me as a gift. There is no way I can afford one. Not even the cheapest of their line.

 

[03hemi]

Do folks really buy them?
Yup, like hotcakes.

 

[03hemi]

I often see folks on other forums that spend literal fortunes on tricked out 1911's and AR platform rifles...When they inevitably attempt to sell or trade the completely tricked out gun, they can't get half of what they paid to customize it....They then go on rants about not understanding why people would rather just buy a base Tisas 1911 or PSA AR?

The bottom line on these super custom guns are they are customized to the original buyer's liking and not what the new buyer necessarily likes.

Simple: Never sell your firearms. Period

 

[BravoRomeo]

First Handgun Buy

My first handgun was not purchased after reading a magazine article. It was a simple case of wanting a Six-Shooter.

This was in Long Beach, California. I was 18 and stationed at the Naval Base.

So, one Saturday morning, got up early and took a bus into downtown Long Beach. Strolled into a gun shop and asked to see Colt .45 long pistols. The gentleman took out about 5 from a display case. I settled on a single action, Colt .45 long six-shooter made by International Arms.

Paid $67 and walked out with the pistol and a box of forty-five long cartridges. No bag. No paperwork.

Got on a bus and back to the base. Walked right through the front gate with a pistol. Stored the pistol in my locker. Several months later, took a trip to Tiajuana to buy a hand-made western holster.

Think about doing this today. Impossible. Especially in CALIFORNIA.

 

[AJ]

My first handgun was not purchased after reading a magazine article. It was a simple case of wanting a Six-Shooter.

This was in Long Beach, California. I was 18 and stationed at the Naval Base.

So, one Saturday morning, got up early and took a bus into downtown Long Beach. Strolled into a gun shop and asked to see Colt .45 long pistols. The gentleman took out about 5 from a display case. I settled on a single action, Colt .45 long six-shooter made by International Arms.

Paid $67 and walked out with the pistol and a box of forty-five long cartridges. No bag. No paperwork.

Got on a bus and back to the base. Walked right through the front gate with a pistol. Stored the pistol in my locker. Several months later, took a trip to Tijuana to buy a hand-made western holster.

Think about doing this today. Impossible. Especially in CALIFORNIA.

NavSta Long Beach has closed in 1994. I was stationed there in 1989. Could not do that then.