Steel Horse Rider
Member
I generally buy old guns as those with historical value attract me more than newly manufactured weapons.
Did you hit a point where aquiring new guns wasn't that much of a priority anymore?
- Thread starter Zaydok Allen
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GunnyUSMC
Member
I would bet that most of the members that have posted that they have stopped buying are 65 or older.
I’m only 54 and don’t see myself getting to the point no longer buying guns. Now I do see me coming to a point that I will have all the guns I want, but that will not stop me. I’ll just change tactics and start buying some of the guns my kids and grandkids like.
I’m only 54 and don’t see myself getting to the point no longer buying guns. Now I do see me coming to a point that I will have all the guns I want, but that will not stop me. I’ll just change tactics and start buying some of the guns my kids and grandkids like.
gulogulo1970
Member
Here's the deal, I'm always willing to get rid of the one I like least for one I might like more or one I've never owned or one that has a cult following, just to see what the fuss is all about.
I am getting to the point where I do know what I like so there are very few I want to experiment with, these days.
I am getting to the point where I do know what I like so there are very few I want to experiment with, these days.
JeffG
Member
Yes, I hit that wall. However, the choices that remain in my current stable of firearms are based on the experience and knowledge gained from owning a plethora of firearms. Some were saints, some were sinkers. Based on what the individual guns showed me along the line of features and performance, helped me to choose my current stars. I'm not done buying guns, but they have to meet specific criteria.
JeffG
Member
As I was reading, I was starting to get worried you weren't going to include an AR in your battery...
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Zaydok Allen
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I bet you're right, or at the very least I bet they are approaching their retirement age. Priorities do change.
I don't plan to stop buying anytime soon either, but I guess I'm looking at it from this position, I pay a mortgage. I'll need to move one more time at least for my career if I want to make it what I want to make it, even if I decide to hunker down in my current job (since it is a job that I could retire from in a financial sense), I'll still need to trade up on houses at least once more so when I get older I don't have to deal with some of the young man work I deal with now, and I'm only 20 years from retirement eligibility. I'll also need to buy a newer vehicle in the next 5 years or so.
Oh, and there's my desire to keep my 401K growing at a healthy pace.
I feel sometimes like I worry way too much about the future for someone who just turned 37, but I really don't want to decide I'm ready to retire, and then realize I didn't set myself up to do it. I'm the youngest of three kids, and I grew up in a house full of adults, from my childhood experience at least. That has translated to me having a lot of older friends, up to and including a lot of retired folks. So I hear about retirement and financial planning a lot.
ALL of my money goes somewhere at this point. Bills, 401K, savings................ I have a hard time justifying buying more and more guns when I don't even get to shoot some of the guns I own as often as I'd like. I have been really getting into reloading lately, and acquiring the items I need to make shooting more affordable over my lifetime. I'm on the road, but it isn't a cheap investment when you realize you want to reload for 8 different cartridges at the moment, and you are only set up for one. I imagine that number will increase. I too, like a number of folks am rather interested in tweaking my guns at this point and making them the way I want to be.
I guess my priorities are different now. I have been aggressively acquiring a number of guns for the last decade, because I wanted to have my fun stuff before something like a family was an issue. Buy early, and enjoy.............. However, at 37 I don't see myself starting a family at all for a lot of reasons. So the danger of having no money to spend on shooting seems diminished, but the need to save still feels pressing.
Finding balance when it comes to buying guns has always seemed difficult. I used to make two or three transactions a year, buying and trading. Now, I expect I'll buy a gun once a year or maybe every other year.
I also like to travel though, and that isn't cheap either.
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I reached the point in either late 2016 or early 2017 where, there's a whole BUNCH of guns I'd LIKE to buy, but they're all pretty much in the "novelty" category now for me. Since then I spent most of my "gun" money on ammo to keep the current inventory fed for a number of years (political reasons) or have diverted the funds to other hobbies.
Sauer Grapes
Member
I'm pretty much where you are. I have enough guns. I'm starting to just enjoy shooting the ones I have. I really spend more time reading and reloading than worrying about another gun.
huntsman
Member
I think it’s more about a stable income than age, the crash in 08 took out a lot of people that hadn’t had their boat rocked and coming back from that can be a challenge.
We’ll see what the next year brings, maybe down markets? Boomers are retiring and that in itself could cause instability.
I lost my last full time job back in 2000 and that ended my quest for guns until CC started in 04 and it’s been on a limited basis and I’m 58.
bikemutt
Member
I got a late start in the gun fun game, so I burned 'em hard and fast. Now I have safe full of the ones I like the best.
I do have a weakness for fine S&W pre-lock wheel guns, JM-stamped Marlins and Sig SAO handguns, there's still some room at the inn, for that really special one
I do have a weakness for fine S&W pre-lock wheel guns, JM-stamped Marlins and Sig SAO handguns, there's still some room at the inn, for that really special one
fjblair
Member
Many years ago, but I still buy/sell for this or that. It is not priority level, just happens.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I got 3 more I want , an AR, a 1911 and a Thompson. At 52 and with a kid in College and a sick wife I doubt I ever get the Thompson.
theotherwaldo
Member
I could have retired last year. Ha. I'll probably be retired with a gurney or a shovel. I like what I'm doing.
-And I'm still rescuing, repairing, and shooting historic and interesting weapons of all sorts. (It's not like they're losing value.)
-And trying to figure out where to put the next gun safe.
"Everything to excess. Moderation is for monks."
- Lazarus Long
-And I'm still rescuing, repairing, and shooting historic and interesting weapons of all sorts. (It's not like they're losing value.)
-And trying to figure out where to put the next gun safe.
"Everything to excess. Moderation is for monks."
- Lazarus Long
courier de bois
Member
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- Jan 9, 2011
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- 27
We always 'have one more than we need, but need just one more'.... yes I went hog wild for a few of the 'Clinton Years', then one day, I was suppose to meet someone at his home at a certain time... then- a problem with the circuit breaker box... in my home! The electrician was on his way, I call gun seller to explain and delay? re-schedule?.... he called me every name in the book. That put a baaaad taste in my mouth. Priorities? My home and family mean a whole lot more than a?? forgot? Remington Rolling Block? I eventually bought an equally nice one from someone else... for less... There are very few 'one of a kind' firearms out there, but only one 'family'. I get really turned off by sales pitches and 'better get it right now' pushy tactics since... My only regret.. was selling some rare ones... remorse...regret... then re-buying re-placements... that hurt... Hope I don't do that again!
Good Ol' Boy
Member
I'm 35. My collection is pretty meager. There are still some guns I'd like to buy, but I don't feel the urge to rush out and get them right away.
I got into the gun buying game a little late so it's not like a couple of years ago when I had one or two guns and thought there was a bunch of stuff I needed.
I've got my carry, HD and range toys sorted out for the time being. I will continue to buy but certainly not at the pace I have the last couple of years.
I got into the gun buying game a little late so it's not like a couple of years ago when I had one or two guns and thought there was a bunch of stuff I needed.
I've got my carry, HD and range toys sorted out for the time being. I will continue to buy but certainly not at the pace I have the last couple of years.
Guns and tools have always fascinated me, especially the well-made ones. I enjoy using them, particularly guns like my 1955 vintage Ithaca M37 20 ga, or my ratty S&W M19 with the electro penciled evidence number. I try to thin the herd from time to time, but then they go and import a bunch of Beretta 71s or Sig P-6s and oops, I did it again. I am slowing down but I still enjoy using a fine old tool.
badkarmamib
Member
I am to the point where I am wanting to focus and train with the guns I have, than to learn new ones. At one time, the joy was in the acquisition of new guns. Now, I am more interested in shooting the ones I have, in an attempt to get better. I am actually hoping to sell a great pistol tonight, because I never carry it, with the intent to spend the proceeds on ammo and reloading supplies for the guns I do carry.
stonebuster
Member
You hit the nail on the head with my situation (over 65). I tend to be OCD about my hobbies whether it be fishing, guns or a couple of others. I just sold my boat and now I've got 40 salt water rods/reels I've got to cull. I got into guns again about 2 yrs ago and don't want to accumulate too many although I haven't defined "too many" yet. Visiting this website is great to learn and get advise from the experts but not ask "should I buy this?" or "which of these should I choose?" The answers are "yes" and "both".
Tiro Finale
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- Aug 7, 2017
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- 82
I almost think I enjoy gunsmithing more than I enjoy using guns. Nothing like hand-fitting a new part and having it slide into place just right, staining a stock to a nice rich ebony, or polishing every last trace of grime off a revolver's cylinder face.
I get excited about buying new guns, but I am at my happiest when I am working on a gun project.
I get excited about buying new guns, but I am at my happiest when I am working on a gun project.
grampster
Member
I reached a point where I finally had what I wanted. I've got the shotguns I wanted, and the rifles. I finally got a Ruger Security Six .357 handgun that I'd been wanting for many years from a friend. That left wanting a small pocket pistol to replace a Beretta Minx that I'd sold to another friend. I found a good deal on a Ruger LCP in .380 to replace it. I'd also traded a Glock with another friend and got a Walther PPK in a stainless .380.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I’m always picking up gun projects. Finding the time to work on them is another thing. I’m going to retire in three years. I should have more time then, but I’ll have more projects too.
JR24
Member
Pretty much, yeah. I'm 34 but in my meager (compared to some) I have determined which platform works best for me and focused my collection.
I have my bases covered and my focus now is playing with ammo, maybe getting a .38 super 1911 and saving for a Wilson/Nighthawk/Brown. Oh, and the Glock 19X as a backup for my carry Glock 17
Yeah, I am at the tipping point. Retired a couple of years ago and shooting more, but realized I have everything I NEED and most of what I want. Some firearms I have not shot for a long while and should thin them out. I have some that were cheaper and older when I started out that have been usurped by better quality firearms which I enjoy more now.
Coincidentally my eyes are not able to see the front sight sharply on anything but the Garand, so I have spent the last two years more concerned with adding optics (red dots or scopes) so I can keep enjoying shooting. It was getting to where I spent so much time hunting for the front sight it was not as much fun as before. Just finishing up the optic upgrades so now looking at thinning the lower quality and if I add something it will be higher quality. Will probably go back to tuning up handloads now that I have good optics all around.
Also, I have gotten into enjoying more rimfire shooting because the grandkids enjoy, too. Learning about some accuracy mods for 10/22. The one gun I am tempted to get this year or next is the new Tikka T1x in .22LR. Really enjoy my T3 and Sako A7 centerfires so a T1X rimfire might be a lot of fun, and a perfect trainer for the grandkids to someday work up to the 6.5x55 or .30-06. Other than that I don't have much of a hankering for any more firearms. Need more time, more ammo, more family shooters, and more feral tin cans.
Retired a couple of years ago and shooting more, but realized I have everything I NEED and most of what I want. Some firearms I have not shot for a long while and should thin them out. I have some that were cheaper and older when I started out that have been usurped by better quality firearms which I enjoy more now. Coincidentally my eyes are not able to see the front sight sharply on anything but the Garand, so I have spent the last two years more concerned with adding optics (red dots or scopes) so I can keep enjoying shooting. It was getting to where I spent so much time hunting for the front sight it was not as much fun as before. Just finishing up the optic upgrades so now looking at thinning the lower quality and if I add something it will be higher quality. Will probably go back to tuning up handloads now that I have good optics all around.
Also, I have gotten into enjoying more rimfire shooting because the grandkids enjoy, too. Learning about some accuracy mods for 10/22. The one gun I am tempted to get this year or next is the new Tikka T1x in .22LR. Really enjoy my T3 and Sako A7 centerfires so a T1X rimfire might be a lot of fun, and a perfect trainer for the grandkids to someday work up to the 6.5x55 or .30-06. Other than that I don't have much of a hankering for any more firearms. Need more time, more ammo, more family shooters, and more feral tin cans.
alsaqr
Member
Bought a few guns in 2017. Recently sold off my antique lever action Winchesters and Colts, a total of 31 guns. Will sell off some milsurps soon.
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