[gudel]

Lately I feel that I'm no longer as enthusiastic when I purchase a new gun. Now they all the same to me. I bought new pistols, revolver, in various calibers like 22, 9, 40, 45, 357sig & 357mag, but I no longer have that excitement feeling when I get that new gun. I buy $250 gun, I buy $1000 gun, Glock, Beretta, Sig, HK, Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, pretty much the major manufacturers.

I buy, I clean it, I shoot it, I clean it again. Repeat & repeat.
I got new job, I make a lot more, I can buy a lot more guns, but I don't really see any guns that are worthy for my hard earn dollars than I currently have.

Can you get burned out by having too many guns?

[Geronimo45]

If you do, send 'em to me.:evil:

Get an old milsurp rifle, see how you like it. Might be just the medicine you need... a lot of these newer guns, despite having good functionality, are lacking in the area of soul.

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Try different shoo:) ting games, it will probably renew your interest!

[Deer Hunter]

Well of course you are! I don't see a CZ in your list!

[birddog]

I think that, as with any passion, it ebbs and flows. I recently moved more toward my musical inspiration when I got hired on as lead guitarist in a band. Now that things are settling in in that regard and it's no longer novel, I find myself more and more with an itchy trigger finger, and the itch to add another handgun to the collection.

Learning to ride these waves of passion is something that comes with time. Find something you ARE excited about, but don't sell off the guns in the meantime....you'll be back.

;)

[PointOneSeven]

There comes a point when you have at least one gun for every purpose you will ever need.

[MrBorland]

I'm guessing you've been shooting a long time. Maybe it's a "Zen" thing, rather than burnout. Forget about buying for the moment - do you still enjoy shooting? Maybe you've reached a new level, grasshopper?

I compete in another sport that's equipment-centric, and have been doing so for a long time. I see lots of parallels between this sport and shooting. Most relevant to this discussion, is a strong focus on equipment, which naturally leads to buying more and more and fancier and fancier. All ok if you can afford it and you're not kidding yourself that it makes you better at what you do. Eventually I settled down and (subconsciously) realized that while reliable good quality equipment is necessary, more of it isn't necessarily better, and uber-expensive isn't either. I don't get as excited about the act buying new gear for this sport, but I still enjoy participating immensely. I'm definitely not burned out.

Best wishes

[huntsman]

Lately I feel that I'm no longer as enthusiastic when I purchase a new gun.

My first thought was maybe you've bought too many to fast? You don't say how long you've been at this hobby, or if shooting/hunting is a part of it.

I never have enough money to buy too much, maybe that's a good thing (for me at least).But if the focus of this hobby is just the purchasing of new stuff maybe it could get old:confused:

[possum]

use some of that money and don't buy more guns, buy more ammo and attend some formal trainning like tactical response, tdi ohio etc. that will probally work to get you all hyped up.

but for the record i have never came close to "burning out" when it comes to guns.

[WinchesterAA]

I'll tell you what might do the trick..

Build your own.

[glockman19]

Now it's time to buy some rifles. Semi Auto, Bolt Action, in .22, .223, .308, .30-06, the list goes on...and on...and on.

After half dozen rifles, shoot your handguns with renewed excitement.

Also ever go to the range and shoot a tennis ball on a string? there are many games to keep your interest fresh.

[Monkeyleg]

I experienced the same feeling about shooting pistols. (I don't have the problem, unfortunately, of being able to buy as many guns as I want).

So, I went back to rifle shooting, something I haven't done on a regular basis in several years.

[Soybomb]

Maybe its not the quantity for you anymore but finding ones that you love and using them?

[spyderdude]

Just appreciate the guns you do have, and shoot them. Stock up on ammo and mags for your guns, rather than buy new guns.

[fordman650]

When i go out shooting I take the 12 gauge,270,30/06,22 rifle and the 9mm

I never get bored that way oh and my newest AR15 I like to mix it up and Im

looking forward to my next purchase a either a 1911 or a 357. Mix it up and

have fun.I also started reloading and as mentioned before maybe building one

will help

Good luck

[10-Ring]

I noticed my likes & dislikes have evolved. I don't buy as often as I use to but when I do, I get truely excited w/ my purchases...last few purchases inclued:
DW CBOB
*9mm AR
*Colt Python -circa 1969

[Geno]

That's great! Seriously! I feel very much the same. I have everything that I need. I have almost everything that I want.

I'm not burned out, I am fulfilled and satisfied. I am content. I am not needy. I am not greedy. See the difference? You should be celebrating.

[Jim Watson]

Using them is the key. Take up a competitive shooting sport.

[LAH]

Maybe you need to shoot more and buy less. I have very few firearms but that's about all I want. Now loading stuff..........That's another story.

[glockman19]

That's great! Seriously! I feel very much the same. I have everything that I need. I have almost everything that I want.

I'm not burned out, I am fulfilled and satisfied. I am content. I am not needy. I am not greedy. See the difference? You should be celebrating.

+1
Well said

[never_summer]

Can i test drive your hk .45's? :evil:
With most of my hobbies i dont really get burned out with them, but more of the girlfriend. Always having to explain what and why and how its necessary, even though no matter how good the argument its never good enough haha. Right now its the battle for another pistol, chl, and class 3 items :banghead:

[Nomad, 2nd]

Shoot them more... do some training, or competing...

[sorensen440]

Seems to me like you need to diversify your assets a little more
buy some rifles and shotguns
maybe get into long range shooting

[Lonestar49]

...

Maybe more like, you're in a lull..

Maybe seek out some gun buddies, or gals..

It's high value time, IMO, to meet new shooters, share your guns at the range, ask questions, answer questions, you know, shoot the sh-t, have a little friendly competition shooting among these people with the same interest, and possibly other interest, as you.

You just need the spark of desire to get your head and heart back into the hunt..


Seek, and you shall find..



LS

[PikeStaff]

Quit your bellyaching.

Get your butt to the range and rediscover just why you go in the first place.

Stop looking for enlightenment and learn to enjoy the simple.

[jame]

I found myself in the same boat. New guns just didn't do it for me.

But the OLD ones, now that's a different story. Find a nice 1903 Colt for a helluva price. How 'bout a '50's or '60's S&W? That turns into more of a hunt.....

[PaladinX13]

Can you get burned out by having too many guns?There are diminished returns for almost anything... a certain amount of freedom from materialism is a good thing.

[Geno]

If you're not feeling fulfilled as I expressed earlier, then I would say it sounds like your have fulfilled a goals, and are experiencing the blues of that lull during which you seek out your next goal. There are those of us in society who have to have a goal...always! If you too are such a person, you might want to:

1) Get into reloading
2) Take classes in Tactical Shooting & Advanced Tactical Shooting
3) Take classes in firearms maintenance
4) Build-up your stocks of ammo (a reasonable amount)
5) Fund some hunts with the money that you were putting into firearms
6) Extend your service: become a Hunter Safety Instructor

Doc2005

[TexasP226]

When I bought my Benelli M4 the other day, I swore to myself tha would be my last gun for at least a year since I have purchased half a dozen or so new guns so far this year and am getting married in about 50 days. However, a new black rifle and 1911 are caling my name!!!

[skeeter1]

I don't think I would say that I'm burned out, just satisfied with what I already have. I sold a couple last year that just weren't doing it for me, which leaves me with 10. Plinkers, target shooting, HD/SD, High-power rifle, shotguns for upland gane hunting and the traprange. I've got all the bases covered for what I need and can't think of any reason to buy another, particularly the newer handguns. I thought about a Smith M41, but I've already got a classic Smith M35, so I can't justify it.

[tank mechanic]

You should close the book on chapter one. Lube them all up and lock them up out of sight. Start on a new collection. This time all magnum chamberings. Or Italian guns. Or cheap pos guns. Or all stainless steel guns. Then when you get to the same point that you are at right now, lock them up and start again.

[PaladinX13]

Before you run out and spend time and money on more guns, consider getting into activism... nothing will make you appreciate the guns you already have more than fighting those who would take them away.

[trickyasafox]

i lull with guns, and get excited about reloading. i'm lucky that i bounce between to closely related sports, but lately paintball has been creeping back into my life.

perfectly natural to let a hobby grow and shrink i think. no sense in burning yourself out on something you do for fun

[commygun]

I know the feeling and have the answer...traditional archery. That'll keep your interest engaged (and maybe drive you nuts) for many more years.

[Geno]

Paintball?! Sweet! Never tried it!

[glockman19]

Paintball?! Sweet! Never tried it!

I have lots of fun.

Try it you'll like it.

[Blue .45]

Perhaps a shiny new shotgun would get you re-enthused. :D

[gudel]

there were some interesting ideas posted. I think I may just hold off on new purchases for now, and take some time off.

[logical]

I've reached the same point. I don't buy anything to "collect" and don't feel the need to have 2 of anything. So I have a small semi-auto ccw, a small revolver CCW, a medium semi-auto CCW, a DAK trigger Sig, a few full size mostly Sig semi-autos in various calibers, a 22 auto and a 22 revolver, .357s in snubby, 3 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch, a .44 mag., a few .38s. Maybe a really big revolver or one of those plastic semi-autos could be added but I'm more interested in building up the long gun group at the moment. If you ever tasted my Bloody Marys you'd know why I don't reload.

[Brian Williams]

Maybe it is time to start giving, Pass forward. What you know and have need to be shared and spread to those younger and less knowledgeable

[jahwarrior]

i got that way with knives. after awhile, you realize that you really don't need another one, that you have a tool for every conceivable situation. i can only carry a few knives at a time, so what's the point? since i only have two guns, i probably have a way to go. i still need to purchase the obligatory glock (probably the 26), j frame revolver, and semi-auto rifle. then we'll see.

[MachIVshooter]

Lately I feel that I'm no longer as enthusiastic when I purchase a new gun.............I buy, I clean it, I shoot it, I clean it again. Repeat & repeat.
I got new job, I make a lot more, I can buy a lot more guns, but I don't really see any guns that are worthy for my hard earn dollars than I currently have.

Can you get burned out by having too many guns?

I have been there, and there is hope. One way is what others have suggested; get into mil-surps or other types of collectables. You can really challenge yourself by trying to aquire not just a certain type of milsurp, but one of each variant. Or even go as far as one from each manufacturer. I bought one Arisaka, and that quickly led to aquiring other variants from each arsenal. Same with Carcano's, Enfields, Mausers, etc. The Mil-surp bug will keep you busy for a long, long time. Possibly your entire life, if you get too into it.

Another fix for the doldrums is to quit buying new guns and start modifying the ones you have until they fit you perfectly and are like no other out there. I just posted pics of my freshly altered mini-14. I was as excited to get it back with a cropped barrel as I have been buying whole new guns.

Don't worry, this too shall pass! ;)

[DrLaw]

I think I know the feeling. I am secretary for our local gun club. However, this year, when we had our yearly pistol league, I did not go. I felt that I had really not deserved to take a break this year and compete in the league. I have a number of military surplus rifles, many of which I have acquired recently, but I still have some I have not even shot yet. They just sort of sit there.

We have a .22 Rifle League. It started a week after the pistol league ended. I was thinking about not doing it, either, this year. In the past, I have done both, for many years. I was thinking about it.

However, I went. Glad that I did. I had been doing some Black Powder shooting recently, but nothing in competition or for an extended period of time (outside of nailing a "Rotten Egg" recently with my new 1860 .44 from Uberti). The first week I shot worse than I did last year, but they tweaked the competition by putting in a 20-shot combat course. I did fantastic with that and I feel great now. :D :p :cool:

It was just going out and doing it. (Geez, I hate that Nike Ad, "Just Do It")

So, Doctor's prescription now. Get out and do some shooting, but put a twist in it. Find a range that has 100 yard shooting and try to nail the target at 100 yards with a pistol. Hang some eggs from a backstop. Get some old bowling pins and try to knock them down. Spice up your guns' love-life with you, so to speak. :rolleyes:

The Doc is out now. :cool:

[ArchAngelCD]

gudel,
I feel bad for you, really... but I didn't hear you say you lost interest in shooting, only in new guns. I will repeat the suggestion Brian Williams gave you, share your interest and knowledge with young shooters. When you see their faces light up when they shoot for the first time or hit a hard target for the first time, shooting will no longer be "old" for you...

[Lonestar49]

...

Find an open outdoor range. Buy a small bottle of Helium, and get, what I call, a balloon nozzle. Buy a BUNCH of red and green balloons, and some cheap kite string.

Make sure you can find some rocks, not too big, or any objects that you can attach the Helium balloons attached to the string and rocks, or object to hold it at about 2 feet, up to 5 - 6ft, max, and place these floating balloons, with green being the good guys/innocent, and the red for the Bad guys, close to each other.

If there is a small breeze, even better, as they move and sway in front of each other.

Your fun/job, is to take out all the bad guys in red, without hitting the green innocents..

That is, until your rdy to call it a day and then shoot the Greene's, as if they showed good intentions but, became hostile.


Don't laugh (until you have tried it) as, it's a KICK and, it's a very inexpensive target course to utilize.

You'll probably have crowds drooling, and in this perfect movie, you make, "build it, they will come".. "they will come by the multitudes, and want to pay you 5 bucks, to shoot at some of your balloons, and they really won't know why.." :what:


ENJOY :D



LS

PS.. IMPORTANT: if you sever just the string (low shot) and a balloon floats up and away, DO NOT SHOOT AT IT, and I need not explain where the bullet is gonna go, reason, why. Consider it an escape, made possible by you, for good or bad, meaning, green gets (floats) away, good on ya, or, if Red floats away, you missed, but tried.. lol

[SoCalShooter]

Perhaps you should try shooting competitions. Bulls eye, IPSC, IDPA that might renew your interest more.

[KONY]

As much as I love guns, I realize that that they are not my ONLY passion in life. I also have my family, career aspirations and other hobbies that I care about. However, each makes me appreciate the others that much more.

[461]

It comes and goes with me too, I can sometimes go several months pursuing other interests but always come back to handguns. I find returning to basics always gets me re-energized, like going to the woods and shooting 12ga. hulls with a Bearcat or trying some long distance stuff that demands concentration.

The biggest catalyst I've had has been my son, seeing the fun he has when we go plinking always piques my interest for a while.

[crebralfix]

If you find yourself bored, learn GUNFIGHTING. Not shooting...too many schools focus on shooting. You have plenty of combat guns; start using them. Take a pair to a serious fighting course. Attend a sequence of courses from different intructors...just forumulate a goal and go for it.

Next, acquire Airsoft replicas of your primary handgun and rifle. Do force on force drills. You will learn what results in hits (and getting hit). Get fit by combining exercise with fighting--combatives, sticks, knives, and so forth.

So try this program:

1) Extreme close range fighting. Pistol shooting at five feet or less. What do you do when the knife is coming at you and your gun is still in the holster?
2) Rifle CQB. Learn to fight in urban environments out to 100 yards.
3) Long range rifle. Take a week long sniper course. Several schools have them.
4) Knife. Try some AMOK seminars. You will never look at knives the same. You'll also get the urge to carry a 12" bowie knife and wear stab resistant armor.
5) Try revolvers! If you're really hardcore, try it with a single action revolver. Maybe attend a tactical rifle class with a lever action 44 Magnum or 30-30.

If you're still bored after all that, try skydiving into caves in Mexico ;)

[skeeter1]

I will repeat the suggestion Brian Williams gave you, share your interest and knowledge with young shooters. When you see their faces light up when they shoot for the first time or hit a hard target for the first time, shooting will no longer be "old" for you...


I'll second that advice. My best days at the range are when I get to go with one of my friend's sons and pass on some of the things that I've learned over the past 50 years of shooting, and the knowledge that I got from my dad and granddad. Things that they've never heard of before, like using a hasty sling; how to avoid flinching by squeezing the trigger, not yanking it; the right way to clean a firearm, etc. They think of me as their "uncle."

I'll also let them try out anything in my safe. I didn't buy anything to be a safe queen. All that I have are shooters. the oldest one I have being 45yrs old, and it hasn't worn out yet, and probably never will.

These guys are 20-somethings, and probably would have little other chance to shoot a $1K revolver or $2K shotgun otherwise.

Yes, I always get a few rounds in, but helping out a new shooter is very rewarding to me. :)

[Majic]

Just because you have money you don't have to spend it. Put the money away until something that's special to your eye comes along. This should be a hobby not an addiction.

[happy old sailor]

i know what you mean. my safe gets fuller and my purchases get further apart. i think i could write a book on my experiences over the last fifty years. i still have the passion for shooting, but. i find myself going to the range less and then with the same old guns, over and over, and that leads me to thinking about the purpose of all those others. no, i dont wish to sell them or give them away. i still love them and wonder about their fate after i pass on. but then, it wont matter to me as i will proplly be jumping from hot rock to hot rock with toothy things snapping at me. yep, i know what you mean.

[qajaq59]

Buy some reloading equipment and start looking for the "Perfect" load for each gun that you own. That should keep you occupied for about a 100 years.

[10X]

Gudel, you sound like you are in a rut. "..buy it, shoot it clean it, repeat..."
Add some experiences that you can relate to a gun. Go varmit hunting, go rabbit hunting with some friends. Shoot some trap, talk guns and shooting with some people there.

[Sean85746]

I feel your pain.

I recently even got rid of a BUNCH of guns. I mean, I looked through the safes and found rifles I have had for YEARS and had never fired, and couldn't foresee firing them in the next half of eternity.

I am much more of a handgun guy anyway, and yet I offloaded a bunch of them too.

I found I have 13 K-Frames that were all nearly identical!

I used to buy them because it was a GREAT DEAL!, but have since realized...hell, I can only shoot one at a time.

So, I reall really thinned out the herd, and hate to admit...I don't miss the ones I let go.

[pharmer]

Guns are things, they have no lasting satisfaction. The anticipation of getting a new gun is always better than getting. Do some trades, kick yourself in the .. for trading. Repeat as necessary. That'll cure you. Joe

[kellyj00]

If you're bored with them then get into an aspect that's new. Get into reloading, long range shooting, hunting, tactical drills or even start up your own gun shop and start selling to the public/friends.

I'm impressed by the engineering and science of guns, so I'm really into reading about new technologies and trying them out. Starting soon, I'm getting into reloading (after shooting handguns and shotguns for 6 years) and after that probably long distance.

You need more friends that are into the gun thing. If I went to the range alone all the time, I probably wouldn't be so interested.

[Springfield_1911SS]

im have the exact opposite problem, im a broke college kid(21) and i have a list a mile long of guns I want ranging from a AR-15, .50BMG, 500 S&W, M1, Garand, more 1911s, Colt SAA, mauser k98, my list goes on and on and on

I have no money!

I love guns buying them(when i can), shooting them, cleaning them, collecting them, ect.

My next idea is try to get my dad to give me a old mauser 71/84 he got from his grandpa, and let me get it working and looking new!

[VMIRat1995]

I hear you, good buddy!

My guns have just been sitting in the safe. The most I ever do anymore is take out my one home defense pistol and change the magazines once a month.

Other than that, I barely even realize that I have guns at home.

On the same token, I've been finding myself on thehighroad less and less.

These days, I've been thinking about cleaning and packing up all of my guns in that thick packing grease and just leave them in long-term storage until my son is old enough for me to pass them on to him.

I guess I'd rather look for the next "Google" stock as opposed to the next "plastic fantastic 9mm."

[TexasP226]

I am wanting to add one more black rifle, probably a standard 20" fixed stock AR. Just always wanted one. I will admit my hobby is closing in on "addiction" satus like Majic mentioned above. I have decided to probably go ahead and get the rifle and focus on accumulating ammo. I have over 1,000 of .223 and 7.62x39, but very little of anything else. I also want another 1911, but if I do that I'm trading in a gun. I just can't decide what to trade in (P232 or P239...I have big hands and these don't fit me particularly well!)

[LAH]

I guess I'd rather look for the next "Google" stock as opposed to the next "plastic fantastic 9mm."

Please drop me a line when you find it. I'm looking to.........Creeker