Cost of gun ownership, ammo, and practice versus other activities

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chicharrones said:
Might be a fresh water vs. salt water thing. Almost all my time in boats were with my dad in the Gulf and in Texas bays. The shrimp boats seem to be in a continuous state of rusting away. "Grind that off and weld on a new piece." :D
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Fiberglass and aluminum + gasoline+ +sunblock+ bikinis+V8s........
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I'm talking about the 'two best days' saying..
....not true!
 
Armored farmer said:
I've done horses, trapguns, fishing boats, ski boats(the anti-boat sayings are bs), Bird dogs, field trials. Coon hounds, deer hunting..jeeps....atvs. ...and never regretted a moment or a dollar spent. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Most of that time i was farming and carpentry too. We work hard play, hard and go to church on Sunday. Everyone gets 24hrs in their day.

I'll be blunt about who is wasting what....and that's this younger generation that doesn't get out of their pajamas.
Digital life ain't really living IMHO.
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Right, life is meant to be lived. No one gets out alive.

You are right though, I know a lot of active younguns, but I also know an equal amount that don't really do much and get out.
 
I pay $45 a month for membership at a world class range. I use it 2 x a month, so it costs $22 a visit. Not really buying guns much any more, but ammo will always be the stick in the mud. I am fairly well stocked, and tightly managing my expenditures, and making every round count- as in, managing each round and what exercise it is used in to sustain minimum proficiency. Minimum proficiency is the new standard in this world we live in.
In comparison, I pay $80 a month for fees to my dojo where I train. I go 3 nights a week- 1 session of kickboxing, 2 MMA per week. We train hard beating each other up. The dojo does 2 jobs- it prepares me for the type of combat I am most likely to find myself in, both by improving the skill and inoculation to interpersonal violence on a regular basis (meaning, a punch to the face isn't such a big deal when it is a regular occurrence) and the intense physical workout that comes with these sessions. How can you go wrong if you are exercising?
 
Firearms and shooting are about the least expensive of all our (wife's and mine) hobbies. Maintaining a lakeside cabin in another state, skiing, owning horses and boats (the last horse is long gone, the boat was sold; we loved both, but were working so much, didn't have time for either), diving and travel all consume, or did consume, far more time, energy and finances than any of the gun stuff ever had. Putting the kids through college ... now there's the expense of a lifetime.

The kids are grown now, and thankfully never, ever played video games. We raised our children to live real life -- reality, not virtual reality. One's even a shooter, both are outdoorsy and athletic.
 
The hobby aspect of firearms has a serious benefit---improving marksmanship skills, like for putting meat in the pot or defending the homeland.
The more fun it is, the more shooting (and we hope, improvement) is realized. Sometimes you need a new gun to keep things from getting boring, but sometimes not,
I think this may be the basis for a lot of gun collecting, at least collecting guns that aren't too valuable to shoot,
 
Old Dog said:
Firearms and shooting are about the least expensive of all our (wife's and mine) hobbies. Maintaining a lakeside cabin in another state, skiing, owning horses and boats (the last horse is long gone, the boat was sold; we loved both, but were working so much, didn't have time for either), diving and travel all consume, or did consume, far more time, energy and finances than any of the gun stuff ever had. Putting the kids through college ... now there's the expense of a lifetime.

The kids are grown now, and thankfully never, ever played video games. We raised our children to live real life -- reality, not virtual reality. One's even a shooter, both are outdoorsy and athletic.
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For sure, I only ski moderately now days, mainly to get my son to the slopes. I used to ski a lot as a kid and teen. However, this year we will likely only ski 5-6 times, and it will probably cost us $800 or so. With food and travel much more. Now days if someone is skiing all season, the season pass alone is likely $700. Let alone all the equipment, food, travel, etc. It will probably be $1500 minimum per year, for one person. That assumes someone lives nearby a ski slope and doesn't need to drive four hours or fly and get lodging every time.

With video games, there is nothing wrong with them in moderation. Studies show they are better for the brain than TV and film. For elderly or disabled people, studies are showing that for those with limited mobility, complex video games actually are good mentally and can thwart the onset of dementia. For sure better than sitting there watching the TV. What isn't good for the able-bodied is being a couch potato. One can watch an occasional movie or play an occasional video game while living a very active life. I'm in better shape than most 40 year olds, and very active, but I still play a video game once in a while.
 
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FL-NC said:
I pay $45 a month for membership at a world class range. I use it 2 x a month, so it costs $22 a visit. Not really buying guns much any more, but ammo will always be the stick in the mud. I am fairly well stocked, and tightly managing my expenditures, and making every round count- as in, managing each round and what exercise it is used in to sustain minimum proficiency. Minimum proficiency is the new standard in this world we live in.
In comparison, I pay $80 a month for fees to my dojo where I train. I go 3 nights a week- 1 session of kickboxing, 2 MMA per week. We train hard beating each other up. The dojo does 2 jobs- it prepares me for the type of combat I am most likely to find myself in, both by improving the skill and inoculation to interpersonal violence on a regular basis (meaning, a punch to the face isn't such a big deal when it is a regular occurrence) and the intense physical workout that comes with these sessions. How can you go wrong if you are exercising?
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That's something I'd like to get into, martial arts. Both for self defense and exercise. I'm bored to tears by the gym, although I go a few times per week. Been going skiing during winter, kayaking/surfing in summer, and hiking 10 months a year to try to get some real work outs.
 
I have a brother-in-law with a boat. A big boat. I've paid less for guns than he pays for a tank of gas. Not to mention the F250 diesel he had to buy to pull it. And it's really not enough truck, he should have gone F350. I don't feel too bad about the money I spend on guns/ammo.
 
If I shoot just three weekends a year it still cost about 1500.00 for food gas lodging and entry fees, put components on top of that and we’re pushing 3k. Or slightly less..
That doesn’t leave much for upgrading equipment.
 
I asked my wife a question 30yrs ago. I asked if she preferred me to spend my spare time and money on whiskey and wild women, or guns and things with motors? Still waiting for an answer..:confused:

You're going to spend the money on something. Personally I think guns and ammo are pretty economical hobby compared to golf or fishing. I can spend $30k on a fishing or ski boat and it will probably be worth next to nothing in 15yrs, maybe 30% if very well maintained.
$30k worth of guns will probably be worth 125% or more. The ammo you shoot up is the only consumable cost, and probably still comes in at less than gas you'd put in the boat or the green fees for golf.:cool:
 
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Saltwater fishing for me. An overnight trip can cost $200+. Going on a 2 day in October that will run $700. Then add gas and food. The Long range guys spend thousands on 1 trip. Luckily I allready have all the rods and reels I need. If a trip gets canceled the money goes towards shooting. Shooting and fishing go hand in hand for me. When I'm doing either one I'm in the moment. I do get more relaxed when fishing though.
 
Autodidactic said:
Good morning,

I'm sure many of us have considered often the yearly cost of both owning firearms and training to become proficient with them. It's definitely not cheap. I personally sometimes feel a bit guilty when I buy that one impractical gun I always wanted (derringer). I have a .380 Bodyguard on hold for $220, and get that ping of guilt for sticker cost.

But you know, I think too sometimes these purchases aren't put into the context of other major activities or hobbies. For example, I'm going skiing with my kid today and even with a reduced cost pass and reduced rentals, it will probably cost $150 for the both of us today. We went skiing in Lake Tahoe in California three days before Christmas, and passes and rentals for the both of us cost us probably $250. Many other hobbies are expensive, from golf to world travel. Cars, etc. Often people will ask why people collect firearms, i.e. have more than 1-2. However, people collect far less useable items such as art pieces or even superhero figures.

Also, firearms can serve necessary purposes, from hunting to self defense. Not all hobbies or pursuits serve such a purpose.
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It's a hell of a lot cheaper than running a reindeer farm. One reindeer... Just the reindeer itself is $7, 000-10,000. Now you have to buy the food and the facilities to house and transport it. And of course you can't just have one because then it's not a very good farm so you have to get a couple of them. Which necessitates a bigger barn a bigger trailer and a bigger vehicle to tow the trailer. But since you've got to charge admission at a rate people will actually pay you don't even break even for the first 10 years. That doesn't even factor in property taxes and licenses for such a thing. Yeah I'd say shooting is a heck of a lot cheaper.
 
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When my interest in shooting first really took off I spent recklessly and bought and shot needlessly, just to fill a drum barrel full of holes with no real aim for skill building, just dumb and just turned 20 years old and had a different attitude back then.

Now, I feel guilty if I spend on anything besides ammo for guns I already own. I like guns, would love to buy a new gun every month if I could. Maybe one day, I actually have a career/profession now instead of just.....a job. It's still a job but it pays alot better and I can take it anywhere and it should just go up from here so things may change and I may buy a gun or two every now and then that needs no other justification except that I just want it.... not to say every gun I have now is "needed" but I have practiced qlot of discipline in recent years, passed on some really good deals too....
 
I am 67 and I own a lot of expensive firearms; so many that buying another seems much less exciting now - hunting is not so exciting anymore but the urge to shoot at the range is still there. All of my/ wife’s money now just sits in the market and makes more money - that seems like privilege but actually it is very “meh” - we are adding gobs more of something we can’t spend fast enough now.
So I guess that we have arrived but arrived at what. We are happy and life is very peaceful - it feels like we did it, it feels like what is “the goal”.
My firearms are a part of that feeling, most of the time it is enough just to hold and look at them - wipe them down once in a while. I am waiting for four new arrivals which will happen at various times and that seems to keep the firearms spark churning. I feel very content and lucky, things in life turned out very well. I guess I stated it wrong before, buying another gun is exciting until I buy the one after that one - it feels like an addiction. I have always wanted a classic Rigby in 7 x 57 and for the life of me I do not know why but I am looking. Some one please help me stop - as with the 12 steps, I recognize that I have a problem but I cannot get past Step 1 - Step 2 is very illusive.
 
DoubleMag said:
About ANY activity costs money and that's NOT the News flash of the last century. What I've noticed, almost EVERYTHING hobby-ist has become more TECHNICAL + at same time, EXPEN$IVE.

I guess it's the way of things.
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True in general. But, there are a few hobbies or sports that don't, such as basketball or soccer. However, they can become expensive if one joins a competitive team and travels for it. There are a few such as kayaking where once one gets over the sunk cost of a car rack for maybe $500, and a kayak for $500-1000, they are good to go for 5-10 years.
 
I one of those people that starts a new hobby and I really get into it for about 5 years until I get bored and move to the next. When I get into something I want the best equipment to do that hobby. Basically it means I’ve spent way to much money on them and now have expensive equipment that I’ve become bored with. Roller Blading, golf, fencing, cycling, mountain biking, skiing, motorcycling, trap, high power, USPSA, pin shooting, PRS and lately just downright gun collecting.

I need to have a yard sale. LOL.
 
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John Joseph said:
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Firearms are tools much like saws and axes are tools.
If you want to turn them in to hobbies by collecting them, that's fine and dandy
But they are still tools
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Yes, but collectible items that have functional uses are best appreciated when they: 1) function; 2) the collector knows how they function; 3) the collector knows their practical uses; 3) the collector actually makes use of the collection.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I one of those people that starts a new hobby and I really get into it for about 5 years until I get bored and move to the next. When I get into something I want the best equipment to do that hobby. Basically it means I’ve spent way to much money on them and now have expensive equipment that I’ve become bored with. Roller Blading, golf, fencing, cycling, mountain biking, skiing, motorcycling, trap, high power, USPSA, pin shooting, PRS and lately just downright gun collecting.

I need to have a yard sale. LOL.
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I know what you mean about going through spurts of short interest. I'm like that for most things, except a few enduring interests. Music has been a passion that has never gone away, from listening to formal study and concert/festival attendance. Outdoors generally.

But a lot of specific interests and activities I get deeply involved in for a year or two, learn a reasonable amount about, then it becomes occassional. For this reason in most cases I try to be slow about investing a ton of money right away. I'd rather rent for example for a year or two a kayak here and there, before dropping lots of money on it. Because I only ski about 3 days a year now, I again would rather rent. With music it was worth it to invest, because after almost 40 years of deep interest it likely isn't going away. So, I have 4 guitars and probably $15,000 worth of music college classes and lessons.

wiscoaster said:
Yes, but collectible items that have functional uses are best appreciated when they: 1) function; 2) the collector knows how they function; 3) the collector knows their practical uses; 3) the collector actually makes use of the collection.
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Yes and no. Firearms are unique, and collecting them. Many firearms are historical, have family history, or are even ancient. They can be more than tools, and also be appreciated for more than pure function. Many museums have non-functional or inadvisable to fire historic firearms. The derringer used to assassinate Lincoln is an important historical piece.
 
Autodidactic said:
...Yes and no. Firearms are unique, and collecting them. Many firearms are historical, have family history, or are even ancient. They can be more than tools, and also be appreciated for more than pure function. Many museums have non-functional or inadvisable to fire historic firearms. The derringer used to assassinate Lincoln is an important historical piece.
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Well, yes and no, my opinion was based on individual collecting for personal pleasure and not on items that are collected for special historical significance or items that are unique instances of type or items valued for personal association. All reasons which, considering the overall universe of collectors and their motives for collecting, are special cases. And again, IMO. ;)
 
The way ammunition is right now, shooting ain't exactly cheap is it?
It used to be a fellow could get a lot of satisfaction from a Ruger Mark and a carton of bulk Winchesters,
or a Mossberg 500 and value-pack of Wally World Federal Field loads.

For a family man on a budget, hobbies especially expensive hobbies need to have added value.
Taking you kids hunting or fishing(or backpacking, wrenching on an old car, or learning to sail a dinghy, or raising a farm animal)
is part of the job description----whichever you can afford but you need to share a healthy passion with your kids before your kids becomes enchanted by unhealthy passions.

On a lark, I can pick up an old Disston saw or maybe a rusty True Value axe head for next to nothing. For a little elbow grease and some inexpensive supplies I can restore an old tool back to usefulness. There is not a little gratification involved when that happens.
When I later discover that I've accumulated half a dozen axes and a dozen or so handsaws I realized that a seemingly harmless lark has become a full blown hobby!
 
Skinny Pete said:
The E-80 I mentioned is on a Jacobs R-755A2 ;)
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Pics! :D
Before I was born, my dad and grandfather (maternal grandfather, someone did something right there) owned a C195, and I'm pretty sure it had that Jacobs in it.

This has been brought up before, but if you don't spend time and money on it, it isn't a hobby. I consider my hobbies to be something I enjoy, and when I don't enjoy something about them, I don't do it (firearms, aviation is not a hobby, it is purely -uh- practical)! I truly enjoy building guns more than shooting them. So I build them more than shooting. It also doesn't cost me all that much to build them, which brings me to my second point.

I consider my time spent in enjoyable pursuits to be valueless. I can spend time watching an action movie and end up perturbed that after the protagonist suffers a blow to the head he continues seemingly uninhibited by brain trauma after waking up. This is not enjoyment! I prefer spending time in the shop tinkering on something, even if I don't "get my investment back" when I can sell the rifle.

Finally, when I grab a hobby, I seek to conquer it. I try to be the best pilot I can be, and I try to be the best gun builder possible. I try to do the best work that I can do, without regard for time. I don't always buy the best tools, but I try to do the best work possible with my current tool set. I suppose mindset still comes before skill set, which still comes before tool set.
 
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