Does every gun you own have a reason to justify its purchase?

They all had a purpose when they were bought. I have more than a couple safe queens. OK, I have a lot of them. But right now I don't need the $, they aren't eating anything, and the values aren't going to take a complete dump. Besides, a half empty safe takes up as much room in the house as a jam-packed full safe.
 
Let me see... My Commander and my Enfield because my uncle gave them to me. My 92 Winchester and my old Colt revolver because My Gramps gave it to me. My Woodsman simply because it's fun to shoot and on occasion a bunny in the back yard is going to run from a rifle. My two SAIGA shotguns... Because they go well with Hubby's AR-15.
 
Frankly, this is another variant of a typical anti-gunner-type question: "do you really need all those guns"?

"Need" is a justification only for the very first gun purchased. After that, it's justified by "the pursuit of happiness". It's the American way. :)
 
Some of my inherited guns are safe queens even if, in one case, they are non-functional. All the rest were bought with a purpose, even if that purpose failed to pan out.
The oldest is a .38 Colt that is ~118 y.o. and no longer safe to fire as the cylinder doesn't lock when cocked. And I did fire it with some .38 Specials before I figured out the cylinder wasn't locking.
Another is a .32-20 that, while in great condition, is too low-powered a load (LRN factory loads) and too valuable to me to be used for any practical purpose.
The 110 y.o. .32 ACP has a worn out barrel but I keep it around in a hidden location. Once or twice a year, I dust it off and wipe it down and visually inspect it.
All of my other guns are for hunting/HD/SD. Of those, I reload (when I can) for my .380, my .357, and my .243. With the exceptions of the .243, .380, .32, .25, and the AK, all other calibers are rifle and pistol combos (.22LR/Mag, and .38 Sp./.357).
 
A reason? Sometimes all the reason needed is that it seemed like a decent buy. I’m acquiring fairly quickly without putting much money into the mix. I enjoy tinkering so to me a broken gun is a $100 jigsaw puzzle and the prize for completing it is a gun worth more than I have in it. It’s easy to win when your the only one competing and you set the rules and deadlines. So far I have not lost but I’m in overtime on a couple and chances are slim that I come out on top.
 
You and I must be twins that were separated at birth. I do the same thing.

Triplets! I spend way more time looking at at them than anything else.

I am lucky to be able to I buy what I want when I want for no other reason than want. Finding guns I want is getting to be the hardest part.
 
I'm 64. I raised my kids and they are successful. I got divorced from their mother and my life got much better. I have a girlfriend now that encourages my purchases of firearms and buys her own. I am retired and am doing ok financially. I will by any firearm I legally can if I want to. I don't really need to justify anything to anyone anymore and that is a great way to feel.
 
Usually the reason for purchase is curiosity, sturdy build or accuracy. The gun is sold when my curiosity has been satisfied, the mechanism has been deemed clumsy, and/or accuracy is disappointing. That way others get to go through similar evolutions. It's nature's way.
 
Yeah. When I worked in the gun store the reason was simple. "Gee, that would be nice to have". Most have been unused. Most are worth more than I paid...even with inflation. That said, most are finding new owners.
 
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Seemed like it at the time, got things whittled down pretty well..........don't need multiple platforms with the same performance.......just the basics anymore that suite my needs.....
 
Justify: to show or prove to be right or reasonable. We don't hafta' prove anything to anyone except maybe a jury or my wife. :)
 
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