I figured I would stray off from my typical picture posts and talk about my journey into the the handgun addiction! More specifically, the 1911 addiction as that what most of my collection consists of these days!
It was fast and to the point, while being long and drawn out. Here is what I mean.
I didn’t get into shooting or forearms until my early 30’s. Up until then I saw no use for a gun... shoot, I hadn’t even held a gun let a lone shot one (and my dad is a huge shotgun and smith revo collector). I was honestly to busy playing sports and chasing girls to pay an attention to “guns”.
One day I went to visit my uncle who is a retired Chicago cop and he had a pistol sitting out on his end table. I saw it and started sweating (lol). I literally had no idea how firearms worked, how to tell if they were safe, or even a basic understanding of them. I looked at him like he was nuts for just having that “thing” sitting out on the table. We got into a long discussion about firearms, safety, calibers, shooting, and the second 2A. I left there feeling odd... a few days later I went back and we chatted some more. I asked him what his best firearm was... he pulled out a Kimber Eclipse Target in 9mm! He talked about the gun like it was one of his kids. He asked if I would like to shoot it into his home range in his basement. I was nervous, and although we spoke in depth about safety, stance, grip, and sight alignment I worried I would shoot a damn hole in the wall... ultimately I said yes and the firearm addiction started!
So the easy answer for me, the quick answer to the question of what started my addiction is that Kimber. Two days after I shot it I applied for my FOID (a license needed to own a gun in IL) and ordered a Kimber Team Match II in 9mm. I became the guy who had to have every Kimber model made (that’s just my personality). I was literally the Kimber fanboy that most people hate!!
That was back 2011...
In that one year, I literally switched all interest into learning to shoot and "collecting"! I had acquired nearly 25 Kimbers in a year. I "thought" I knew a lot about 1911's at that time... and then... I stumbled upon a few firearm/1911 forums. I started reading and posting and learning.... A LOT! I learned about Wilson, Night Hawk, Baer, and Brown... I quickly started to understand what made some 1911's better than others, but I personally could not fathom dropping $2K plus on a firearm (as if that made any sense seeing that I bought 20+ Kimbers in a year lol).
As 2012 approached I stumbled upon the Wilson Contemporary Classic from Wilson Combat. It was hands down the single most impressive 1911 I had ever seen. I wanted it! Of course that gun sold out in like 2 hours when it dropped in 2011... and we were in 2012. So it was out. That gun was the one that convinced me that I would sell some Kimbers to buy a Wilson. I asked for thoughts on several forums about who was the best builder was. Joe Chambers name came up a lot... So did a lot other smiths. I quickly realized when it comes to "custom gun". style, personality, and who was willing to work with you meant a lot. Well a few calls to Joe C back in 2012 and I had an order on the books. Oddly enough, he told me the gun would not be ready for 7 years. Well.. here we are. About 7 1/2 year later and I should be getting that gun sooner than later.
I do not have one Kimber left... But, I do have that Wilson Contemporary Classic (hunted one down a few years back to add to the stable)! The rest are all custom guns built by masters... and ALL of them get shot often! Its been such a fun journey... and I have learned a crap ton! Things were def different back then! But all in all, I can gladly say I have not only been addicted to the platform, I have been addicted to learning and talking with others about firearms!
Hope this was not to long, and I hope you all enjoyed my shared thoughts!! What was the gun that got you addicted to the hobby/sport? Anything you all wish to share or add would be great! I know I appreciate reading about other peoples journeys!
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