Does My Firearm Collection Strategy Make Sense?

[SVTOhio]

Things I noticed the most would be a ar-10 in 308 and either a m1 granade/1903/1914 in 30-06. The add some foreign military rifles.

Edit: I'll add skip the 870 in 12 gauge since you already have a pump 12. Get a SxS and as some other shotguns in 20,16,28 and 410

 

[MedWheeler]

Tony50ae writes:

I guess I don't have a collection, it would be more of an accumulation.

This is me.

Mine started earlier than the OP's, in 1986. Three have been sold or given up. The first one to go was the first one I got. I had gotten it from my stepfather, and it went to his son when his father died. It was a Winchester M90 .22 rifle, not an especially sought-after piece, and was quickly replaced with a 10/22.

From then on, it just goes and goes. Two went for sale during hard times, and the sales were later regretted, but only for a short time. Both have since been replaced with similar, though-other-make< guns with which I'm just as pleased.

There is no pattern to my collection, er, accumulation. Most handguns in it are defensive-type (duty or concealed-carry), but I have a few casual shooters and plinkers. There are also rimfire rifles, and one centerfire rifle (AR) present, as well as a couplde of SS shotguns.

No one seeing them all together would figure they're all owned by the same person.

 

[Sunray]

1) Calibres aren't collectable. Firearms are. Your list contains no collector pieces. Lots of decent shooting firearms, but none of 'em are collector pieces.
2) Different firearms, sure. Being proficient with 'em is irrelevant to collecting.
3) That'd be an entirely personal choice. People collect a lot of really daft stuff. Coke bottles and plates, for example.
4) Nice. Sure. Except modern hunting rifles and assorted handguns have no collector value. However, generally, they do increase in value, but over a very long time period. Vs say an M1 Rifle that have gone from under $200Cdn to over a grand in about 30ish years. A used 870 has gone up about $200 in the same time.
5) "I want one." is the best reason to buy anything. Makes everything else irrelevant.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Collecting is such a personal thing. If you are happy with it then it is fine. Personally, I'm not sure I even have an overarching approach.

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

What's a platform?

People keep coming up with new terms. Is a platform a manufacturer? Kinda sounds like it. Got a Mossberg pump 12, and want a Remington pump 12. Got a Smith 357 revolver, and a Ruger 357 revolver.

I, personally, see no sense in that. If a gun strikes your fancy, and you can afford to buy it, get it. If it's a Smith 44, and you already have a Smith 44, who cares. Have two Smith 44s.

But buying multiple manufacturers just so you can have multiple manufacturers?

I buy because I want it. I don't worry about how much it is costing me - if I can afford to buy it - and I certainly don't worry about what it might sell for, somewhere down the line. That sounds more like someone that is investing in guns, as opposed to someone that is collecting, or accumulating guns.

If you wish to have at least two 308s, then I'd suggest a bolt for the second one. I'd even go so far as to suggest another Remington 700. Since you already have one in aught-six, you have muscle memory on how to work it. You would not need to learn how to operate a new gun.

I would not get a Henry, for a couple of reasons. First, I think they are ugly as hell. Second, I dislike their advertising. They lie. They have since they came into existence. They say they are the original Henry Rifle Company, from 1860, which is a lie. They said, when they first came out with the Big Boy, that it was SASS-legal, which was a lie. It is now, but was not then.

Look for a used 44 lever. Marlin, if you want to scope it. But get one from before Remington bought Marlin. They are better. Rossi if you want a really nice-handling gun, but get one from before Taurus bought Rossi. They are MUCH better.

What do you consider the "major manufacturers"? I have guns made by 60 different makers, from American Derringer to Zastava. I'm not sure if I've got all the "major manufacturers".

IMHO a "platform" is a modular rifle like the AR and all its variants. I agree with you on collecting guns, buy what you really like and want. The rest will take care of itself.

 

[oneounceload]

At least it is the same model. I want the Ruger 10/22 50th Anniversary edition for the same reasons. I'm betting that the year they were made will add value AND,

Maybe in 50 years if it still in the box and never fired...MAYBE. Most of the DU guns, etc., have little to no extra value over the plain version.

If you want to collect as an investment that will actually increase in value, then you need to think about the rare and expensive guns out there, certain Lugers, English BEST guns, certain older models from S&W, Colt, etc. that are still appreciating. You are amassing a group of shooter guns - nothing wrong with that, but they are still everyday models, not rare or short-lived scarce versions.

Buy the guns you want because YOU want them - no other reason. Personally, as someone mentioned above, if I wanted a particular model in a particular cartridge, I would not buy a different maker and model so you would have a back-up. If you want a back-up, get 2 or 3 of the same so you are familiar with that model and maybe even swap parts.

 

[mnrivrat]

Over the past 60 + years I have owned a lot of different firearms. I have nothing left of the early guns which were sold to feed my children after divorceing their mother.
I do miss a number of them which I can also not aford to buy back.

My children are gone now, and most of what I have was purchased in the last decade. I went from numbers of S&W , Colt, Ansultz, Custom rifles, Hi-Standard Target, down to a single gun for a period of time. That was a cosmeticaly challenged and shortened barrel Mossberg pump, in 20ga.

The Mossberg served me well thru that time period, so my point I quess is that there is a big difference between wants and needs. That means each person can fill their needs with a few simple and reliable firearms. It also means that there is a lot of fun that can be had buying what you want with the main purpose of just filling a want rather than a need.

I'm in a wheel chair so my needs have dwindled to self protection. I have more than I need. They are not all brand name guns but I have been having much enjoyment out of my hobby of gunsmithing. And what I have in front line service is reliable and gives nothing away to higher priced guns.

Put your accumilation together the way you want . You already have all you need.

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

Over the past 60 + years I have owned a lot of different firearms. I have nothing left of the early guns which were sold to feed my children after divorceing their mother.
I do miss a number of them which I can also not aford to buy back.

My children are gone now, and most of what I have was purchased in the last decade. I went from numbers of S&W , Colt, Ansultz, Custom rifles, Hi-Standard Target, down to a single gun for a period of time. That was a cosmeticaly challenged and shortened barrel Mossberg pump, in 20ga.

The Mossberg served me well thru that time period, so my point I quess is that there is a big difference between wants and needs. That means each person can fill their needs with a few simple and reliable firearms. It also means that there is a lot of fun that can be had buying what you want with the main purpose of just filling a want rather than a need.

I'm in a wheel chair so my needs have dwindled to self protection. I have more than I need. They are not all brand name guns but I have been having much enjoyment out of my hobby of gunsmithing. And what I have in front line service is reliable and gives nothing away to higher priced guns.

Put your accumilation together the way you want . You already have all you need.

Great advice! I am pretty pragmatic in my collection. All the guns I have are useful guns and not necessarily collectable in any way, that is, they aren't super rare or anything. My only real issue with my collection is storage. I've kind of tapered off in buying guns and now I'm just tinkering around with the guns I have.

I do agree that there is a difference between collecting rare and expensive firearms that will hold their value and buying and keeping true "useful" guns that have a purpose like hunting or personal protection. Sometimes these two things can be united in one gun, but much of the time this isn't the case.

 

[AlexanderA]

Strategy/Philosophy -
1. Obtain at least two platforms for every common caliber.

Rather than try to get a gun in every caliber, I would do the opposite and standardize on a few calibers. This simplifies things greatly on the ammunition side. If you get into reloading, you don't want to have dozens of sets of reloading dies.

 

[*NOVA*]

why not collect coins instead? Guns are about shooting and if you;re shooting, you don't care about all this 'value" or "replacement cost" or "nostalgia" or whatever it is that motivates hoarders/misers/snobs.

Not really into coins, but thanks for the suggestion.

I like having more than one gun. I love shooting them. Often times, I think about what I'm going to do next time I go to the range. I like talking about them on gun forums such as this one. And I think most of us on this forum would rather be shooting guns than just writing about them. I just bought that Savage Axis and have not had a chance to shoot it yet. So what can I do in the meantime? Oh I don't know, maybe start a thread and see if anyone can help me figure out what I want to do next? Just looking for advice and I've always gotten good advice from my friends here who have more experience. I can make up my own mind but not above listening to what others think.


Just two questions for you, zuman -
1. Do you own more than one gun?
2. Why?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I use the term platform concerning weapons that can be readily modified, altered, added on to, and personalized easily. The AR fits that definition. As a platform, I can use one lower, multiple uppers for various configurations and uses. One lower, multiple mission capabilities.

Anyway, your strategy makes sense if you think it makes sense. My personal approach is different, based on calibers I wish to stockpile.

I have a Savage 64, but I'm not a fan of .22. I would have no desire for a Ruger 10/22. I keep some .22 on hand because eventually I'll get an inherited Single Six, which works well for me since single actions are the only revolvers that interest me.

My strategy is based on three major calibers, 12 gauge, 9mm and 5.56. Most of my guns will be chambered in one of the three (or if a weapons system/ platform like an AR, both 9mm and 5.56). Magazine compatibility is a secondary strategy that plays off the primary. I have as my main pistol, a S&W 469. This gun can use all 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation double stack 9mm mags, from 10 rounds to 32. I plan on getting a Kel-Tec P11 because it's magazine is based off the same style as the S&W. A Marlin Camp Carbine 9mm is on my list of guns to snag if I see it for the same reason.

If I can ever find a mag block to convert an AR lower to 9mm that uses S&W mags, I'd be in paradise. Probably a pipe dream unless I fab my own, since those guns are long out of production.

So, AR's and S&W 9mm autos are the basis of my strategy.
12 gauge, I'm covered. I've got my pump, my auto, and my single.

But I also have an SKS, a Marlin .30-30, an Arisaka 38, 20 gauge single, and a few other random guns that don't fit into the strategy.

My strategy, from an outside perspective, may either make sense, or be convoluted and confusing and restrictive. It is what it is. Same as yours.

 

[huntsman]

3. The firearm must have a practical application; either range toy, hunting, home defense or self defense. Range toys meaning I practice often with them.
4. It would be nice to have at least one firearm made by all the major manufacturers.

I'm all about "practical application" but I don't consider a range toy practical.
My basic rule is to avoid lower end gun brands, I'd rather own fewer guns and have them Colt, Winchester, S&W and Browning. Ruger is about as lowend as I'll go.

 

[1John1:9]

Well aside from making me break the 10th commandment (don't covet anything of your neighbor's), I don't see any flaws in your collection plans.

Like 2 or 3 others said, I wouldn't get a Remington 870. I would get a semi-auto 12 gauge instead, but then maybe you'd need two of those and two pumps:banghead:.

I collected stamps for awhile, and it started getting too hard to decide what to collect and I ended up with an assortment that didn't make sense.

You might lose money doing so, but I'd advise you sell anything that doesn't interest you anymore. Better yet, buy used guns and then you can sell them without much loss if any.

I reload and have 4 different dies. I now have .380 dies but no .380. I have a .32acp, but no dies for that caliber. I may just buy .32acp ammo and forget the reloading for that caliber. Sorry I digressed.

Your collection sounds fun. Enjoy yourself! Having such a wide variety may come in handy, when you see posts in the classifieds that says they're willing to make a trade. You have a big assortment to offer.

 

[sequins]

I actually like multiple manufacturers for the sake of multiple manufacturers. I currently like shooting 9mm semi automatic handguns and I've been buying the flagship duty sized 9mms from all the top manufacturers just to compare them. Beretta 92fs, sig p226, cz 75, etc. Still trying to decide whether to get a current FNH pistol or wait for the new batch in the next couple years. They've got something good cooking I hope.

 

[Garrobo]

Just before the

first O'bam%$@a election I had an auctioneer sell a **** load of my long guns, mostly rifles, and some pistols which I hadn't shot or reloaded for for quite a few years. I could not believe the amount of money that these guns went for. I am now buying as many AR-15's as my retirement budget will allow in anticipation of Hillary running for the office. If it looks anywhere like she might get elected I am sure that I can double my money.

 

[Reloadron]

Me? My love affair with the gun began in 1958 when I was 8 years old and got my very first rifle. A hand-me-down Remington Model 512 22 single shot which I still have. I buy guns in calibers that I like and buy guns that I enjoy. I lean towards older guns with a love of early Colt 1911s as well as S&W and Colt revolvers. Also have my rifles I like.

Owned a gun shop for a number of years with plenty of new and used guns passing through my life, to this day I do not own a shotgun. I like shotguns, enjoy shooting good shotguns, just never had any desire to own one.

When I see a gun I like in a caliber I like, I generally just buy it. Been looking for a nice clean older S&W Model 25, maybe a 25-5 or earlier. I just want one. I am not easily swayed by all the BS and hype with every new gun released or what the gun mags write. No set rule for "collecting".

Ron