"I'm more picky, because I know my guns" sort of way.
I'm sure that's mostly it. Folks who care often care enough to dive into the details. And you ain't gonna learn about the details unless you exchange info with others. A forum is a good place to do that.
And since writing can be easily misinterpreted, it can take a fairly exacting sequence of questions and answers in order to get the actual question answered fully. Hence, the detail and apparent tendency toward the "picky" end of the spectrum.
I was thinking of getting the Ruger LCP .380. Due to being smaller than the G26, it's much easier to conceal (plus...my wife may want one as well) in what I normally wear. But, there are negative feelings out there towards a .380 vs. :comeandgetsome:
There's some outright, sickening hostility. But then, those with such sickness thankfully keep to the background, mostly. That kind doesn't last long, thankfully, as they're found out and then rooted out soon enough.
The opinions and proselytizing by some about various specific brands, models, calibers or other choices, are a good thing. Folks develop their distinct favorites ... either in terms of gear, or edicts from "higher" authorities. Call it "spin" or whatever. Either way, it's out there and is part of the joy of sifting through the "rough" to get to the "diamonds."
Me, I try to explain my rationale for or against something. However, you, as the reader, need to remember that it's based on a very specific set of criteria and experience: me, and mine. I have no idea whether you'll get what I'm talking about, or care one way or the other. You, you'll do what you like with that opinion and the info. Best of both worlds, really, since (a) we'll learn a bit more and (b) in the end be free to make a more-informed decision. Sounds like win-win to me.
So long as that's done without feeling like we both got screwed, blued and tattooed, then I'd say it's a good thing. I mean, nobody comes here to be bullied, harassed or otherwise flamed into submission. (And there are very few who poke fingers in the chests of others. That sort simply casts big shadows. Ignore them, as they're fairly rare.)
... are most brands and most guns, expected to fail at some point early on?
Guns are human-made mechanical devices. Ain't never been one made, yet, that's flawless and error-free. Examples exist all the way from error-free to jam-o-matic, and everything in between, with an average tendency across a specific design, though that changes over time as the tooling and staffing changes at the manufacturer, and all of that can change a bit via selections in ammo and cleaning regimen by the user.
Reputations develop over time, and some guns have a clear reputation for one thing or another. Accept what that means, in terms of specific reliability likely in a specific gun. It is a bit of a spin of the roulette wheel, in terms of probabilities. Can't get away from that.
By the way, on the question of a .380ACP, opinions seem to range from:
- Don't do it, as they're a death trap ... everybody who's anybody says so; to
- I've got one and love it ... so will you.
I've got a couple of .380's (including a NAA Guardian 380). They serve a certain need and have a certain mix of criteria. I also carry a CZ P-01 9mm, which is used for other reasons. Both niches are served well by the choices. In the end, my criteria are what I need to fulfill. I will do so based on what I understand to be important to me, what I find to work well, and what I've read and been trained by others who are more-knowledgeable and wiser than I. In the end, it works for me. YMMV, and likely will.
