out of control!

[Axis II]

Well I had to take a step back and see my hobbies are getting a little out of control thanks to a thrashing from my best friends. I like guns and hunting and in the past it was always buy the gun or bow to get my by because I don't need a fancy rifle to hunt. I started off with a shotgun combo which progressed to a O/U to a 45-70 to a 223 and another 223 and a 44mag and another ML and a crossbow when I have a good compound I ran out the other day to buy scopes for a couple things that didn't have them and my buddy says when is the last time you used xyz? why are you buying stuff for them when you don't use them?

I almost bit on a marlin the other day and got to thinking well I already have a 45-70 single shot why do I need a marlin and then the little gun demon says cause its nicer and better so get it. I don't use the old ML, old 223, o/u, no clue why I bought the x bow, I figured I would hunt with the 44 and began reloading for it to save cost on ammo and for something to do and then it dawned on me when I went out and got a scope for it. I have a slug gun, ML, and 45-70 why the heck do I need this 44mag rifle?

I have been trying to take things to the local gun shows and sell them but that little gun demon tells me not too. my buddy tells me I'm getting out of control because now I want the marlin and an ar-15. I am getting to think I have a problem and maybe I should cut back on some things.

 

[stoky]

it happens
Not long ago I decided that I really didn't need both .44 Mag and .45 LC. So I sold a revolver and a '92. That got me down to just two .44 DA revolvers, a single shot and a semi auto carbine (in that cambering).
Then I remembered I had ammo can full of LC, so I bought a sheriff length SAA.
And stuck in my head, somewhere, is the notion that an 1895GBL would be a good pairing for my Sharps.

 

[WestKentucky]

Cut back on friends who question your gun accumulation. My wife asked me the other day how many more I needed (jokingly) and I told her she sounded just like my ex wife...she was confused because she's my first wife, but she figured it out.

We accumulate things because we enjoy them. Only reasons not to is because you don't want it or money isn't right. Manage your finances to where you do as you please within reason without having to worry about making ends meet. Doesn't matter if we're talking guns, cars, or eating at expensive restraunts. What makes you happy makes you happy.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

If you are buying things to 'fix' your emotions or unable to control your spending to the point that it's harming your life you have a problem. Otherwise you have a hobby, and hobbies are a good thing.

 

[hdwhit]

...sounded just like my ex wife...

A guy at church is in the process of getting divorced. They can''t finalize until they sell their house and the market was slow until recently, so they had to continue to live in opposite ends of it. He would refer to his "roommate" as his "future, former wife".

 

[hdwhit]

For most people in most neighborhoods in most areas of the country, I would say that there is a "need" to have a gun. The particular type of gun would depend on the circumstances. For most people, I would say that multiple guns starts to cross over into "want" territory.

But if you are paying your bills, taking care of your household, providing for your spouse (even if it's a former spouse) and children (even if they don't live with you) and giving something to help those less fortunate than you with their immediate needs, then what's left over is your to spend. But, if you've got a gun that's just sitting there gathering dust that you don't use any longer, there's nothing wrong with selling or trading it and getting something you do want to use. Please yourself.

 

[buck460XVR]

The reason most of us get up and go to work everyday, or at one time got up and went to work everyday, is/was to support ourselves, our families and our hobbies, in that order. The minute one changes the priorities of that order so the last one precedes either of the first two, they have a problem.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

If it isn't having an impact on your financial stability or on your family life, keep doing what makes you happy. My wife never complains about the amount of guns I have or even when I continue adding to the collection. We have plenty of friends that say to her "why do you let him keep doing that, he spends a fortune on guns." She always just laughs and says "we can afford it, it keeps him happy, he doesn't complain when I buy stuff and most importantly it keeps him out of my hair."

 

[Walkalong]

but that little gun demon tells me not too. my buddy tells me I'm getting out of control because now I want the marlin and an ar-15. I am getting to think I have a problem and maybe I should cut back on some things.

Listen to the little gun buddy, ignore the buddy who doesn't understand having more than one gun, or more than one driver, or more than one bat, this is the wrong place to come if you have a "gun" problem and want help, and ..... why cut back?

Less than 10 guns is out of control?

 

[Walkalong]

If it isn't having an impact on your financial stability or on your family life, keep doing what makes you happy.

Bingo!

 

[LoonWulf]

Ya know, if i only owned guns, or cars, or houses I needed....Id have 4 cars, 3 guns, and 2 houses......

I see nothing wrong with having guns you dont use very often. Ive got a few I take out once a year maybe. I havent shot my 7mm A-bolt myself in almost two years, but i know its there and ready to go. My poor little 6x47 hasnt been hunting in about that long too, its time for it to get a turn also. My sporterized Arisaka is still waiting on getting its load worked up, as are my new guns just coming in.....ill get to them.

I do get quite a bit of entertainment just thinking about what i want to change, modify or update on my guns, what loads i want to try, which gun would be perfect for which hunt (.458+Cows=WIN) etc....
Thats honestly the best part of the hobby for me.

 

[Reloadron]

If it isn't having an impact on your financial stability or on your family life, keep doing what makes you happy.

I believe that covers it well. At 66 years old I have been accumulating guns for quite some time. With my children grown and having children of their own my wife and I can now return to the things we enjoy in life. The years have been good to us so my getting another gun here or there is not an issue. Life is all about priorities and for a long time beanies and weenies on the table came well before another gun. I keep saying I should part with some of the hunting rifles but never seem to do so. The two things which give me the greatest enjoyment in my life are the grandchildren and my guns, I like it this way.

Ron

 

[Manny]

I'd convert some of the ones you're not shooting to funds to get the guns your wanting. Not to be rude, but most of what you have if fairly low end, a nice Marlin lever and a good AR would be very nice upgrades to your collection.

 

[Axis II]

I'd convert some of the ones you're not shooting to funds to get the guns your wanting. Not to be rude, but most of what you have if fairly low end, a nice Marlin lever and a good AR would be very nice upgrades to your collection.

I know they are low end because I couldn't afford a 600$ lever gun at the time and have a hard time justifying it for a week a year use as well as a few others.

 

[VoodooMountain]

You don't have a problem. In 10 years when prices have increased you'll be kicking yourself for not getting certain guns.

I remember com your other posts you have a couple of ar15's. So that along with what you mentioned is pretty darn minimal, especially when you start thinking about others in your family using them and different hunting seasons and regulations.

Honestly, guns are tools and it's difficult to have too many if you actually use them.

 

[jbloader]

Honestly, guns are tools and it's difficult to have too many if you actually use them.

Too many people forget this simple fact.

Let's just say that I have a .308 bolt with a 3-9x40 for hunting a stand with a shot distance of 0-200yrds, a .308 bolt with a 6-24x50 for my ridge-top hunting past 200yrds, and a .308 semi with iron sights for just the enjoyment of shooting 0-100 yards. The irons can do what the 3 and 6 do but can't do (as well) what the upper end of each can do. The 3-9 can do what the irons do and some of what the 6-24 can do but not too long range. The 6-24 can do some of the 3-9 job but not the iron sights job. One caliber of rifle with three different uses. That's why my tool box has a box end wrench, a 1/4", and 3/8" drive all in a 1/2" diameter. The same size nut or bolt but all of them may need a different style socket or wrench.

Another example would be to ask how many users on the board have different shotguns (gauges). Me...12,16, and 20. Heavy brush hunting for rabbit with a 20...good luck. Popping pheasant with a 12 at close range...hope you like the taste of feathers and buckshot. Mountain hunting squirrel with a 16, about perfect.

Now, I "want" a .338 Lapua. Why? It's big and can hit things very, very far away, and when you say, "I have a .338 Lapua" people are like, "Seriously!!" And you can be like, "Yeah." No more explanation needed.

Still, I don't have a .338 Lapua. I've never found the need for a tool that big. I enjoy my guns. I want my guns to be a legacy for my children and grandchildren, but at the end of the day. They are tools just like my wrenches and hammers.

Still, if I could just work out why I NEED a .338, and I had the money...

 

[MI2600]

I look at it this way. My savings and IRAs are earning just over 1%. Whoopee! However, most of the guns I bought in the recent and distant past have doubled and tripled (and more) in price. The 44-40 '73 Winchester I bought for $55 years ago is looking better and better. Where else can you enjoy yourself and earn at the same time?

 

[bannockburn]

ohihunter2014

If you're concerned about the financial aspects of your hobby I would say sell the things you're not using to fund future purchases of new guns. I know all too well the phenomena of "newgunitis" and eventually I stopped buying and selling/trading and settled on a few quality guns that I enjoy shooting.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Guns have become a lifetime passion and hobby for me. I remember the day I had my first actual gun. It was a Turkish Mauser 98 I picked up for $50. Then I got my first handgun. A brand new Taurus 617 revolver for a whopping $260. It has been quite an adventure for me over the years and I have owned some very neat guns. I do miss some of them and am in the process of finding another of those kind. I agree with others that if your finances aren't being hurt by your hobby, keep it up. I'm sure your friend has something in his life he spends money on too.

 

[Axis II]

The thing is I kind of agree with him about it. I have to outfit each gun with everything it needs like scopes, bipods, slings, scope caps, etc. I begin to hate a certain scope so I go to something else. yes my savage axis rifles are cheap but I've outshot guys with a rem 700 sitting on a fancy rest with my front and rear bags the only reason I own 2 of them is the first one came out around $250 with a pencil barrel and no accu trigger and I wanted something to coyote hunt with. savage came out with the axis heavy barrel with uses the same barrel as the high end guns which is what savage told me and it had the accu trigger and with rebates I paid $300 for it. other than the stock I like it better than a rem 700 but if a model 12 or so came up cheap I would probably grab it.

My 45-70 was a spur of the moment thing because Ohio allowed us to hunt with it and they had a big sale for $220 so I figured give it a try and that gun also shoots very good for what it is however something draws me to lever actions but my brain tells me $600-750 for a gun I will hunt with 7-10 days a year is crazy then the gun demon says get it, you work hard so buy what you want. I don't bird or rabbit hunt anymore so the shotguns just sit there.

My issue isn't upgrading so much as I go to the store for a new ML scope that's $200 and see the newer version of my ML with the scope I want and its $300 so I ended up with the scope I wanted and a new ML and each time I say I'm going to sell the old one I never do for some reason. just like with the regular axis it was supposed to be sold because I got the upgraded version but the gun demon says no you can use it or let your brother use it. I find all these deals on stuff and say oh that's cool I would like a 308 and its $300 and I grab it and buy reloading stuff for it and shoot it maybe 100 times and then it sits there.

 

[berettaprofessor]

My wife asked me the other day how many more I needed (jokingly) and I told her she sounded just like my ex wife...she was confused because she's my first wife, but she figured it out.

Thank you WestKentucky for my early morning laugh! Gotta keep that reply in mind for important occasions.

 

[huntsman]

When I was a younger man I was an accumulator now I'm a minimalist, I find that having a "toolbox" full of tools is boring. But a different tool to take advantage of the different hunting seasons is something altogether different.

 

[mhblaw]

A corollary of Murphy's Law is that the gun you sell because you haven't used it is the one you will want to use a few days later...

 

[tarosean]

I think your're in the wrong place if your looking for an intervention.

 

[stonecutter2]

Go with your guy and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. If you feel you need or want to take a step back, sell things, etc then do so. If you're fine emotionally and financially then keep on keepin' on.

Don't necessarily let a "friend's" psychoanalysis force you to do anything or change your ways. Trust in yourself.

That said, what you've described is something jokingly referred to as "GAS." Gun Acquisition Syndrome. I've also heard GAS referred to as Guitar Acquisition Syndrome. It can get to be a rush and exciting to get a new thing, no matter the hobby, and that can sort of get addictive in a weird way. Nothing wrong with stepping back and enjoying what you have. Take that crossbow and shoot it, if it's not as fun as you hoped, pass it along and sell it to someone else maybe.