It is interesting what people will pay for something.
Some would NEVER consider spending $1,000 on an R-9 when you could have a P-3AT for $300 -- maybe they percieve no tangible difference, or maybe they just don't have the money to spend for what they consider to be marginal differences.
Others will spend $1,000 on an R-9, but the thought of $4,000 for an engraved R-9 is crazy talk to them.
Everyone has their point of pain financially. The last time I was in NYC I couldn't believe what people would spend for purses or shoes -- none of which are worth a damn thing when you are done with them.
Ok, well here's my take on it:
1. To me, I"m a definate function over form kind of guy. I wear shoes that are more comfortable. I pick clothes for a purpose, not necessarily a design. Now, I try to pick things that I think are attractive and appealing, but that's not my first concern.
2. The R9s is a tool. In my opinion, the quality of a tool does matter, especially when its a tool that is designed to save your life. No other 9mm is as small or high quality, and that's why I will pay near $1000 to make sure I have that security.
3. Is Rohrbaugh established enough yet to warrant collector's pieces? I realize that the R9s is an amzing little gun, but its only been out 2 years or so. In my experience, if you go into a room with 30 supposed "gun guys" and you start to talk about Rohrbaughs, well over half of them will not have even heard of the company.
So the question I have is, "Would you pay upwards of 4 times the price for a collector's edition of a table saw by a new and upcoming company that specialized in high quality carpentry tools?"
I realize we're all different, and we all have different motivations and values. But that's just my perspective on the subject.
