my love/hate relationship with rifles

G

gaseousclay

New member
and guns in general, is that I never seem to be able to satisfy my obsession with finely crafted firearms. technically, my inexpensive Browning A-Bolt should last me a lifetime, but I continue to come across beautifully crafted rifles that are way out of my price range. I now want a Mauser M03 or M98 as well as a Killimanjaro Serengeti rifle which I can't possibly afford, unless a giant bag of money fell out of the sky and landed on me.

so how you guys fund your gun habits? And how do you stop yourself from making impulse gun purchases?
 
I went thru similar desires to keep buying more and more guns, because they were different or just inherently aesthetically appealing, almost like works of art. They weren't necessarily expensive. The most expensive rifle I ever bought was an M1A that cost me about 1500 dollars. Most were 500-600 dollars or less. Over about ten years, I purchased between 50 and 60 different guns. I only have 9 left, and the rest were all sold. I shoot most of those left fairly regularly. I don't have much desire to buy any new ones any more. The urge got transferred I think to electric guitars, but it was easier to control. I was able to stop at three and I sold one of those. I think the remaining two will be enough.

I don't think there's anything wrong with an occasional impulse gun (or guitar) purchase, as long as you meet your other financial goals first. Just don't let it get out of hand. Also you may find that after having some guns for a while, the joy of having them wears off and you are OK with selling them to fund a new purchase.

Chaz
 
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I usually use unexpected money to fund my rifle purchase, such as tax returns and any other windfalls. If I'm able to pull some overtime all the money I make from the Army Reserves can be used to fund my rifle habit. Of course my gun buying habit has considerably slowed down now that I'm married.

Now I'm just pretty much working on the ones that I have. Improving optics, stocks, and triggers. Once in awhile I'll buy a new barrel or something for one of my Savage rifles.

What you need to do is build a rifle. Go to a gunsmith and have him work with you and build the rifle of your dreams. They usually take awhile so you can do it like a payment plan. You can build your rifle in stages, taking years to complete so you don't have to invest really large quantities of cash up front to build it.
 
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I can honestly say that I am 100 percent content with rifles I have now. I think the worst enemy of contentment is the BS you read on the internet—often the wisdom of thickies.

Before I gave up on lever guns, I searched for a long time for one that could be made to shot 1.5~2.5 because everyone on the internet said that's what their lever guns did "all day" (when they did their part of course, and always in their humble opinions). I now have no lever guns, and my bank account is still recovering.

It's not actually the guns themselves that I'm interested in but the experience and learning that goes along with owning. The countryside, the wilderness, the walks, occasional companionship, or utter aloneness. Those are the things that I'll take to my grave. Oh, and the memories of roast pheasant, and rabbit pies, elk burger and venison.

I don't actually feel like I absolutely need rifles, but I love rifles, because they remind me of times when things were simpler. It's a shame it is so engulfed with politics now. But I digress. I don't need any new rifles.

-SS-
 
Originally posted by taylorce1
What you need to do is build a rifle. Go to a gunsmith and have him work with you and build the rifle of your dreams. They usually take awhile so you can do it like a payment plan. You can build your rifle in stages, taking years to complete so you don't have to invest really large quantities of cash up front to build it.
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Totally agree with you there. I just wish I had the patience to start a project like that, and then wait long enough to see it through. At least now, I have enough guns to keep me occupied long enough to be able to shoot them while I wait.
 
It's going to happen. You're curious and unless you have a buddy with a range-gun library, you will end up buying another rifle or two.
As long as you don't end up eating cat food so you can save up for a Blazer, it's still just a hobby...
 
Build a nice, ultra accurate AR15 for target shooting...
It would satisfy many facets of the love for firearms including the admiration of crafting a 'shooting machine'.
Keep it 'fun'.
:D
 
I know. I just bought a nice Nikon M223 point black scope, but now man I want this Aimpoint so bad...


It is awesome on a Mini 14


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so how you guys fund your gun habits?
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I usually am in the process of saving for X firearm, then I'm at the LGS and I see Y firearm that I also have been wanting at a good price. If the wife is with me, I give her the puppy dog eyes and she usually says yes, but not always...

And how do you stop yourself from making impulse gun purchases?
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I have a wife! The thought of her wrath stops me from making impulse purchases unless I have her the OK in advance...
 
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