Lets talk about your evolution when it comes to guns.

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Viper99

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Hello all,
Lets have a conversation on how you have developed from the time you started your gun ownership to where you are now with your current experience, personal collection.

I will go first.
I started with a Ruger .22 22/45 as my first gun. I learned as much as I could and then it became boring. Then I went .40, 9mm, 380, 45, 357, 38, .44.

Then I started buying based on carry vs range vs home defense vs capacity vs caliber vs used or new vs how many calibers I wanted to have.

So what have I learned right or wrong?
1. That used guns are a much better deal these days.
2. That caliber does matter but so does capacity.
3. That you will buy for EDC and end up with a lot of similar guns that can potentially fill the same purpose. G26, PPS, CZ75 P-01, XDm.
4. That at some point, you will want to consolidate your calibers but change your mind later on.
5. That you buy guns not because you need all of them, but because you are addicted and want one of each.
6. And for me personally, that my guns must be guns I can EDC with, not just safe queens regardless of caliber. If they are too big to carry, I don't need them.

Regards to all.
 
.22 (unknown brand) rifle
Western Auto .410 (anyone else have one of these)

Remington 12 Ga Auto
Glock 19
P229
(Then the flood started :)
 
My evolution has pretty much mirrored my professional career.

Uncle Sams Misguided Children got me into the AR platform
My time as a weapons/tactics instructor got me to fall in love with nice 1911's and Glocks.

Working as a DoD & DoS contractor got me liking SBR's and Suppressors.

All told WAY too much money spent on private toys:cool:
 
To begin with, I can only own two handguns at a time due to restrictions here in Austria, so mostly I sold the ones before in order to get the ones coming after...

> My very first semiauto was an Erma .22, a scaled down copy of a 1911. Crappy, cheap piece mostly made of aluminum, but still, it was my first gun.

> Then came a Renato Gamba .25, my first mouse gun (actually identical to the Tanfoglio GT27 or the FIE Titan).

> I quickly traded the aforementioned for a Beretta Jetfire .25which was one of my favorite mouseguns... Especially used small pocket guns are very cheap here, so it is not uncommon to buy one just for fun and trade it after a while.

> My first full-size and major-caliber model was a G17 9mm (2nd gen), plain and simple. I also had a Ciener .22lr conversion for that one, which did not meet expectations, though.

> Later I had an ISSC M22 - what an ugly piece of crap, I can tell you...

> Went for a G17 9mm (3rd gen) afterwards, to which I got me an expensive but GREAT .22lr Uhl conversion. My actual full-size gun.

> My actual mousegun (very hard to get here, searched for it for years) is a Taurus PT22ply .22, thanks to Aaarond here from the forum
 
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I was 21 and bought my first gun, a Taurus .38 SPL, a model 83, in nickel. It was a totally horrible gun, with messed up rifling that required you to pound the lead out of the barrel after only six shots. Jacketed bullets had the jackets ripped off and they needed pounding out too. I soon got rid of it after two trips to Taurus didn't fix anything, and bought my first great gun, a slightly used Dan Wesson Model 15-2. I had a bunch of other revolvers, an S&W 28-2, a 19, a 66, before buying my first semiauto, a Beretta 84, and then a Browning BDA 380. Soon I bought my first bad 9mm, a brand new S&W 59, which was nothing but trouble. I had a very short run at 1911s, an AMT Hardballer, a bad gun, and then the much worse Colt Combat Commander, still the most expensive handgun I've ever bought new, and it was a disaster. It, and friend's problesm with 1911s has made me avoid them ever since. I have a mix of revolvers and semiautos now, mostly .357 Dan Wesson 15-2's, and a bunch of different 9MM guns along with a .44 Magnum Dan Wesson, and an S&W 4506. I prefer CZ-75 and clones, and 3rd gen S&W guns over most others in seniautos. In revolvers my favorites are the DW guns and S&W N and L Frames. I currently own no polymer handguns, and have only had one, a Taurus 809, another Taurus clunker. Give me steel, not plastic.
 
So what have I learned right or wrong?
1. That used guns are a much better deal these days.
2. That caliber does matter but so does capacity.
3. That you will buy for EDC and end up with a lot of similar guns that can potentially fill the same purpose. G26, PPS, CZ75 P-01, XDm.
4. That at some point, you will want to consolidate your calibers but change your mind later on.
5. That you buy guns not because you need all of them, but because you are addicted and want one of each.
6. And for me personally, that my guns must be guns I can EDC with, not just safe queens regardless of caliber. If they are too big to carry, I don't need them.

My findings.

1. New guns are a better buy, used prices are just crazy.
2. Neither caliber or capacity matter in a CC gun: Size and Weight rule.
3. Once i found the right CC (Shield & LCP) I don't need anything else.
4. Never have wanted a single caliber....no not ever.
5. You are correct.
6. I only buy fun guns now that my CC is covered, I have no interest in any other sub compact, micro's...ect.

My first pistol was a 44 mag Blackhawk in 86
First rifle was a Scoremaster 22 (still have) 80 or so.
First centerfire 336 in 35 Remington (82 or so)
First Shotgun was a single shot 410. (80 or so)
 
Interesting topic

I started with used Glock 23 .40 (the only used gun I own just cause I'd rather go new for 10% more cash). It got me hooked on handguns.
I then bought a glock 27 .40 to bring in car, while other stayed at bedside, years before CCW.
Then, I needed cheap practice so I bought .22lr Walther.
Metamorphosis from functional dabbler to gunophile
Then .45
Obtained CCW
Then .380 and 9mm
Then .38 special
Then .44 mag
Then several CCW guns of various calibers and small sizes.
Then novelty stuff that I just wanted in various styles and calibers listed above.
10mm is last as of two years ago, and I really enjoy it.

Oh yeah, throw in there that I began reloading three years ago!

I've budgeted for and invested in these guns for my current/future enjoyment and security. I so hope that this admin doesn't ruin all of that by eliminating the ammo they shoot as he's doing currently with 5.56 green tips. The passivity of Americans on the issues is making that closer to a reality (not to get off topic with politics but it goes hand in hand with this evolution topic).
 
First gun was Government GI type .45 auto.It was 'loose as a goose',but surprisingly accurate if I did my part.Second gun was a Charter Arms Bulldog. :rolleyes:...waay too much gun for someone still in the learning curve...

...so it was sold & I bought a Ruger standard .22 auto.A great little gun that soon had me shooting soda cans @30 yds with ease.I soon upgraded to the target barreled version & gave the standard to my sister.

After I learned the basic of shooting I acquired other guns including a Steyr SSG PII target/sniper rifle chambered in .308.A COLT AR-15 heavy barreled version & a Benelli Tactical 12 gauge autoloader shotty. :cool:

Lately the newer generation of polymer handguns have caught my fancy ...after seeing (and appreciating) the rigged simplicity of GLOCKS, I purchased two of 'em & soon will be using them as a home defensive handguns...maybe as EDC if the ISIS/terror threat arises in America.
 
My very first semiauto was an Erma .22, a scaled down copy of a 1911. Crappy, cheap piece mostly made of aluminum, but still, it was my first gun
Click to expand...

My first handgun, when I was but a lad ...... was an Erma Excam .22 ......

http://stevespages.com/pdf/erma_rx22.pdf

And I learned the hard way that it was prone to slamfiring if slingshotted. :eek:

It was not my first gun- that would have been a Glennfield Model 60 .22rifle.
 
I started off buying based more on machismo than logic, but had some fun and learned a lot.

1) Ruger Super Blackhawk .44mag, bigger is better.
2) Dan Wesson .44mag, double action is better.
3) Colt Lightweight Commander .44acp, more bullets is better.
4) S&W 5903 9mm, even more bullets is even better.
5) Colt Cobra .38, smaller is better.
6) Colt Mustang II .380, smaller and more bullets is better.

After this point there was no real rhyme or reason I simply bought what I liked.
 
Started off with a Ruger 357 mag and it just was not powerful enough. I was bitten by the big bore magnum bug. At one time or another I owned all sort of large caliber revolvers. Six 44 mag revolvers at one time.
Owned a Marlin camp carbine 9mm for giggles
Then decided to stop carrying a wheel gun for CCW and got a SW 9mm
Then the real game changer.
Got a C&R and started collecting WW2 battle rifles.
In the mean time I got a bug for 45 acp and now I have more choices and calibers to load than I know what to do with.
I now run a orphanage for used guns
 
First three handguns, don't know which order, Idaho 1968, SBH, Beretta M-70 32acp, copy of a Colt Walker. musta traded the Beretta and Walker, sold the SBH to an acquaintance. Got rid of the 44, but kept the flinch.

Currently carry a Colt Cobra, SW 60 and a SW Shield. Have 20 or thirty handguns. Love my 1931 Colt OP 32/20 and a .44 Spec SW M-21 classic. Favorite shooters are M-17 and 617 Smiths. Various 1911s are also fun shooters. The Shield is my only tupperware handgun, but may pick up a a SW 22 compact. Etc. etc..
 
Beretta 92F, same as what our military used.

Kimber custom target, learned to dislike full length guild rod and beaver tail spur.

Springfield armory 1911a1 government, close to GI model as I could get without breaking bank.

Walter p1.

Nagant revolver, my first revolver.

Colt police positive in 0.38 s&w, used by royal Hong Kong police before I was born. I grew up in Hong Kong.

Glock 23. Our home security sidearm, can shoot 3 different calibers with conversion barrels.

Enfield #2 revolver used by royal navy. Still tied to the old British empire.

Luger p08.

Mauser broomhandle in 30 Mauser. Have been wanting one since I was little.

S&W model 10 in 38 spl. Also used by the royal hong kong police in the 80s.

Colt army special in 41 long colt. Beat-up. Given to me by a guy who bought it by mistake.

Radom tokarev. Still looking for one.

Browning hi power. Still looking for one.

...

-TL
 
I dont ever remember not having a gun.. one given to me as a child or the many I've bought & sold as a middle-aged adult.

I'm far less impulsive now and buy/keep only what I think I *need*, after much expense and trial/error buying and selling all sorts, I have arrived at the following conclusions, and I always have a:
- 22 rifle and target pistol.
- tiny .380 ccw.
- subcompact .40 ccw
- long slide .40 (HD & Range)
- shotgun - every imaginable use
- 308 semi-auto rifle - All purpose
- bolt action rifle - Target, Hunting, light weight.

1) I always buy new, the price difference isnt that much and I dont want someone elses old problem, particularly in a auto-loader.
2) I agree - caliber does matter, so does capacity.
3) I agree - I have a LCP and G27 and have sold all the rest, but I do miss the PM9.
4) I did consolidate my calibers and I'm very happy with the results. I now have lots of 22lr, .40 and a fair amount of 380 and 308 instead of a smattering of various ammo.
5) I used to be sort of addicted to buying guns, it wore off, now I have what I like AND what I need.
6) I keep several non-ccw's around the house in Gunvaults.

I've found guns to be very much like my earlier years of knife collecting.
I bought and sold lots and lots of knives with ever increasing price tag in search of that perfect EDC.
I finally found them - Chris Reeve Sebenza, Spyderco Caly 3 & Dragonfly - my knife buying pretty much halted at that point besides a couple Victorininox here and there.
Guns are becoming the same way as I've landed on the the right one for each roll.

I will certainly add a nice 1911 back in someday soon, and possibly another tiny 9mm single stack?
 
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Single-shot 22 rifle
Ruger Single Six 22 revolver
Single-shot 12 gauge shotgun
used Tarus model 66 357
new Taurus model 85 38 snub
Two milsurp rifles for hunting (SMLE and Swedish Mauser)
FEG Browning High Power clone
Taurus Beretta 92 clone

I still have most of them. All were/are excellent.

I was in my early 20's by that point. In the 25+ years since then I have added a firearm or two per year. My original ones were all purchased purely for function. Eventually I had everything I could possibly need for hunting, SD, or to carry. The ones I have bought since then have been "just because".
 
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I started with rifles a few years ago. My first was a Marlin 795, followed by a Savage model 10 in 7mm 08. I still have the .22, but the Savage got sold recently to fun hand gun purchasing. I just got my first pistol last month - a Taurus Millennium G2 in 9mm. I have another 9mm on layaway with Buds. It's a CZ P-07, and I can't wait to shoot it. Going to get my CCW next month and start carrying.
 
I learned that no gun of mine will ever get shot if it's not useable in some form of competition.
I was shooting IDPA or USPSA every weekend, occasionally Fri-Sat-Sun of the same week, so I was never going to the range to plink, or shoot trap, or anything else.
I started shooting 3-gun so I could get some rounds through my long guns, and shooting side stages at matches to keep current on my pocket guns, etc.
A local club started hosting Steel Challenge matches, so I could get some rimfire trigger time, there.
IDPA instituted a new competitive division for "compact" pistols, so I sold one of my 5" .45s to fund the purchase of a smallish 9mm.
Like a lot of people, I was taught to shoot by my dad, my first gun was a bolt action .22 rifle, and though I still have the rifle, it hasn't been shot in 30 years.
 
Over the course of 50 years, this about covers it.

- Plinkers and hunting (shotguns & .22's)

- Better quality hunting guns

- Competition guns (Shotgun-Smallbore Rifles-Handguns)

- Custom target rifles and handguns

- Collecting low production, high quality, engraved firearms

- Personal defense firearms

- Collecting Black guns

- Currently back to having fun with the plinkers.
 
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