[rcellis]

Does visiting these forums encourage you to buy more firearms than you really think wise? That is, during more reflective moments do you regret your purchase(s)?

Clint

[White Horseradish]

Actually, my friends who let me shoot their guns affect my gun buying a lot more.

[zoom6zoom]

Well, I've been a registered member on the board for about three weeks (although a long time lurker) and have already made a purchase from another member...

[wally]

No effect beyond perhaps making me a smarter consumer/collector.

--wally.

[10-Ring]

This is one place I can be a gun geek and not have to defend what I'm doing :cuss: Being a CA resident, I find more people that don't understand the RKBA :banghead: Then when you come across another gun person it's like reuniting w/ your long lost twin :D THese forums alow to chat w/ so many twins :D

[candr44]

My C&R license has encouraged me to buy more than these forums have. The forums have made me more aware of whats out there, where to get it, and what a fair price is. The forums have saved me money with all the information about working on guns, what problems to look for on certain guns, and which guns to stay away from.

I ended up with a really good Cetme because I learned about them on the forums first. I also learned a little about firearms law and 922r. The internet forums are as good as or better source of information than the library. The only draw back is that any bozo can post bull on here.

[Pistol Toter]

Wy, absolutly everytime I read about a new or different gun I run out and buy three of the same model, one to shoo the heck out of, one to carry and one to put in the vault. Rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and semi's all alike. I got rid of my kids three months ago, moved my wife out day before yesterday. The ATF was here yesterday to check me out and we had a grand ole time talking shop and going to my inside range down in the basement. That 300 yd range down there is just so much fun and the guys left after supper.:neener:

What a question! :banghead:
Like Wally it may help me in that I can draw off someone elses experience. But I pretty well know what I want and what I can afford long before I make a purchase.:cuss:

[Lou22]

No doubt I've bought more guns after starting to use this and other forums. What happens is I read about and see pictures of a really nice and interesting handgun, and then end up wanting one myself. For the time being I've pretty much at my limit ;)

Lou

[Starter52]

Forums inform and help me make decisions. I own a fair number of firearms and haven't yet reached the point of "spending too much money", but I'm getting close to the point of "not enough room in the safe."

[poppy]

I answered "causes me too spent too much money", but the real answer was not offered.

Forums inform me of guns that I would not otherwise consider, like a 10mm pistol or a Walther P1. I can never have too many or spend too much.

[crashm1]

My name is Scott and I am powerless over weapons.... and you guys aren't helping. I traded a SA M1A and a Ruger Mini 14 today for some cash, a Browning Hi Power in .40S&W and a Kimber Ultra Carry, then I spent the cash on 250 rounds of 5.56mm, 100 rounds of .38 special, 200 rounds of .45ACP, two gun cases and a Rossi .357 in stainless with an 8" barrel. :evil:

[Diamondback6]

No effect whatsoever--my available cash determines my gun purchases--one component at a time...

Bein' a shooter on the SCS* budget plan really "suction-cleans afterburner can"... Never mind the $100 or so up in smoke every month or two for practice/training sessions at the range...

*Starving College Student

[fisi]

it is an addiction, that i have found no cure for. i guess i'll be sick the rest of my life............

[stevelyn]

Yeah........All of you are a bad influence.:D

They sometimes cause me to shift priorities on my "to buy" list.

[Juna]

I actually think these forums help me spend LESS money. I learn about guns I would have otherwise never heard of (e.g. my CZ 75BD), and they're cheaper and better than a lot of guns I might otherwise have bought. Also, I learn what a good price is to pay for a gun rather than walking into an overpriced shop and paying top dollar for a second rate piece of junk.

As far as being addicted to guns, I would have been addicted anyway. I've been into military weapons/aircraft/etc. and guns since I was in 1st grade. These forums just help me know more about my options, which I'm HUGELY grateful for b/c we all know how some gun shop workers are and what kind of crap they frequently try to feed you. Because of these forums, I know what's a bunch of B.S. and what's true.

Here's an example... the first time I asked about CZ at one of the local shops, the guy replied, "Junk." He gave no explanation, but having read these forums, I knew it was b/c he wanted to sell me a Glock/HK/Sig/Beretta. That's all this particular shop pushes--and push they do. They're like used car salesmen. I walked in trying to spend $300 or under, and by 10 minutes in he was showing me $900 guns and moving up from there. He proclaimed that every gun that was not a Glock/Sig/HK/Beretta was "junk".

These forums are a God send, and they connect helpful firearms enthusiasts around the world. It's also because of these forums that I realize how helpful and intelligent most firearms enthusiasts are. Plus, I found the great deal on my CZ 75BD on a gun forum, and I couldn't be happier with it.

So keep up the good work, THR (and TFL, CZ forum, etc.)!! :D

[WhoKnowsWho]

If I had never found the forums here and elsewhere (mainly here) then I would have never bought a lot of what I have because I either would have never heard of it (like my Swiss K-31), never thought about picking it up to handle (like my Makarov), or searching it out to buy it after hearing positive comments (like my XD40 stainless).

[ewb45acp]

I'm not spending more because of forum influence, but I am spending a bit differently.

[bakert]

My buying habits are determined solely by the state of my wallet!!:(

[wixedmords]

I think it is pretty widely known that forums of any hobbie will cause you to make a few more purchases.

Many inbrace it, and continue to buy and trade. Some just buy what they had previously planned to purchase. Everyone uses forums as a tool for information.

To each his or her own. It's fine to have a buying and selling hobbie, and it's fine to like the stuff that you already own. I generally have to justify purchases with actually having the time to use the item. For me it makes little sense to have something sitting around.

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

Any "peer group" will be the same thing as high school with regards to people
who require approval, and have weak-will in general.

Hurray for weak will! :neener:

[stratus]

Well... I mean, when I visit the forums a lot it tends to make me think about guns more than I usually do, even though I normally think about them a lot. It might just... give me that push. To put that P2000 on layaway. Or something. :cool:

[Dienekes]

After doing the SCS bit, the GI bit, the trying-to-get-started bit, the newly married-with new kid & mortgage-bit, teenagers, work, kids-in-college, elderly parent...reality, not some forum controls what I do. Have now worked through all of that and have a few more bucks than I used to. So far it hasn't made much difference.

If I am doing anything, I am thinning the herd and using and appreciating the old friends I have to the max.

Will go to the NRA convention and exhibits this weekend to see the new toys, then come home and enjoy what I have.