Why do YOU keep DOING It?

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Because it's my religion! :)

Seriously, being a BIG target shooter, I can see many links between shooting and religion.

There is a sacred idol: The target, the x-ring. We worship something, somewhere. This is it.

There are rituals: My DCM-spec AR-15 is the focus of many, many hours of attention, both directly (cleaning, shooting and dry-firing) and indirectly (reloading, reading, discussions and more). Plus I am constantly refining my technique both on and off of the range.

There is a sacred destination: The target range and the hope for becoming better. Making Expert, Master and High Master in succession is like securing one's place in the heavens.

That's just the rough and gritty. It's too late to get any more indepth. But it's reason enough for me to make the sacrifice of time and money!

Take care all and shoot safe.
 
Defense of self and family, improvement in skill with added time spent at range, excitement of a beautifully crafted tool working as advertised, (sometimes better than advertised) pride of ownership of some of the world's finest arms, stress relief, and it's the most fun I can have with my clothes still on.
 
Very thought provoking. I am fortunate to have different guns teach me different things:

Dad's old AH Fox, which gets excercised at least once each pheasant season, reminds me of a gift I can never fully repay--those wonderful moments spent in the country absorbing Dad's philosophy, listening to the pheasants cackling or the ducks whistling overhead, and the smells of the coffee and Hoppe's #9 that frame some of the happiest moments of my life.

My Model 96 Carl Gustaf reminds me how fortunate I am that a well-built, accurate and fun to shoot rifle designed 108 years ago with a history I can only guess at can travel halfway around the world to a spot on my wall for $79.

My old model 70 7x57 reminds me that I don't need the latest greatest fattest fastest magnum to make that muley tip over in the next pasture.

And it only takes a .22 rimfire, just about any model, to turn me back into a 12 year old boy on a mission of exploration.

I guess my guns are mostly tools for time travel.
 
FUNNY HOW FEW ADMIT IT

It's all about power and controlling it with your finger tip, that's as close to being the final answer as we can get, well at least if your married like me, lol!!!!!!
 
My personal reasons are the same as a lot of other people's, but a few others as well. I like collecting stuff that interests me. Coins? Meh... stamps? Nope. Guitars? Yup. Guns? Yup. Cars? Only if I had more money... :)

Guns are tools. They are implements made by humanity to do a specific job. I have a couple tools, and a couple of guns too. But what sets the firearms from the screwdrivers is something... unexplainable. Somebody on these boards once mentioned how you never see a custom-made set of ivory grips on a pair of pliers.

Guns and cars have a lot in common. You have people loyal to their companies, both involve internal combustion, and each one is an expression of the owner. Some people (like myself, for instance) leave their cars totally stock except for required replacements of things like hoses, belts, oil filters, etc. but customize their guns in a variety of ways. Some have fully tricked-out their car with a 400w stereo system, larger engine, new rims, spoiler, or exhaust tip but see the inherent beauty in a battle-scarred stick of an M1. Also, guns are easier and cheaper to accessorize than cars (most of the time).

I also like guns because for me, it's like wandering into a store you've never been in before but they're having a "Going Out of Business" sale. I'm coming up on the one-year anniversary since I even fired a real gun, but I don't want it to be the only year I can enjoy this hobby. A lot of powerful people are saying that you and I are not capable of using guns responsibly. Call it a minor feeling of rebellion against the gov't, whatever...

In the 1960s, lots of young people rallied together against the war in Vietnam. They made a big yahoo and ruckus and people remembered it. Now, though, with guns, it's more like our side is bleeding to death instead of putting up a decent fight. It's like one scene during the last battle in Saving Private Ryan. Near the end of the movie in a struggle against the former German MG Steamboat Wille guy, Pvt. Mellish is slowly and quietly stabbed to death. That's how I view our side of the 2nd amendment political fight. The bayonet (which is not on a rifle as that would be illegal :rolleyes: ) is coming down lower, and lower, and lower...

This is something that I think is worth fighting for. A lot of (ex) college students protest and whatnot about marijuana legality, lower taxes, freedom of speech, and whatever else for which they want to fight. But this is mine. The uninformed citizens of the U. S. are being talked to death, into their own demise. Not me. :fire:

Plus, guns are loud and are really good for reducing your stress while elevating others'. :rolleyes: :D
 
Great post John Ross. I can't really put a finger on why I bought my first gun. But now I know why I keep on buying guns

I like collecting things, always have. And unlike other things like wine, comic books, etc. When I buy a gun I feel like it's something of substance.

This may sound strange, but being a gun owner makes me feel more patriotic. Being able to own a gun is a symbol of freedom to me.

They're what I like to call utilitarian art. Beautiful pieces of art, but they are also tools.

the challenge of becoming skilled at shooting.

It's just plain fun to shoot.

History and lore involved with guns such as the 1911, garand, and m-14.

Because certain people don't want me to have guns.

It's more addicting than crack.
 
=Taking responsibility for my personal defense rather than passively surrendering it to a government entity.

=The final means of defense of my liberty.

=A traditional masculine interest in an increasingly feminized society.

=It's fun!



nero45acp
 
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Because I can only think of very few things that feel better :)

I've always been fascinated by guns from an early age and I still remember how badly I wanted one back then.

I grew up, became "sensible" and developed into some sort of slightly anti-leaning fence-sitter, even though I spent a great deal of my spare time practicing some forms of (unarmed) self-defense.

And then I actually got a gun. At least, I was issued one. My work environment consisted only of people who routinely carried guns all day long without causing any danger to me or others. And soon I came to the point of recognizing that a gun is only as dangerous as its owner. I took up sports shooting and started to get involved in the "gun culture". I wrote letters to our elected representants and got together with people who lobbied for our rights.

Today I consider myself a serious gun nut. I look forward to joining the ranks of law-abiding gunowners in the near future.


Regards,

Trooper
 
There is a little part of the brain that has this primal urge to control the destiny, survival but also ability to shape events. A gun is the lowest common denominator to satisfy that drive. I have that one highly developed, btw. ;)

Also, the gratification is good - shoot see bullet strike either pat self on back or correct behavior till can pat self on back, etc. :D

It's fun, educational, gets me in touch with history (another interest). Is also something that can be passed down to another. Many reasons. Thanks for asking. :)
 
Probably for the same reasons I like motorcycles, old muscle cars, rock and roll, rare steaks, and lean redheaded ladies with long legs. I just do! Do I need more reason than that?:D
 
Lots of reasons.

1. My happiest memories as a kid are shooting .22's and muskets (my first non .22 shot was a Brown Bess) with my Dad and Uncle.

2. I spent eight years+ in the Infantry, mostly joined the Infantry because I love shooting. Blasting with an AR-15 brings back good memories of the things I accomplished by being in the Army-my youth (lol, old me at 39), my friends, the difficult things we did, and the elation we felt when we did them. The smell of the gunpowder reminds me of rifle ranges and trainees, intense moments and relief at being alive. Happiness IS a belt fed weapon.

3. I'd rather participate in a sport than be a spectator (I watch no sports, and only follow my kids teams). I'm no Rob Leatham or David Tubb, but I'm not half bad, either. Doing something well makes me happy.

4. Owning guns has a political aspect, as well, and I feel it's my duty as an American to buy more guns whenthe Gov.org wants me NOT to have them.

5. Self defense. 'Nuff said.

6. Some of the best friends I have I've made at the range. Common interests and all that.

7. It's loud and noisy. Who doesn't like making noise every now and again?

8. History-John stated it more eloquently than I could, but he's right. My old SMLE, the stories it could tell. My L1A1 and AR represent the Cold War and the ultimate victory of freedom over the Warsaw Pact. etc etc etc.....



Willard
 
why do i shoot?

1) freedom. i am not dependent on anyone else to protect me. i am no longer an easy victim.

2) i fell into shooting because i was in a position where i realized i had no defences. i started to enjoy the sport very much once i got past the initial learning curve. also, being a responsible owner has certainly changed my outlook no small amount.

3) holding a piece of history in my hands allows me to dream a little, just as john ross said ( and quite well, i might add. kiss to ol' JR, LOL) . i recently ran across a written account of my great great grandmother engaging in shooting clays as a pastime. imagine what i'm going to feel like when i shoot clays in the same field...

good thread. good food for thought.
 
Wow - I come late to this thread and all the good answers are already taken. That'll teach me :D

I have lots of reasons... many of the ones above fit me. Firstly, because I can... and more importantly, as a responsible American adult, because I should. It's important to maintain those rights and traditions that have made America so unique during it's brief history... and pass them on to the next generation so they don't die out. One of my biggest regrets was that when my boys were young, though I owned firearms, my domestic situation was not conducive to my instilling a love of the shooting sports in them. Now they're grown and gone (though still local) so it's much harder to get them out to the range with me. One has the interest... the other shows little desire to shoot. I may yet have my chance, though, as grandchildren are on the way...

I have political reasons as well... too many people for whom I have no respect... and who show little respect for the values I cherish... don't want me to own guns. That's a strong incentive.

I love machinery and ingenious mechanical devices. Guns satisfy this passion admirably. Plus they go BANG, and the little kid in me (hidden beneath all the gray hair but still alive and kicking) loves things that go bang.

I too relish the zen of a day at the range. It's an effective means of banishing the stresses of modern life.

Then there's the power thing... not a macho ego-boosting kind of power as characterized by those who don't understand us... but the whole action-at-a-distance thing. Something I do here, that requires mental and physical skill but not much in the way of physical strength, makes something desired happen way over there. It's a cool feeling when done right.

The sense of connection with history; firing a single-action revolver, a lever action carbine, my M1 Garand, my M14 or M16 look-alikes make me feel connected with those I think of as my heros... those that built this country and have kept her safe and free.

Oh - did I mention it's fun?

Thus endeth my poetic waxing. :D
 
Zach, it's a shame your Mother was married to an abusive drunk. However I see a couple of positive things in the situation you described... your Mother used whatever weapon was handy for self-defense, good thinking Strategies and tactics wise. That behavior was good role modeling for you and your sibs: Don't be a submissive victim. Fight back!
And that thought brings me to one of the reasons I shoot... I will never be a submissive victim. There are handguns or rifles within easy reach in every room in my home except the bathroom [it's too humid in there, so a gun just goes in and out as needed]. I NEVER leave the house w/o a gun. I work in the middle of the night [1am to around 6 am] and drive with my doors locked and my pistol either in my pocket or under my leg.

I also shoot b/c it's FUN and empowering. [opening country accent] Ain't nothin sweeter than Center mass and two to the head. [closing country accent]

And it's something my Dearly Beloved and I can do together. And since he's such a good [retired competitive] shot and we go shooting with competitive shooters, their praise makes me glow with pride.

Holly
 
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