WE are going through the same thing except we are doing the opposite. We are going from motorcycles back to shooting. In our younger days I hunted, shot trap, fished then we decided to buy some Harleys. Have rode them for the last 15 years and it just doesn't hold the appeal any more that it once did. Couple of years ago our oldest grandson looked in my gun cabinet and started drooling so I knew what I had to do then. I gave him my old 870 and went and bought me a new Browning over and under and joined the local gun club. Now my wife is getting involved again. We attended a Cowboy Action shoot a couple of weeks ago and on the way home she said sell the Harleys I want to do that. Anyone want to buy a couple of Harleys?
Interest in guns fading.
- Thread starter Carl Levitian
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Sgt.Murtaugh
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WOW, getting old must suck!
Oh well, sounds like you have a pretty ideal life, OP. Shooting or not, sounds like you are enjoying yourself and that's all that really matters. To develop new interests and hobbies is part of being a complete person.
Oh well, sounds like you have a pretty ideal life, OP. Shooting or not, sounds like you are enjoying yourself and that's all that really matters. To develop new interests and hobbies is part of being a complete person.
Carl Levitian
member
"If I got one, I hear Henry Rifles are supposed to be real nice!"
Save your money and buy a Marlin 39 made before the hammer safety.
I bought one when I was 20 years old, still have it,( I'm never getting rid of my rim fires!!) and it's still good to go. I don't and can't begin to guess how many thousands upon thousands of rounds have been down the tube, but my kids and grandkids have learned to shoot on that rifle. That's three generations have shot the heck out of it. When my eyes started to get a little hincky in my middle age, I put Williams receiver sights on it so I didn't have to worry about the rear sight picture, and it gave me a new lease on life without going to a scope.
A Henry will probably last the rest of your life, but a Marlin will be handed down to your grandson to go shoot.
Carl.
Save your money and buy a Marlin 39 made before the hammer safety.
I bought one when I was 20 years old, still have it,( I'm never getting rid of my rim fires!!) and it's still good to go. I don't and can't begin to guess how many thousands upon thousands of rounds have been down the tube, but my kids and grandkids have learned to shoot on that rifle. That's three generations have shot the heck out of it. When my eyes started to get a little hincky in my middle age, I put Williams receiver sights on it so I didn't have to worry about the rear sight picture, and it gave me a new lease on life without going to a scope.
A Henry will probably last the rest of your life, but a Marlin will be handed down to your grandson to go shoot.
Carl.
RichBMW
Member
Carl,
Losing your interest is shooting is not a big deal. The important consideration is that you still enjoy doing things together. Staying interested in an activity is one thing. It's apparent that your interest in each other is still strong and that's what matters most.
Losing your interest is shooting is not a big deal. The important consideration is that you still enjoy doing things together. Staying interested in an activity is one thing. It's apparent that your interest in each other is still strong and that's what matters most.
Erik M
Member
Im no where near retirement but my fancy has turned towards things other than guns before. The scream of a small block Chevy on the 1/4 mile still will forever be one of my favorite experiences. Just keep your guns clean and well oiled in a secure place and they will be waiting for you when you come back.
ForumSurfer
Member
That is my main reason for pawn shop surfing.
No!!!! You're missing an excellent opportunity! Harleys and rifles belong together....just work on your lever swinging technique like john wayne did on horseback.
Jim NE
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I was so big on collecting musical instruments about 25 years ago that I eventually started a music store. I closed up over three years ago, and I have NO interest in buying instruments. And not all that much interest in music in general. I used to bring 2 or 3 instruments home from the store every night for no reason other than I liked having them near me. Now I have a small collection in an upstairs room that I rarely go in to.
About 10 years ago my hobby interests started veering towards antique vehicles. First old bikes...but I sold all of them and never looked back. Then cars. I'd like to sell a couple of those now, too, and keep one or two others.
Buying things and spending money starts to become the main activity, replacing the originally intended activity. (Playing/riding/driving) I don't think that's such a good thing.
Now in the last year I've become reinterested in guns, too. I've purchased several, but can honestly say I want no more.
12131
Member
My sentiment, as well.
I go back and forth from guns as tools of freedom, to fun toys, to interesting gadgets. As time goes by you change tastes, it's just part of life. Enjoy what you enjoy. If shooting comes back up fine, if not, and you feel safe with what you have then more power to you.
But, I bet that when your grandkids come to you with an interest you'll find yours rekindled
But, I bet that when your grandkids come to you with an interest you'll find yours rekindled
NMPOPS
Member
I understand completely. Since retirement fro LE where I was a firearms instructor, I now shoot a lot less have sold off all but one auto but kept my revolvers and a few rifles. I find I have other stuff I want to do that just doesn't involve guns. I am looking forward to teaching my grandkids to shoot when their moms will let them go to the range.
Sent from my Ally
Sent from my Ally
jiminhobesound
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Getting old means you lose health, strength, friends and hobbies. Because of my profession over the last tweny years i have had to move every one to three years. Because of the moves I have not established shooting buddies and shooting ranges are far away. Money is also an issue. I no longer shoot my long guns because I have to travel far and the recoil is no longer fun. So I occasionally practice with my pistols to keep my skills. However, that is now frivolous money.
Smokey in PHX
Member
I'm almost retired and my interest in guns has never waned. I have way more than I need and still look at new ones. I very much enjoy all types of shooting but am still very busy with work.
The best thing in life is to do what makes you happy. It keeps you healthier.
The best thing in life is to do what makes you happy. It keeps you healthier.
Jim Watson
Member
I am kind of a monomaniac. I have been shooting one thing or another for 50+ years and the interest is still there. There are a lot of different events and if one pales there is always another way to smell the smoke.
I say "events." I am a competitive shooter and I do the stuff where you keep score. If I had not been rescued by a trapshooter within a couple of years of graduating college and getting a full time job to pay for guns and ammo, I would probably have long since lost interest in plinking and be playing golf.
I say "events." I am a competitive shooter and I do the stuff where you keep score. If I had not been rescued by a trapshooter within a couple of years of graduating college and getting a full time job to pay for guns and ammo, I would probably have long since lost interest in plinking and be playing golf.
22-rimfire
Member
Changing interests is normal as far as I'm concerned. I went for 10 years and didn't hardly pick up a firearm. No big thing. What got me back was (1) hunting with a handgun, (2) a renewed interest in punching paper with 22 rifles and with handguns to a lesser degree. I honestly prefer to just plink with 22 handguns.
Life is too short. Do what you like. When you get into your 50's, you begin to start believing life is way too short and there is so much to learn and do. My latest fling has been kayaks. I love canoes, but I honestly perfer my own boat rather than paddling with someone else unless they are also in a kayak.
A some point, I will purge the safe down to guns I use and then purge a few more. I figure it is normal unless you want to die with a pile of firearms most of which you don't shoot or perhaps even look at anymore. I have guns I haven't even handled in 5 years and you know what, it doesn't bother me a bit. I don't even precisely remember what I own unless I look at a list. I could come close if I thought about it a bit.
Life is too short. Do what you like. When you get into your 50's, you begin to start believing life is way too short and there is so much to learn and do. My latest fling has been kayaks. I love canoes, but I honestly perfer my own boat rather than paddling with someone else unless they are also in a kayak.
A some point, I will purge the safe down to guns I use and then purge a few more. I figure it is normal unless you want to die with a pile of firearms most of which you don't shoot or perhaps even look at anymore. I have guns I haven't even handled in 5 years and you know what, it doesn't bother me a bit. I don't even precisely remember what I own unless I look at a list. I could come close if I thought about it a bit.
oneounceload
member
Carl, sounds lie you need to take up a different shooting game - like sporting clays........got my wife started on it (she's wasn't a big shooter, she could have cared less), but now she looks forward to going
might want to investigate something like that
might want to investigate something like that
ZeroJunk
Member
You get tired of most everything if you do it long enough except for sex, and I'm not too sure about that.
HOWARD J
Member
Retired 12 years--I still do a lot of handgun & 22 shooting because I can do it at the local gun shop range.
the rifle range is a 140 mile round trip--the price of gas will slow down my trips to the range.
I have never lost interest in hunting, shooting & reloading.
Old age is closing in on my legs--this will shortly destroy my hunting trips--bummer.
the rifle range is a 140 mile round trip--the price of gas will slow down my trips to the range.
I have never lost interest in hunting, shooting & reloading.
Old age is closing in on my legs--this will shortly destroy my hunting trips--bummer.
LibShooter
Member
Maybe, but it sure beats NOT getting old.
mljdeckard
Member
Life changes.
I have just been completely blindsided by a divorce, and it has made me reevaluate everything from the ground up. For a little while, I wasn't interested in guns food, sleep, or even oxygen very much. But on the advice of friends, I am wrapping myself up in an activity and going through the process of becoming certified as an instructor and setting up a small business. I think that as the fog clears, I will still pretty much be facing the same direction.
We are allowed to have other interests. Let's be honest, we all SHOULD have other interests. My dad ties fishing flies, I was always wanting to take the .22 and go shoot something. There is no set formula that says guns have to be your top priority in life.
I have just been completely blindsided by a divorce, and it has made me reevaluate everything from the ground up. For a little while, I wasn't interested in guns food, sleep, or even oxygen very much. But on the advice of friends, I am wrapping myself up in an activity and going through the process of becoming certified as an instructor and setting up a small business. I think that as the fog clears, I will still pretty much be facing the same direction.
We are allowed to have other interests. Let's be honest, we all SHOULD have other interests. My dad ties fishing flies, I was always wanting to take the .22 and go shoot something. There is no set formula that says guns have to be your top priority in life.
I've been a gun owner since I was 12, but my interest...while always there to a degree...comes and goes. I was really into it as a kid, but through high school and college didn't hardly pick up a rifle or shotgun unless I was going hunting, and didn't own any handguns. However, as I grew older and realized I could maybe finally afford some of the toys I've always wanted, I got more into shooting and obtaining firearms and ammuniiton to feed them. Where 10 years ago, i might have 500 rounds of .22 LR on hand and maybe a box of ammo for my 7mm Mag, now I keep over a thousand rounds of every caliber I own...oddly, with the EXCEPTION of the 7mm LOL. I carry frequently, and almost always have a rifle tucked away in the vehicle somewhere. I still don't shoot anywhere nearly as often as I'd like to, or nearly as often as i did as a child. Living in an urban environment, having amy own personal plinking range in the backyard...and a prairie dog town 400 yards distant.....is what I miss most about growing up in the country. Mom and dad ewre used to and tolerant of mag dumps in the back yard....not so sure my eldery neighbors in a town of 13000 would feel the same way
Heck flyfishing is my main hobby. Actually hobby doesn't do it justice, flyfishing feeds my soul.
Shooting is enjoyable too, but its not flyfishing......
I don't think where shooting comes in on the list really matters at all. You sometimes enjoy doing some shooting and others times doing other things.
Isn't that whats called well rounded?
Shooting is enjoyable too, but its not flyfishing......
I don't think where shooting comes in on the list really matters at all. You sometimes enjoy doing some shooting and others times doing other things.
Isn't that whats called well rounded?
FROGO207
Member
Yeah I know what you mean. Sometimes after shooting 200 rounds or so of 44 MAG in an afternoon I tend to stop shooting for awhile. I go and load up the empty brass again for needed therapy. Then by the next weekend I am ready to go do it again. I have been called a "gun nut" by several of my friends and family but I don't own the Boats/vacation homes they do and have to maintain them either
. I figure I work 2 days a week so I can shoot/reload all I want and would not have it any other way. To each his own as they say.
I have been called a "gun nut" by several of my friends and family but I don't own the Boats/vacation homes they do and have to maintain them either. I figure I work 2 days a week so I can shoot/reload all I want and would not have it any other way. To each his own as they say.pockets
Member
Yep........and guitars, cars, live-steam r/c boats, slot cars, and all the other stuff I do to relax. It's just 'stuff'.
I've been a firearms enthusiast for many decades (own several dozen hand guns and long guns).....but there is so much more to life.
.
Carl Levitian
member
[ Quote Diggers; Heck flyfishing is my main hobby. Actually hobby doesn't do it justice, flyfishing feeds my soul.
Shooting is enjoyable too, but its not flyfishing......"]
I know what you mean. I love fishing, fly fishing in particular, and it lets me do two hobbies at the same time. My fishing, and using one of the fleet of 5 canoes we have. Everything from an antique hand made ceder strip canoe to a modern Wenonah kevlar composite 16 foot canoe that weight only 39 pounds. While I fish, Karen likes to set up a spotting scope and watch wildlife. We used to bring along a .22 in the old days, to plink in the woods if fishing and wildlife watching was slow. But the way Maryland is now, we'd have a swat team down on us by the time we fired our third round. So these days we just bring along an airgun of some sort, and plink in the woods with nobody being the wiser. We still like shooting, but it's gotten so d--, regulated, it's not as much fun as it used to be.
Carl.
Shooting is enjoyable too, but its not flyfishing......"]
I know what you mean. I love fishing, fly fishing in particular, and it lets me do two hobbies at the same time. My fishing, and using one of the fleet of 5 canoes we have. Everything from an antique hand made ceder strip canoe to a modern Wenonah kevlar composite 16 foot canoe that weight only 39 pounds. While I fish, Karen likes to set up a spotting scope and watch wildlife. We used to bring along a .22 in the old days, to plink in the woods if fishing and wildlife watching was slow. But the way Maryland is now, we'd have a swat team down on us by the time we fired our third round. So these days we just bring along an airgun of some sort, and plink in the woods with nobody being the wiser. We still like shooting, but it's gotten so d--, regulated, it's not as much fun as it used to be.
Carl.
This doesn't just affect you so-called 'old folks', I'm 27 and I've already been through this. Growing up, I was always hunting/fishing/trapping/shooting. During college I was playing my bass guitar constantly, was even in a band for a year or so. Towards the end of college I got into motorcycles - riding, wrenching, and even built an XS650 chopper. After a few years of that my focus turned to camping, backpacking, and exploring the great outdoors. Just this last fall/winter, I rediscovered the joys of shooting.
I still have my bass guitar, but haven't really played it years. I also kept one motorcycle, but now its more of a means of cheap transportation than a hobby. I still go camping quite regularly because the girlfriend likes doing that, but now I'm pretty much focused on shooting. I imagine that after a year or two of this, I might swing back into one of the old hobbies, or I might pick up a completely new one. I don't worry about my changing habits, I just embrace it because variety is the spice of life.
I still have my bass guitar, but haven't really played it years. I also kept one motorcycle, but now its more of a means of cheap transportation than a hobby. I still go camping quite regularly because the girlfriend likes doing that, but now I'm pretty much focused on shooting. I imagine that after a year or two of this, I might swing back into one of the old hobbies, or I might pick up a completely new one. I don't worry about my changing habits, I just embrace it because variety is the spice of life.
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