I have several "themes" to my collection.
I have a hunting rifle theme.
A hunting shotgun theme.
Defensive shotgun theme.
Modern sporting rifle theme.
Classic revolver theme.
Duty handgun theme (all the handguns I've carried during military/law enforcement careers).
Plinking rifle theme.
Actually got rid of all the mil-surps I'd picked up when I wanted to begin a mil-surp rifle theme; regrettably, prices on those types skyrocketed, so I'm not gonna go back there.
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I'm with Old Dog on this one. There is no single "theme" to my collection.
I buy from these groups:
-Carry Pistols
-Long-Range scoped rifles
-Milsurps
-Range guns
-.22 Plinkers
-ARs
I have bought too many plastic pistols to fill the carry pistol group. They hold no sentimental value and probably never get to the point of being worth more than I paid. So I will probably sell them all off except a single stack (.45 Shield), a pocket gun (LCP), a revolver (Taurus 85UL), and a double-stack (currently a Taurus PT111, but will probably upgrade to a M&P Compact 9 if they upgrade the trigger.)
I want to get one good long range scoped rifle. More than one is crazy because load development is challenging enough for one rifle.
Milsurps are fun to shoot, look great, and other people love shooting them. All have appreciated in value, and I will probably keep them until I retire or until my eyes go to the point of not being able to use iron sights well. I have no guilt buying them because so far, every one is worth more the longer I hold onto it. I know I could make more investing money other ways, but I can't take gold out to the range and run rounds through it.
Range guns are 1911's of all sizes, revolvers, and a couple double-stack 9s.
22's are fun, and I can take kids out to the range and get them into the hobby without a lot of cost or time. I don't let kids shoot my reloads, and I don't buy much centerfire ammo so this is a good fit. I have revolvers, bolt rifles, semiautos, and a Mark II Ruger that hits every time.
I like building AR's. I can't help it. PSA puts lowers on sale, I get them to hold onto for later, and they turn into rifles. I try not to have any two alike, so I have 5.56, .308, 7.62x39, .22LR and 9mm examples. When PSA drops the price of their .45 ACP parts, that one will happen also.
I usually have a running list of what I want to buy, and when a good price comes up on one, I get it. Especially with Milsurps, you need to keep an eye open for deals. I don't have more than one of any specific model of gun except for 1911 Fullsize (I had to build at least one from the frame up), M1 Carbine (one is Milsurp, one is commercial), 10-22s (one is my wife's), and of course ARs....because they breed in the safe. I don't even like them that much...they are just so darn useful, flexible, and fun to build.