Lets talk about your evolution when it comes to guns.

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With regard to handguns:

  • A Browning Challenger III, .22 LR, for plinking, but I also car carried it Condition 3 (for sporting opportunities that would inevitably arise in rural WY as well as for self defense).
  • A quarter-century hiatus.
  • A CZ 83, .380 Auto, for concealed carry, home defense, and range fun.
  • A CZ 75 Compact, 9 Luger, for concealed carry, home defense, and more affordable range fun.
  • A CZ 82, 9 Makarov, bought with the idea of being a refinishing project, but it was in such nice condition I haven't modified it (yet), and it became my dedicated vehicle firearm.
  • A CZ 83, .32 Auto, primarily for range fun.
 
Up until about 25 years ago, my home defense arsenal was an aluminum bat and a K-bar ... then a man was murdered in the house behind ours (in CA). In short order I got a Taurus 85 and a Mossberg 500. To keep costs down, I got a Ruger .22, which both my wife and I trained with. Then ... a revelation ... I moved to Texas and the heavens opened. Six months after I arrived I got my CHL and a Kahr PM9, which has pretty much been my EDC since then.

After that, I started buying stuff that caught my eye ... a Bond Arms Cowboy Defender in 9mm ... a Springfield XD40 and a Taurus PT-25 (all three sold long ago) ... a Springfield Loaded 1911, which remains my nightstand gun, a Smith .22 (could never get the Ruger back together without a lot of swearing -- it's gone -- but the Smith isn't much better). Another 1911, a Kimber UCII, another plastic Springer, an XDm-9, and another, an XDs-45. I carry an NAA Pug around the house, just got a Sig p238, which is an amazing gun and will probably take over pocket duties in our toasty summers. I still have the 85, and have added a Taurus 617 and Smith 686+ to the mix. I also have a 9mm carbine, excellent for reaching out a bit farther or home defense.

Guns are like the old saw about peanuts ... except for the cost ... always fun to get a new one, always sad to see an old friend go.
 
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.
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Started with an FIE .38 derringer. It was free.

Taurus 66 .357.

Then Jennings J-22. Icky icky icky. boo! hiss!

There was a Taurus .22 tip up barrel gun for a while, my brother's that I had custody of while he was overseas. Ditto his 1911.

etc. (Because now we get into guns I might actually still have.)

So what have I learned right or wrong?
1. That used guns are a much better deal these days.
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Better deals now? I don't see it.

2. That caliber does matter but so does capacity.
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Yes and no. What's the balance? If I have a 7 shot .45, The same bullet mass goes down range as with 14 shots of 9mm.

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.
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I'm ending up with a bunch of different guns in the carryable "compact" size class.

4. That at some point, you will want to consolidate your calibers but change your mind later on.
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I've gone for standard chamberings. Standard defined as something I can reasonably expect to find at Walmart or the farm store.

5. That you buy guns not because you need all of them, but because you are addicted and want one of each.
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I'm trying to get away from this. The Bible calls covetousness "idolatry", and I want to avoid that.

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 the
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Oh, I have safe queens, that I have for pride of possession, value (the S&W Model 19 I bought for $200, certainly has appreciated over time). But I do try to have at least one usable carry holster for every thing Iown. And nothing's too big to carry.
 
With the exception of a long bbl revolver, I have yet to find a hand gun "to big for me to carry" I carry my FNX-45 quite frequently. YMMV :)
 
Quote: In the USAF I qualified marksman on the M16 and the .38 special. We were still using S&W M&P's in the early eighties. I had a close friend who was a USMC armorer at the time and he claimed we airmen were lucky because we got the S&W revolvers and they (Marines) had to use those crappy old pieced together POS colt .45 Autos. At the time I new nothing about the 1911 platform but I though our S&W's were ok just old.

I'm old enough to report that while serving as an Air Policeman in Guam in the early sixties we were issued those cobbled up 1911 pistols. Upon returning stateside, I carried a Smith & Wesson Model 10 until my discharge date. I recall first seeing crates of AR-15 (M16) rifles arriving at the armory when I was turning in my M1 Carbine for the last time. They were affectionately dubbed "Mattel War Rifles". :eek:
 
My evolution:

1. when I started out I preferred revolvers over semi-autos
2. Then I sold off my revolvers and went exclusively to semi-autos.
3. I love Taurus - bought a PT99 that was extremely accurate
4. I hate Taurus - PT99 broke, it was a PITA to fix, etc. etc.
5. Next, Full-sized large capacity 9mm pistols only (before you could get CC permits)
6. Super-large capacity assault pistols, military style rifles, etc. etc.
7. Then came the pocket pistol revolution (about the time I got my CC permit)
8. O/U shotguns added to the mix
9. Sprinkle a smathering of antique guns
10. Find myself interested in revolvers again.

The bottom line: I LOVE GUNS!!!
 
New England single shot 20 Ga

Inherited my grandpas Remington 1100 12 Ga 3" mag

Remington 597 22 auto

Marlin 30-30

Winchester model 70 Coyote in 300 WSM

Bought and later traded a Marlin 22 mag

Ruger SR40
 
My personal "evolution" in firearms is more of a caliber/platform evolution.

I've long thought any defensive handgun required 2 things 1. be chambered in .45acp 2, have at least one 4 in the caliber. I have multiple platforms, always been a fan of Glock as far as durability but have had a life long love affair with the 1911.

I still prefer the .45acp, in 2008 I had ZERO 9mm now I have 5 9mm handguns including 3 Beretta 92s of varying age, a bi-tone XD9, and a Sig P225 as well as a 9mm conversion barrel for my G27. I still don't like them as much as my .45s but I grudgingly admit that they can hold their own in a defensive role.

I don't really carry a 9mm,but now its not because I hate 9mm its because I don't have a decent 9mm carry gun. (yet) I am soon to acquire a Kimber Solo carry in 9mm.

My 9 year old wants a "real" german luger now...so will probably find him a shooter grade if one turns up. (hes a huge history buff) He also wants an M1 Garand to go with his SA GI repro 1911 and his Arisaka 6.5 Japanese rifle. He also wants a Nambu but I had to nix that, cant take the risk that that horrible POS may infect my other guns just by being too close in the safe.

Come to think of it, he has sorta managed to lay claim to ALL of my "old" guns.

so summary, firearms evolution for me has really been from buying guns just to have the newest toys to finding the "right" guns to pass on to my kids, whatever it takes to get them to enjoy shooting, collecting, owning and living guns the way I always have.
 
My "evolution" has really just started to change . In the past and in the future I like to keep it simple . Multiple guns in the same caliber . 22lr , 9mm , 45 acp , 223/5.56 , 308 . That's where I'm at and likely to stay for 90% of all firearms I'll buy . There are a few calibers I'll likely get but I also will likely only have one firearm in those calibers . They are 357mag , 357 sig , 30-06 , 338 Lapua , 50 BMG . My big thing is If I were to start getting more calibers I will stay with the same 308 parent case . 243 , 260 , 7mm-08 , 308 , 338 Fed . Only because they all use or can use a 308 case

Ok now to my new found evolution . I like modern firearms and really had no respect for older firearms . Well respect is the wrong term because I do respect older guns . I just did not care to own any . ( older guns to me means guns older then me 50+ years ) . Plastic stock are fine and I could really care less if you have a pretty wood stock . It was not long ago that the only firearm I owned with a wood stock was a 10/22 and I replaced it with a ATI tactical stock :rolleyes: Anyways , I just came across a savage model 99 from 1918 and also just bought my first 1911 . These two firearms have really started me rethinking what I like and or what my short list should look like . I now what a M1 garand all be it in 308 ;) . and I'm now looking at other older guns . It was not long ago if someone said , hey check this out and it was some old relic . I'd likely not even go and look at it , now I'm all for it .

So that's where my evolution has taken me lately . I have a new found respect for all firearms .
 
Two safes full--so can't really list em all.

I like all styles and reload for all of em. Mostly a great hobby, but all my weapons are are intended to be working guns for woods use or CC. Range accuracy is very important, but hunting in the woods is more important.

My lessons/impressions learned?

1)never talk weapons with friends who don't own them themselves (unless they want to learn).
2)many weapons can be made into great shooters with some home-modifications and custom ammo development--one of my greatest pleasures as a shooter.
3) I've developed a love and respect for traditional firearms like wheelguns, lever and black powder

and, above all,

4)bullet size and velocity are all that matter. lol
 
My firearms evolution

My evolution spans more than half a century. Like most boys growing up in the 1950s and 1960s I was fascinated by guns I saw in movies and TV. I wasn’t allowed to have a gun but did get to fire one occasionally. Joining the Army in 1966 I gained experience with the M14 and M16 then getting my DD214 in 1969 I worked various jobs as a starving student so there wasn’t much money for a gun. I did read a lot about firearms and shot guns friends owned, dreaming of the day I’d get my own.

Finally in 1971 I saw a beautiful Marlin 336C (in a long gone Globe Department Store) that became my first firearm. Soon after, I bought a Marlin Model 60 and had two good rifles, a 30-30 and a 22LR. A couple years later I got a Ruger Mark I Target pistol in 22LR. In 1975 I picked up a cheap 9mm Luger P08.

My job took me to desolate parts of Arizona making 1976 the time for a serious handgun. A brand new Series ’70 Colt Government Model 45ACP was ideal and I added a S&W Model 19 357 just to make sure. In 1977 a well-used 12 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster with three barrels, 18”/22”/26” filled a big gap in my small collection. Soon after I added a small Star PD 45ACP for those times you need something small and light. Jeff Cooper was so right when he said carry the PD a lot, shoot it a little.

There was very little evolution for the next 30 years. Life was complex and honestly my well selected small collection was adequate for those three decades. Of course I added a few desired firearms but more for nostalgia, nothing that changed the equation much. But things always change, retirement came and the election of 2008 got me thinking I’d better get an AR-15 before there was another so called AWB. Throughout 2009 I bought good parts as I could find them then assembled my AR. And then another! And just to make sure, bought a WASR 10/63! Grandkids and friends dropping by plus the possibility of theft convinced me to buy a good gun safe which I never considered all those years before.

Back to handguns: no matter how good my Colt 45 ACP was I couldn’t ignore it had a 7 round magazine while the world had moved on to twice that or more. Also there was the threat of a “high capacity” magazine ban. I grew interested in Glock and 40S&W so in 2010 jumped on a LE trade-in G22. Loved it from day one and soon after bought a new Gen4 G23 which I loved even more. Concealed carry was expanding rapidly across the USA by then so something really good for CCW was next. I went with a G27. Coming from a large caliber, I was comfortable with 40S&W and loved the extra rounds over 45 ACP. But injuring my hand a few months ago got me thinking of downsizing again. To a G26. It’s ironic that my first center fire handgun was that ancient German Luger in 9mm (lightly regarded when bought in 1975) but today I am state of the art with a German Glock in 9mm. (Er, oh yeah, Austrian!) Of course we all know 9mm Luger ammo has greatly evolved since 1975.

But wait, there’s more… Small single stack 9mms are the rage for CCW, even Glock couldn’t ignore it any longer, just this week releasing their long awaited G43. I prefer the Ruger LC9s Pro and S&W M&P Shield which have seven round magazines instead of the G43’s six round mags. (Hey, wait a minute… my old 1911 has seven rounds!) The LC9s Pro is my small CCW now though I usually make room for the G26 and an extra G19 or G17 magazine.

Anyway, that’s my lifelong evolution. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks!

I would advise anyone starting out to do a lot of research and buy quality guns that make sense to you. Keep up with new trends, add something new when it makes sense and try to hang on to the good choices you made. Quality guns last a lifetime so don’t worry about paying extra to get the right gun.
 
I had only shot a couple of guns, long before I bought my first, and worst gun. I got hired as a security guard and on the advice of a family friend, and ex-cop, I bought my first gun.

1. Taurus Model 83, looked nice, total garbage. Spit, lead had to be pounded out of the barrel, which had obviously defective rifling. Taurus disagreed, TWICE.
2. Dan Wasson Model 15-2. Great gun, and the Taurus was soon gone, good riddance.
3. S&W 28, ex police trade in. Had a trigger job, target hammer trigger. I missed getting it back almost 20 years after I sold it when it was on GB a few years ago.
4.Beretta 84. I just liked it's looks, and liked it even more after I shot it. I bought it's closed slide cousin, a Browning BDA380 soon after. The BEST .380s, IMHO.
5. AMT Hardballer Longslide. Arf! Bad gun, so many issues.
6. Colt Combat Commander. Made the AMT look good. Garbage. Two trips to Colt got it scratched up without fixing it. The first, and last Colt product I've ever had.
7. Beretta 92. Great gun, as good as the Colt was bad.
8. A whole series of brand new, bad guns. Mostly .22LR BUGs, all had problems. I finally got something I could trust, a Beretta 950 .25, I still have it.

I didn't do much shooting for a long time, and bought no guns for over 10 years. In 2005, I bought an Astra A-80 from a friend and suddenly got the bug again.

1. Not interested in polymer, I like steel, if possible.
2. No striker. I don't like the looks of them, and all of my past strikers have been stinkers.
3. No new S&W guns, the lock is useless and ugly. They don't make any handguns that interest me at present. Nothing.
4. In revolvers, Dan Wesson small and large frames and S&W N frames are about the only ones that interest me, and really the only one I want that I don't have is an S&W 28.
5. CZ-75's and their clones are about as perfect as it gets in a semiauto handgun.
 
I would advise anyone starting out to do a lot of research and buy quality guns that make sense to you. Keep up with new trends, add something new when it makes sense and try to hang on to the good choices you made. Quality guns last a lifetime so don’t worry about paying extra to get the right gun.
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I like this advice. Like it enough that I thought I might re-post it!:)
 
Evolve

My first firearm was a single barreled 12 gauge shotgun bought in response to a fellow who entered my home with the intent to burgle. My second was a single barreled .410.
My first rifle was a Springfield 1903 - a low numbered gun - about which I knew nothing and which I shot for years before ever finding out that I wasn't supposed to.
Before the Internet, it was harder to know stuff like that.
My first pistol was a Ruger MK.II.
So....those were the first guns. Three, not counting the .410.
Now...at last count there were more than seventy five firearms....assorted.
Chances are good that there will be more.
Pete
 
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