Defining a gun collection.

F

FlintLock

New member
I know,as Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful!". But seriously, how do you define your gun collection? I raise this question because my wife has asked me just how many guns do I plan to own. I have guns that I never shoot because they are historic relics that deserve a dignified retirement. I also have guns that I love to shoot on a regular basis because they are fun. At what point does a "collection" become an "accumulation"? Do you guys collect a certain area (ie. military weapons of the World Wars), or do you simply acquire guns for the sake of acquiring guns? How do you justify what you buy? Do you apply a philosophical standard to your acquisitions?
How do you define your collection?
 
Well, I own what I like, what is pleasing to my eyes, what I deem necessary, and what I can afford. Recently (last week)I started thinking, what do I really want in my collection? And it was decided that there were several things I wanted.
1) all the rifles that were starndard issue for American GI's in wars 1900 (1903, M1, AR)
2) the standard sidearm for the armed forces in the 1900's 1911 and berretta
3) guns used in my favortie TV shows like a-team, (that ruger they use)

the collection currently is 2 AR-15's 1 1911 and a 10/22 and I also count my dads .22 a-bolt as part of my collection, because he don't shoot it no more, but I do

Those are the weapons that I must have before I expire. For everything else, the rule that applies to horsepower applies here, too much is just right. Unless of course you find yourself unable to take care of basic needs, like food because you are spending to much on guns. At this point, you have a problem and should seek help.


------------------
It ain't mah fault. did I do dat?
http://yellowman.virtualave.net/
 
Collection vs accumulation.....perspective and attitude at work here.

What the SO might consider an accumulation might well be merely the seeds of a comprehensive collection.

In my mind, Bannerman was a collecter. The fact that he covered an island and filled a castle with part of his collection might have generated spousual acusations of accumulation; but what did she know about the nature of the bug ?

If the acquisition of additional firearms starts to infringe upon the ability to buy groceries, consider purchasing dried beans, rice etc. in bulk. Eases the strain on the budget and makes that spur of the moment once in a lifetime good deal doable.

------------------
Sam I am, grn egs n packin

Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
 
I am still working on my "working guns" for CCW and "home defense".

I am divorced and part of my goal for my "working guns" collection is a full set of guns for the future Mrs Glamdring :D

I learned many things from my first marriage, one is that it is much easier to have guns (or other "toys") purchased before you get married :rolleyes:

So far I have a P 32 (CCW always) and Ruger Security Six 357 (nightstand, purse, hiking) set aside for future Mrs. I plan to add a Mini14/AR-15 (home defense) and a 257 roberts (hunting, precision shooting) for her.

I have a P11 (CCW), a S&W 629 with 4" brrl (nightstand with 44 specials, hiking gun with mags), and a 12 gauge (home/safe room defense) with a Steyr Scout for long range use. I plan to add a 1911 (for open carry) and a 2nd P11 (I prefer carrying two guns), and a M1a SCout or AR-10 with short barrel (I think in some home defense scenarios one may wish to leave dependants in safe room while you draw fire/attention in another direction--I think the semi auto 308's work better for that than a lesser gun).

I will decide at the TFL End of Summer Meet if I will go with the Mini-14 & M1a or with the AR-15 & AR-10. I want to stick to the same system.

The 257 Roberts has about the same trajectory as the 308 with select load thus allowing same zero and rough holds for hits at various ranges.

For hunting & non defense guns I want a 338 (which has about same trajectory as the 308 and 257) and a scoped Ruger Redhawk with 7.5" brrl. And a Sharps rifle in 45-120. A 416 Rem perhaps. And a 470 double or drilling if I can ever afford a double :D

[This message has been edited by Glamdring (edited May 23, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Glamdring (edited May 23, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Glamdring (edited May 24, 2000).]
 
I have any number of 1911's, holsters etc that I display at gun shows. That is the collection. Of those 1911's I still shoot them once a year, just to let them know they are still worthy.

I have several rifles: Garand, '98 Mauser, SMLE, M-1 Carbine, Tokarev M-40, G-43, Arasaka that pretty well cover WWII. Plus a number of shotguns, lever action rifles, .22 rifles and other revolvers and pistols. All of the stuff, except the G-43 get shot often, I need parts for the G-43. My FAL gets shot a lot too. Is it a collection or am I becoming a third world power? I don't know. But I'll keep adding to the pile.

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
Collection implies a theme (one of each variety of Ruger ever produced or something similar).

I just have a bunch.

------------------
Jim Fox
 
Well, although I like guns of all types, I tend to collect 'combat handguns'. They're easiest to store...

Glamdring:
If you plan things right, marriage can be a merging of two gun collections, rather than some guy picking out a couple of guns for the future 'little woman' :)

------------------
"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
I just "accumulate" and it really is kinda pathetic.

I buy a lot of guns that I end up not liking but I never get around to selling them. I always think of some lame excuse to leave them unfired in the back of the safe for a few years ("that funny looking kid down the road might want this when he grows up!" or "I think my Grandpa knew a guy who had one of these!"). I know it sounds silly, but when you do this 1 or two guns a month for 10 years, it really can become a problem (my house is beginning to lean to the right). I think I need to make a haul to the next gunshow and trade them all for one big M-1 Tank ;). Now that would be a collection!
 
I really have a problem. Every time I think that this one will be the last for a while, I see another great deal. The SOG flyer at my gunsmith's shop just begs me to open it. While we don't skimp on food, my wife has been on my case to get a new truck. Mine is 13 years old, has no A/C, and is in terrible shape. I keep telling her that for the cost of a car payment, I can get at least one really nice gun a month. I can't help it. As my salary increases, so does my "collection". While it isn't doing any harm to my marriage (yet), I think that I should seek professional help with this. I found a professional about 30 miles away who works in a clinic that helps folks like me. Clint Smith / Thunder Ranch!!!
 
Well, I have neither the space nor the $$$$ to back this up, but...
If one has a stamp collection, coin collection, doll collection, etc....
one of each, right???? :D :D :D

(haha, Glamdring....and I thought men didn't plan ahead ;))
 
FlintLock,
The only pearl of wisdom that I can give you is "Buy less, but buy the best".

My weakness is Mauser military rifles in excellent+ or unissued condition. You have not lived until you have held an pristine Argentine Model 1909.

------------------
BOYCOTT SLICK & WESSON

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."
Confucius
 
Like JJR, I accumulate; but some of my accumulations are quite good (M1D, slabside Broomhandle, M2 Springfield, left handed 45s) while others aren't. Heck, it's all for fun, study, and to a very limited extent, tax deduction.
 
Well, Jedi and I's collection is (for now) made up of only 3 guns <sob!> :(. BUT, our criteria for our collection is whatever we like. We are soon going to get "his and hers" shotguns, then who knows what will be next on the list. (I'm thinking Walther P99, he's thinking Super Redhawk)

Now, if he and I put our heads together (and believe me, we have :D) , we could easily come up with 100 or so guns we would like to own/plan on buying, including full-autos.

Right now, $$ is the main obstacle to us getting all the ones we want. (Gotta feed the kiddos every now and then, ya know... :()

We don't justify it, we just do it, period. Well, I'd love to have full-auto partly just because Big Brother would know that there was one more MP5K or M16 out there that they didn't own... :D

------------------
Liberty or death, what we so proudly hail... DON'T TREAD ON ME!!-Metallica

"Many's the men who've battled foe
many the number slain,
many the lads have fallen though
Scotland shall rise again."

Behind the walls of thoughts there lyes, Something timeless something wise. Within us all the prize of our past; From father to son, from the first to the last. And so full circle the image reappears; to this second son born, the hazy mist clears. An echo swamped in youthful rage, revealed once more with the coming of age. So forget ye not the departed ones, for the souls they live on, in the blood of the sons..."-Steve McDonald
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tamara:

Glamdring:
If you plan things right, marriage can be a merging of two gun collections, rather than some guy picking out a couple of guns for the future 'little woman' :)
[/quote]

That would be great, but it is hard to find women in this area that shoot. :( There are a few that hunt, but not many gun nuts.

I don't intend to force any particular gun on a SO just want to have a few they can use or learn basics on and then start argueing over who gets the next new gun :D
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CindyH:
Well, I have neither the space nor the $$$$ to back this up, but...
If one has a stamp collection, coin collection, doll collection, etc....
one of each, right???? :D :D :D

(haha, Glamdring....and I thought men didn't plan ahead ;))[/quote]

One of each, don't forget spares though :D

Heck, you should hear some of my long term planning :eek: :)

Anything I should add to the collection for the future Mrs. Glamdring? I do have a 22RF single shot rifle sitting around that never gets shot by me anymore.
 
Flintlock,
You might try comparing your "meager" (be sure and use that word) collection of firearms to some of the collections of others on this board. I believe at least one of the members has a "walk-in" gun safe. If that doesn't work, try buying her flowers. I've never really understood why, but they used to get me out of all sorts of trouble.
Eric

------------------
Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
 
CindyH and Glamdring are closest to correct.

How many times do I have to tell you guys:
One of each, for each hand, for each kid. (18 nieces and nephews so far and growing)! I'm wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyy behind. :o

But since I'm not a collector, I just accumulate the kind of guns I enjoy, but normally in the same calibers for the convenience of being able to move it from one 'student' to another, etc. Heck of a lot of fun, too.
 
There should be other considerations discussed with the so as well......ive sold an astonishing number of firearms in my life, especially for just be a guy that likes to shoot......Ive been fortunate that I had them to sell when I needed the money. Now Ive an old friend who might even be reading this (hope ya made it here, gen.), he had an extremely fine single action colt collection, along with some rifles and other pistol makes of an older vintage----when he needed the money from the collection he was able to make money from the sale of sellected single actions, etc., ---I guess it really depends were your interest lies...fubsy.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FlintLock:
I know,as Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful!". But seriously, how do you define your gun collection? I raise this question because my wife has asked me just how many guns do I plan to own.[/quote]

It isn't a question of how many you own. Rather how many that you want to own that are not in the collection yet :D

Though that is need to know information for marital bliss :eek:

I suggest you read Pattrick McManous (sp?) from field and stream. For advice.

Also buying guns is a sound economic practice they appreciate unlike cars, computers, or children :)

STRATEGY:

Flowers and chocolate are also wise investments...as is candle light dinner at home as a surprise. If you can't cook get some food from her favorite restaurant and send the kids off.

With flowers arrange to have them at her place of work before she gets there sitting on her desk or such (Tactical tip: ask her female co workers for assistance), or at home so she will come home and find them when your not there. Also do things like that on non typical dates (ie Not just for birthday's and such).



[This message has been edited by Glamdring (edited May 24, 2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top