I started to blame it on being in a funk the past few weeks due to all the bad news recently, but then I realized this has been going on for a couple years.

I seem to have lost interest in acquiring new guns. I see models that I have been thinking about for a long time but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger. I think I have bought only 3 guns in the past 2 years. I generally average 5-6 per year.

I haven't done any reloading or gun tinkering for months. Haven't gone shooting in about 5 months. It's like I'm losing interest in all aspects of what used to be a hobby that consumed a good portion of my time. Nothing has replaced it, I just can't get excited any more.

I'm actually a little worried about my general lack of enthusiasm.

Dr. Pig-

I sort of went through that phase awhile back. Looking into my other interests helped to resolve the ennui.

I buy very few guns, those to keep and use. But I do prize them and maintain them. I just don't chase new ones like I used to. I lack time and money for that.

Good luck. I hope you resolve this without recourse to counseling. Don't let it get you down.

You need a new caliber, to spice up your life. Find one so obsoleted that you have to work your butt off, to even fire. If that doesn't do it for ya....

Check out Nursing Homes that run Conasta Championships.....

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Non gratum anus rodentum

Don't worry. We all go through stages of 'gotta have it' and 'couldn't care less'. If you really miss the feeling of jonesing for a new firearm, ask your doctor for some Gunagra.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

If it's only guns, then it's likely a phase. If it's everything in your life, then you should see a doctor.

I'm not really looking for anything lately. Have Andy Horvath doing a project gun for me right now. Something I've always wanted, a true custom gun. I'd like to start shooting more rather then buying the common models that I find. Actually selling off some to thin the herd a little. I do a S&W bunch in NE Ohio and enjoy doing it. Its fun to meet new S&W people and spend the day with them. Things change as time goes on I guess. Larry

I have been going through the same thing lately. Cabin fever maybe or the eye troubles I have had the last few months and these blasted shingles I have had for four months.

I'm sorta going through that myself right now. Having 30-35 guns in the safe no longer excite me, but enjoyed the chase while it lasted. Been there, done that.
I have thinned the herd considerably and forwarded most of the money received to my youngest son who's going through some serious medical problems right now, that in itself made me feel good.
So now I'm only concentrating and cherishing the few working guns I need and use. Of course I will still continue to hang out here for the comraderie and information.

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Dick

I had the same feelings going from tonkas to tatas.

i had the same thing happen to me a short while back.
got tired of the high prices at gun shows, quit reloading, and didn't go shooting near as much.
however my passion for motorcycles increased and i was into that heavily. (for me, anyway)
now i go to all the gunshows and am buying all kinds of gun related things that i can't afford.

maybe you have another interest or hobby that has taken over for awhile.
think it's kind of normal.

I'm there with you. There is absolutely no other S&W I want. In fact, I'm getting ready to "thin the herd" of some exceptional guns.

With that said, I'm going to get my collection down to about a dozen guns, and really concentate on learning how to photograph my collection. I also want to learn about the history of my particular guns, if possible.

So I'm still just as intrested as ever in Smith and Wessons, I just don't need to own anymore. Maybe that's where you're at.

David

If you found yourself ay the gun range for more than 12 hours would you have to call your doctor?

What's the temp there tonight SP? A wind chill of -6 and 5 inches of snow has caused me to have little interest in going shooting or looking for more guns.

Hang in there Podner, springs a' comin'!!

From time to time I look at the guns in the safe and think I should thin the herd, but then I see the earning rates on CD and bank accounts and they are safe for a while longer.
.

SP,

I believe it helpful, to have a goal for any pursuit. I'd like to grow and preserve any wealth my family has accumulated to leave to the last person in the family line who will have the family name. That person is my daughter.
There will be money, but that has never held my interest. I decided guns will be increasingly hard to obtain by the population as I foresee it evolving.
So, combined with my interest in same, with that vision in mind, they will be a future rarity that, I believe, will pay-off handsomely when my daughter becomes their caretaker.
So, when my interest wanes, I remember my goal. It re-energizes my efforts.
Good luck finding a purpose for your endeavor.

Mike

Saxon Pig

I somewhat resemble your remarks...

I chalk it up to the fact that I have been shooting/hunting a long time, and I have pretty much decided what works for me, and I have started to cut back on the different calibres I use/want, based upon what has worked for me.

Basically I have become much more practical/frugal/realistic.

I know what I need, and need what I have... Mostly...

Is it a winter thing? Every year about this time I tend to fall back in a heap and just veg out until the sap starts running again. Nothing really matters, but nothing is fundamentally horrible, either. The funny thing is that in December I was sure I was going to sit back for a while and just not hunt any guns until I felt the special burning for one that used to have. But then nearly half a dozen all came along from different sources in the space of six weeks, and I committed to them because I knew it would be a long time before I had another chance at them.

At the time it felt (and actually still feels) almost as though I was going through the motions just because I was an addict, but I have to admit there was a bit of a thrill when I finally got to handle them, open them, clean them if necessary, and find new gun socks to store them in.

At this point I would really like to go on gun hiatus for a while. I definitely like the ones I have recently acquired, but when buying them feels at least half like a duty and not wholly like an engaging pastime, one needs to sit back, take a deep breath, and recenter on things that matter -- like health, family, friends.

Anyway, SP, I will toast you this evening with a cup of Irish tea with candied ginger slices in it (which I recommend if nobody has tried it), and wish that you find a sense of interest and involvement in something soon -- a gun, if that is what it is to be, or something new and different if the guns do not call to you at this time.

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David Wilson

Playing devils advocate for a moment, when I look at the age poll and it shows 78% of us are over 50 it makes me wonder about investment appreciation of anything but the pure and perfect. Who will care and covet these old revolvers? In 25 years shooter grade guns may well be like 1960s era common baseball cards.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

I am that way too, but maybe for other reasons. I am comeing up on 71 years. I traded and experimented a lot when I was younger in the 60s to the late 80s or so and just a few guns since then. Besides just getting old I think it is due to the following.
1, I am retired and hate spendin at my age with not much income.
2, I have accumilated a fine collection of classics and cant "justify" more.
3, It`s hard to pay todays prices when I remember the days they were a 1/10 th of what they are now.
4, There are darn few new model guns turn me on like the old stuff.
5, I hunted at the earliest legal age for quite a few years. Both my ex and my wife wouldnt eat bambi etc.
6, I dont know if many others are like me, but with age I have come to respect the lives of animals far more than years ago.
7, I have nothing to prove to anyone.
8, I never was competitive with anything, any sport or anybody.
9, If I can knock off a can at a couple hundred yards, I dont need to prove it by killing a animal at that distance.
Now I am not saying there isnt reasons to kill varmints or harvest over populations of deer etc, and I am still up to it if the need arise`s, or if my wife gets a taste for bambi. Anyway, thats how it is for me.

Whut feralmerril said.

That expresses my feelings to the very nth degree.

feralmerril,i don't know what happened to the likes on this forum or you damn sure would have gotten one from me as your post mirrors my thoughts as well, w/the exception i am not old enough to retire, just a tightass.

I think we all go through periods like this with our hobbies. I have known Radio Hams who were enthusiastic about putting up new aerials and building stuff but always seemed deflated when just using it. Folk who modify cars can be the same.They put in the tweaked motor, upgrade the brakes and suspension, drive it for two weeks then lose interest and sell it.

With gun collecting it is often worse as the chase excites us more than ownership. I would like to shoot more and perk up my interest, but other tasks and work are taking up all my time.

Depression can be real and it's not just for sissies.
If you have lost interest in everything you may want to consider seeking spiritual or medical help.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

I had been shooting Cowboy Action for over 15 years, at least once, often twice a month. Suddenly.....the urge left, the satisfaction of the very Style was not producing the relaxation and satisfaction it had for so long.....and (drat) just about the time I actually retired....

was almost getting ready to get fired up on a "poor me" rant.....but then....

I went to the ICORE match....and then the Steel Challenge....and then a couple others....and next was some of the other 20 or so different disciplines our club offers....

Sold off some of my old safe queens in appreciation & commemoration snatched up stuff to use in my newer interests....

I've read a bit, visited with some old buddies shooting different disciplines than I have been for so long.....

and enjoy going to the range a couple times a week....most often when the week end crowd isn't there.

Cheers to SP and others. I know changing just a little of my routine has rekindled that old enjoyment....

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Maybe you just need a Wonder Woman to save you from the "Funk". Here is one.

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Wyoming on The Bear River

I went through the same thing when I was sleeping with buxomy supermodels every single night during the 90s...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Feralmerril said it very well, and another poster talking about 35 guns in the safe. I'm almost 60, don't have any desire to kill any more animals.I've hunted and trapped everything, except big game. I love to watch the fox, groundhogs, squirrls, and rabbits play in the yard and fields around me. My wife and I both love watching the deer outside. Yes, the deer like my apple trees, the rabbits eat all of my beans in the garden, the raccoons get in my birdfeeder, the squirrls eat the railing on my deck, the muskrat bore holes in the pond levee. But I'm a big boy, I can stand the pressure! I plant the beans every year, so the rabbits have something to brag about, I can and do, buy more apple trees and deck lumber. It all gives me time to think about the animals kinfolk; I have killed, years ago.
As i reflect on things, I only and truthfully wish I could turn back the clock on my yellow lab, going on age eleven, and make her a puppy again.
Most of the guns are going to get sold off, the safe queens first, I'll keep the ones i love. I might buy another or two, down the road; but I'll be very selective. Mikey

If wonder woman lasso`ed me with her golden lariet to make me tell da truff, I would be in big, big trouble!

take a crack at RC Model aircraft dude ... nothing like trying to keep up with a full dress heavy metal P- 51 to get you back in touch with your inner young punk who still knows how to have all the fun you forgot

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it just needs more voltage

For the most part I have already had everything. I think I have found more joy in acquiring guns than in possessing them.

I've always found laughter the best medicine Saxon.
Here you go my friend. Hope this picks you up a little.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Saxon,
I also kinda lost interest a few years ago. I got interested in researching my uncles boxing career. He boxed back in the 30's He was really good, and almost got to fight Joe Louis two different times. other than a few family stories their was very little information I could get from the family. I spent about 2 years emailing people, reading old news paper articles, and generally thinking about this24 hours a day. It consumed my whole life.
After I put together a kind of book about him I felt like I was finished with this project.
I then went back to my gun safe. My interests had changed. Before this I collected military bolt action rifles. I sold several of them and decided to go for quality instead of quantity.
Next thing you know, I am back to thinking about guns full time. I now cant wait for the next gun show so I can try to add to the new affection I have for S&W revolvers.
I guess what I am saying is if you take a brake for a while you might find yourself starting over. Just like you did long ago.
I hope this helps.

Wingmaster

This is a great thread, and I identfy with most of what has been posted. I want to add my 2 cents to what's been said about different mood problems. As has been noted, depression is like sea sickness, it does not care how tough you are. One of the important things that I learned in the last 10 years is that low levels of Testosterone perfectly masks clinical depression in males. There is a test that shows how much "T" is being produced in your syetem, as opposed to how much is "resident" in your system; there is a big distinction between those two things. Men get treated for depression-put on anti-depressants, and while there is some improvement-they just ain't really "themselves" even with the meds. If you even think your "T" is low-it would be a good idea to take the blood test to find out, because getting the right ammount of it in your system is life changing. And finally, for all of you that are "thinning the herd," how bout' cuttin' a 629 no dash 4 incher out for old Flapjack?

There was a time when I felt I had to have at least one of everything. I made a pretty good stab at it, too. It all came to a head one day when I realized it was like my stuff owned me rather than the other way around. It was actually kind of depressing, like all that stuff was a burden. Sold I sold a lot of the guns, most of the motorcycles, etc. As far as guns go, I realized how pointless it was (to me) to have guns that I never intended to shoot. Collecting guns isn't like collecting something inanimate like stamps. Guns are something you are supposed to do something with, not just let them sit in a safe, only taking it out to rub some car wax on it once in awhile. Even if all you have are shooters, if you have too many you never shoot them all and they just sit. As time went on it became more apparent to me it is pointless to have stuff you never do anything with. I actually felt better after I sold stuff off.

I went thru this in the late '90's. Just lost my first wife & had remarried. Got into collecting coins for a few years. But got burned out when coin prices went thru the roof. Got back into collecting guns again.Always enjoyed the hunt so kept doing the out of state deer & elk hunts. Second marriage went on the rocks after 14 years & I became depressed again. Met a nice gal in Oregon, married her & we had a great 5 1/2 years together until she passed.Now I only hunt here in Oregon for deer. Always enjoyed venison. But getting back to guns I gave 27 away to family when I moved here but they seem to accumulate anyway. Just picked up a nice 1941 Winchester 20 Ga. double for grouse & quail. My doc says I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in. And Merrill, I have 10 years on you.

This all sounds perfectly normal to me. I sort of maxed out some years ago for reasons similar to Feral Merrill's; had most of what I wanted, the safe was getting full, sticker shock, and the psychic payoff for yet one more gun was usually less and less as time went on. I've been at this quite a while, and my interests evolved over the years and still continue to evolve. There's no reason that we shouldn't be a bit different 5, 10, or 15 years on. I've also got to consider thinning the herd like many here; my kids already have most of what they want or need in the way of guns.

I'm convinced that this time of year is a stone drag as well. Winter just flat gets old after a while. Lots of folks really feel the lack of sunlight; I know I do.

I'm finally back in shape to cast bullets and load ammo after two rotator cuff surgeries and picking up where I left off. It feels pretty good to do honest work again.

Finally I'm tempted to go take in the NRA convention in STL in April. I really enjoyed the '06 one in Milwaukee, and I suspect that prowling the aisles will get the juices flowing again. I really don't want to buy anything (?!?) nowadays but it's fun to see the new toys they're trying to sell the "kids".

Spring IS coming. Thank God.

eh I'm sort of in the same state right now but not for a lack of enthuasmn. Its because of the cold weather here in MA and the fact that I've been sick for awhile and my sleeping schedule has been blown to hell by it.

So my best advice would be to make a concence effort to try new things and set a new goal with your shooting sports, like mastering double action only shooting or something, something to keep you occupied.

and when it comes to buying guns and the like trust me, dont think or something great will miss you by and if you end up disliking the thing well you can always sell it as long as its not something super expensive

hell go on a tangent of buying .22's or something that are only about 200 bucks and the ammo is cheap and plentiful like an H and R 999 or something or a high standard sentinel, hell what about a high standard supermatic or the model 41 or a ruger 22/45?

that reminds me I need to order that speed loader for the 22/45

or start a custom firearms project or the like, you know what do you want your ONE gun to be like.

anyways life is what you make it after all

SP:

No one can sustain running on all jets and full speed forever. I doubt that there is anybody who does anything for any extended length of time without getting tired of "eating the same doughnut" every day. You might just need to take a short break, change your focus, or find some new friends to share your likes, hobbies and interests with.

The great thing about this hobby is that there are sooooo many different aspects to get involved in. When I first got into guns collecting my main focus was acquiring the guns themselves and shooting them. As my collection grew I found the need and desire to start reloading to feed my ammo requirements. That was all new to me and I really got into that for a while in a BIG way.

After the excitement of re-loading wore off, I got back into expanding my collection once again, but I became much more discriminant about the quality of the collection and less concerned about the quantity.

At about the same time I started collecting again I got into Cowboy Action Shooting and competition. That lasted about 20 years and now it is just a memory as I grew away from that aspect of the hobby. I have replaced the initial thrill of CAS with what I am into now......... Gun Smithing. I truly enjoy repairing, tuning, improving and restoring guns. Because there are so many different types of guns out there I never seem to get bored, and in fact I find myself working on guns at all hours of the night.

Now I can honestly say that I have not purchased a new gun in a few years, but I did inherit my Dad's collection back in March. That has kept me busy as I have begun to work on them. As he got older and just before he passed away, he kind of neglected them, so I am now in the process of bringing them back to life. I also will learn everything there is to know about a specific gun, brand or design, and after I've mastered that one I will move on to the next. That keeps my interest peaked and fulfills my need to learn something new every day.

I still shoot, re-load, and "Smith" a lot these days, but I can honestly say I rather spend the afternoon with gun parts all over the work bench than shooting itself. Not that I don't still enjoy the shooting aspect, but Smithing a new design or model just gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.

I have also recently found out that quite a few of the guys I ride with (Motorcycles) on Sunday's are also into guns and so we have become better friends and will go down to the Range, smoke a few cigars and chat, debate, yell & scream about which gun designs are better. It just keeps the juices flowing.

Anyway, just few examples on what works for me, and I hope you find a resurgence with the hobby once again. Just take your time, pick up some other interests or aspects of the hobby and things will probably work themselves right for you.


Regards,
Chief38

This thread is starting to look like a group therapy session. Can I join?

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9tenz

Have you been neglecting your hour of exercise per day?

Geoff
Who realizes he has let myself back slide from his exercise requirements. Sigh.

I'm only 36 years old, but Identify all too well here. I LOVE all things gun, but sometimes get in a funk. I have started working leather in te last couple of years. I find it to be the thing I most enjoy in life. Not because it excites me like shooting. I love it because it relaxes me, and challenges me all at the same time. Not that I want to air all my business, but 2 years ago I found out about a child that I didn't know about. It shook me to the core my friends. I went a little nuts. I found myself in a fetal position at night. I am married with 2 other kids, and it was tuff on the whole family. The kid for the record was long before my wife. At any rate I needed something to relax me. I made a holster one day, and I completely relaxed during the process. I am very glad I didn't pick up the bottle instead as it would have done me in! The point is try something new. It will help!

Reevolver is on to something here. You can even improve/modify/change what you got, like a set of grips. One of the nice things about a 1911 it's a designers gun with a million options. Less stress on your bank account than a whole gun.

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9tenz

SP, it's a function of getting older. When pups, we love to chase the cars. Now we know all about it and would rather stay on the porch. Nothing wrong with taking "inventory" and only keeping the "salable" items. Like everything else in life good or bad, it'll pass. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I fall into that once in a while, then check my BP and I'm back on the bike and jump rope.

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9tenz

You all need to re-read what amazingflapjack wrote and have your testosterone checked! Seriously, I have been treated for low-T the past four months and I am now feeling a change in energy, focus, love life, etc. all for the better. I watched all of the stupid ads on TV for over a year about "low-T" and thought it was all a snake oil sales pitch. I went to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of low testosterone and am now be treated for it. You should at least go get tested to find out.

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"Life is short, hunt hard"

SP, I feel your funk. It's almost like a depression.
I have had many interests and hobbies over the years. They seem to be cyclic in nature, with about a 8-9 years I change to focusing on some other interest.
I was heavy into handguns and riding my HD from about 1980 to '89. Though I kept the handguns locked in the safe, my focus turned to getting my pilot license and building an experimental airplane. That lasted until 1999 when I sold it to build a street rod. Completed and enjoyed that project until divorce made for selling the '37 Chev in 2005. Back into handguns full swing while gaining appreciation for bolt action rifles and tactical long guns.
Coming around 360 degrees, I bought another Harley last week. Have a need for the wind in my face and theh freedom that riding provides....again.


So hang in there SP. Maybe see a doc just in case. Health issues or depression can add to what you are feeling.

My best to you.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

I can relate to all of the things posted. have a 32 Ford project that I can not get back into. Had the divorce for Christmas. Tried the depression meds and didn't like those. My little girls in Co. will be here the end of March. I hope they can cheer me up. Down in the back again and cannot do my exercises. Let me get a tissue........................

I think we all go through it, SP. If not with our guns and shooting, with something else we enjoy. Sometimes we just need a break, and sometimes the interest and enthusiasm never returns. If it's happening in the other areas of your life, you may want to talk to someone about it. As someone else said, either spiritual or medical. Maybe both. I hope you can find what's missing, whatever that may be. I'll say a prayer for you.

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Misty

Feralmerril, your list is very insightful, as I read it I realized that I am living it. I'm 65 myself and at least the first 7 on that list is me. I just spent the last few weeks sorting out a lifetimes' worth of photographs and dividing them up between my kids. My wife passed 4 yrs ago and I lost all my energy for living for a long time. I am now with a widow who has given me a new zest for life. I gave the kids all my furniture and moved out of my house of 24 yrs and put it up for sale. I gave my son some guns and today I will give him one of my old police badges. I am lightening my load of "possessions" and it feels good. Maybe Saxon Pig just needs to do something different for a while. I have it, lets all go to DISNEYWORLD!!!

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Dennis
He's got a gun!

I see it as hobbies come and go and sometimes come back.

Growing up we had guns and shot every weekend pretty much. After awhile I drifted away from it. I went on to in no particular order, old Corvettes, fast boats (twice), post war Lionel trains, home repair,Harley, etc.

I lost interest in all of them for different reasons, dont hate any of them just dont desire to be into them. So after a long break I came back to guns and shooting sports.

Its a great big world out there dont limit yourself...

Feralmerril and Micky D must be long lost brothers, same cycle of guns/airplanes/Harely's,divorce, back into guns now since giving up the aviation bit about 3 years ago. Looking at retirement in 2-3 years, scaling back somewhat to finance some travel and bucket list items for a few years before I park myself on the front porch for the "golden years", and shoot my K22 at some targets, and hopefully a bit of fly fishing. Not sure its a funk or just mellowing out.