At first it was a human rights/power thing with me and still is to a large extent. However, after the first 5 purchaes (CZ-75, Glock 21, Remington 870, Bushmaster AR, Egyptian AK-47 clone) I started to branch out and learned to appreciate more.
I like collecting surplus firearms. I think they're an interesting way to keep connected with history. It's a strange feeling holding onto a rifle with the Soviet sicle and hammer on it, or another with the Nazi eagle stamped into the receiver.
In that same vein I find comfort, if you could call it that, in that I can pick up quite used surplus firearms and they still work just fine. I figure I find this so fascinating because I work as a software developer where things break all the time. It gives me some hope that my field of work will one day achieve that level of reliability.
I like learning about the different designs that have been tried over all these years. Even more I like taking them apart and getting my grubby paws on them. I enjoy being able to construct a mental picture of how they work.
I enjoy time at the range, where I can hone my skills. Through this I have found I perform much better when relaxed. This is a lesson that I can carry over into all aspects of my life.
I like that the hobby keeps me paying attention to the politics of the country.
I also like that it forces me to reflect upon the free market nature of our economy. This was very much in play during the AWB where you'd see things like 13 round Glock magazines goind for $130 while 15 round BHP magazines were $25. Supply and demand at work. These days I like to watch what happens when things like CAS become larger and the guns used in them magically appear on the market.
I like being able to take folks to the range that might have never shot before, especially the younger ones. Drop an AK or an AR into a teenage boy's hand (with proper instruction) and I doubt it's an experience they'll forget.
I like the people I've met and the places I've been because of this hobby. I'd have never driven out to Montana to meet Richard Celata from KT Ordnance if I wasn't into shooting.
There's a lot to like about this hobby of ours.
