Let's agree to get real

[SV_shooter]

I have no qualms shooting a $500 gun vs. a $5000 gun if my scores don't reflect the difference. I love nice guns, and own many 2011's built by todays greatest builders. I see production guns as toyotas. They run.... My Sv is like a mercedes Benz. It drives so much nicer, looks like a million bucks, and makes me feel so cool for driving it. When it pukes, I take it to the specialist and pay out the nose. I shoot a g-35 that I have modified myself, and have a really nice production racer. As my eyes get worse, and my physical ability degrades, open blasters that hold 31 rds, compensators, and optics keep me in the game. Albeit much more expensive.

 

[FillYerHands]

For me, shooting amd golf have a lot in common when it comes to equipment. Bad equipment can negate any advantage I may have in technique, attitude, strategy, etc. But if I have decent equipment, then it is up to me to practice, practice, practice, and solidify my fundamentals.

Just like in golf, when I begin to shoot bad, it is because I am neglecting my fundamentals - I am flinching or not getting a good sight picture, whatever. When I shoot well my fundamentals are good.

And, like golf, I find that I can't automatically buy a better score. Just like I can miss a putt just as well with a $300 putter as with the beater that came with my first set, I can miss targets just as well with a $5000 race gun as I can with my stock G17. I still have to aim, control the trigger, follow through, and think ahead.

 

[jmorris]

I guess money still can’t buy happiness. Although, I have seen the “magic wand” effect that an expensive pistol can have with shooters that have ability and skill but for whatever reason lack confidence. Equipment can have an effect, I run glocks just a few tics slower than I can run svi/sti’s but the difference between a “good/bad” day is often greater.