[sm]

Recent threads and events got me to thinking, why did you buy a firearm? Why did you buy that particular firearm? Why do you buy certain types? Now I don't do polls <loosens collar> umm my feeling concerning restrictions are well known ;)

We've had the recent events in regard to VPC. We've had the White Wing Thread. I know we will maintain The High Road in responses. So for our members and those whom lurk, be they friend or foe, why?

I know many collect for historical reasons. Many participate in competition. We have some whom buy for Conceal Carry, or Home Defence.

I asked a former classmate why she had aquired a Model 19, she carries for CCW a Glock 26. " I talked daddy out of it, he wasn't using it, I have fond memories of him shooting it and teaching me to shoot, Its sentimental, and being daddy's girl <wink> how could he say no? "

Why?

[Bigjake]

the more the merier. i usualy buy guns that i have some use of, not into collecting. i don't own anything i can't shoot.

i do occasionaly pick up something i have no good use for other than it looks cool and fun though. :cool:

right now i'm looking into a battle rifle of some sort, and more than a little of the reason is to piss the antis. :evil:

[cslinger]

There is no one reason. Kind of like why do I have a personal computer? I use it for work, for fun, for education etc.

Guns are much the same.

1)I like machines and guns, as machines, facinate me. I like the history that comes with many of them also.

2)I like to shoot for pleasure whether I am shooting for accuracy, to punch papers, practical training or just to make noise, feel the blast and smell the smells. It is vary cathartic and pleasurable for me.

3)I think everybody should own a firearm for defense. Just like everybody should own a fire extinguisher. You will probably never ever have to use either for their intended purpose but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared.

4)They are my toys. Why do I own a Walther PP, James Bond of course how about the M1 Carbine WWII movies, how about the single actions, Cowboys and Indians etc. and so on.

5)The comraderie. I have always grown up as part of groups that could be looked upon as the underdogs or red-headed step children and we gun owners as a whole are seen that way. The fact is though the great majority of us are very very good people and people that I am proud to know and spend time with. The object of firearms has brought many of us together as a sort of family. Sure we put the fun in dysfunctional from time to time but doesn't every family?

6)Because there are people who would say I can't. The louder they Bi%ch the more I want. They have already proven they won't stop at guns because then it is knives and then SUVS, then trucks, then fast food, then harsh language, and then and then and then. To be totally honest being a thorn in these ninnies sides gives me an immense amount of perverse pleasure.

God there are lots of reasons. Must of all I honestly believe the sport of shooting and owning firearms is one of the most healthy practices one can pursue. It teaches respect for others, respect for life, personal responsibility, mechanical know how, self reliance and many, many good things that are worth learning. Sadly many people don't seem to care about these things anymore, yet most of us GUN NUT BABY KILLERS sure do put a huge amount of effort into these things which leads me back to most BABY KILLING CRAZY REDNECK GUN NUTS are simply GOOD PEOPLE and people I am pround to call friends.

Now just to feed the anti's a little.

7)CUZ I'M JUS' DYIN' TO KILL ME SUMTHIN':evil:

[Snake Eyes]

Bought my first firearm in October of 1999. I had recently talked a buddy into taking me shooting and I found out that I loved it--and I was pretty good. Unfortunately the wife was not real keen on the idea of firearms in the house. However, the wife was a little (a lot) worked up about the whole "Y2K EOTWAWKI" thing.

So, along with the 347 cans of Tuna, 600 gallons of water and 3 cords of firewood (all of which we still have), my good, good, true friend suggested a Winchester Defender 12 gauge. He did this while we were out to dinner with our spouses.

To my surprise, my wife jumped all over it. After dinner, she and Mrs. Friend walked over to the pet store (where we got ANOTHER cat) and Mr. Friend and I walked over to Big 5 and got the Winchester.

My wife regularly ribs Mr. Friend about the demon he unleashed, as I am now the proud owner of over 50 firearms and have the stated goal of owning every Colt DA revolver in every configuration ever produced, along with most every Colt Auto and pretty much every JMB designed gun. My current purchase rate averages about 1/week.

Mr. Friend hangs his head sheepishly when the wife is around, then wants to see/shoot/dicker for each and every acquisition (He still won't trade me his O/U trap gun for less than a Gold Cup and my pre-ban Bushmaster shorty though!).

[robear]

I wanted it.

[10-Ring]

No real prophetic reason other than I wanted to & I could :D

[MikeJ]

I bought my first handgun in 1984 and my gun objective was to acquire a fine example of all the various major calibers and action types. In addition I also have bought a few guns for defensive purposes. At this point there are very few guns I feel a need to own. I don't have a huge collection by any means but enough variety to keep things interesting. :D I don't see any pistols out there that I can't live without but I do want to get a Ruger GP100, 6" S&W 19 and possibly a S&W 3" 64 or 65. I'm also keeping a close watch on the Rohrbaugh and that may become an "I need" gun sometime in the future. Mike

[Mike Irwin]

I bought the Remington 81 because it was chambered in .300 Savage, and it joins a Savage 99 and a Remington 722, both in that caliber.

I bought the CZ-70 just because it was cheap and seemed like it was going to be fun. It was cheap and it is fun. But heavy as sin.

I'm looking at buying an AK-style rifle because the Violence Policy Center and their smarmy little flash movie, for which they stole Oleg's copyrighted material, has severely pissed me off. I'm really not that interested in owning an AK-style rifle, I already have an SKS, but if the VPC thinks it is so horribly evil, well then that's a gun I need to get just to prove to myself that a) it's not the gun by the user who is evil, and b) that I'm not evil.

You'd think that after nearly 80 guns I'd have proven that to myself by now, but no...

[jercamp45]

When I came home from the hospital as a new born, there were guns in my house! My Father was an avid outdoorsman, adventure traveler and trained zoologist. By the time I was 8, I had been camping, shooting, rock climbing, had a BB gun, and then singleshot .22. Then hunting(rabbits, squirrels and quail early on), Boy Scouts and camping trips all over the US. Then we moved to Washington State which started a love of mountains, oceanography, extreme outdoor survival skills and a fascination with handguns. Then, we moved to Alaskan bear country!!! Then It was the Marines. Then Red Cross Disaster Operations. Now Various Security gigs across the country.
I buy mine normally after a bit of reseach...or for an educational hands on experience. In the decades of the past, I bought some because they were 'cool'(a PPK/s comes to mind), some because they were cheap(Russian Makarov), some because I always liked them(The Blackhawk Convertible 45 and P-38), some .22's cause I wanted a new plinker, etc.
I rent just about everything I see new at the range, just to try them out and to know how to operate them(AK, M1 Carbine, MP-5, Uzi)....cause you never know what lies around the next corner on the road of life.
My main general purpose handgun research lead me to the 1911 .45 auto in 1976...and though I have tried about everything else...that is about all I own.
Belly gun research lead me to the S&W Jay frame in 1980, and I have tried every else and that is where I rest now back at the beginning(thought the Kahr is starting to interest me!).
I get them because I want them, because I can, when I can afford them, and to check out a new possibility.
Jercamp45

[Hkmp5sd]

Many of my purchases are guns that someone at work, a friend or a friend-of-a-friend are selling and I get there first. The NIB purchases tend to be more thought out and planned.

[Atticus]

The first few were tools. As for the rest....I plead temporary insanity.

[Mike Irwin]

OK, looks like I'm NOT buying an AK right now...

I just saw Wild Alaska's HK PSP offer in handguns...

Sigh...

[einnor1040]

I bought em just cause I likes gunz.

You can never have too many.

[WvaBill]

P220ST--.45 and really cool looks
PPK/S--1st handgun-1981- easily concelable and looks good plus American made
Berreta AL-2--Spiffy little 20 GA. for only $250
Python--Mean Lookin
Model 99 in .300 Savage--Love Levers--Hate tubes
Model 870 Police--it was there

why did you buy a firearm?

And the number one reason...

I AM FREE:D :D :D

[El Tejon]

Firearms are weapons. Weapons are for fighting.

Still, I like robear's answer best.:)

[MaterDei]

Snake Eyes,

Dude, you actually BOUGHT a cat??? :neener:

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All- (this is an easy one!:D )

I chose the SIG-Sauer "Classic P-series" because of its
highly touted RELIABILITY factor; in particular the
.45 caliber P220.:) Its the best DA/SA self-loader on the
market; so why not go for the gusto?:uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[sm]

Hold up a sec gang...Snake Eyes ,clarify in case we missed this you bought a cat ? Now I've heard of buying a fine breed of dog for hunting...but I thought cats were taken in as strays, or given away.
<scratches head>

Well the responses are much as I expected. I too grew up with firearms, they are a symbol of freedom for me. I also respect the firearm as a tool, be it Freedom, Target, Competition, Self/Home defence. I appreciate the history and fine craftsmanship...say a beautiful blueing and fine wood grips/stocks.

Then there is the fact when I have money and need immediate gratification. I too have a hankering for an AK. No real reason, dunno other than the fact I can , cheap ammo, runs dirty (good--my record for cleaning is noted :) ) , besides ticking off VPC, I can learn some history, send stuff downrange and have fun.

I bought my model 64 3"HB so many years ago, because I didn't have a steel revolver, it felt like an old friend, the 3" bbl intriqued me, and the .44 spl Bulldog I traded for it,was not going to hold up. I had been hooked on K frames for awhile, that 64 started my enthusiasm for 3" bbls.

[MaterDei]

Way to go re1973!!!! Lets not let his passing comment get away.

:neener: :neener: You BOUGHT a cat??? :neener: :neener:

Heh. As a n00b, I can definitely say that I love this board. You can taunt people with impunity. :neener:

[Standing Wolf]

I bought my first gun in 1967. I bought my most recent gun about ten days ago in Gunnison, Colorado. I've truly needed one gun exactly once in my entire life, but they're more fun than two puppies and an old sock.

[Poohgyrr]

Hmmm, she got a cat and he got a SG.... :D

As for firearms, well, 'cause I have a use for each one. And a use for all the ones I haven't picked up.....

[C.R.Sam]

I was the child of gunnies.
I use Hoppe's aftershave.
Guns follow me home.

Sam

[blades67]

Snake Eyes did NOT buy a cat! His wife did. hahahahahaha:D

I buy guns because I can. The same reason I paid $2000 for my mountain bike and $80 for my Toyota Corolla really.:D

[Tamara]

...my most recent firearm?

Because it was the most pristine S&W of that vintage I'd ever seen. I kid you not, the gun is like a fly trapped in amber...

[sm]

Yeah well, buddy of mine bought his son a nice O/U , told his wife the boy needed a shotgun. Wife looks into the crib and said "huh, really all he wanted to do today was grab the front of my blouse, nap and dirty diapers". ;)

Snake Eyes may not have physically bought the cat, bet his name on the CC though.;) Sorry, Snake Eyes...your're being a good sport. Sometimes "I wouldn't have told that" applies.

oh heck, gotta see what Tamara came home with...pics I hope.

[Tamara]

Firearms are weapons. Weapons are for fighting.

Right, and The Last Supper is just a wall covering. ;) :neener:

[sm]

Tamara, what gun? Is this a new one, or one you've already posted?
I admire your knowledge, new toys and pics...

[OEF_VET]

I've bought guns for many reasons. CCW, target shooting, sentementality (dad's old 686), 'cuz my kid needed one (at 8 months old no less), they held some serious 'gee-whiz' factor, they had a bit of history, hunting, I got a sweet deal on it, and all-around just because I could.

[amprecon]

I had a strong curiosity of guns since I was about 8 or 9 years old. My step-father didn't have an interest or an opinion of them really, his family was fairly neutral regarding them and they never owned them.

I acquired my first BB gun at 9 or 10 years old and I was hooked since. When I turned 18 my first rifle was a Marlin Model 25, and shotgun was a Savage model 12 gauge. My first handgun was a 4" Ruger GP100 .357 in stainless steel, and I was pretty good with it.

I've evolved through several hanguns and rifles and I don't know if it will ever end. I don't collect guns, I keep what I feel will be the best for me. If I believe that another type or model will be better for my perceived purposes I'll trade for it.

I feel that I only need one gun for specific purposes, they all can be used for self-defense, but the pistols are primarily for that purpose since they can be carried with you most of the time. So I recently traded Glock 21 and SP101 for two Glock 19's for simplicity of design and ammo compatability. One to carry and one to leave home for the family when I'm out.

The shotgun is the most versatile of all my firearms and have always felt that I just couldn't live without one.

The 10/22 and Marline M60 are fun, but I wouldn't consider them totally necessary in a life-and-death situation.

The scoped rifle is definitely one I'd grab for if the SHTF and of course for large game hunting, I consider this a necessary firearm.

The SLR-95 is THE SHTF rifle.....and hunting and plinking rifle. This is just one fun gun, accurate enough, reliable, large mag capacities. If I were only able to grab one of my guns on a bug-out, this would be the one.

I hope that I have finally filled my firearms niche, at least for my wife's sake (for my sake). I really can't afford to keep trading and losing money on them. The trend hasn't affected the long guns, just the pistols. With these two G19's I feel I have plenty protection.

[jrhead75]

All of the above...Plus, since the kids are all grown, I presently have (temporarily, no doubt) carte blanche from Household Six Actual, to replace the fine collection that was sold off to help pay the expenses involved with raising six kids.

Hopefully I can pick up a few more before she comes to her senses. :D

[XavierBreath]

Why do I own the guns I do?

Well, the Riot Gun is for killing home invaders quickly, and to intimidate my daughter's boyfriends. (I'm usually cleaning it when they show up for a first date.)

The AK is because a lot of people think I shouldn't own one. Same with the CETME and the SKS.

The 1910 Luger, Beretta 1932, and the GI 1911's are interesting from a historical perspective. The same goes for the SAA's.

The scoped 10/22's are target rifles.

Some guns were bought to customize, others were deals to good to pass on, and later became trade fodder.

Some of the rest are concealed carry weapons, others are target pistols.

I'm at a impasse right now, I really don't know why I would buy another gun...................There is a gunshow coming up next weekend though. I'm sure I can find a reason when I see the one I want.

[m.i.sanders]

Why? Because I wanted it. Why else?

[cool45auto]

I bought my Beretta purely because of "Lethal Weapon". I kind of just fell into the other ones one way or the other. I've been getting old battle rifles because I just love the history behind them.

[Schuey2002]

One of Wild's P7 PSP's. Why? Cause I couldn't pass up on a P7 that was priced under $600.. That, and I don't have one..


.. and Skunk pressure. It's like peer pressure, only it's more Tactical. :D

[Lancel]

Mostly guns are like the other tools on hand. Some I use a lot, some I use a little.
Together, those tools allow me to solve problems, overcome obstacles, and recreate.

But then there's the THR influence ...
In a pawn shop, I found a SMLE N0.4 Mk2 that had been chopped into a carbine (bogus "tanker" rifle). Figured it was like a mutt at the pound - needed rescuing and a good home.:)

Larry

[sm]

TFL/THR , WildAlaska's deals ,Tamara's pics ...etc., are NOT excuses or scapegoats,...they ARE LEGIT reasons. :D

It's in the fine print of Rules of Conduct...I'm pretty sure...yep gotta be there...itty bitty print tho' :)

[Spieler]

Certainly the more the merrier, but having more or less settled on a home defense and daily carry gun I now buy certain guns for:

(a) Their "fun" quotient.

(b) Their icon status in the realm of modern firearms

(c) The "I couldn't pass this up for this price!" factor.

I have acquired a S&W M10 and a Colt M1991 in recent weeks, the details of which I have posted here on THR, and both fit into each of the categories I have listed. This is not always the case when I buy a new gun, but I try to make intelligent and informed purchases as I have no use for 'safe queens' or flash in the pan types that are popular in the gun press one moment only to be heaped onto the backburner of small arms design the next.

Having said that, I LIKE GUNS! :)

[Kamicosmos]

First gun was bought because I had turned 21 and I could. Never imagined at the time that purchase would lead to a HUGE hobby!

My other guns have been bought for various reasons. Each one has a specific task (home defense, pin shooting, hunting, it looks cool, etc).
I shoot all my guns, none are 'collector NIB box never fired'. (well, I've never shot the Nambu, but that's mainly cause I haven't found any ammo for it, and reloading components are nearly non existant.)