How Do You Justify, In Your Mind, Large Gun Collections?

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"Phydeau;
My answer was not intended to be a kiss my$$ response it was true. I don’t have to justify, within the limits society has placed on all of us, myself to anyone.

Now if you a phrased your question as to the reason many of us collect firearms? My response would have been along the lines of, the S&W revolvers I own represent the height of the metal workers art in the 19th and 20th centuries’.:D
 
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"Phydeau;
My answer was not intended to be a kiss my$$ response it was true. I don’t have to justify, within the limits society has placed on all of us, myself to anyone.

Now if you a phrased your question as to the reason many of us collect firearms? My response would have been along the lines of the S&W revolvers I own represent the height of the metal workers art in the 19th and 20th centuries’.
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+1 on S&W wheelguns.

I think I have started to justify my purchases for myself to get away from wanting one of everything. After all, I have decided that tactical tupperware is no longer of any interest to me, so, even if I find something that is a great deal I am not going to buy it. I bought a Keltec PF9 recently only because I wanted to try it for pocket carry.

However, older S&W revolvers are another story. I think they are beautiful pieces of art that go bang and I am always looking for something new (to me) and exciting. Thankfully, they don't come around often, so, when one does I can usually come up with the money. And, I have recently discovered that I really like older blued Colt 1911s. Again, those don't come around very often either. These are easier to justify in my mind because I know they hold their value much better than my XD9 does.
 
I am a poligamist, but my wife will only let me have one wife. But I can have a lot of guns..
 
I can justify it by the fact that no one in my household is naked, starving or living in the street, so I can afford it.

And the Constitution says it's my right as an American to have guns.
 
^ which question?

How Do You Justify, In Your Mind, Large Gun Collections?
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What I'm asking is have you ever come to a point in your collecting where you had to try to justify to yourself buying another firearm?
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So, how do you justify the next purchase when you know that you have enough guns to cover all of the shooting scenarios for your particular shooting lifestyle, i.e., hunting, plinking, carrying, etc.?
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They are all tied together. It was never a "right to own" question. It was a "how do you justify for yourself the money that gets tied up in a large collection" question. I used to spend every extra penny I had on firearm related purchases. I can't bring myself to do that any longer. If you do, that's great. I was just wondering what the thought process was. At this point I have narrowed down what interests me and that keeps my purchases at a level that I am comfortable with. To each his own, though.
 
"how do you justify for yourself the money that gets tied up in a large collection"
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I DON'T.
No need for me to justify this sort of thing to anyone....much less myself.

My guns are purchased with "extra money", money I earn on the side for just such expenditures. Some of that extra money gets spent on guns, some on other hobby items, some on my wife's extra wants, some on vacations, etc.
NONE of that extra money requires justification for me to spend.
 
I have cooled my purchase rate significantly. I have a couple collector pieces I want to pick up at some undefined future date. I am mostly buying shooters these days.

I do try to justify a purchase to myself beyond just "wanting it". But that is a personal decision and has nothing to do with "getting permission" from my wife to make an acquisition. Cash flow has a lot to do with the need to justify something for me personally.
 
IMO, it makes great sense to keep a record of what you buy, and what it costs, and the serial number and other pertinent information -- just in case. I'm not sure that I'd keep that information attached to the gun itself, but to each his own.

As for justification, why muddy the waters by trying to justify the decision to buy a gun? If you want it, and you can afford it, what else do you -- or anyone else -- need to know?
 
How Do You Justify, In Your Mind, Large Gun Collections?
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This a bit of a quibble. The question should be: How do you justify owning a large gun collection? Other people's collections aren't yours to justify. Let them find their own reasons.

I'd guess you've reached a point where the mere addition of another guy doesn't give you the thrill that it used to, and the psychic payback isn't worth the money, effort and space required. There two things I'd offer to think about.

First, no one owns all the things that he likes. There aren't enough hours in the day to use and enjoy them, even if the enjoyment is as simple as looking at them.

Second, if you want to be a collector, your collection should have some focus. It can be a
all of one kind" focus or a "one of each kind" or whatever.
 
No different than collecting coins or stamps, IMHO. As long as it is not at the expense of say family vacations, college tuition, etc. I know a woman who collects sewing machines.
 
I basically buy a gun when I can afford it. I don't let the mortgage go and stuff.

No justification as to own one "just to have" is a valid reason as well.
 
If your gun ownership goes beyond those guns that you use on a regular basis then it could rightfully be called a collection. Collections are simply a bunch of anything (stamps, rocks, dolls, knives, military items) that you fancy and just like having around to look at.

You don't have to "justify" the collection.
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Well...again, lets separate "need" from mere "want." Nobody here will ever be able to convince me (with a straight face) that they "need", say, 100 guns or whatever...outside of being a dealer.
 
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I want it
I can afford it
I am an American

justify?

to who?
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To your spouse or family...if you have one. To yourself, if you are breaking your financial back to afford such a collection.

I think too many here may be somewhat confusing "justification" with "rights," perhaps.

Of course, if one has money to blow without affecting the family or his/her own financial abilities, then go for it.

I have nothing against collecting anything; each to their own. But lets be honest, there eventually (for the sane of mind) comes a point where "enough is enough." Why? The "justification" is simply no longer there. Why is that? Perhaps one can no longer come up with a "need" or explanation (even to oneself) for such a collection? Perhaps one can no longer rationally continue expanding the collection due to financial/personal reasons? Who knows? The list goes on....

Either way, unless you are among the lucky ones who has expendable cash flowing like a fountain, justification eventually becomes necessary; if not to others, then to yourself. If not now, then later.
 
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To your spouse or family
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of course I take care of my family before I buy guns.

sometimes I buy my family guns! :D

(my wife has been given 2 shotguns including an inlayed Berreta as well as a 3 inch 686 and my daughter a Smith 19)
 
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