too many guns?

[dom1104]

Now I am sure I am going to take some heat here but,

Those of you who have 30+ guns in a huge safe and 100 magazines and basically are sitting on a giant arsenal...

Dont you feel a little silly that you didnt pick one handgun, shotgun and rifle that you really liked and spent the money on ammo?

I know a LOT of people that go hog wild spending 1000s on guns, and then only keep two boxes of ammo. "because its too expensive"

Collectors aside of course.

I just wonder how many people are in that boat.

"Guns guns guns I need more guns!" and not a penny spent on training or ammo.

I bet...alot. especially training.

I am trying not to fall into that trap myself, I have a very nice 22, a CZ 9mm with a 22lr kit, and a winchester shotgun. I figure maybe some sort of heavy caliber bolt rifle and then I would be pretty much set. then on to training and ammo collection. I feel like I become too "gun crazy" and run out and buy every 'next cool thing' that i will be shorting myself in the long run.

Any thoughts on this?

How about you old timer guys who have been shooting your whole lives, do you find yourself picking up the "old favorites" and not having the desire or need for the "next new thing"?

 

[BhmBill]

Because... we want them?

Why do people have more than 2 cars or trucks? They only need one for offroad and one for onroad.

I'd venture a guess because... they want more?

Why limit yourself?

 

[Walkalong]

I am sure I am going to take some heat here

How did you guess?

Any thoughts on this?

I shoot almost every gun I have. I shoot some more than others. I get bored with even my favorites, and switch to something else.

I have "trained" most of my shooting life. I am pretty good with pistols and rifles. OK with shotguns.

Besides, who cares if someone loves to shoot lots of different guns at the range, but never really trains, and never carries?

There are just too many cool guns out there to not have at least several. Heck, one a year would add up over time.

 

[Acera]

I have found that practicing with one of my rifles helps my proficiency with the others. The same also applies to the shotguns and handguns.

So I don't feel that I have to shoot hundreds of rounds through a particular gun to be competent with it. There are guns in my collection I spend a lot more time with than others, some which have not been shot in years and may not be for many more, but I feel that I can accurately and efficiently use them if the need arises.

They all are kept in top shape, and checked regularly for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

My collection exceeds the 30+ number you posted, and has come from a lifetime of buying, inheriting, trading and collecting them.

It is a hobby, passion, investment opportunity, defensive need, and art collection all rolled into one arena.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Who cares if its "silly" or not. I had a neighbor that collected bowling balls, he had hundreds! God Bless Him.

They are not bad investments either, many people see them as a safer option to stocks or etf's

 

[dom1104]

You know, "Investment Opportunity" is a valid point, guns go up while the 401ks go down.... huh never thought of that.

I wonder what the overall rate of return on investment in guns would be over 20 years.

 

[Funderb]

all I know is that Vaarok stole all the finn mosins. what a loser.


Kids - Hot wheels

Adults - Guns

They are FUN, and its nice to have a bunch because every single firearm is slightly different, and no single firearm has "everything you ever wanted".
I own a bunch of firearms. They bring me joy, even when I am not shooting them.
Its a meditative thing for me, shooting, cleaning, customizing.
My firearms will never be used for violence, so I won't call it an "Arsenal".

Who the hell are you to ask us why we don't feel "silly" for owning lots of firearms?

 

[BhmBill]

Guns used to be sold for $10 - $20 through magazines. 40 years ago. Those same guns are going for quite a bit more nowadays.

They're a solid investment.

 

[X-Rap]

Get a better job or check your priorities but don't come here with 2 guns and start to question the why and throwing the A word around.
If having more than a couple is not your bag to bad, some have different views.
Do you only have 1 set of silverware? How about bath towels?

 

[REDEYE]

I tend to spend my saved money on guns and reloading supplies. I only buy ammo when I find it at a deal.

 

[Animal Mother]

Dont you feel a little silly that you didnt pick one handgun, shotgun and rifle that you really liked and spent the money on ammo?

Oh while I don't have quite that many guns or magazines, I'm close to it. And I like all of my guns, while I could buy three great guns instead of thirty, it would be impossible for three guns to fill all the roles and applications that thirty can. And I have PLENTY of ammo.

Any thoughts on this?

While you can never have enough training, I've been shooting long enough to feel comfortable with my skill level, for the situations that I am likely to encounter.

How about you old timer guys who have been shooting your whole lives, do you find yourself picking up the "old favorites" and not having the desire or need for the "next new thing"?

While I don't feel the need to buy the "next new thing" I have a lot of desire to buy things that are "new to me." These fill niches in my collection, and allow me to revisit firearms that at some point in my life was interested in but unable to afford.

 

[rbernie]

I'd like to bequeath something useful to my kids. Bowling balls strike me (ha!) as less valuable to future generations than firearms.

 

[Phydeaux642]

You know, "Investment Opportunity" is a valid point, guns go up while the 401ks go down.... huh never thought of that.

Looks like someone's collection is about to start growing.

I don't buy like I used to (nothing out there where I live), but I still like to look in case something comes out of the woodwork. I've got a few guns that are worth 2-4 times what I paid for them. My IRA is worth about 80% of what I have put in it. Go figure.

I would say that I have a decent amount of ammo but I have quit shooting for now because I can't replace it. I can't even find the .22 that I shoot. I decided to start reloading and bought the equipment - no components where I live. I'm thinking I might start knitting, unless there are rumors out there that knitting needles are going to be banned. Those things can be dangerous you know.

 

[damien]

I'm an Excel junkie. It says I have about $9,000 in ammo, today's prices.

Too little?

 

[Funderb]

My IRA is worth about 80% of what I have put in it. Go figure.

yeah me too. it sucks. I need more guns.

 

[Davionmaximus]

I have many guns... each for a differant purpose...

Kinda tough to deer hunt with a .22lr....

Would not want to defend the home from an intruder with a .308, as I am sure my neighbors would agree.

Can't seem to shoot skeet with my XD45 (but would be fun trying I am sure).

And my ARs... well let's just say they just simply give me that "warm-fuzzy" feeling.

And yes, I have plenty of ammo and shooting time with each to be effective.

 

[dom1104]

I agree on the cost of shooting, I pretty much only shoot my 22 rifle and my 22 conversion anymore. Otherwise it just feels like I am throwing money away.

I do understand the collector thing, people collect some pretty odd things (bowling balls) and the investment value is apparently an interesting concern.

I guess I am coming from a more from a practical "guns as tools" point of view.

Especially in the days now of high priced and completly rare ammunition, democratic presidents and guns in the news on a weekly basis, I guess I just feel "the good old days" of shooting for fun are coming to an end. And utility will become the focus soon for those of us without pension funds.

I am just reacting to friends of mine who have spent their whole time collecting "launchers" and no "projectiles". And are now stuck with a large pile of useless metal.

And I wonder if that isnt just how the Democrats and antis want it.

As for me, I am going to limit my collection and maximize the amount of ammo for that collection, with a heavy emphasis on 22 kits for training. I just wonder if anyone else is going that route.

 

[wyocarp]

The OP makes a good point. It's time to buy another safe so the guns aren't so crowded.

Just last night my daughter was talking with a boy she knew on the computer and looking at his gun pictures. She was wanting to look at a muzzle loader. I'm not totally sure why. But I told her that those were way at the back of the safe.

 

[jcwit]

I like my gun collection.
I wonder about the investment possibilities of firearms in this political environment.
Other problem I have is I like money, not things, because then I always have more money to turn into other things that I want or NEED at that time, whenever that may be. I dislike credit, and refuse to use it, even for my home which I own.
Preparing for the future by stocking on one product is folly.
But what do I know.

 

[h0ss]

Well i am kind of like that. I dont have 30+ guns, i have less than 10. I do always seem to be low on ammo but always looking for my next gun purchase.

I dont think there is anything wrong with owning many guns. I think my mindset is along the lines of "I want to first acquire the guns i really want the most to cover all of the purposes i will use them for." Current political situation aside, i had always thought that once i get the guns that i want, then i will settle back and buy ammo and shoot to my hearts content. Yeah, i will probably always see another gun that i want, but those purchases can be saved for a rainy day if i ever get an opportunity.

I do not always have the money to buy weapons so it is a slow process, but lets face it, buying a gun is a large up-front purchase, while ammo does not have to be. Yeah, maybe not to some people who buy 2 or 3 cases of a certain kind of ammo on occasion, but they are large up-front purchases to me since i dont have lots of money. Buying one case of ammo here and there to 'stock up' for my pistols or rifles would be easier for me once i acquired all of the guns i want. Or I can buy a 50 or 100 round box here and there every week or so.

Anyway, thats why I am always looking for my next purchase but never seem to have more than 100 rounds of any kind of ammo sitting around. Everyone is different in how they go about with their collections or shooting habits, but i dont think anyone is wrong for owning more guns than ammo.

 

[ezypikns]

a rThe only reason I don'tidiculous number of firearms..

is because I DON'T have a ridiculous amount of money.

On second thought, maybe because it's a ridiculously SMALL amount of money.

 

[TIMC]

Those of you who have 30+ guns in a huge safe and 100 magazines and basically are sitting on a giant arsenal...

Dont you feel a little silly that you didnt pick one handgun, shotgun and rifle that you really liked and spent the money on ammo?

I know a LOT of people that go hog wild spending 1000s on guns, and then only keep two boxes of ammo. "because its too expensive"

Collectors aside of course.

I just wonder how many people are in that boat.

"Guns guns guns I need more guns!" and not a penny spent on training or ammo.I bet...alot. especially training.

Do I feel silly that I didn't pick one handgun,shotgun, and rifle then stocked up on ammo? Heck no, I have an ample supply of ammo for all my guns. What limits shooting all of the guns I have is time not ammo. Your post sounds more like your talking more about Newbies more than old timers in shooting. I don't know anyone that has been collecting guns for 20 years or more that doesn't have an ample ammo supply for all the guns they have.

 

[CWL]

Why should you care what I buy and do? Why is it of any concern at all? I don't rob or steal to get the money that I spend however I want to.

Are you a communist?

 

[jackstinson]

Why do so many OP's think that EVERYONE thinks exactly the same way they do?
Look around....EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. It makes the world a much more exciting place to live in.

I shoot every week at the range and usually every day at home. But I also like mechanisms....especially firearms' mechanisms. So I sometimes buy guns just because I like the mechanism. Heck I sometimes buy a gun just because I like how it looks!
30 guns? If I had only 30 I wouldn't need a spreadsheet to keep track of them.

You spend YOUR money on what you want and I'll spend MY money on what I want.

 

[dom1104]

TIMC "I don't know anyone that has been collecting guns for 20 years or more that doesn't have an ample ammo supply for all the guns they have."

I think you hit the nail on the head TIMC. And thats the answer to my question I think right there.

You old timers have the guns AND the ammo. And the training / experiance.