Am I a 'gun collector'? When did I become one?

critter · May 24, 2011

I can remember 'wanting A gun'-I was VERY young!
Then, I wanted a 'bunch of guns'.
I wanted a gun to fit every hunting need.
I wanted a gun to fit ever shooting situation.
Then I guess I wanted 'all the guns'!
Later, I just wanted guns due to their beauty, engineering, fit & finish, etc.
I got guns that I would never shoot.
I began to get multiple copies of guns of the types I liked.
I started to buy beautiful, old, classic guns.
I began to 'trade up' by getting rid of guns I never shot or really
thought of as 'pretty' or 'desirable' for 'pretty, old, classic' guns.

Did I REALLY (without thinking about it) become a "gun collector"? Ok, ok, I know the answer. When did I cross the line?

BTW, I don't think I ever thought along the lines of guns for investing although it has been at least ok in that department.

Anybody else experience a similar 'catastrophe'?

forindooruseonly · May 24, 2011

Yep. I hear you. It didn't help that my dad is a "collector" too. Funny how "collector" is a dirty word around here...

I think I crossed that line when I sold off all my "black" guns - both long guns and handguns - and realized I didn't miss them a bit.

Ala Dan · May 24, 2011

"Collector"? Nope, "Cumilator" Yes~!

I'm not tied to a particular brand or model ~! :scrutiny:

forindooruseonly · May 24, 2011

I'm more of a accumulator too, assuming a strict definition of collector. But considering the OP's criteria of chasing "old, classic and pretty", I definitely fall into that category!

LibShooter · May 24, 2011

Am I a 'gun collector'? When did I become one?

About here:

Then I guess I wanted 'all the guns'!

RX-178 · May 24, 2011

Amen. I don't know when it happened, but I'm certainly an accumulator now.

effengee · May 24, 2011

I wish I could be a collector

I just don't have the money for it...

If/when I hit the lottery, I'll be a collector.

RX-178 · May 24, 2011

I don't know, I think being a collector is more about mindset than money, effengee.

Although if you go by that definition I became a collector at around age 12...

SSchmidt · May 24, 2011

It's frightening how we've come from "just one gun" to "just one more" to "I have to have another" to "why not, i've got so many already."

jiminhobesound · May 24, 2011

Is a Collector not defined as collecting a Type of gun( over/under,sxs,lever ), or Era(WWII) , or Manufacturer, or Purpose (skeet, long range rifle)?

MachIVshooter · May 24, 2011

I'd say it starts when you begin picking up certain types of firearms that you have no particular use for. Like mil-surps: There's certainly no usefulness justification for having 30 or more rifles that are so similar in size, design and ballistics.

Single Action Six · May 24, 2011

Just Don't Let The Wife Hear You Talk That Way.. (wink)

"For indoor use only" said in part..

forindooruseonly said:
..chasing "old, classic and pretty", I definitely fall into that category!

Now y'all wouldn't be ah-talk'en about yor misses that way now.. would ya..!!..?

Jonah71 · May 24, 2011

Sometimes it's possible to just wake up one morning and realize you're a collector and you didn't even see it comming. It just kinda snuck up on you.

Standing Wolf · May 24, 2011

I admit to being an accumulator. I'm probably going to need a pretty fair-sized wheelbarrow when I die, because I doubt I could carry them all past the pearly gates.

Lex Luthier · May 24, 2011

That is a great question.

I think one becomes a collector of something when they move past the glancing interest and begin to appreciate the uniquely nuanced individual examples that pique their fancy. I have collected musical instruments and equipment, antique and practical tools, books and firearms. My interest of late is assembling a complete D-Day paratrooper uniform. A nominal amount of experience is enough for some people, but when hobby finds you, you're hooked.

We are all just kids in the treehouse.

wally · May 24, 2011

I'd say once you have more than you can carry, you are a collector.

leadcounsel · May 24, 2011

When you buy guns for no particular reason, no immediate need, or duplicates, or "just to have" it then I think you are an accumulator.

When you go looking for specific makes or models (say all Colt Peacemakers or Mosin Nagant variants) then you are a collector.

I'm both

Gordon_Freeman · May 24, 2011

Now that I have kids I'm beginning to pick up duplicate guns (different brands of each) so that my kids will each get one and not have to fight over them.

rogertc1 · May 24, 2011

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7274692#post7274692

nwilliams · May 25, 2011

I own guns because I like to own guns, so I guess that make me a gun collector.

CajunBass · May 25, 2011

I don't know when it started, but I realized I had crossed the line when I started saying, 'No, I'll pass. It doesn't have the box and papers."

RX-178 · May 25, 2011

Wow, I don't think I've ever done that one, CajunBass.

I HAVE made a note to keep an eye out for a 'in box with papers' one later on...

FROGO207 · May 25, 2011

The heck with the guns. I have some and want them all!

The truth is you have to get at least one of each caliber/variation AND the reloading setup for each one to truly qualify for that. BTW I have this sickness, it is curbed by eating/breathing/sleeping firearms related activities.

critter · May 25, 2011

Jonah71: you sure nailed it. It DID sneak up on me as I was completely unaware! Also, it appears that I am in good company here! The addiction has spread worse than MERSA! Sorry guys, I am a carrier.

arflattop · May 26, 2011

I couldn't have said it better, except I haven't culled any of my previous purchases. I realized what a "problem" I had when I began building a new home and all my gun money began going for lights, faucets and cabinets.

Am I a 'gun collector'? When did I become one?

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