Buying new guns: Addiction? Wise? Fantasy?

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Op put in it in words…..yes that is what I believe with myself. I have dozens I’ve never fired a round through.
 
Generally, I have guns as tools. However, even though a 5lb hammer would work most of the time, sometimes a 2 pound hammer works better and sometimes a 10 pound hammer works better. Do I need more than the 5 pound hammer? Nope. Does it make the job easier many times? Yep. Pistols for concealed carry, shot guns for upland and waterfowl, rifles for deer in the woods, rifles for deer in the fields, etc. Then, to hedge my bets on potentially grandfathering in certain types of guns based on hypothetical future changes to the law and the fact that prices were rock bottom a couple years ago, I bough some guns for the kids to use in the future if they choose to use those guns. So now I have a safe full of guns, some of which may not be needed depending on if my kids forsake my imparted knowledge or take it to heart. If they forsake me, at that time I'll sell all the duplicate guns and keep the ones I use. I won't be out much, or actually might be ahead, because those guns were relatively dirt cheap. That's why I have too many guns. Think of the children...My wife thinks that might be a load of crap, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. And I love guns. Mechanically and aesthetically very pleasing. I love the sound of the bolt slamming closed.
 
I work in IT, sit behind a computer most days, most of all day, and now writing this, so - to me one aspect of firearms is that the experience of owning and using them, in many ways is the same as it was 100 years ago, when the world was in many ways much different, but still much the same.
 
I'm to the point where I'm actually running out of things I want. Only have 3-4 guns I'd buy if given the chance.
Unless it's a 1911, always looking for good deals on 1911's
 
film495 said:
to me one aspect of firearms is that the experience of owning and using them, in many ways is the same as it was 100 years ago, when the world was in many ways much different, but still much the same.
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I'll buy that. At least partially in my case but it's not entirely why I keep buying.

I work on prototype robots at my "real job". So the robust simplicity of my old hammer fired shotguns or da/sa handguns and revolvers is certainly a change of pace. Maybe why I tend to not desire newer designs. Not to say I don't like them but I rarely want one

I also own and operate a full service garage on my days off. Working on overly sophisticated and fragile new vehicles half the week is why I drive several 60s and 70s vehicles and one 2003 mustang which is pretty spartan by comparison to most newer cars.

Much can be said about a change of pace.

But more than once when I've bought a new gun, by the time I got outside into the car with my new purchase I was already asking myself what the heck I bought that one for. Lol
 
Huntolive said:
I mean once you've got 50 good guns that run the gamut from revolvers to decent semi auto pistols, numerous various shotguns, hunting rifles in 5 calibers, and semi-automatic war machines in 3 calibers or more,?
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Dang! I still have a ways to go
 
My thoughts on this, in red...

Huntolive said:
Once a gun collection is reasonably developed, do you ever get the idea that buying more guns is really a way of wishing we had more time to spend with the guns we already owned? No, not really. Many people collect material items, be it Beanie Babies, Hummel figurines, coins, stamps, motor vehicles, dolls, antique furniture, dead butterflies, tropical fish, reptiles, wrist watches, tools, whatever. Firearms... just another avenue.

I think in America we have this fantasy of an easy way out of the time traps we are in that we can get out by buying more things. I'm gonna disagree. Sometimes, just gazing at or fondling whatever one collects that tickles one's fancy might just make it seem as though one is at a stable point in life and has "made it."
I think this may be an illusion and buying new guns maybe a way of self-medicating out of the aspects of American life that are not free. Work, wives, yard work social media or the lack thereof. "Wives?" Okay, I'll buy that. But "self-medicating, nope. I have typically felt fulfilled by my jobs and also felt I've served my God, my family, my community and my country. And I love doing yard work! For me, it IS freeing. I enjoy my cigar and cold brew while sitting out on the back deck admiring the results of my labor and smelling the fresh-cut grass. As for social media... this, and one or two other internet forums are the entire extent of my social media existence.

I mean once you've got 50 good guns that run the gamut from revolvers to decent semi auto pistols, numerous various shotguns, hunting rifles in 5 calibers, and semi-automatic war machines in 3 calibers or more, that you don't really have time to shoot to the degree desired, then is buying more guns really just a cry for help for the world to give you more time ? Ah, there's always something more out there. If there isn't -- in any aspect of one's life -- why go on?
but since you can't get more time you just buy stuff? And I plan to live to at least 100... and I'll have gone shootin' the day before I walk on.
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I volunteer a lot of my time. I started a mud race locally in 1996. Been doing it ever since. In 2010 my racer blew up. I have been building one since. In 2013 I got married again and started back into guns like they were a midlife crisis. Does it ever end?
 
Do I feel like I am buying time by buying more firearms that add to what could be called a rather large collection?
No. Not at all.
Am I enjoying the look, feel, design and operation of each and every one of them; both old and new-to-me?
Yes.
I hope in the future that I’m still mentally clear and physically able to hand every one of them over to my heirs myself, so I may enjoy watching them look, feel, hold and shoot them, too. :)

I say; if you still can, don’t ever stop. ;)

Stay safe.
 
There are those that can't retire. They see their life and worth through the amount of money they can accumulate. What they collect in a way is wealth, and that is all they think of. Firearms are an active product, unless you are strictly a collector. A product that gets you out of the house and into the fields, or at least the range. They are a product that can be used as a game to improve your skills. And they are typically cheap in comparison to many other hobby type interests. Cast your own slugs, load your own ammunition, and make it all fun. When I was a gun dealer what I would tell my customers is to enjoy the shootings sports, and if you would like, do proper maintenance, shoot as much as you like, then in 10 years bring the gun back to me. If it is not damaged, abused, broken, rusty, and is properly maintained, I will buy the gun back from you for what you paid, minus the sales tax.
Most guns can be used for a few years for near nothing when calculated in yearly cost. Pay a $1,000 for a nice couch and use it for a couple years, then see what you can sell that clean well kept couch for.
 
In my experience, the hunt is often more satisfying than the meal. Getting excited about a new gun, researching it, shopping for it, then making it yours is a hobby all its own. I do try not to indulge it, as there are better ways to squander my money than that. Spend it on training, ammo, retirement funds, or family time instead of the latest greatest plastic fantastic.
 
Huntolive said:
Once a gun collection is reasonably developed, do you ever get the idea that buying more guns is really a way of wishing we had more time to spend with the guns we already owned?....
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Oh, heavens, I'm way beyond that, sorry. I've got guns haven't been shot in over a year. Truth is they're lucky to get shot once a year. And with ammo as expensive as it is, well .... you know ....

I look on a new gun purchase as (1) a project; (2) an asset aquisition; (3) a learning experience. Getting a firearm in order to use it plays almost no part in what and when I buy.
 
Huntolive said:
Once a gun collection is reasonably developed, do you ever get the idea that buying more guns is really a way of wishing we had more time to spend with the guns we already owned?

I think in America we have this fantasy of an easy way out of the time traps we are in that we can get out by buying more things.
I think this may be an illusion and buying new guns maybe a way of self-medicating out of the aspects of American life that are not free. Work, wives, yard work social media or the lack thereof.

I mean once you've got 50 good guns that run the gamut from revolvers to decent semi auto pistols, numerous various shotguns, hunting rifles in 5 calibers, and semi-automatic war machines in 3 calibers or more, that you don't really have time to shoot to the degree desired, then is buying more guns really just a cry for help for the world to give you more time ?
but since you can't get more time you just buy stuff?
Click to expand...

Thats an interesting concept. Ay my age (63) and my health issues (MS) I question buying more guns. I also question acquiring more lead. But I can't help it!!! I already have 2 lifetimes worth!!! These thoughts also keep me from loading as much ammo as I used to load. I used to load 223, 308, 9MM, 38/357, 44 and 45 in qualities of about 5000. Now I do much smaller batches.
 
I think the words “collection” and “collector” are often misused. The applicable meaning of the word according to Webster is “an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby.” Therefore a “collection” is different from just accumulating guns. Collectors have a purpose and a plan. For example, I know a guy who owns five cars because he likes to drive them. He is not a collector. I know another fellow who has 14 Harley motorcycles from the earliest to latest models. He can tell you all about the Harley history and the bikes. He is a collector. An accumulation does not constitute a collection.
 
I agree that a "collection" needs a theme....I'm an accumulator, mostly due to having shot competitively in multiple disciplines and treating hunting guns like golf clubs.

You can probably get by with 3, but what's the fun in that. I also understand the Pareto Principle of 80/20 and believe it applies to shooting/guns. For instance I probably actively shoot/hunt with 20% of the guns I currently own (66). The other 80% hang out in the safe/gun room and occasionally see the light of day.

I now focus on enjoying the 20%, so discretionary funds go to upgrades, reloading components etc. Currently I know far too many guys with a pile of guns biatching about lack of ammo...
 
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