Simply utilitarian, or a theme or direction to your gun buying?

About half my guns have sentimental value. The others were bought because someone bought something they couldn't afford so they were dumping a gun.

Old Dog said:

I have several "themes" to my collection.
I have a hunting rifle theme.
A hunting shotgun theme.
Defensive shotgun theme.
Modern sporting rifle theme.
Classic revolver theme.
Duty handgun theme (all the handguns I've carried during military/law enforcement careers).
Plinking rifle theme.
Actually got rid of all the mil-surps I'd picked up when I wanted to begin a mil-surp rifle theme; regrettably, prices on those types skyrocketed, so I'm not gonna go back there.

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I'm with Old Dog on this one. There is no single "theme" to my collection.
I buy from these groups:
-Carry Pistols
-Long-Range scoped rifles
-Milsurps
-Range guns
-.22 Plinkers
-ARs

I have bought too many plastic pistols to fill the carry pistol group. They hold no sentimental value and probably never get to the point of being worth more than I paid. So I will probably sell them all off except a single stack (.45 Shield), a pocket gun (LCP), a revolver (Taurus 85UL), and a double-stack (currently a Taurus PT111, but will probably upgrade to a M&P Compact 9 if they upgrade the trigger.)

I want to get one good long range scoped rifle. More than one is crazy because load development is challenging enough for one rifle.

Milsurps are fun to shoot, look great, and other people love shooting them. All have appreciated in value, and I will probably keep them until I retire or until my eyes go to the point of not being able to use iron sights well. I have no guilt buying them because so far, every one is worth more the longer I hold onto it. I know I could make more investing money other ways, but I can't take gold out to the range and run rounds through it.

Range guns are 1911's of all sizes, revolvers, and a couple double-stack 9s.

22's are fun, and I can take kids out to the range and get them into the hobby without a lot of cost or time. I don't let kids shoot my reloads, and I don't buy much centerfire ammo so this is a good fit. I have revolvers, bolt rifles, semiautos, and a Mark II Ruger that hits every time.

I like building AR's. I can't help it. PSA puts lowers on sale, I get them to hold onto for later, and they turn into rifles. I try not to have any two alike, so I have 5.56, .308, 7.62x39, .22LR and 9mm examples. When PSA drops the price of their .45 ACP parts, that one will happen also.

I usually have a running list of what I want to buy, and when a good price comes up on one, I get it. Especially with Milsurps, you need to keep an eye open for deals. I don't have more than one of any specific model of gun except for 1911 Fullsize (I had to build at least one from the frame up), M1 Carbine (one is Milsurp, one is commercial), 10-22s (one is my wife's), and of course ARs....because they breed in the safe. I don't even like them that much...they are just so darn useful, flexible, and fun to build.

I have more of an accumulation but it varies from muzzle loader rifles and pistols, both flint and caplock, cap and ball revolvers, and on into various rifles, pistols and shotguns. If there was a "theme" it was buy it to shoot it...
These days I am resisting the accumulation of more guns though, too much day to day stuff that requires my time and/or money.

If it shoots bullets or shells.. Im in.

My themes have changed over the years. When I was younger and lived with my parents on their farm I could shoot rifles in the bottom field so I had some more rifles, and I regularly shot clays with my buddies and hunted all the time so I was always wanting another shotgun. When I bought a place of my own I was limited to a 40 yard range at my house so .22’s became my theme. Then when I got married and kids came into the picture, home protection became a brief “theme” so I wanted to have full sized handguns my wife was comfortable shooting locked up near the main rooms of the house. Now all my basic firearm “needs” have been met so I’m kind of on a classic 9mm kick. I’ve got a CZ 75, and am working towards a Hi Power this fall and then a Beretta 92. I might even get a SIG 226 and would love to find an authentic, but shootable, Luger.

I'm 2 years into a 4 year waiting list for a range that's 2 miles from my house, so it's very possible my "theme" will change back to rifles at that point. I miss shooting them, but my limited range and the fact that it's just a tad too crowded to safety shoot them at my house has kept me from them.

I don't buy things just to buy things. If I have a need I fill it. They are all just tools to me. I've said this before but my hobby is not guns, its shooting guns. I just can't imagine buying a gun and never shooting it. Seems like gluttony to me.

I liken it to females and their purses. A firearm for every occasion. Mouse-gun for shorts, couple different IWB options, full frame for the range, revolvers 'cause...revolver'; lever, bolt, pump. Yes, yes, yes. Variety is the spice of life. And guns are cool. (reloading makes it possible to shoot them all)

I like to buy guns that combine history with function.
Old Smith and Wesson revolvers
Reproduction old west revolvers
I am hoping to add an M1 Garand to the collection soon
Lever guns

That said, I also enjoy "utility" oriented guns:
Handguns are all Sigs (may guy a glock 21 here soon)
Utility rifles are AR's
Utility Shotun is FN SLP

I like to play with the old guns in modern environments to see how they stack up.
I have run a Reproduction SAA in a USPSA style match 3 times now and have had a blast doing it.

My next big experiment will hopefully be an M1 Garand, a 1911, and (if I can get my hands on one) a Winchester 1897 at a 3 gun match.

I have my utilitarian guns, which are exclusively for CC or HD. I also have quite a few others that serve no purpose other than I like to shoot a variety of guns. Those range from revolvers, semi automatic handguns to bolt action and sniper rifles. My range trips usually start with a goal in mind, such as staying sharp with my CC guns or testing SD ammo and end with us shooting guns that are just fun to shoot.

I'd say mine is more like whims than themes. Gifts collected tools. I do have certain models I'd like to have just like yours. I do miss a few I've had and will wind up replacing them.

Anyone here ever seen the ATF's gun collection? That's my ultimate goal.

So many guns so little time...

Utilitarian for me. .308 for deer, 12 gauge, .22 rimfires, .223 for varmints and social work. .45ACP carry guns. I have more than one of each caliber, but I've boiled it down to these basics. If I suddenly find myself wealthy, I'll probably branch out. A lot. But my current wants and needs are driven by use, not collecting.

Like cars, I'm sort of drawn to the derelicts that somebody is getting rid of because they are tired of trying to get it to run right. If I like it, it feels good, has potential and the price is right, I'll probably get it, for better or worse.

Boy, if I ever get a hold of those inebriated orangutans at century.....I need to pay them back for the blood, sweat and tears. Just kidding....with the exception of a cetme I'm still messin with, and an L1A1 that gave me some grief, I've had decent success with them.
But it's fun to gripe

I go for wood and blued. Stainless sometimes. Synthetic sometimes too. I prefer revolvers. Autoladers sometimes too. I like a nice old pump 12. A nice auto 12 too sometimes. Hmm guess I like all sorts. In general, I go after something aestheticly pleasing to my eye that will hold or increase in value down the line. And never have, nor ever will own a "safe queen". All mine are shot.

My tastes are eclectic, but the trend is towards older guns, primarily revolvers but I like autos too. I'm made trips to the range where the newest gun with me was a century old. Sometimes a gun catches my eye because it is unusual or historic, but sometimes I'm looking for a gun as a canvas to work my will on; something old and neglected that I can either bring back to life or make something interesting out of. Also a fan of antique doubles; even the cheap ones often have a certain elegance about them that modern guns only match when you get into four figures.

All of my guns are bought as shooters, and once they are brought back to function I do shoot them. Reloading has helped with this since many of my guns are in obsolete calibers like .38 S&W and .32 S&W. Lately I've been hankering for something in .32-20, and I'm on the look-out for an old colt double-action to 'Fitz,' just because it's cool. I've seen a number of old Colt DA revolvers at quite decent prices lately, but they've all been too good to mess with. My guy at the local LGS actually gets it when I turn down a gun as 'too nice!'

Currently I'm theoretically on a break from gun-buying; there's a special occasion coming up shortly and I want to get something special. Not sure what, but it will probably be old...

It was random milsurps when the bug bit in '07 (at age 52).
Now it has condensed into a few remaining Enfields, two SKS and five AKs. Handguns: WW2 Mauser Hsc, Sauer 38H, four Makarovs (.380 Rus., Bulgy, two EG).

Reliable, simple, durable and exotic.
But they Must have character. That's why my only AR, the very reliable S&W Sport II 'M4' was traded for an 'actual' Hungarian AK (AMD-65 by TGI: original matching receiver/barrel). Thank you Armslist TN (!) for ten gun deals, FTF.

Utilitarian for me, but I'm that way with most of what I buy... I'm more of a shooter than a collector. I buy guns that I want to shoot, or that will allow me to do some type of shooting better than another gun that I already have. My primary interest is in longer range shooting these days (800-1,500 yards), so a lot of what I buy is related to that interest.

I like the idea of familiarity but it doesn't work out in practicality. I prefer DA style guns for carry but I only own 2 semis and both are SAO. Same with hunting rifles... I prefer a CRF but a lever or semi comes along occasionally. Yet I can get the job done equally well given the job whether it is a mauser for 250 yard deer or 50 foot hogs. Basically shoot the heck out of your guns and it isn't an issue.

I am a believer that a man should only own 1 model/fit of shotgun as it is far more instinctive. I have owned many shotguns but only come back to 1 for bird shooting (kind of the same thing for the bowhunters out there). If you shoot 1100s well, an early sXs will treat you poorly on the field.

That being said, I like steel and wood and I like historical designs. Yet polymer is severely more practical. So an AR comes along when the sleet falls and coyotes need shooting.

HB

I like old things....I do have a few modern rifles, a new CZ527 in 223 is great fun, but main interest is old stuff.....I like cutting edge old things....stuff that came first, stuff that was first....unique, different....this also means you learn to reload.

My latest hunts are for a Savage 99, leaning to 22HP, but a 30-30 would work....and a Remington Model 8 in 25. Odd stuff....cool stuff.

The plastic fantastic garbag....ahhh stuff....is of zero interest to me....but a fn five seven is interesting....again an odd duck....but that is about it....wonder if they will ever make one out of something a gun should be made of....you know metal.

fpgt72 said:

I like old things....I do have a few modern rifles, a new CZ527 in 223 is great fun, but main interest is old stuff.....I like cutting edge old things....stuff that came first, stuff that was first....unique, different....this also means you learn to reload.

My latest hunts are for a Savage 99, leaning to 22HP, but a 30-30 would work....and a Remington Model 8 in 25. Odd stuff....cool stuff.

The plastic fantastic garbag....ahhh stuff....is of zero interest to me....but a fn five seven is interesting....again an odd duck....but that is about it....wonder if they will ever make one out of something a gun should be made of....you know metal.

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I have a 5.7 I've been trying to get rid of.

HB said:

I am a believer that a man should only own 1 model/fit of shotgun as it is far more instinctive.

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I'll vouch for that! My folks gave me an 1100 for my 16th birthday. I still have it (I'm 69 now) but 10 or 12 years ago I decided I just had to have the "American icon of shotguns" - an 870. Come Sharptail grouse season that year, a friend and I went hunting. A covey of 6 or 8 Sharps got up right in front of me. I dropped one of them, and swung on another. You guessed it - no matter how hard I squeezed the trigger on that new 870, it wouldn't go off!
I sold it shortly thereafter. I didn't go back to my 1100 because I have an old Browning Auto-Five "Light 12" that I like better. But I learned my lesson - if you've been shooting a semi-auto shotgun for close to a half century, it's not that easy to switch to a pump.

Since I just just started "acquiring" about a year and a half ago my main interest at the moment is just getting one example of many different types. Not really for usable reasons but just to have. Once I have one of each example I may buy more than one of each example, only time will tell (but probably so).

There's also a boatload of inheritance guns, many of which I have little to no familiarity with, that I will acquire at some point in the near future, although I'm not really anxious for that to come soon.

I bought a bunch of pistols trying to beat the shot timer. Went through 1911's, Kahr's, DA/SA clunkers, before I found that Glocks give me by far the best chance of survival during a simulated CCW event. Tough pill for a 1911 guy to swallow.

So I follow a mostly utilitarian concept of CCW and competition pistols.