[chickenfried]

Handguns are what got me interested in firearms. At the time, I don't think any gun but the 1911 I bought would've gotten me into this hobby. But ever since I bought my first rifle, a garand, and started shooting highpower, I haven't bought another handgun. It's been garands, m1a's, and smallbore rifles since. Sure there's handguns I would like, such as a commander size 1911, Sig, usp, or Glock. But that m1a match rifle project is always in the back of my head. So my question to you experienced collectors is how do you balance your interests being that there's so much cool stuff out there and having a limited budget. Also have you regretted not having a diverse enough collection? Such as having four garands instead of one garand and three other completely different rifles?
What mistakes do you think you made in the early days of being a gun enthusiast?

[4v50 Gary]

Not specializing. Still the same way. The closest thing I've got to a "collection" is several authentic sniper rifles (3 Russians, 1 British No 4(T) and a M-1D). Does three Webleys (MK II, MK VI and a dedicated (not converted) 22 rimfire) count?

[Hkmp5sd]

I collect all types of guns in general, but do have minor specialties. For the last few years, my interest has been in acquiring WWII battle rifles. First trying for one from each combatant nation and progressing to getting one of each nation's assorted weapons. For example, on the US side, a M1, M1C, M1D, 1903A1, 1903A3, 1903A4, M1 Carbine, M1917 and a M1941 Johnson.

Everything else is simply because I wanted one. No overall logic or goal in mind. If something new comes out and catches my attention, I'll get it.

The biggest mistake I made early on was once I turned 21, not buying every machinegun I could locate prior to 1986. Thought never occured to me that some idiots in government would decide to ban the manufacture of machineguns.

[Ky Larry]

I just buy whatever strikes my fancy. I have military rifles,hunting rifles, varmint rifles, plinkers, combat handguns, target handguns, personal defence handguns,BUGS, etc. I don't really have a collecting goal of focus.

[Standing Wolf]

What mistakes do you think you made in the early days of being a gun enthusiast?

I didn't buy enough guns.

[Captain Scarlet]

I dont own a very well balanced gun collection, I only own a few surplus rifles and pistols...

I dont own any revolvers

no shotguns

no hunting rifles

no .22 rimfire rifles or pistols

my main guns that I shoot are an SKS , Soviet M44 and a Ruger PC9

when I first started I use to buy all kinds until they were banned, then I
started getting into the old curio & relic firearms.

[Sunray]

Hi. Collecting and shooting are two very different things. I know a guy who collects but doesn't shoot at all. And I know shooters who don't collect. At least not collector grade firearms. Experience has taught me to do the dream thing ASAP. Build your M1A now. Even if you have to buy the bits one at a time. It sounds like that's what you really want to do. Do it. The cost of doing it will only go up. And if something comes along you like at a price you can afford, grab it. It won't be there tomorrow. I didn't buy the BAR I could have had for too much money and now I can't have FA at all.
Figure out how you're going to pay for the M1A and go. Chances are, if you wait, you'll never have it.

[wardog]

My interest started with defensive handguns, then semi-auto rifles, then bolt rifles, then auto shotguns, then O/U shotguns, so my collection is fairly well balanced. Now I'm back on handguns, so it may get a little heavier there. I want to start collecting some early autos. Broomhandles, Lugers, etc...

[chickenfried]

but also in the back of my head is a new california law that will limit the number of handguns available in California starting in 2006, mandatory chamber indicator and magazine disconnect. So even though I may lust the most for my dream m1a, I might never again have the option to get a colt commander, sig, USP, etc.

[Majic]

Over the years I have pretty much covered the bases. The last few years I have been trading around seeking certain low production or limited model handguns and older sxs shotguns. My rifles will be phase 2 of the re-organizing. I guess you can say I'm refining my little collection. More specimens are on my list, but I watch for affordable specific models now.

[Okiecruffler]

I specialize, until I go off on a tanget. I started with Stevens 311's, got sidetracked on .380 pistols, then followed around Mosins, then rediscovered mausers, and now I'm fascinated by specialty pistols. And then there are all the pieces that don't quite fit, but were too good of a deal to pass up at the time. Oh well, I'm young yet, still have plenty of time.

[CB900F]

Chickenfried;

I don't collect as a collecter. I simply obtain & use the guns I need to accomplish the purpose at hand. Along the way I have managed to own a 'collection' only in the sense that they are mine. However, because I almost never get rid of any firearm, some of them are collecter's items.

I've noticed, from observing friends in the collecting game, that it's not uncommon for the interest in whatever gun to fade & then the collection is either scrapped or severly whittled down to make room & dollars for the new passion. By avoiding the niche mindset, there's room to love 'em all. For me, that's more satisfying because enthusiasms do change. But I don't have to sell all my Monrovian Moisin-K98 type 3 variants to try to buy all the Browning dreillings I can get my hands on. After all, it's easier to buy one perfectly serviceable pre-64 model 94 Winchester .30-30 & use it, than it is to try to own one-of-each. Then if you need a .25-06 for antelope, that's easier to get one of too. There's no angst involved with selling off 'one of the children' to get the .25 bolt gun either.

As for your other problem. Either hope Arnold can make the state do a 180 & bring sanity back into fashion, or move.

900F

[Gewehr98]

I was thinking a balanced gun collection meant putting the heavy gun safes in different rooms of the house, to keep the load evenly distributed on the flooring. ;)

Having one's C&R FFL doesn't help with the proportionality, it leans heavily towards milsurps and vintage pieces.

Living in Kalifornia until 1999 forced me to get as many non-PC guns as I could. Hence my AK/AR/M14NM/BM-59 collection grew much more quickly. Thanks, Diane Feinstein, Bill Lockyer, Barbara Boxer, Dom Perata, and Deborah Ortiz, you gave me the incentive!

[10-Ring]

Balanced? If you mean I could carry them all w/o falling over...maybe! But not in terms of equal amounts of handguns, rifles, shotguns etc....I have mostly handguns, one pump shotgun for home, one semi auto for trap & no long guns :( I've got some catching up to do :D

[4v50 Gary]

BTW, as a young armorer I use to buy guns just to tear them apart, wreck & rebuild. :uhoh: Forgive me Lord for I have sinned....:o

[Sven]

Not to put you into a panic, but start collecting USGI parts for your M1A project NOW. They are becoming scarce and prices are starting to skyrocket.

[TRLaye]

Chickenfried,

As it has been explained to me the new law that takes effect first in 2005 and second in 2006 will not apply to current design firearms. It only applies to newly designed firearms.

As explained to me any firearm already in production and certified as "not unsafe" by kalifornia prior to those dates will still be available for unrestricted(?) sale.

As a result any handgun you can purchase Dec 2004 can still be pruchased after that date if it is still in production.

For those wondering "What the hay?", Kalifornia has passed a law that makes mandatory a loaded chamber indicator OR magazine disconnect on all newly designed handguns effective Jan 2005 and a loaded chamber indicator AND a magazine disconnect on all newly designed handguns effective Jan 2006.

That damm one gun a month is what slows me down. Best buys are private party transfers since they don't count for the one gun a month.

[Bob Locke]

I don't really "collect", per se. I made a list of very common (hence easily obtained) calibers and the various platforms I wanted to be able to fire those from. I ended up with 15 or 16 different combinations and have been working my way down that list for the last several years.

I haven't been buying with the idea of having collector pieces. My mindset is that if I buy it, it's going to be touched off from time to time (though not as often as they should be).

But I believe I have quite a bit of "balance". I've got defensive pistols (Glock 21 & 19), a long-range rifle (Savage 10FP in .308), a couple of shotguns (20 & 12), a couple of medium-range rifles (AR-15 & SKS), and a handful of .22 LR platforms. I could probably stop right now and feel pretty good about what's in the safe, but I really want a couple of revolvers (.357 & .44 magnums) and a semi-auto in 7.62x51, and probably a 6.5 Swede because I really, really like that cartridge.

For my money, I'd rather have three or four very reliable firearms than one or two fully decked out. But that's just me, and everyone's got their own priorities which they should adhere to.

[norman74]

I buy guns to use, not to collect or feel good about. I don't begrudge collectors, but I don't understand the mentality at all. Even those "I shoot my collection" are still just collectors to me.
I buy guns with an eye towards defensive use, and use in defensive type competitions and training, which I find to be fun. I don't like rusty old C&R crap, I don't like hunting rifles, I am not a fan of the benchrest stuff...nothing wrong with that stuff, just not my bag.

I am the gun owner freak, I'm always looking for ways to whittle down my "collection", not make it bigger. I get no thrill out of "ooh looky what I've got" like many do. Been there done that, sold 'em.

If it wasn't for the various bans, and the new one coming up (repealed? yeah, :rolleyes: ), I'd get rid of alot more stuff, but as it is I'm afraid I won't be able to get it again later if I want it. I could get by with my DSA, a Glock 19, a Glock 26, and a Kel Tec P32. A .22 rifle and/or handgun would be nice if I had a place to shoot at cans, but otherwise I don't need 'em.

[Gewehr98]

For example, a goodly chunk of what's in my safes are pre-ban autoloaders. The greatest impetus for my purchasing them was the impending enactment of the September '94 Crime Bill. I bought them sooner than I had planned, if just for the fact that they would someday be either unavailable or unaffordable, and my kids or grandkids wouldn't get to experience that part of firearms history. It also made me feel a lot better knowing that I purchased something that would cause Diane Feinstein, Dom Perata, Barbara Boxer, Bill Lockyer, and Deborah Ortiz much gnashing of teeth. If you don't really need more than one or two guns, why did you mention the same ban and the fact you couldn't get them later? That's a bit of a contradiction on your part, if they really weren't necessary for your minimal collection. :scrutiny:

And yes, every gun in my collection does get taken out and run through some range or hunting time, but so what if they weren't? Would it make you feel better if I whittled down my collection from 120 pieces to just 60? Who are you to look down upon other gun owners, when there's people out there who've made it their life's ambition to deprive us of that right? Hey, that's just spiffy if you get no thrill out of "ooh looky what I've got" like many do. Guess what, nothing illegal about people getting enjoyment from their collections, last I heard. And that "rusty piece of C&R crap" may very well hold some historical significance. I know the 1903A4 I carefully restored back to issue condition from a Bubba-fied deer rifle fits in that category. Several THR members have probably qualified for and purchased a DCM/CMP M1 Garand, because it's what their grandfather slogged through Bastogne or Iwo Jima. Tell them their rifle isn't worth collecting. :rolleyes:

Your post reads vaguely like those anti's who ask why we need more than one gun. It's also very reminiscent of the uppity shotgunners who feel gun bans and gun control laws are just fine, because they'll obviously never affect those who own fine upland shotguns and the high-dollar sporting clays crowd. :(

[Tamara]

Actually, I'm glad I didn't specialize at the outset. Owning a bazillion different types of guns helped ensure that when I did settle down on three or four different kinds, they were the three or four different kinds that were right for me. :)

Now all I have are rusty S&W, 1911, and milsurp rifle pieces of crap, and lots of them, too. ;) :D

Sincerely,
Tam "Looky what I got!" :D

[Checkman]

I go through moods. There was a time that I was into semi-auto handguns, then it was military surplus bolt action rifles now it's S&W .357 magnums. I'll probably buy a couple more wheelguns and then something else will grab my interest. Fortunately it seems that local dealers have puchased some fairly nice six gun collections recently so thequality is pretty good right now. Must be Kismet.

[SteelyDan]

I've pretty much given up on perfecting a balanced collection. For years I've had a mental "checklist" of guns I should buy next, to help balance things out. But the last three or four or five guns I've bought haven't even been in the top 10 of that list. It just seems to be mood driven, good opportunity, good price, alignment of the stars, whatever. Still, I like the concept.

[norman74]

Gewehr98-
Collect what you will. What do you care if I think it's silly or not? I also think stamp collecting, baseball card collecting, beenie baby collecting, and commemorative plate collecting is silly. What difference does it make to you if I like your collection or not? Oh, right, the entire POINT of collections is to impress people, and since I'm not impressed, I've somehow lessened the value of your collection.
As I said before, buy whatever floats your boat, rifles OR beanie babies (you can often buy them at the same shows). I don't understand the need to collect, maybe it's just me.
Your "you're an anti" flame is pathetic. If you're upset at me 'cause I think collecting ANYTHING let alone firearms is silly then say so, but try to stick to the topic. Next thing you know you'll be calling me a nazi :rolleyes:

[W Turner]

When I first started I was interested in semi-auto pistols only.....then went to "tactical" rifles", the I found Nirvana in a list I concocted that includes just about every major category.

However lately I have been increasingly and disturbingly interested in 1911's and big bore snubbies(THANKS TAMARA!!!!!).

The only things not included are O/U shotguns mainly just because I have no interest in them or sports that involve them (i.e. skeet, upland shooting).

Mino

[XavierBreath]

I buy what I think I would like to shoot. I don't go out and buy a slightly different model or caliber of the same gun to "round out my collection." I hang on to particular guns because I still like them enough not to trade them off for something else.

Heck, I don't hunt anymore, so the only guns I really need are a shotgun for home defense and a carry pistol for away from home defense. The need for those is even debatable based on past history. It's more like a percieved need I suppose.

Some people would call me a collector because I have more than I "need" or actually more than they think I need. Know what? I have more than one fork in my house too. I have more than one pair of underwear. My house has more than one room, and I can only be in one room at a time. Does that mean that I collect underwear, forks or rooms? No, because I have a "normal" amount of these things.

When you say a person is a gun collector, by default you are saying that there is a "normal" amount of guns a person should own. That sends a shiver down my 2nd ammendment spine. Some people buy books because they think they would like to read them, then hang on to them in case they want to read it again later. What's wrong with doing the same with guns? Nope, I don't collect guns, I just enjoy them the same as some people enjoy books.

[davera]

I don't suppose I am really "collecting" guns, but my wife points out that I have many interests but my true hobby is ACQUISITION.:)

That said, I do keep a mental list of acquisitions to create my idea of a balanced armory. My definition of a balanced armory is a gun for every purpose and a purpose for every gun.

1. Carry gun - I have a Sig p228 but, a future S&W 642 will fill the sub-niche of lightweight carry.
2. Big handgun - I have a S&W 686 with a 6" barrel but I want an autoloader in this category too, maybe a future Sig P220 in .45, or a CZ-75 in .40 or a 1911 in .45
3. Primary home defense (evil doers in the house) - I'm thinking a Remington 870 in 20 guage with a 20 (or so) inch barrel. I'm also wanting a Marlin 1894 in .357 to address evil doers in the yard or on the block.( I already have a 12 guage Ithaca but the barrel is longish for inside the house HD.)
4. Long range gun - I have a 30.06 Winchester 70
5. Homeland defense - maybe one of those future Bushmaster's in .308
6. Fun and practice I have a Browning Buckmark and a Remington 552, I want a bolt action 22 someday, maybe a CZ? Probably a 22 revolver someday too, like maybe a Ruger single six.

So, I am maybe about halfway to my balanced armory. After that, I won't have to concern myself with "purpose".

[genie]

this little genie also doesn't have a rhyme or reason to any sort of "collection". it appears that my main criteria are guns that made me go "ooooh!". think deedee's voice from dexter's laboratory :D