I did not say it was for everybody, just me. Then consider I will dump well over $1000 in ammo through each. Different strokes for different folks.
Maybe you can understand the mindset if I explain the perspective of some people, or "strokes" as you say.
Thinking like an investor in realitively low cost guns: A "401G"
I have tactical shooters that are pretty scratched up from operating them and they probably will get some rattle can treatment this year. They have highly functional, adjustable ergonomic FAB Defense tactical polymer stocks on them that I can run over with a truck. They fit my body style to a T. I am built like the Adonis, just a lot heavier, wider, hairier and shorter .
When CzechPoint recently sold those few gorgeous SA VZ.58 rifles with 50 year old wood stocks on them, even they stated on their web site that they recommended a polymer stock over the wood if you were going to operate this weapon heavily. They sold out in days (if not hours). Two forum members were lucky enough to snag them for their collections.
Stocks improve the functionality, ergonomics, and looks of the rifle, thus increasing the value. (The wood furniture I bought is actually going on a "wall gun" a.k.a. "safe queen" - an unfired VZ2000 in the collection that will probably not get fired more than once every two years from the bench. I see it as enhancing the "beauty"
of the rifle in an original configuration - albiet fancied up a bit. It's a hobby and an investment. The antique wood stock can increase the future resale value of the rifle considerably.
I put an unfired Russian Molot VEPR AKM47 with beautiful Deep Redwood (Ironwood) furniture on display at my gunshow booth a few years back. While it was a flawless unfired AK47 beast and a superior AKM (1.5 mm RPK style receiver, etc etc), it was the red wood furniture that really made it special. It was prominantly displayed horizontally on the center table, raised up 3 feet on a covered support. When you saw this rifle, the fracking Russian national anthem started playing in your head. I put a tag on it with a ridiculous F/U price on it - over 2X what I paid for it a year early, with absolutely no (zero) delusions of anyone buying it at that ridiculous price. The rifle was just there as a conversation piece and an attention getter to draw folks to the table to see other rifles, ammo, parts etc... Early in the day from 20 feet down the isle I see two middle aged casually dressed guys (no camo between them) make a B-line to the rifle. And the big gentleman says - "I'll take that AK47, I have to have it", and pulled a roll of hundreds out of his pocket. He paid full price, no discussion. I literally cried (tears running down my face) as I packed it in the box for him, but everything has a price I guess. Bottom line -- it was the ultra-"authentic" look of the red wood that made this special rifle even more special as AN INVESTMENT. I doubt he has ever shot it.
Ammo doesn't count as a capital investment (unless your buying pallet loads, or speciality ammo intended for for WROL stash), Target ammo does not enhance functionality, ergonomics, looks, or increase the resale value of the rifle. It's like gas for the car - it's a consumable that is part of the necessary cost of operation.
