FX The outrageous cost of High quality airguns WOW
- Thread starter UDABEGGER
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In the past 10-12 years, since I retired (69 yo now) I have gone through a few hobbies, always with one basic principle to follow: set a max of $ 3-4,000 spent on each one of them. That is usually enough to fully enjoy and learn about most hobbies, imo. No more. If I get tired o simply can't keep practicing a particular hobby, I try to sell what I can to recover some cash. In many ocassions I recover 50% or more than the investment done.
I am or have been involved, more or less seriously, in fishing, airguns, table tennis, tennis, kayaking, and recently, converting mountain bikes to electric (way cheaper than buying a brand emtb, and more fun and power). My point is that you don't have to spend a fortune in the things you like and help you keep healthy and happy. One thing is clear to me: apart from the daily life routines and family, it is important to have hobbies, any kind, and to be amazed by the small things and details that sorround us every day, and that we usually take for granted.
I am or have been involved, more or less seriously, in fishing, airguns, table tennis, tennis, kayaking, and recently, converting mountain bikes to electric (way cheaper than buying a brand emtb, and more fun and power). My point is that you don't have to spend a fortune in the things you like and help you keep healthy and happy. One thing is clear to me: apart from the daily life routines and family, it is important to have hobbies, any kind, and to be amazed by the small things and details that sorround us every day, and that we usually take for granted.
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high end air guns are expensive compared to what? Others have mentioned some costly habits,er uh hobbies.
I used to run white water jet boats. Back then a good one set you back $60K, repairs were horribly expensive and they ate fuel at a rate of around 11-12 gallons an hour in heavy rapids.
I found air guns to be eminently affordable
I used to run white water jet boats. Back then a good one set you back $60K, repairs were horribly expensive and they ate fuel at a rate of around 11-12 gallons an hour in heavy rapids.
I found air guns to be eminently affordable
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I can afford any air rifle made.
Air rifles like FX and Daystate are too expensive.
For me it is a value calculation.
What am I getting for my money.
Is a 1/4 in smaller diameter group worth another $1,000 to $2,000 or more.
The answer to me is always, absolutely not.
Then there is the old engineering adage, the more points of failure the greater chance of failure. Modern PCP are just getting too complex, there is a reason the AirForce platform has been around for so long with only minor changes.
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Everything is outrageously expensive.. Just a few minutes ago I bought (4) 50# bags of 10-10-10 fertilizer. $20 each / cash... Lowe's is $24 / for 40# bag.
just this year I bought FX M4 & Alkin W31. Both b4 tariffs and price increase. Gas is $2.79 (Walmart) and Diesel, if you shop is $3.07 (Walmart)
FX lost huge to FX USA and that John dude ( remember?) And it costs a lot to market these guns... These rifles are made to be accurate ( consistent) and fun as anything to shoot..
I looked at the "latest" moderator that a YT'ber was "pimping. $239.. That is ridiculous.
just this year I bought FX M4 & Alkin W31. Both b4 tariffs and price increase. Gas is $2.79 (Walmart) and Diesel, if you shop is $3.07 (Walmart)
FX lost huge to FX USA and that John dude ( remember?) And it costs a lot to market these guns... These rifles are made to be accurate ( consistent) and fun as anything to shoot..
I looked at the "latest" moderator that a YT'ber was "pimping. $239.. That is ridiculous.
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As a long-time firearms enthusiast, I would fully expect a quality air rifle to cost about the same as an equivalent centerfire or rimfire rifle. There's really not much difference between them. For example... A quality barrel is a quality barrel regardless of whether it's compressed air or ignited gunpowder pushing the projectile through.
Though, you can get into air rifles (at the lower end) for less money than a low-end powder burner.
This FX Impact owned by a stranger at the local range ignited my interest in a "grown up" air rifle a couple of years ago.
costs about the same (a little more) than this (my PS90):
But less than this:
But, for my first air rifle, I got a Benjamin Marauder F&T for $780, which is about the same as you'd pay for a decent bolt-action or semi-auto centerfire rifle.
By the time I added all the necessary "accoutrements" (scope, mini-tank, an assortment of pellets to try), I spent $2200 "out the door."
It's just money! We can go make more.
Though, you can get into air rifles (at the lower end) for less money than a low-end powder burner.
This FX Impact owned by a stranger at the local range ignited my interest in a "grown up" air rifle a couple of years ago.
costs about the same (a little more) than this (my PS90):
But less than this:
But, for my first air rifle, I got a Benjamin Marauder F&T for $780, which is about the same as you'd pay for a decent bolt-action or semi-auto centerfire rifle.
By the time I added all the necessary "accoutrements" (scope, mini-tank, an assortment of pellets to try), I spent $2200 "out the door."
It's just money! We can go make more.
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I too have been reevaluating my priorities, the realities of my practice and reflecting upon past purchases.
At one point in my life i competed to some minor degree in pistol and long range rifle shooting. I longed for and sometimes even acquired several quality pieces and enjoyed them. At this station in life however i find that i tend to only reach for a select few that bring me joy and familiarity.
Health and fiscal realities and situational changes similarly play a significant role.
Were I in a position to advocate I would suggest choosing responsibly and limiting acquisitions accordingly.
Sure some items appreciated over time but just as many are now less valued, relegated to evolutionary changes, improvements and fashion.
At one point in my life i competed to some minor degree in pistol and long range rifle shooting. I longed for and sometimes even acquired several quality pieces and enjoyed them. At this station in life however i find that i tend to only reach for a select few that bring me joy and familiarity.
Health and fiscal realities and situational changes similarly play a significant role.
Were I in a position to advocate I would suggest choosing responsibly and limiting acquisitions accordingly.
Sure some items appreciated over time but just as many are now less valued, relegated to evolutionary changes, improvements and fashion.
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The great thing is, if something is overpriced in ones opinion, you don't have to buy it. If you can't afford it don't buy it. An airgun is not like a car or some things in life that are important or essential. You need transportation to go to the store to get food, go to work, take kids to school or get medical care, so to most, a car is important, an air rifle is not.
What I find interesting is, when new prices go up on things that are semi-durable (not consumable), good used items generally hold their value. Not so with used air rifles. You can expect to lose 40-60% on little used rifles in near mint condition. So if one finds new prices too high but won't pay a fair price for used, then some people won't be buying new or used, and only want to complain.
I bought an RTI P3 Compact from Talon Tunes yesterday, and will likely buy a Mora before the end of the year. if I was going to complain about the price, I just would not do it. When dealers are selling new old stock at prices competing with used, it shows the level of over saturation of the industry. The prices are high, the product cycle is too fast, and the service and parts for things we've bought is quickly going the wrong way. Not to pick on FX as I own several, but I have an Impact M3. Since then, there has been the King, the Dynamic, the Panthera, the M4, the DRS and now the Leopard. They often do not produce the promised products to support those products, and move on to something and never produce them. It has gotten ridiculous.
I do realize there are additional upfront costs (like a way to fill) or after purchase costs (like accessories). To that I say newbies, do your research before getting in to this hobby/addiction. Many here have more than one PCP. My P3 will be #11, so those people should be fully aware of the cost of accessorization.
What I find interesting is, when new prices go up on things that are semi-durable (not consumable), good used items generally hold their value. Not so with used air rifles. You can expect to lose 40-60% on little used rifles in near mint condition. So if one finds new prices too high but won't pay a fair price for used, then some people won't be buying new or used, and only want to complain.
I bought an RTI P3 Compact from Talon Tunes yesterday, and will likely buy a Mora before the end of the year. if I was going to complain about the price, I just would not do it. When dealers are selling new old stock at prices competing with used, it shows the level of over saturation of the industry. The prices are high, the product cycle is too fast, and the service and parts for things we've bought is quickly going the wrong way. Not to pick on FX as I own several, but I have an Impact M3. Since then, there has been the King, the Dynamic, the Panthera, the M4, the DRS and now the Leopard. They often do not produce the promised products to support those products, and move on to something and never produce them. It has gotten ridiculous.
I do realize there are additional upfront costs (like a way to fill) or after purchase costs (like accessories). To that I say newbies, do your research before getting in to this hobby/addiction. Many here have more than one PCP. My P3 will be #11, so those people should be fully aware of the cost of accessorization.
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That's interesting. Good quality firearms maintain their value fairly well. My guess for the difference is that there is a much bigger demand for firearms than air guns.
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