Why Do We Grow Tired of Our Carry Guns?

[federali]

We each have carry guns that suits our individual needs as closely as possible. Sometimes we perceive that something better has come along, so we go out and buy it.

Besides the new gun, we'll also need one or more new holsters to meet our carry preferences as well as a magazine pouch for semi-autos and perhaps a speed loader and carrier for wheel guns. Adding a new caliber also means stocking a new caliber. If you haven't noticed, ammo is pricy these days.

For those of us living under the all-knowing and watchful eye of Big Brother, there's also the expense and hassle of registering the gun, FFL fees if purchased out of state, and then adding it to our license. For me, that's two trips to police headquarters: one to get the purchase order and a second to bring the gun to the Handgun License section once purchased.

Many of us already have the perfect handgun. If it's a Model 1911, why do we need multiples of them? Why do we grow bored with perfectly fine carry handguns and undergo considerable expense to switch to, or add another carry gun? I like to joke that I hardly get to shoot any bad guys with the guns I already have so why do I need more?

I have at least eight handguns suitable for carry, together with a supporting and expensive holster system for six of them. I write this as I'm now lusting for yet another carry gun. Can anyone here intelligently tell us the difference between need and compulsion?

 

[3dots]

I have one proven carry gun, it stays in my front pocket every day. I have no need for another and hope I never need this one.

 

[Alk8944]

First, because we are human and subject to whim and fancy!

"If it's a Model 1911, why do we need multiples of them?"

Need is a four-letter word! Besides, what did "need" ever have to do with whether we wanted another gun?

 

[Dandecoteau]

If you don't need any of your guns I would be happy to take them from you.

 

[zzzippper]

The same reason we like to have a different girl on our arm from time to time when we walk down the street.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Seriously, most of us have an interest in mechanical things, or weapons, or both. I remember my gunsmith, an older fellow, telling me that knives to guns to cars was a normal progression. Or maybe guns to cameras to cars. I don't remember for sure, but either way, it fit me. Only I could actually afford knives and guns. Cameras were marginal, and Uncle Sam provided me with them, anyway. Cars were out of the question. Maybe one.

I think that we enjoy learning, and assimilating new information, sometimes to the detriment of perfecting skills in actually using the tools we're interested in. I've tried to do both, at least with cameras and particularly with guns.

I regard "gun nut" as a neutral and in my case accurate description.

 

[fat tom]

"Need" is when you have NONE. "Compulsion" is when you already have EIGHT and find yourself on the verge of buying yet another.
f.t.

 

[Rustyt1953]

This is about carry guns, right? I have other pistols that I enjoy shooting but when it comes to carry, I employ two. A Bersa thunder and an LCP. Clothing and activity determines which.

These two are solid, tight and flawless. My muscle memory is such that I don't need to "learn" another pistol. I am now so comfortable with them that I see no reason to change what works.

As far as compulsion, I have been guilty of that. For many years, as with guns, I collected high-end guitars. One day I woke up and realized they were just "shrines to my ego". I worked with some of the best jazz musicians around and they shared the same view on fancy guitars; "a pool shark can beat you with a broom handle."

I have tried to live that way ever since.

Good post Fed. Thanx!

 

[Rpg]

I don't think folks exactly get tired of a particular carry gun, I think folks enjoy acquiring new toys and are very susceptible to manufacturers' marketing.

Remember the old saying: " The difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys" ?

My carry preference is a Colt Commander 1911. No such thing as too many Colt 1911's!

My next favorite carry gun is a M38. I have some of them as well.

The marketing efforts by gun manufacturers create 'demand': if the marketing was ineffective, the manufacture's would be out of business.

Fortunately for the manufacturers, we gun folks seem very susceptible to their marketing.

 

[Jessie]

The change of seasons allows bigger guns to be carried, or the need for smaller ones. That's one reason.
Because we can.
That's the last and only reason needed, really.

It also has to do with us and people like us. We sit around and talk about what a great gun this or that is, then we start researching said guns. Then the affair starts and you happen to find a good deal on the latest one you've been checking out.
The rest is history.

 

[pharmer]

In Florida we have warm and hot weather. I have been carrying a 6906 year around for 21 years. I finally changed the recoil spring after about 10K rds. Gooder'n new. I'll get tired of it when I find something better, and I'm always looking. Joe

 

[carpriver]

Need has nothing to do with it, simply put at least for me is they keep making guns. All my working life I could not afford much of a hobby; much less a hand gun. After the kids were grown and out of the house there was finely disposable income. I bought my 1st pistol. I have at least one most often 3 in every handgun caliber, with exception of a 38 super. Over the past 2 years I have started to collect and show rifles, 22lr, 5.56 30 carbine, 44 mag. 308win/7.62x51.

I have always had and interest in guns and shooting, now I have the money and the time. and part of the process is to reloading.

 

[gregintenn]

I'm certain I can keep my old truck running for the rest of my life, but not sure I want to.

Variety is the spice of life!

 

[WR Moore]

What is this "growing tired of" that you speak of? Call me reactionary, but my carry piece changes when my issue sidearm changes.

 

[keith44spl]

Oh, I don't know...

I went from a Gov't Model to a Lwt Commander some time in the last century.

Then went to a Lwt Defender around the turn of the century....

Now back to a custom RM as my EDC

I'm jest bout full circle.


.

 

[gregintenn]

In Florida we have warm and hot weather. I have been carrying a 6906 year around for 21 years. I finally changed the recoil spring after about 10K rds. Gooder'n new. I'll get tired of it when I find something better, and I'm always looking. Joe

I'd be interested to learn how you conceal that knife while in Florida appropriate attire.

 

[kozmic]

The more the gov of NY tries to limit our gun rights, the more I feel the need to fill another safe. Some are carry pieces, some fit a different niche.

 

[walkin jack]

People appreciate variety in many aspects of day to day life. Some people need it more than others and some people need it in more different applications than others. I believe that even the people that only have one carry gun and never get to change would like to have a little something for different situations, manner of dress, weather, etc.

I have always had a variety of revolvers and pistols of different sizes and calibers and enjoy changing up every now and then. My new (main) EDC is my new Ruger SR-1911. But I still carry the Keltec P-32 occasionally as a beach/picnic ccw for shorts and tank tops and flip flops. also carry that on my ankle or hip pocket in a Desantis Nemisis or on my ankle as a BUG. I also occasionally carry my Ruger Sp101 IWB or OWB what ever is best for the occasion.

To me it would just be too boring to carry the same old gun day in and day out. Not to mention the fact that some times one gun is way more appropriate/desirable/practical that the others.

 

[williamlayton]

I don't see a thing wrong or weird about changing guns every now and then.
I change shorts on a regular basis and use different colors, my shirts are all different.
Sometimes I prefer a 1911--sometimes a Browning--a Sig is a good-un and when I dress correctly, a revolver is my choice.
It really is a simple thing.
Blessings

 

[Iggy]

I got along just fine for over 30 years with two S&W revolvers until I stumbled onto this durned place.

Nuff sed.