How many of you have had waning feelings about firearms?

[Warp]

In and around 2009 I went about a year and a half during which I maybe bought ammo once or twice, maybe went to the range a couple of times, spent very little time on any gun boards, just didn't really do anything active...though I still carried daily.

I was occupied with other things and firearms went to the back burner for awhile.

 

[Potatohead]

Great thread. I too, am growing a bit tired of "punching paper" and yearn for my own land to shoot on, st the chrony up, hit some steel...out of the question at present though..

We're a spoiled bunch..

 

[MrWesson]

I'm coming back from a huge amount of waning interest.

I quit shooting for almost a year. lost interest because of shortages(on my side powder/reloading supplies),got bored standing around and shooting, USPSA and bullseye competitions were fun but other hobbies prevailed over shooting(fishing/golf mostly).

 

[Sam1911]

Oh, tired of punching paper?

Tried IDPA?

All within 100 miles of Huntsville! Can't be too far away from "North Alabama."

APSC (Arab Parctical Shooters Club)

North Alabama IDPA
Location: Arab, Alabama

Middle Tennessee Shooters
Location: Manchester, Tennessee

Moss Branch IDPA/AL Christian Shooters Club
Location: Anniston, Alabama

Nashville Armory IDPA
Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Brock's Gap IDPA
Location: Hoover, Alabama

Gallatin Gun Cub, Inc.
Location: Hermitage, Tennessee

West GA Tactical Shooters
Location: Tallapoosa, Georgia

....

Or USPSA:

MOSS BRANCH SHOOTING RANGE INC - AL05
Anniston, AL 36207

ROCKET CITY PRACTICAL SHOOTERS - AL13
Huntsville, AL 35806-2257

HERITAGE RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB - SCSA168
Leeds, AL 35094

NORTH TENN. PRACTICAL SHOOTERS - TN06
Smyrna, TN 37167

...

Or the group that holds AL's Ruger Rimfire matches:
Ruger Rimfire Challenge Alabama State Championship
Match Location: Cavern Cove Rimfire
Woodville, AL 35776
Registration/Results Website: caverncoverimfire.com

 

[Potatohead]

I have to say, reloading may not be the answer if you're not wanting to spend money. Yes it saves on ammo costs, but now I just have more things to buy. I'm combing the net every day now looking for powders, bullets, tools, brass, a stand, you name it...ask my wife about that!

 

[r1derbike]

Ahhh, those are good points and perhaps there are two issues at play:

1) It's expensive: There are AWESOME air guns available now which will nearly make you forget your .22s! And still cheaper, generally, to buy and about as cheap as you could hope for to shoot. Check out Pyramid Air and you'll be blown away by how great the selection really is.

2) I'm bored: I think we've covered that one.

May I suggest several precharged pneumatic offerings from Crosman/Benjamin? Benjamin Marauder in .22 or .25 caliber. Benjamin Marauder Pistol in .22 caliber. Benjamin Discovery in .22 caliber for those just getting started in precharged pneumatic air rifles. Have all three, and the ability to fill my 4500psi CF fireman's "bottle" at home. Life is good....and quiet, except for the Discovery.

 

[kitsapshooter]

Orion you have the space to reload, you just don't realize it yet?

 

[leadcounsel]

With the cost rising, you just have to train and acquire smarter. The days of just blasting 10 boxes of ammo at a stationary paper target are gone.

Try getting into IPSC or similar shooting, simulating self defense situations and stress shoots. You use less ammo, and get better training.

Instead of loading a full mag in your rifle, load a single bullet and take your time. Let the gun cool abit between shots as you look through the spotting scope.

As for the cost overall, the cost of EVERYTHING is higher... what 'cheaper' hobby will you replace it with? Running marathons costs money to travel and stay and enter races around the nation. Golf requires expensive clubs and course fees/memberships. Boating is a moneypit. Fishing is expensive - reels, rods, licenses.... Skiiing isn't free; Seasonal expenses can easily equal a few nice rifles. Restoring old cars is a pricey endeavor.

However, guns will outlast nearly every other sporting equipment you can buy, if treated well. Clubs, ball bats, skis, boats, cars, etc... they all seem to get very outdated very quickly. However, quality pistols and rifles from a few decades ago are still relevant and exceptional...

Frankly, there just aren't too many 'free or cheap' hobbies, unless you just want to get some free yarn and knit sweaters.

 

[M.A.Lanning]

Just wondering how many of you have had a waning feeling towards firearms? The cost of things going up has caused me to put a stop to all firearms purchases. I've even considered selling some of my collection. The cost of "going to the range" has become higher than the potential joy. Anything 9mm and up has become too costly for any reasonably fun outing [shooting a lot], and only 22lr can fill this desire, if you can find it. At least the cost is lower per round. But for "100 rounds at a paper target"? The "fun" doesn't outweigh the cost of those spent rounds.

Reload? Not sure that would be the answer. Startup costs would be more money spent.

I have a few guns that I like, but feel like selling because I've begun to loose interest. There are a few that I won't sell, so it isn't like I would get rid of everything. But I have one specific pistol that shoots expensive rounds to where I don't want to take it out. . . . . so why have it?

Not saying that anything I have will actually be put up for sale, . . . just griping at where things are these days and the cost to play, . . . along with the cost of other things going up.

Maybe I would have more fun if I had land to where I could do the Brandon401401 thing. I don't, though.

Hear Hear...I Know Exactly How You Feel...Been Thinking The Same Way My self...I Have No Real Reason To Have A Bunch Of Closet Qeens Around...Like You I Will Never sell Some I Have...But Some Are just Way To Expensive To Shoot Now...And getting Set Up To reload Aint Cheap Either...

 

[evan price]

Yeah, im getting burned out on the gun hobby. Im getting so busy with other stuff, little time to shoot anymore despite plenty of ammo, components,lead and guns.

 

[SFsc616171]

No.

Economic upheavals and downturns have occured a few times in my 6x years, and it is a surety that they will happen, again.

Maybe it is my peculiar P.O.V., but having waning feelings about a mechanical device that has put food on the table, deterred or more an intruder into the sanctity of the family abode, exists as 'the Christian Cross does to a vampire', when brandished, or even just envisioned in the minds of power-hungry American politicians, and has been at the side of many a GI sent to their country's bidding, is a puzzlement.

Folks owned firearms in the Depression, (other than the gangsters), and survived.

True, for the time being, ammunition and reloading supplies might be a bit more costly. When measured in a snapshot of time, when the American government brow-beats its citizenry over gun rights, the criminals are more openly commiting crimes on the street and in the homes, of course there is going to be a drive in the market.

But, waning feelings about firearms????

 

[bassdogs]

Haven't been shooting much this year. Like others, have gotten a bit burned out on it. Ammo being hard to find and $$ is part of it, but in reality I have plenty of ammo for the guns I shoot most. Also live away from town so can shoot what ever off my back deck so it just seems that I'm just not that motivated to pull the trigger right now. Only real shooting I've done this year is introducing my grands to firearms. The younger ones on a BB rifle and the 9 year old to a henry youth lever action.

Over the last 5 years have edited my gun closet to eliminate the ones I just never shot. A Winchester 12 that never fit my frame, a 30-06 that kicked my ass and didn't need for the stuff I hunt here, and the only keeper I have is a classic 357 trooper MkIII that I do like to shoot.

Posting this has reminded me that I need to practice since I do have a CCW permit, so out comes the 40 this afternoon. Also need to dump some rounds thru the 870 for the same reason. But think all this 2nd admendment stuff, attack on assault style weapons, and [wait until I sit down] the constant rat-tat-tat of the wantabee Zombie killers and "mine is bigger and badder than your's" crowd; has just caused me to tune out. I enjoy the educational aspect of many on the forum and the helpful hints and how-to's from those who will always know more than me about shooting. When I hear that I need 50 or 100 mags and 10's of thousands of rounds for each of my guns, I just start thinking about my fishing equipment or new RV.

 

[splattergun]

Orion, I can see that you're not only a bit bored with shooting the same ol' paper full of holes every week, but you're also more than a bit worried about your finances. You've mentioned it a couple times. It's hard to justify buying another, or even keeping all the guns you currently have, when your '97 Hyundai is wondering when you will let it out to pasture. I have a '99 Dakota with > 190,000 miles. I can dig it! You can't justify in your mind spending money on something that is, currently, not giving anything back to you. Competition shooting, steel, reloading etc etc, all just look like money out the window to you at this point. And you aint wrong.

If it were me in your shoes (and I am not far from it), I would just take a step back and focus on the home front for now, get your dollars on a more solid foundation and make sure you can get yourself to work every day with less worry. Maybe you'll need to sell a gun or 2 to get a newer car, maybe not. But guns are just things. Your peace of mind and peace in the family is more valuable, and it's hard to be at peace when spending money on your hobby (which should be a relaxation) brings you heartburn.

Only you can decide where the balance is.

 

[btg3]

Competition ("gun games") in many forms is affordable and fun.

IPDA is typically <100 rds. A $20 holster and a couple of mags will allow you to experience what it's about and whether it's for you.

Steel challenge, bowling pins, rimfire matches...

The OP is in southwest MO with many clubs and opportunities to pique interest.

You can lead a horse to water...

 

[22-rimfire]

My guess is that you are experiencing reduced interest in most things that you used to enjoy. You might consider visiting a doctor. It's called depression. In which case, it is very hard to lead a horse to water....

You can fix this. Just get out and smell the roses and do it.

 

[Stophel]

I can't even go outside and fire off a few rounds of .22LR without worrying about whether or not I'll even be able to get any more!!! (and my current supply of about a handful of shells doesn't inspire me to go out and blast them away!) Things are no longer casual. Everything shooting-related is very serious now.

And, of course, expensive. Many here say "try reloading!" "Try reloading!" "Try reloading!". I say try reloading only if you like reloading. For me, it is pure, abject, mind-numbing, time-exhausting tedium. I despise reloading, and would rather have my fingernails pulled out with pliers. Yes, I can do it, and I do on rare occasion when I feel it is absolutely necessary, but it is not a task I look forward to. And yes, if you want to reload for one or two guns and limit your options you can get reloading setups....relatively... inexpensively, but anything other than bare bones basic costs a fortune up front. Might take a long time to see any "savings", depending on how and what you shoot.

For me, reloading is almost an "emergency contingency", only done when absolutely necessary, with components stored for future use.

 

[Manny]

As to the expense of shooting, I used to be a firm big big bore fan. No whimpy calibers for me! My safe had .475's, .45's, .44's, .41's, .40's, .348 Winchester, .308's etc... All great and capable guns, and all expensive to feed, especially without reloading. Also all much more than I needed for killing paper, which is primarily what they did. I got to your point some years ago and didn't do much shooting for several years. Then I decided to try an AR15 for some reason and got a Rock River National Match flattop. All the sudden I was shooting ammo that was litterally half the cost of my .308 and the gun was phenominally accurate and fun to shoot. Then I tried a tupperware 9mm and .38 wheelguns and had the same experiance, more shooting fun for less dollars. Who knew?

These days I have a far different mix of guns in my safe. My caliber/cartridge selection is FAR smaller than before and very much based on being relatively inexpensive to shoot. What I shoot primarily now is .22lr, .38+p, 9mm, .223 and some 12ga. I have fun with all, especially as I picked up some self healing rubber targets that react when hit. Plinking is my favorite activity and is NEVER done from a bench, always from a field position and at varying distances. It's all about having fun and becoming a better field shot and I get way more enjoyment from it. Try it, it may work for you.

 

[all357mag]

Quite the opposite for me. I feel like a kid again in these times. More people are finding interest in firearms, for whatever reason. True, not so good cost wise, but I'll take that as the price for more shooters on OUR side!

 

[huntsman]

Maybe it is my peculiar P.O.V., but having waning feelings about a mechanical device that has put food on the table, deterred or more an intruder into the sanctity of the family abode

yeah that's how I feel it's not a hobby it's utilitarian more akin to pioneers and a rural way of life. Also it's because of my upbringing, Dad had guns I have guns my kids have guns, just that simple.

 

[12Pump]

Has my interest waned? Most definately!

I used to go to a range that was free and you shoot almost anything. Then one day I go there to find it "formalized" to where there is now a rangemaster wanting a $5 "donation" to tell you that you're only allowed to shoot NRA certified paper targets. Your own paper targets aren't good enough. Water jugs, pop cans, or anything else is banned. Oh, and to shoot pistols, the minimum is 50 feet. Shotguns can only be fired at flying clay disks. No tactical shooting at all.

Then I try another range that only lets you shoot rifles, and only from 100 to 600 yards (at the ranges own paper target only), and only at the distance the majority of other shooters there agree upon. .22 rifle at over 100 yards is not allowed. Shotgun slugs not allowed. Handguns not allowed. Can only shoot 1 shot at a time while a target operator marks each hit on the target afterwards. Is shooting in such a strict and regulated way like this supposed to be fun? (I went there on a day it was agreed they'd be shooting at 100 yards. I brought my .22 and drove out there only to be told that the other people agreed at the last minute to shoot at 200 yards. So I didn't get to shoot at all.)

All this, along with the increased cost and unavailabilty of ammo doesn't make the hobby much fun anymore for me. So now, I try to look at my guns in a practical way:

What are they for? Mostly self-protection against home invaders and the possibility of complete economic and national collapse. I feel safer having them because they give me the ability to defend myself. As a result, I don't need very many. I figure 2 or 3 handguns, a .22 rifle, a shotgun and an AR. If the AR became too much of a "pain" to have, I'd have a second shotgun in its place. Altogether, that comes out to about 6 guns. With those, I feel I have what I need in a practical way. I feel I have what I need, which makes me feel good in that way. As for wants, I can fulfill those with other hobbies now that the fun has been taken out of the gun hobby.

 

[BCRider]

OK, this thread is already 3 pages worth of replies so excuse me if this has been said already.

For me it's not JUST the shooting. It's the comradery of sharing my day with others and the fun of light hearted competition. I also found pretty quickly that the magic of standing in one spot and perforating paper gets old really fast. Again the answer was to move on to the handgun sport events such as IPSC, IDPA, Cowboy Action and other local flavour matches. Between sharing the day with some great folks and having to shoot well and fast I found it really keeps the juices flowing.

So if you're looking for that next level in your shooting hobby then look at traveling to some of the matches of various sorts in your area that you think you'd like.

As for reloading I say HELL YA! Yep, it costs quite a bit to set up at first. Or it can cost not much at all. It all depends on what you want to load and how many per hour you want to churn out. One thing for sure though. Unless you're only shooting 9mm the cost saving will soon pay for the equipment. I currently shoot somewhere around 5K to 7K of center fire handgun ammo per year. Reloading saves me literally $2000 to $3000 a year. On top of this I probably shoot 300 to 400 rounds of rifle ammo. And in the case of rifle ammo the cost saving is HUGE.

 

[CajunBass]

I've bought, sold and traded guns all my life. All you have to do is do a search for my name and the phrase "used to have" for proof. Not long ago I had so many handguns the shelf in my safe was bending...literally. I sold most of them off and now have less than a half dozen...with another on layaway.

As for reloading....it cost me about $100.00 a couple of years ago to buy everything I needed to reload for what I shoot, which is 99% 38 Special.

A Lee hand press, a set of dies, I've got a scale and powder measure, but find I use the little dipper that comes with a set of Lee dies most of the time, and a few hand tool like a case trimmer, chamfer tool, and a Lee auto primer. Probably doesn't cost much more today. Money well spent. It's slow, but I'm in no hurry.

 

[javjacob]

I have never been a gun hoarder so there isn't much problem for me. I have 4 guns and plan to make it 6.

 

[Reefinmike]

Id shoot 3 times as much as I do now If I were able to find someone to let me setup a bullet trap on their land. I already shoot a thousand rounds a month but Id shoot a whole lot more If I could catch all my bullets, melt em down and cast new. for now Ill just keep trying to track down cheap lead.

 

[Pistola]

I don't go shootin' anymore. No money, no ammo.