What have you learned from owning lots of guns over your life?

[albanian]

For those of you that have owned a lot of gun in there lives, what have you learned? I consider "a lot" to be over 100. I think that after owning over 100 myself, that I have learned somethings that I would only have learned by owning so many guns.

I have learned that you don't have to spend a lot to get a good quality firearm. Some of the better inexpensive guns include Bersa, Star, Ruger, and CZ. Great guns can be had if bought used. Used S&W revolvers, used Ruger revolvers and Remington 870s are almost always a great deal and they are great guns. One other thing I have learned is that the Kahr K-9 is without a doubt my favorite handgun of all time. I have had handguns from CZ, Bersa, Beretta, Colt, Springfield, Taurus, Kel-Tec, S&W, Ruger, FEG, Rock Island, Star, Walther, Armi San Marco, Iver Johnson, Charter Arms, Intratec, Glock, FM Hi Power, RAP, Makarov, Forhand and Wadsworth, Raven, Jennings, Chip McCormic, SIG, and others that I can't think of. While I really like some of these makers, i.e., Bersa, Star, Ruger revolvers, S&W revolvers, Beretta, and Colt, I would keep my Kahr K-9 if I could only have one.

So, what have you guys that have had a ton of guns come to learn?

 

[Wild Bill]

Learned that the safe's contents equalling the value of the house is neither logical, nor fiscally prudent; but, it sure is fun!

 

[buzz meeks]

Just a few things.

1)Whenever possible, buy used. Certain older guns really were made better. And on newer guns, let the other guy take the depreciation hit.

2)Always buy exactly what you want. If you can't afford it, save longer. The sting of a high price fades with time.

3)Don't be afraid to sell/trade guns. I find that most people with a lot of guns have done a bunch of trading and selling. It is the only way I was ever able to find out that the single action revolver didn't work for me, for example. Likewise, until I owned one, I had no idea what a clunky, unhandy beast the FNFAL is compared to a Mannlicher stocked sporter or a good 30-30.

4)Whether buying or selling, be patient. I'm still working on that last.

 

[PowderBurn]

I agree that you should wait and buy exactly what you want, in a NEW gun.

But I've also learned that I can buy used guns casually, and if I find I don't particularly like it, I can sell it for at least what I paid for it. The trick is to not be in a hurry to SELL either.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

Every gun is a compromise of features.
Nothing is perfect.
Reliability and accuracy are paramount.
Spend enough to get what you really want.

 

[Puppy]

Interesting question.

I think the most important lesson I have learned is: BUY QUALITY.

 

[Spackler]

I haven't owned "a lot", but I will tell you what I've learned.

It's easy to get caught up in the hobby. Any hobby, for that matter. But guns are "stuff". In the larger scheme of things, "stuff" doesn't matter much.

 

[snug]

That all manufacturers no matter how famous make mistakes and junk!
And there are far too many guns that I wish that I had'nt sold.
Some cheap guns shoot and work flawlessly, Hi-Point I have two
and never experienced a jam or failure .45 cal pistol and 9mm carbine.
As others have said buy what you want, used are good but use a
carefull eye (maybe talk to the previous owner if possible, I've gotten
a call from a guy inquiring on a Glock 23 which I traded,"and wished that
I had'nt it was a great gun".) don't buy on impluse look it over check the
action, look for tool marks,wear and any modifications which were
improperly done. Check for accessories (magazines, especially.)
Some of my losers were S&W Model 59, Charles Daly .40 Cal,AMT .40
Back-Up,Taurus Millenium .40 (not the Millenium-Pro, the .45 is ok not great
but OK)! "BUT" considering I've owned over 200 different ones not a bad
average!!!!

 

[cool45auto]

Patience.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Since I'm in the 80+ range, I can't comment on having "a lot".

But based on my meager collection, I've learned that I'll never stop wanting more.

 

[Lonestar.45]

Well, the main thing I've learned is, I'M NOT THE TYPE THAT LIKES TO SELL GUNS. Some folks have no problem selling their guns, trading, etc. And that's fine, it works for them. But me? I regret it way too much later.

And, I've also learned that it isn't the gun, but the person behind it. You don't necessarily need the most expensive scope, the most expensive rifle, and the most carefully handcrafted handloads to be the best shot in a group of given shooters. Owning the latest caliber gun du jour, with all the trendiest "tactical" accessories, does not guarantee you will shoot better than anyone else.

 

[tex_n_cal]

Don't buy just for fashion, or the latest fad.

In other words, I hope you didn't buy a 10" barreled Ruger, for the now-defunct handgun silhouette leagues, or a Scout rifle

Stick to quality guns that are well made, and serve useful purposes. Good steel and good wood never goes out of fashion

 

[borderguy]

Guns are tools.

Guns are fun.

Never loan out a gun you really like.

Buy what you want, not what someone else says you need.

AR-15's and HK-91's are just plain cool.

Love em or hate em, Glocks and revolvers will never go away.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If I were even 2% as smart as I'd like you to believe, I'd have been bright enough to have got born very, very wealthy.

I've learned the course of wisdom is to buy what you really and truly want, even if it's more than you think you can afford, because the odds on finding it again, even at that high price, are right down there with the reelection of Snopes Clinton.

 

[albanian]

We are getting some really good answers here! So true! This is just good old wisdom. So far, I agree with just about everything said.

One thing I have noticed is, I used to buy, sell and trade a lot of guns to get what I want but now, I am getting guns in my collection that I don't want to get rid of. I used to have a stable of guns that I would trade if something I wanted came along and now I have to look really hard to see if there is anything I can part with. I find that I just tend to buy guns now and not trade as much. I have certain guns that I like and that I doubt I will ever find again. Not that I have rare guns, I just find that sometimes you get an especially good example of a certain model of gun. That is when you should keep it. For example, I have a Star Bm that is the most accurate 9mm I have ever shot. It is just an inexpensive Star but it has a match qaulity trigger and can shoot one hole groups. I could never sell this gun for what I think it is worth or what it is worth to me. It is worth about what any other Star BM in this condition is worth. If I ever had to sell a gun like that, it would break my heart because I doubt I would ever find one to replace it.

 

[huntsman]

Well since I’m habitually poor, I’m limited to just a few guns, a small core group that I’ll never part with.
Occasionally I add to the group after much research. But what I’ve learned through buying, selling and swapping is

1. Always buy the most quality you can afford
2. There is a reason the “classics†are classics and you won’t go wrong owning one.
3.When buying used buy the highest condition you can afford.

 

[Rexrider]

I have yet to own over a 100 guns. I think, over the years, I have bought/sold/traded around 40 including the 10 I own now.

Things I have learned so far......or perhaps opinions based on my personal experiences.

1. Sometimes it really is the shooter. Not the gun. If you can't accept you may be the problem, then you really have not learned anything.

2. If you get a bad gun, don't be too hard on the manufacturer. Guns are built by humans and therefore can be flawed. If you really like a design, model, etc, give it another try. What are the odds of getting two bad guns in a row?

3. Life is too short to deal with bad customer service. Period.

4. Quality over quantity.

5. Quality is not directly proportional to price. A $2000 gun is not guaranteed to work better than a $400 gun.

6. Ammo gets really expensive. I would rather have a small collection that I can afford to shoot then a large collection that sits at home because I can't afford to buy ammo for everything.

7. This is more of an opinion. I shoot what I buy. A gun that cannot be fired holds no value for me. I don't care what it is (excluding something in the family that may be to old and/or unsafe). No safe queens allowed. Everybody gets their hands dirty.

8. You know that old man you see every time at range. You know the one. He is always in the very last lane away from everyone else. Shooting his revolvers. He fires about one round per minute and you always wonder why he is even there. Well....he probably knows more, seen more, and done more than you could ever hope to. If he has something to say you may want to listen.

9. The more I learn, the more I know there is more I need to learn.

10. Murphy loves batterys

 

[Sean85746]

I have probably OWNED more than 250 guns in my lifetime. The most at one time was around 150. Currently, 137.

The neat thing about this is: The wife doesn't bat an eye when you pull one out of the safe she hasn't seen before.

She doesn't look at you too cross-eyed when you say...and you know what is coming next: "Honest Honey...it's been in there FOREVER!"

And another poster was right...you can trade yourself into a lot of neat guns IF you aren't afraid to trade them.

 

[Psssniper]

I have learned to be patient
I have learned to take offenses and walk away
I have learned to keep control of my temper
I have learned the power of life and death

 

[psyopspec]

I have learned to be patient
I have learned to take offenses and walk away
I have learned to keep control of my temper
I have learned the power of life and death

Aw snap, those must be some high quality firearms you got. What brand are they? I'd be better off taking my college education money and buying guns if I could learn all that. Kidding of course about the edjumakashun money, but in all seriousness shooting has taught me some of those things as well.

Excellent point.

 

[mr hanky]

Although "a lot" doesn't apply to me - yet - I have learned how much of a tool guns are, how intimately they are a part of our history and the liberty's we enjoy. I love em'!