What would you tell yourself back then?

[Missouri Farmer]

I would tell myself to only buy a gun if it's exactly what I wanted not just because i thought it was a good deal. And that having a few guns that I really like is more important than having a bunch that don't really speak to me. Second would be to invest in some training.

 

[Manny]

Get involved in DCM/CMP shooting early, start putting away .22lr like a madman when it's cheap and high quality surplus ammo when it's also cheap. Don't fall for the mantra that .223/9mm/.38 isn't effective and save a whole lotta money and get a whole lotta enjoyable shooting as a result. Get truly match grade rimfire pistol, revolver & rifle early. Spend more time doing & less time dreaming.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Buy all the:
22 ammo you can...lol
4,000 lbs of lead shot
gold you can

Keep your 64 Corvette!

 

[Bullseye]

Stay in the Navy until you reach full retirement. Pretty much, my only wish I wouldda.

 

[Rembrandt]

Bought up those $500 Winchester 52 Sporters instead of waiting till they got into the $3000-to-$4000 range.

 

[edmo01]

Three things...

- Use hearing protection... Your ears aren't "tougher" than everyone else's.
- Big hair = Big trouble... Choose your women wisely.
- Invest all your extra money in this crazy new company called "Apple"...

Edmo

 

[homatok]

At age 18---
Don't just buy the Marlin long octagon barrelled 30-30 @15 dollars (this was in 1957), buy the Winchester lever 303 @ 15 dollars as well! Both rifles were used in a second hand shop. I bought the 30-30 and still have it!

 

[mokin]

Stay in the Navy until you reach full retirement. Pretty much, my only wish I wouldda.

+1

I really don't have any serious regrets, but the Marine Corps was the best deal I ever got.

 

[IlikeSA]

Skip the XD9SC, get a shrouded revolver in .38. You'll want to pocket carry and won't be able to do so (comfortably).

Buy less musical instruments and more SKS' to sell at a later time. Invest the profit in the Redhawk 45 ACP/LC that you want now.

Skip the mandolin. You'll never put time into playing it. Get into reloading earlier with that $250.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Buy up all the cheap used Smith and Wesson and Colt revolvers you can possibly lay your hands on.

 

[Candyman87]

Shoot more, buy less. I've got a couple too many guns that I don't shoot but isn't work me selling.

 

[gp911]

Lots of good stuff here. Aside from the monetary advice I'd tell young me to spend more time practicing with .22s, get your C & R asap and use it before the supply runs dry, and when you have the money to spend on that fancy custom gun go ahead and buy it. I found myself pondering a custom Freedom Arms or custom 1911 purchase and ended up spending the money elsewhere.

 

[armedwalleye]

DONT SELL THE COLT NATIONAL MATCH GOLD CUP!! You idiot.

 

[readyeddy]

I would have told me 25 years ago that you're making the right decision buying all the guns I can afford, that years from now you'll end up married and broke and unable to buy new guns, but because you made a lot of right decisions while young, you will be able to spend many enjoyable hours shooting various guns in the future.

 

[J-Bar]

Start jogging.

Don't ask any woman out who is not friendly to you first.

Buy Colt Snakes.

Keep that 03-A3 that you got from CMP.

Don't enter a career path that doesn't excite you.

Save a bit out of every paycheck.

Buy Colt SAA's and S&W K frames.

Love your parents but recognize they may not know what is best for you.

 

[chicharrones]

Wear ear protection

Without a doubt.

 

[Zach S]

Buy the MP5.

9 is fine, and eventually creeps up to .45 ACP prices.

Don't think about buying the $179 7.62 Saiga, buy it. Buy several for investment purposes. Buy a Saiga 12 to keep.

Don't bother with the G19, get the 17 and chop the grip.

Be a jerk when the need arises. Take her stuff to her mama's, shut off her phone, get your van. Proceed with plan B.

 

[GAF]

My advise to my young self would be to beg, borrow all the money you can and invest it in Microsoft.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'd tell myself.......

1. If you think one hand gun will cover all your needs, you are kidding yourself.
2. Buy good holsters.
3. Ignore caliber debates between 9mm, 357 Sig, 40 S&W, and 45 acp for defense work. The debates are irrelevant and all 4 work well, so pick what you shoot the best.
4. Don't let popular gun culture tell you that you need to by an AR style rifle if you don't want one.
5. Start reloading early if you can. It'll be worth it.
6. Never confuse the opinions of more knowledgeable shooters with the facts. They are two different things and may or may not be helpful to you.Firearms are personal items and need to suit the shooter.
7. Be careful of internet hype and fanboyism.
8. Folks who tell you there is a proper technique for shooting are probably right, but that doesn't mean their ideas apply to everyone equally. Do what works for you.