Other Why so expensive?

[graycrait]

Old NOOB here,

I was taking one last look at my CZ 457 Pro Varmint which I am trading for an FX Streamline. For what I use an air rifle for the Streamline seems a fair trade. However, I have been looking at BRK and Daystate prices and wonder what makes these so expensive? Do you never need to change O-rings? Are they more accurate than powder burner Bench Rest rifles? Where does the perceived value come from for these >$3K air rifles. Or in what competition among experienced shooters do these expensive air rifles beat the "cheaper" competition. I'm not criticizing but am interested in understanding the value between a $1200 air rifle vs a +$3k air rifle. Will the squirrel be able to tell the difference? Or will ranking at some "national" shooting event tell the tale?

 

[L.Leon]

“Perceived value?” Is an ephemeral term. We understand O rings need to be changed on some guns more frequently than others. It all boils down to what “you” want and “expect” out of an airgun. We understand that a squirrel or any small critter will fall to the “cheapest” or “expensive” the sender doing his/her part of course. The price of some of these PCPs is very high, its all about what the market will bear…

 

[ba49]

To me you usually but not always get what you pay for when it comes to airguns.I have been buying mostly used Brococks for some time now because you get what you pay for with them at a good price when you buy used. They are usually very accurate, well engineered, very well laid out for a lefty, and very easily repaired when needed. So far I have not been disappointed in any I have acquired. I would also put the Huben GK1 in the same class for a pistol.

 

[Florida_Man]

Like many other things, fit and finish.
I love the Snowpeaks I have, but they don’t feel like my Brocock and Daystate.
Machining is better, better quality metal

 

[Bedrock Bob]

All the cool squirrels want to be shot with expensive guns. Everyone knows that. Bring your Brocock.

The lowbrow canopy rats from the dark side of the tree just dont care. Those squirrels are gangsta. They'll cut you bro. Use a Hatsan.

It's just like the old handgun saying. You show your Kimber to your friends. Show your Glock to your enemies.

 

[Florida_Man]

Some things punch above price, some bellow, snd some you expect.

Expected - Concept, Revere, and Cricket
Above - Snowpeak P35 and PP700
Below - Maverick

Just my experience from what i have owned.

 

[Florida_Man]

All the cool squirrels want to be shot with expensive guns. Everyone knows that. Bring your Brocock.

The lowbrow canopy rats from the dark side of the tree just dont care. Those squirrels are gangsta. They'll cut you bro. Use a Hatsan.

It's just like the old handgun saying. You show your Kimber to your friends. You show your Glock to your enemy.

My 200 dollar PP700SA has taken more rodent ls then all my other rifles combined x10

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

My >$500 krals work quite well with a good tune. They're fit and finish is better than some guns I've had in the same price range.

As for my revere, it was a practically new used gun I got for under $1100. Regulated 22. Just gotta look around for the deals.

The daystate is impeccable BTW. Never touched an FX... yet.

I've even owned a few BSA guns. They're very nice fit and finish, quirky to tinker on and tune though. The trigger on the ultra line is long but predictable. Not for me though.

Some guns you just know the moment you shoulder them that they found a place in the family.

 

[forrest342]

1. Quality
2. Yes probably eventually but not frequently.
3. No not more accurate
4. Probably not
5. Maybe

Here’s the thing about value of an air rifle or any product really. There is a point of diminishing returns. Does a $200,000 car still need an oil change? Of course. Is the top speed 4x the top speed of a $50,000 car? Of course not.

A $3000 air rifle isn’t going to be 3x as accurate as a FX streamline. It’s probably going to be 10% better. And the fit and finish isn’t going to be 3x as good. It’s probably going to be 10% better. That extra little bit of quality and precision is going to cost the builder a lot of money and that price is passed on to the consumer.

But is it worth $3000? Hell yes! Some people live and breathe this stuff. Nobody buys a $3000 Airgun to shoot tin cans at 10 yards. Most of these people are either super passionate about the hobby and want to push the limits of what’s possible.

Features also come into play. For example a FX crown is similar to Streamline or Dreamline in terms of accuracy and quality but has more features. So that’s why it’s 50% more expensive.

 

[graycrait]

I spent nearly 30 yrs carrying a gun for a living in various countries. I even did contract security for the Feds in my old age. I used to live and breathe "guns." But one day I got tired of all the nonsense. Because shooting is one of my things, along with a number of other sports including having shot various traditional bows I am trying to sort out air guns in my old age. If I need a +$3K air gun I can get one, but I have not been convinced. It is sort of like moving from a $1000 .22lr to a Vudoo but then for true accuracy one probably needs a .22lr made with a Stiller 2500X or Turbo V action and likely a select Mueller barrel with a B&A trigger. Oddly I am pretty sure the squirrel graveyard is chock full of tree rats expired by $160.00 old Marlin Model 60s. I'm inclined to believe the custom AA S200 I picked up is enough air gun for me. But I want to be "convinced."

 

[Rizz01]

Old NOOB here,

I was taking one last look at my CZ 457 Pro Varmint which I am trading for an FX Streamline. For what I use an air rifle for the Streamline seems a fair trade. However, I have been looking at BRK and Daystate prices and wonder what makes these so expensive? Do you never need to change O-rings? Are they more accurate than powder burner Bench Rest rifles? Where does the perceived value come from for these >$3K air rifles. Or in what competition among experienced shooters do these expensive air rifles beat the "cheaper" competition. I'm not criticizing but am interested in understanding the value between a $1200 air rifle vs a +$3k air rifle. Will the squirrel be able to tell the difference? Or will ranking at some "national" shooting event tell the tale?

I used to ask the same questions.
A friend asked me why I own a Mercedes.
I thought about it for a "hot second".
I then ordered a Daystate.
There IS a difference!

 

[Bedrock Bob]

More game has fallen in front of a rusted rimfire with a broken front sight than all the high dollar PCP rifles combined.

You could take down a moose with a slingshot. Just don't expect many "likes" when you post photos on the internet.

Shoot a bucket full of mice with a Brocock and you go viral on YouTube.

That right there is the driver of value for a lot of guys.

 

[Stubbers]

1. Quality
2. Yes probably eventually but not frequently.
3. No not more accurate
4. Probably not
5. Maybe

Here’s the thing about value of an air rifle or any product really. There is a point of diminishing returns. Does a $200,000 car still need an oil change? Of course. Is the top speed 4x the top speed of a $50,000 car? Of course not.

A $3000 air rifle isn’t going to be 3x as accurate as a FX streamline. It’s probably going to be 10% better. And the fit and finish isn’t going to be 3x as good. It’s probably going to be 10% better. That extra little bit of quality and precision is going to cost the builder a lot of money and that price is passed on to the consumer.

But is it worth $3000? Hell yes! Some people live and breathe this stuff. Nobody buys a $3000 Airgun to shoot tin cans at 10 yards. Most of these people are either super passionate about the hobby and want to push the limits of what’s possible.

Features also come into play. For example a FX crown is similar to Streamline or Dreamline in terms of accuracy and quality but has more features. So that’s why it’s 50% more expensive.

Strong bias towards 'you get what you pay for' mentality. I'd like to show you exhibit A, the CyberTruck...and I could easily make a few airgun references that fall in line with that blunder when comparing market value disparity and faster than expected depreciation vs the intended appreciation or at least retention in value...

A few features on an airgun doesn't necessarily add 50% of the value, value is perceived, and rarely often retained over time with any depreciating asset, which airguns are...

I've handled $2,000 guns and have never said, wow, now I get it...and went off and bought a handful of $2,000 airguns. Money is non-issue...these are pellet guns and I understand their principles enough to know what I am, and what I am not getting, and imo (perceived), I am not getting $2,400 value out of the new fx impact m4...You should see how filled the comment section of the gk1 videos on youtube are with disgust on the price. Sure they sell a bunch at the current price, but there are more they DON'T sell because of that price...by a much wider margin. Does that mean that the majority that perceive it as over-priced are right about its value, or those that buy it are...well really to be technical both are right and both are wrong, in either persons mind...so that is that.

-Matt

 

[RickH]

I shoot for fun and 10 meter matches. I started with a 2078A and it’s quite good. Triple the price for a used Anschutz and yes, it’s at least that much better. I’ve found that the best results come from purpose built tools. The Anschutz is a great target rifle but I wouldn’t bother taking it into the field. For a modest price and some practice you can have a great pesting setup. As a photographer I finally realized I was spending so much time fiddling with the camera I wasn’t actually taking many photos. Shooting is the same. Find something that just works and put it to use. It can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Rick H.

 

[L.Leon]

More game has fallen in front of a rusted rimfire with a broken front sight than all the high dollar PCP rifles combined.

You could take down a moose with a slingshot. Just don't expect many "likes" when you post photos on the internet.

Shoot a bucket full of mice with a Brocock and you go viral on YouTube.

That right there is the driver of value for a lot of guys.

Really?! So “now” it’s about going “viral”? I “am” a BRK “fan man” through use… That said, my Artemis pp700sa killed more rats than all my BRKs. So what? Once I stepped up to the BRK quality level, I never looked back. And the targeted pest? They simply die, if properly shot with “any” platform.

 

[Coinwa]

There’s also WAY more technology in a high-end PCP than there is in a powder burning bench rifle. The “Technology” in powder burners is in the machining (barrel manufacturing, CNC’d actions, .0001” accurate lathes, and knowledgeable skilled ‘smiths) …. but basic gun design hasn’t changed in 140 years.

Air rifles, on the other hand, are advancing what seems like weekly. There are probably 25 times more moving parts on a PCP than there are on most bolt guns.

 

[thumper]

From a guy that loves and hunts with air rifles almost exclusively.....

You'll regret that trade.

Now consider a different air rifle not built by the Swedes, and it may be a different story.

 

[Bedrock Bob]

Really?! So “now” it’s about going “viral”? I “am” a BRK “fan man” through use… That said, my Artemis pp700sa killed more rats than all my BRKs. So what? Once I stepped up to the BRK quality level, I never looked back. And the targeted pest? They simply die, if properly shot with “any” platform.

Then you aren't "the guy" I'm talking about.

But I think you know "the guy" I'm talking about.

We all do.

He will pay more for the prestige because he has the money. And the reward he expects is recognition. People acknowledge that and sing songs in his honor. And all he did was kill a bucket of rats with a very nice rifle.

To the rats it's all the same. It only matters to the shooter. If it doesn't matter it doesn't matter. But if it does....

 

[wgd]

All the cool squirrels want to be shot with expensive guns. Everyone knows that. Bring your Brocock.

The lowbrow canopy rats from the dark side of the tree just dont care. Those squirrels are gangsta. They'll cut you bro. Use a Hatsan.

It's just like the old handgun saying. You show your Kimber to your friends. Show your Glock to your enemies.

That’s some funny $hit!

 

[graycrait]

Full disclosure: My daily driver is a 2001 Honda CRV. My wife of 43 years told me I should get a cool or neat car. To appease her I picked up a used 2016 F150 standard cab 6 cyl aluminum body with plastic floor and seats and fiberglass topper. Still mostly driving the '01 CRV. Why? It gets the job done with no hassle. I get the same number of hot babes waving at me when I drive my F150 as I do in my '01 CRV. But the CRV carries our dogs in air conditioned comfort and I can carry all sorts of trash to the dump in the F150.