Buy once, cry once.

[Firewalker]

No other quip raises my hackles quite as much as, "Buy once, cry once".

I just counted 9 instances of a n00b buying an M4 as a first air gun and they are completely lost in the tune and setup.

What good does it do to push n00bs to high end guns?

Discuss....

 

[baranjhn]

I understand the concept but I don’t agree with it. Some folks can’t afford multiple high end guns. So they finally get one and they don’t like it. Now what? They’ve put everything that had into it and now sell for a loss to try another.

 

[Kgphotos]

I actually like the concept of “buy once, cry once”. However, when it applies to a rifle like the Impact and a brand new shooter there should be a few caveats employed. I’ve actually never recommended an Impact as a first rifle. I do have a friend though that did indeed buy an Impact as his very first pcp. He was never interested in tuning the rifle and left it as is from the factory. He shoots pellets and just absolutely loves his Impact. So it really depends on the individual buyer and what their expectations are and what they are willing to put into the process.
Kenny

 

[GeneT]

There are always caveats. The noob that buys an M4 didn't "buy once, cry once" - they bought badly. That's not the same as spending sufficient money to get what's right for you, the first time, which is how I take the phrase.

GsT

 

[DevilsLuck]

I think it's fine. As long as they're willing to take it slow, and learn about their guns, and it's tuning processes as they go, they'll be just fine. These are presumably grown men, if they're ponying up this kind of quid for an airgun.

 

[Ranchibi]

Very very true Firewalker....I think many that say that are thinking about folks that are into airguns have a couple entry level guns but are looking to finally upgrade. But for a noob.....no, it doesn't make sense at all!

 

[RossK]

Not new to firearms but newb to PCP. I started with a cheapo Crosman Icon 22 and a Hill handpump to see if it's something I might enjoy at home in my backyard. I've since returned the Icon for the recall refund, and after much research for my intended use, I replaced the Icon with a Benjamin Cayden.
My Hill pump finally started leaking today, tore it down replaced two orings, now about to get outside before work and kill some metal silhouettes.

 

[CrashKT]

The problem is everyone fanboys the M4 while the Ghost sit there and would have been a better candidate for a “buy once, cry once”.

 

[Airmanator]

This is why I keep telling newbies, the fx impact or any 2k-3k gun shouldn't be their first. Newbies buys a new fx impact m4 and brag about its their first pcp. Like wtf. So what. Lmao. Then they cry how to turn it. How to fix leakings, reg creep. Ect. My first pcp was the benjamin marauder. I learn how to shoot it. Turn it, fix it, before I even try moving up to high end guns like the impact.

 

[ToddGeddes63]

I think it boils down to expectations that you have to buy the most expensive, adjustable/tunable air gun, given to them by folks that are in the biz of selling or benefit from sales. If you are not mechanical, then don't get a complicated multi this or adjustable that offering, you will be very disappointed. Budget has a lot to do with this sport. People don't realize the total cost of pcp's you have a high-end air gun but what about the scope, air source, pellets, range finder, chrony, shooting sticks, bags, and all the other paraphernalia, that have their own rabbit holes to further con fuse and deplete the wallet. do your research! and gain knowledge to become an informed consumer. Thats what this site is for to help the new, the old, and the confused.

 

[Gerry52]

I agree with Firewalker on this one. I see far more posts about newbs being in over their heads or experience with the guns like the Impact for a 1st choice. At the time I got into this (8ish) years ago Benjamin Discovery or Marauder were MOST people's introduction to PCP's. My personal learning curve started off with the SIMPLEST of guns and as I learned more & more I'd kinda go up 1 level at a time. This was dictated more by my finances than any long range "plan" but I'm glad it happened that way. As it happens, the guns that give me the most satisfaction are simple, dependable, laser accurate & low maintenance. I don't need 60+ o-rings & lots of problems & frustration JUST to get a gun to shoot the way mine already do! That's how it went for me. Doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Even though I could wheel & deal to get TOP tier guns now I'm 100% thrilled, enamored & satisfied with my "mid" top tier guns. (Front to Back: FX Bobcat .22, Fx Royale 500 .25, FX Boss .30)

 

[cmatera]

Unfortunately, there are numbers of company sponsored "influencers" who have embedded themselves into our midst. They would sell their mother far a dollar. They feed off the noobs.

 

[blackdog899]

Can’t agree with the majority here. If someone has the money and desire to purchase a $2000+ gun good for him. I personally would take it as a challenge. Tuning and getting an air gun to shoot can’t be more demanding than getting a thousand yard ftr gun, handload work up, optics, etc. on the bull. Not everybody who has the money to spend is an idiot.
Mike

 

[Airgun Al]

Who is "PUSHING" them?

 

[Firewalker]

Can’t agree with the majority here. If someone has the money and desire to purchase a $2000+ gun good for him. I personally would take it as a challenge. Tuning and getting an air gun to shoot can’t be more demanding than getting a thousand yard ftr gun, handload work up, optics, etc. on the bull. Not everybody who has the money to spend is an idiot.
Mike

I hope I didn't make the statement that they are idiots. It's the statement itself that is cringeworthy to me personally.

 

[Vetmx]

With some guns it can be buy once, cry for the foreseeable future. There’s a big difference between spending big for zero aggravation and spending big for a lot of aggravation. Some choose wisely, some don’t.

 

[JimD]

I agree completely with firewalker. But I also agree some with people saying it depends. If you buy relatively expensive airguns because you have tried several less expensive and they did not work for you AND you have the money to upgrade to more expensive guns you like then I think the idea makes great sense. But someone buying their first airgun is not in that position unless they have used some borrowed guns or something. Unfortunately we normally do not get to use an airgun before we buy it so there is some risk involved. I have one >$1K airgun (none over 2K) and 5 under $500 airgun. I like 4 of the 5 less expensive airguns about as much as the more expensive. In my mind all 6 are nice guns.

On most if not all my purchases of anything I try to stay somewhere in the middle. I have not purchased the least expensive airgun I could find but most of my purchases are closer to that than the most expensive. So I always advise people to try less expensive guns I have and like. To me it makes more sense.

A better plan, in other words, is to "buy and don't cry".

I hope nobody takes this as bragging but I do not buy less expensive guns because I cannot afford more expensive guns, I buy what I like. I just had to call my credit card company about fraudulent charges on my CC bill that would about cover the cost of an FX impact. To make it easier I will pay their bill even though they are crediting me for those charges and just pay a lot less next month. The extra expense won't change anything else for me. If I ever decide I want an Impact or other similarly priced airgun I will buy one and I won't need to "cry" about the expense. But so far I just don't want it.

 

[WorriedMan]

"Buy once, cry once," isn't for me either. Can't dispute quality and performance of $400 bipods, $4500 compressors and $3000 scopes but for those interested in backyard plinking/pesting success can be found for far less. WM

 

[Firewalker]

Who is "PUSHING" them?

The statement made in reply to n00bs asking about a new gun is the "push".

 

[xsarfc9x]

Too many adjustments points on the M4 and you can get lost in the weeds so to speak. You need to have a certain level of pcp competence and equipment to be able to take advantage of all the features. If you get a M4 and are new to PCPs it should come with Rstern's PDFs on PCP airguns to explain the basics and how different adjustments affect the gun and how to interpret Chrono data.

When new ppl at my range ask me about buying a high end PCP for plinking or pesting I usually recommend AA S Series. They're a simple design, adjustment points are easy to reset, high build quality and accurate with a large range of pellets. On the lower end the Notos is a feature rich gun that does alot well within its power range.


I also like the Daystate Huntsman/Revere, Brococks but the AAs are easier to work on should something go wrong. I used to include BSA but the new mono block seems a step back from the Bowkett based MMC designed guns.