[sammy]

Like the title says, what do you like about guns and shooting. Too many people I know have misconceptions, thinking it is a power thing. I don't see it that way at all. Sounds strange but I think the mechanics of semi-automatic pistols and rifles fascinate me. The ability to shoot with speed and precision is a huge thrill. The guns themselves are a thing of beauty. What does it for you? :D

[kermit315]

its relaxing, and I like the fact that I can hone a skill that can be applied later if need be at the same time I am relaxing.

[AirForceShooter]

The peace and concentration.
It's sort of Zen like.

AFS

[blackhawk2000]

What isn't there to like?

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Do we have to pick just one thing?

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Tinkering with them, shooting them, the bang, the muzzle flash, the smell, have a bunch of them, giving them to son-in-laws & nephews, reloading, hitting the pie plate at 100yds(my needs are small).

[Vern Humphrey]

I like hiking, canoeing, trail riding with my horses, hunting and shooting. It's all part of the same thing -- a love of the outdoors and an attraction to participatory sports.

[Geno]

What Vern said! It's all 'bout the outdoors!

[Owens]

Some of my most relaxing times have come when I set to a bench session and am working on a new load. It seems to make me forget the cares of the day. Pitfall to this: when the load won't work or I don't have "the touch"...then it gets to be counterproductive to relaxation. I also find the time spent cleaning my firearms a very relaxing and contemplative time. It's all good. Another pleasure in the reloading. Aw heck..... whats not to like about it?

[pdowg881]

I like mechanical objects, tinkering with stuff, outdoors, learning a vauable skill, and of course i like things that go boom. Oh yeah, and that gunpowder smell. mmm mmm good.

[Wedge]

Relaxing.

Would do it every day if I could.

hmm, I should set up a 5m pellet range in the garage while my wife is out of town!

[camslam]

I'll admit that the "feel" of a gun and knowing its potential is something that I enjoy.

It is empowering in a way, but more than that, I enjoy the self discipline and precision that is involved with firearms. Whether it be handling them, shooting them, or cleaning them, it is very precise and I love that.

Plus who doesn't like watching things explode when different calibers hit it. There is something about watching water shoot 20+ feet in the air when hit with one of my 3" 12 gauge shells, that gives me pure joy. :)

[ZeSpectre]

The peace and concentration.
It's sort of Zen like.

+1

And knowing it has practical and useful applications as well certainly doesn't hurt.

[Red Dragon]

I like ...uh...guns and uh... shooting them :)

Actually, I find the process focusing and theraputic at times.

[longeyes]

"It" shoots.

(Too bad "it" doesn't clean.)

[GigaBuist]

At first it was a human rights/power thing with me and still is to a large extent. However, after the first 5 purchaes (CZ-75, Glock 21, Remington 870, Bushmaster AR, Egyptian AK-47 clone) I started to branch out and learned to appreciate more.

I like collecting surplus firearms. I think they're an interesting way to keep connected with history. It's a strange feeling holding onto a rifle with the Soviet sicle and hammer on it, or another with the Nazi eagle stamped into the receiver.

In that same vein I find comfort, if you could call it that, in that I can pick up quite used surplus firearms and they still work just fine. I figure I find this so fascinating because I work as a software developer where things break all the time. It gives me some hope that my field of work will one day achieve that level of reliability.

I like learning about the different designs that have been tried over all these years. Even more I like taking them apart and getting my grubby paws on them. I enjoy being able to construct a mental picture of how they work.

I enjoy time at the range, where I can hone my skills. Through this I have found I perform much better when relaxed. This is a lesson that I can carry over into all aspects of my life.

I like that the hobby keeps me paying attention to the politics of the country.

I also like that it forces me to reflect upon the free market nature of our economy. This was very much in play during the AWB where you'd see things like 13 round Glock magazines goind for $130 while 15 round BHP magazines were $25. Supply and demand at work. These days I like to watch what happens when things like CAS become larger and the guns used in them magically appear on the market.

I like being able to take folks to the range that might have never shot before, especially the younger ones. Drop an AK or an AR into a teenage boy's hand (with proper instruction) and I doubt it's an experience they'll forget.

I like the people I've met and the places I've been because of this hobby. I'd have never driven out to Montana to meet Richard Celata from KT Ordnance if I wasn't into shooting.

There's a lot to like about this hobby of ours.

[obxned]

everything except the expense, and I can live with that!

[Hunter0924]

It is more fun, cheaper, and more effective then therapy.
My thinking is when you can get out with bullets you casted and rounds you reloaded with firearms you own and make it all come together successful that is the reward. Not to mention to place in the running in a local match.

[AJD]

Hitting your target...like watching a pop filled with water explode, a clay pigeon being shattered into shards, a tin can being bounced around or a nice group on a paper target.

That and just being able to hold and admire a beautiful, deeply blued, piece of steel and wood.

[The Canuck]

The fact that it is a zen kinda thing. There's you, the gun and the target. And if you compete, the buzzer.

As for the work aspect of it, I like to shoot to develope my skills so that if I ever should need to use a firearm to defend life and limb, I shall have the training (courses) and practice (IDPA) under my belt.

[Guy B. Meredith]

AirForceShooter has it exactly.

[10-Ring]

Originally, it was the ability to defend my family, but as my collection & interest grew, it has evolved. At this moment in time, it has become a Zen thing...being able to forget everything else, become a part of the system and putting rounds where I designate...

[Ohio Rifleman]

It is very focusing. While shooting, I kinda forget about everything else except for the sight picture and my target. And I like the idea of honing a skill that could save my life some day, too. And, admiring the engineering and the inner workings of a firearm, and making neat little holes in paper from yards away, and the smell, and the big boom (7.62x54R), or little boom (.22LR) and, and......

[Guitargod1985]

A lot of what's already been said, really...

Honing a useful skill.
Exercising a right which causes me to live and act in a more responsible fashion.
The sense of community between shooters.
Fascination with a machine that works reliably after such stress
Exposure to history

...and as far as long guns go... there's just something about that kick in the shoulder that really does it for me. Not in a fetish way of course, but y'all know what I mean.

[BigBlock]

Click - boom. That's it. That's why I love revolvers so much. I love loud noises and watching things explode! I think looking at the aftermath is one of the best parts. :D

[Benzz]

Going long range is a different story from going close range! I like guns, not only they are an awesome man-made invention, they are interesting subjects of study as well!

[Kevin108]

My favorite part is getting a new gun and learning the ins and outs of the operation, the upgrades, the modifications, etc.

[chris in va]

At my range somebody dropped off some excavator teeth. I find they make excellent targets and I LOVE hearing that *TING* as a direct hit is scored at 80 yards.

A well fitting rifle in a manageable caliber with inexpensive ammo makes for one heck of an afternoon.

Did I mention Tannerite?

[yongxingfreesty]

i love to shoot them and abuse them. I really enjoy taking the time to take them apart, clean them and oil. I wont eat, shower or sleep unless they are spic and span.

it just makes me happy to shoot down the range and hit paper.

[Waitone]

zen, outdoors, buddies, dirt, skills, swapping lies, shear joy of engaging in something the power system finds objectionable.

[Cannonball888]

I like the smell of gun oil in the morning. Smell like...victory.

[budney]

It's interesting how many people agree that it's relaxing and peaceful. I thought it was kinda funny that I always leave the range relaxed. You'd think that going somewhere and setting off a few dozen explosions would be anything but relaxing--but it is.

Plus they smell good, look good and feel good. And self-defense is a good thing. And hunting is cool.

[Sniper4Life]

I love fixing up poor abused guns and, "re building" every gun that I own. What I like the most is the challenge of trying to get 5 bullets into one hole from 100yds to 400yds.

[ProficientRifleman]

Bang!

Flash!

Pang (downrange)!

Woohoo! What fun!

[grafsk8er]

i like the challenge of shooting better. also, like what was said before, i like the mechanics of what makes a gun work, ballistics, etc. all fascinate me.

[Redneck with a 40]

I enjoy the visceral thrill of discharging a deadly weapon, the flash, the blast, the recoil. I take delight in putting 20 rounds into a 3 inch circle. Shooting is a definite stress reliever, its just plain fun. I also enjoy cleaning my guns, its a very relaxing activity for me.

[aka108]

People collect all types of things, many of which I do not understand but, if whatever it is cranks their tractor is OK by me. I like the blending of fine woods and blue steel into a functional package. (little plastic now and then is also OK) Many collectible items end up in a cabinet or display case and that's it. Firearms are not only collectible but functional for a variety of sporting and recreational purposes. With a little care they will function for centuries. The shooting sports can start at a very young age and continue into very advanced age even when your body starts stepping into various stages of geriatric degeneration. Always some competition involved either with others or against yourself. Steps you into another hobby, reloading.

[phaed]

don't really know how to explain it. started as a little kid with a bb gun. just the ability to reach out and touch a tin can using a little skill was...just fun.

[busy_squirrel]

I like the zen issue. Like riding a motorcycle at above 95% of it's capabilities through some twisties, you give it your full attention because you HAVE TO. It helps to clear the mind of distractions and nagging worries. Although you can feel emotions when you're that focused, it's pretty difficult to have exernal thoughts like: "Did I leave the oven on?" At that moment, all you really pay attention to is you, the gun, and the target. I like things that have such a singular focus.
I like making new friends at the range. Armed people are always more polite. :D
I like the smell of burnt powder and the AF taught meto like the smell of breakfree too.
To be honest, I like that some people don't find my hobby acceptable. It's not that I want to be a rebel, probably it's more ego. I know that what I'm doing isn't wrong no matter what the MSM might say. I know it's pointless to argue with many of them, so I'll continue quietly doing my own thing in the corner, all the while knowing I'm more enlightened.
I like introducing newbies. That lightbulb moment when you can see in their face that despite whatever they've been told, freedom isn't evil.
I like the self sufficient aspect. Whether it be keeping a supply of food, (remember that feeling you had the very first time you brought home groceries) or simply self-defense. I plan to take care of me and mine, and if you wanna stop me, you better want it REAL BAD.
I like the viscereal feeling. I like relaxing as I pull the trigger and feeling the slide or the bolt carrier assembly violently getting thrown back towards me then bouncing and returning home at a slower speed. I like the slight "abuse" my shoulder takes during firing in much the same way that a runner likes to feel the solid ground beneath each step. I enjoy feeling the spread of recoil through my wrist and spreading out to my elbow. The muzzle blast that makes it back to me reminds me that I just did something. Whatever the outcome, good or bad, on target or not, that I did something that made a difference, a change in the world.
I like the finality. Guns are straightforward and black/white: after you've pulled the trigger, there's no "Did I squeeze hard enough? Did it fire already?Could I be more accurate?" and hopefully no "Where did it go?" because the answers to those kinda questions are pretty self-evident.

[doubleg]

I love the noise, I love the smell of burnt gun powder, and I love the safe and comforting feeling of having a gun in my hand. No matter what trivial things have been going on in your live you know that the gun will always be there if you are ever in need or in trouble.

[Big Calhoun]

The guns themselves; I like the variety in mechanical designs and aesthetics. It's just like collecting watches; all watches tell time. But its the intricate mechanics and movements that make each one different and special in its own right.

As far as shooting, part of it is relaxation, even though all I do is punch holes in paper. The other part is the disclipline required to consistently stay on target. It's a good mental excersise.

[SoCalShooter]

BANG BANG BANG thats it that sums it all up for me about guns.

[sharkhunter2018]

Being in the outdoors really. It's relaxing, and a good stress reliever. I dont consider it my zen, because fishing has that spot well taken care of, but fishing is something I dont get to do often. So shooting is the next best thing. The smell of the powder, BANG...etc.

[sammy]

The most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!!!! :p

[LkWinnipesaukee]

To add to what everyone else said, I discovered that I like things with lots and lots of variables: shooting, sailing, computers, photography, engines, politics.

I don't like things that always stay the same and don't change much.

Hard to explain. But with shooting and guns, I can tinker with different calibers. Within calibers, I can change the loads (powder, bullets, I guess primers too). Then with the rifle (or pistol or shotgun), I can change the barrel, stock, action, etc. I can change my stance, position, breathing.

I can keep experimenting until I can hit my target with consistency. Then, when i can do that, I move the target back and do it all over again.

[NAK]

+1 on the "cheaper than therapy". I used to shoot a lot when I was younger...job stress, money worries, relationship problems...all that seem to get in the way and shooting kinda went away for years.

During and following my divorce, I had been seeing a therapist for over a year (didn't seem to be helping) when he suggested investing more time in "hobbies". I started shooting again and quickly realized that it was doing much more for my frame of mind than paying him $250/hour.

I started to make and keep weekly "appointments" at either the pistol range or the sporting clays course. Before long I dropped the therapist all together.

My boss, who does not shoot, has *sent* me to the range a couple of times over the last year. He says I'm more focused and productive afterwards... maybe we can get a range in the basement of the parking garage?

I find target shooting to be an unbelievable stress reliever. I come away both relaxed and refreshed. I've never analyzed why it's relaxing or what I get out of it, but I am sure its not a power or control thing. I can agree that to a certain extent, it does not make a lot of sense that so many of us find it relaxing. Its violent, noisy, requires extreme concentration, and not exactly socially acceptable.

Regardless, I still find it the second best means of attitude adjustment there is.

[koja48]

Reloading/shooting/hunting are a passion, as is fly-fishing/fly-tying. Two activity categories in stark contrast with one another in some regards, very close in others, but with the same result . . . they provide focus, relaxation, and contentment . . .

[Black Adder LXX]

For me it's a lot of things.

It's the male, risk, danger harnessed by me thing (same with power tools).
It's the process of lining up the shot and seeing the previous hole get a little bigger.
It's the stress reduction with the bang and muzzle flash.
It's the look and feel of the gun.
It's the smell in the air when they go off.
It's the action of a semi-auto chambering the next round.
It's slipping the rounds into the cyliner of a revolver.
It's knowing that if anyone breaks into my house, I have another option.