How's Your HANDGUN Collection?

So the numbers in the poll aren't supposed to be our count, right? Just "on a scale of 0-10, how satisfied are you with your long distance service?" right? Because 9-10 surely doesn't go high enough to count the "collection" of many of us on here.

I'm pretty well happy with mine - but I always want more. I'm working on more and more custom builds, but there are those exciting models from different manufacturers which tickle me enough to draw away silly amounts of disposable - or not so disposable - income.

My number one hit list revolvers right now are a 429GNR Super Redhawk, which I'll have Gary do, a Bowen SP101 styled Super Redhawk 475Linebaugh, and a Reeder GP100 convertible swap cylinder in 256win mag and 25 banshee.

What's taking my money right now is a DIY conversion for a 480Ruger SBH, transplanted into a large frame Vaquero. Just cuz...

I'll never be "done" collecting, accumulating, building, rebuilding, or paying to rebuild revolvers...

I have about everything I want and then some.

Lets see....Luger, check
6" 686, check
6" Model 28, check
Victory model, check
Astra A600, check
Remington 51, check
Hi Power, check
CMP 1911, waiting.......
1907 Savage, working.....
.357 Redhawk, looking.....
9mm Broomhandle under a grand, might have a lead.....

My collection goals keeps evolving.

My original goal was to get examples of the common barrel length revolvers in blued, Model numbered, S&W K frames with adjustable sights. I'm mostly there except for a 8-3/8" Model 14 and some Model 16s. The latter will probably break the bank if I ever find even one "16 no dash" to a 16-3. I do have a 6" Model 16-4 but there are also 4" and 8-3/8" versions of the 16-4 to be had.

Trouble is, in my K frame search, I keep stumbling into some interesting other revolvers like a 3" Model 624, a square butt Model 60 in 38 Special or an adjustable sight 38 Special Model 60. This slows down the funds availability for the K frame searches.

I recently saw an S&W Model 544 (44-40 Texas commemorative) that I ultimately passed on with much difficulty. I want to shoot all my guns and decided a commemorative edition would be more suitably left to a series collector.

Couldn't vote on this one. I don't have a collection. I have an accumulation. Not even the remotest "theme" to it.

When I was younger I bought things with a purpose, bird gun, deer gun, varmit gun. But today I'm strictly an impulse buyer. I see something, I want it, I buy it. The big winner in this, eventually, will be my boys. But until then I'm just going to enjoy myself.

I voted 9-10. I own 6 hand guns. Its more than I want or need.

I've been working on my handgun collection for the past 65 yrs. I have 85/90% of what I want. Will be extremely lucky to get any of the rest because of their rarity and cost!
But I got what I got and they are a pleasure to look at - and show to the lucky few who get to see them!
Sarge

I weeded my "collection" recently-- gave away five, and traded ten at a local shop for three. Got rid of all .32ACP, .380, 9mmMak, 7.62x38R, and 7.62x25, so that I could focus on the remaining .38, .357, and .45ACP. (There's one 9mm, but it's my infrequent pocket carry, so it doesn't see a lot of action and I don't reload for it.) Things had gotten a little crowded. I no longer have handguns just to have them. All that remains is stuff I actually have a use for, whether carry, home defense, or competition. I have a sense of relief about it, and there's nothing I really want in a serious way. The only time I get a case of handgun lust is when Driftwood Johnson posts photos of his old revolvers, but it's mild and I've managed to resist.

I went with "9-10"; very content with what I have but there's always room in the safes for something that catches my eye!

I don't consider myself a gun collector. I have guns I think will serve certain purposes. I'm also fairly new to guns. So I started with a basic 870 pump. I figured that was the "best" all around gun if you were going to have only one. But as we know shotguns aren't great for carrying all the time.

So my handgun purchases started when I saw a PF9 at a gun show. It was tiny and it was a 9mm. After doing some research on it, I got one. I've been very pleased with it and it's a great carry gun for me. Knowing it wasn't a range gun and to shoot more, I got an SD9VE on the recommendation of my brother. At the time I also looked at the M&P (and other brands) but didn't see the reason to spend more. So I got the SD. It shoots well and it's reliable. But it's clearly a cheap gun. Fit and finish is acceptable but nothing to write home about.

After several years of carrying the PF9 I decided that if I could carry a 45 with the same number of rounds it would be a better choice so I got an XDs45. Fit and finish is amazing. The gun shoots great and I love it. But I hate carrying it due to the size and weight. Go figure.

Now that I shoot more I really want an M&P 2.0. I've looked at them since they came at unlike the original M&P that didn't do anything for me I really like the 2.0. So the plan is once I finish my 3 gun rifle build, a 2.0 is at the top of my wish list.

Beyond this, I'm also looking at semi auto shotguns, but that's down the road. I don't see much need for another pistol and I enjoy ARs and reloading more than collecting pistols.

So I guess an M&P will be next then more mags and range time.

I voted superb but really satisfied is more accurate.

I have quite a few and am greatly satisfied. I don't shoot some of them very often, but when I want them they are there! Reloading of course factors into the equation in a big way.

I turned 50 in August, and my goal was a Coonan classic .357 auto... these run $1,600 ish with tax, etc. So naturally I had a boat repair issue, the Toyota and a travel trailer need new shoes from the tire store, the spouse signed us up for a trip next summer we are paying on now... and a Redhawk .41 called out to me for $375.00 so I needed to buy the cases, bullets, dies, etc.

The Coonan is still out there somewhere... as is a long slide 10mm...that I will need cases, and bullets, and dies for.

I have the bases covered, so I'm not complaining.
I'm set for HD, CC and hunting applications.

Of course there are more I would like to have, and I will add as I'm able. But I could survive with what I have now if need be.

My "collection" likely would not impress others; I like shooters, not safe queens.

But I find that I'm nearing "saturation". I scan auctions and gun shop displays still, but nothing I see is a must-have. There are a few oddballs out there I'd like to own, but I find I'm selling more than buying now.

I'm at 5-6 - Very Good. All my needs are covered, and a lot of my wants. But there's still more I'd like to own, like a High Power and Beretta 92 to sit next to my 75b. A shooter grade Luger would be fun to have. I'd LOVE to have S&W 617 one day. Maybe a single action in .357 or .44 mag to play with as well. And a S&W 3rd gen in 9mm. Something in .22 with a threaded barrel would be cool. And I really like those FNX .45's as well. But the list keeps growing.....

I stopped collecting and sold most all of them off nearly a decade ago . I kept a couple for HD, hunting and targets and saw a substantial improvement in my shooting now that my time is not spread out over eight different calibers and a dozen type designs.
I have recently succumbed the the Siren's call of cap and ball though.
We'll see.

It was Jeepnik i believe, who said "I'm not a collector, I'm an accumulator." I've said that for many years.

Over the years I've owned many handguns, considering myself a handgunner since 1954 when I bought my first handgun. Over the years I've gone through many phases of handgunning, double action revolvers, autoloaders, and Single Actions. I've been into paper punching competition, hunting and just shooting in general. Over the years I've narrowed my interest down to the Single Action revolver and now that is the main object of my interest. My accumulation is slowly weeding out others down to exclusively Single Actions. And I'm most happy with those.


Bob Wright

O.K. Next gun I'd like to get:

This, in .44 Special:



This, in .357 Magnum:



This, in .44 Special:



A few more of theses:



And one of these, unmodified:




These the only ones that come to mind right now.



Bob Wright


P.S. On, yes, this is one I'd like to add, though not really panted after:



It is an Interarms Virginian, made by Hammerli of Switzerland. Prefer in .45 Colt caliber. Not really a great gun to have but interesting as a shooter. Just to say I had owned one.

The Virginian (not the Virginian Dragoon) was a very close copy of the Colt Single Action Army. Also introduced the "Swiss Safe" type of safety.

cc-hangfire said:

My "collection" likely would not impress others; I like shooters, not safe queens.

But I find that I'm nearing "saturation". I scan auctions and gun shop displays still, but nothing I see is a must-have. There are a few oddballs out there I'd like to own.

Click to expand...

Nailed it. Still seeking the occasional Unicorn, but guns bain bery bery good to me...

I started seven years ago on my gun collection.I was only going to buy twenty handguns.Well twenty has come and gone plus over twenty more and counting. I also have four shotguns and one rifle.

I never really thought of it as a 'collection' as such; it's all guns I enjoy (and do) shoot. But I do have at least one gun just because it's neat-o and I don't shoot it more than once a year, so maybe that makes me a collector. I have some collectable guns, but they are shooters first and foremost. Since I just stumbled across an insanely good deal on one of my 'Grail-guns' I'm doing pretty well. I mean seriously, a 1949-vintage Detective Special in excellent condition for $300?! How could I be other than pleased?

When I started out I had a pretty clear goal. I wanted just enough guns to cover my bases and no more:

Medium frame 357 mag
Small frame 38 special
Reliable 22 rifle
M1A scout
12 gauge pump
Reloading gear for all of the above except the 22

Currently I have a couple extra guns laying around so I'm at 140% of my goal. I need to sell off a couple to get down to the proper level.