I’m amazed at what some people seem to spend on gear for their ARs.
I can understand a $200 LaRue mount or FF rail system…but do we really need an $80 VFG? or $200 flashlight? Even a $50 pistol grip seems excessive.
Is it just me? or are we encouraging manufacturers to charge obscene amounts of money for metal/plastic of dubious quality/value?
If I’m wrong, I’d really like to understand what value an $80 VFG or $200 flashilight/mount gives.
As long as it’s chrome lined… who cares?
A chrome-lined VFG? 
You need to take into account the research that goes into some of the items. This research costs $.
I can see that…but what type of research goes into a VFG or pistol grip? What value does it add that wasn’t there before? I’ve seen $200 flashlights malfunction twice as often as those that cost half if not a quarter as much.
I’m not trying to be a smart-ass, I’m just trying to understand what it is. Like I said I see the value in a scope mount or rifle barrel but is it really just a function of wanting “the best”? or is there something that justifies the cost?
I cringe every time I buy a TD Stubby VFG, but they work the best with my application of the VFG. I would not spend the cash for one of the full sized ones, as my Knight’s works adequately (the price of which I also cringe at).
I paid over $200 for each of my lights simply because I found that the others simply did not perform as well or last as long.
I buy LMT lowers because I know what a PITA a broken trigger spring is when you need it.
I buy LMT/Troy/LaRue BUISs because I know that if my gun suffers enough to damage my primary optic beyond use, the quality of the material and manufacture will be a factor in if I will have a sighting system or not.
I buy quality nylon because I have seen mag pouches of lesser quality (not even as low as “airsoft” quality) blow out within a few weeks.
I work for the money I pay for items. I expect those items to work hard for me, and you get what you pay for (within reason, of course). Would I rather pay the price of an off-brand? Absolutely- but I am buying a little piece of mind along with the kit item.
Talking only about the VFG since you seem to have put some money there…
Can you expound a bit in terms of what value you see out of it as opposed to a cheaper model? How do you “apply” its use that it becomes a worthwhile cost?
I’m really just curious about what you get out of it that wouldn’t be had in a $15 model?
If it does what you want it to do, the price is almost secondary.
Buy what is best for YOU!
If that is CAA, Fobus, or whatever that’s OK. If what’s best for you is MagPul, Daniel Defense, LaRue, TD or whatever that’s fine too. It’s up to you. I think a lot of us have had or handled some inexpensive items and quickly realized we got what we paid for. Does an A2 grip work? All day long. Does a MagPul MIAD offer a customized fit and storage ability? Yep. Is it work the difference? Up to you! It is to me! Does a $35 G2 in a $20 VTAC mount work? It does for me! Does an X300 or a Scout light, etc. Sure does! Is it worth the extra coin? Not to me, but maybe for you! That’s one of the great things about this platform, modularity and a vast array of accessories.
-RD62
Not if another will do as good and cost less!
The key, however, is the “do as good” part.
I totally agree, but in my experience those things have been mounts or rails and other things that directly impact the function of a rifle.
A cheap VFG isn’t going to adversely affect the function of a rifle like a cheap mount or rail would.
A reasonable quality AR-15 type carbine is going to cost you around $900 - no ifs, ands or buts.
Decent 5.56mm currently costs $365 for 1,000 rounds.
So with the above you have just enough to take to the range and shoot (assuming the rifle came with one or two magazines) and you have already spent over $1100…
I don’t know whether golf or riding Harleys or digital home theater are ultimately more or less expensive than the “hobby” of shooting AR rifles, but choosing to do this thing will cost you a certain amount of cash.
I guess I am constantly amazed at how cheap guys can be. Good quality usually commands a premium price. If you consider your rifle a play toy plinker than anything will be just fine.
Decent 5.56mm currently costs $265 for 1,000 rounds
i’d like a link for that!
It’s not that I’m cheap, I’m just wondering where should that money get spent.
I say all this having spent $150 for a “grip-pod” myself about a year ago. Today they are about half that much. All in all I just didn’t see the value involved in it relative to a VFG 1/10th the price. Last week I also spent $200+ on a LaRue mount but I consider it money well spent.
These items are not mass market. The sales margin at both the manufacturer and dealer ends will be higher than comparable items (in terms of material and manufacturing) because they are low volume items relatively speaking and in order to stay in business and get a decent return on investment, the manufacturer and the dealer both have to make enough money on the sale of the item to make it worth while.
Also, the $50-$80 VFG is a lot better quality and will not break on you as often (in most cases). I stock everything from $12 to close to $100 VFG and I know which ones I would want on my guns.
In most cases, you get what you pay for.
Chad
It’s no more than a demostration of how easily manipulated most consumers are.
Remember that 90% of this stuff spends 99% of it’s life, in a closet or under a bed, or in the best of circumstances, in a safe.
Fair enough. I’m not trying to say that either the manufacturer or dealer shouldn’t earn a living or that I even feel like I’m being gouged, I don’t.
This is entirely a consumer question, and especially those of us that don’t have department/government funding.
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Typo - I meant $365.
eta: Jesus Christ guys, cut me some slack…