2 years ago I elected to get a CCW permit. I mentioned that to a friend, and he gave me a nice S&W Model 10-5. Too big to carry, but a great shooter and it became my "house gun". I decided I wanted something really small to pocket carry, and bought a tiny Kahr P380. Later on, I picked up a Kahr PM9 and a S&W 638 because I wanted to make sure I made the right choice the first time with the .380 (all great guns, BTW). Saw an ad in the forum's classifields for a S&W 66-2 that I could buy FTF at a good price. I did not have a stainless or a .357 so bought that one. Thought I needed a light on my "house gun" so bought a M&P9 with a light/laser. Ammo is expensive, so when a Model 18 presented itself I bought that, too. I liked that one so much I bought an 18-4 just because it was in slightly more perfect condition and had the original box. Didn't have a 1911 (and was curious about the hoopla) so picked up a Kimber from a buddy who was short on cash. Now I had so many guns it looked like a "collection". Can't have a collection without a nickle 27-2, so I bought one of those from another forum member a few months back.


I supplemented the handguns with a lever action 1960 Marlin 39A and a nice old Mossberg shotgun, as well as a new Ruger 10/22 takedown and a M&P15 Sport.

I started buying ammo everytime I went to Walmart or when it was on sale with free shipping online, so now I must have 12 or more ammo cans full. And let's not even talk about holsters, I have a drawer full.

After two years and a fair amount of money, I have 10 handguns (and a 342ti on the way), a couple .22 rifles, a shotgun and a AR-15. I can't say I regret buying any of them. I should have tried to find a 638 without a lock, but because it had one I had to take it apart to put the "plug" in. While I had it apart, I used Jerry Kuhnhausen's S&W Revolver Shop Manual book and Jerry Miculek's trigger job video to smooth the action. If it weren't for that stupid lock I doubt that I would have learned as much as I did about how a revolver works.

It's been an interesting journey for me so far. I was thinking today if this is how it has been for most of you-a series of somewhat accidental purchases or whether most of you have more of a plan or focus when buying. I am undecided if I want to add much to my little group. It started out as a desire to carry concealed, ended up kind of exploring different manufacturers and types of guns. I guess the scary thing is, I like them all!