Any of you just about gave up on collecting S&W's?
- Thread starter nsl
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Grayfox
US Veteran
I've reached the stage in my collecting that most of the guns I want are hard to find and darned expensive. I haven't given up, but have just about priced myself out of a hobby. 
Faulkner
Member
There's more to life than Smith & Wesson's. I have some nice vintage Colt's and there's always certain milsurp firearms that might catch your fancy . . . I know I have a wondering eye for USGI M1 carbines.
I never give up although I must admit that I've got what I wanted and any other finds at this point are just icing on the cake.
I collect WWII stuff too along with Colts.
I collect WWII stuff too along with Colts.
Autococker07
US Veteran
There's more to life than Smith & Wesson's. I have some nice vintage Colt's and there's always certain milsurp firearms that might catch your fancy . . . I know I have a wondering eye for USGI M1 carbines.
So THATS where they all went!!!! Velly, velly nice!!!!
zzzippper
Member
I'm out of the game. My hopes hinge on a trade with dashriprock for my Delta Elite.
I went through a period of "economic downturn" shall we say for a couple of years...I was out of work. So I sold off almost all of my rather motley collection of mostly Smith & Wessons.
You know what. After I sold the first one, I discovered it really didn't matter. I didn't use them anyway. They were just "things" that took up space in a safe. I can't say I even took them out to look at them. And I discovered that I had as much fun selling them, as I had buying them in the first place.
I've replaced a few, but this time I stuck with "shooters."
You know what. After I sold the first one, I discovered it really didn't matter. I didn't use them anyway. They were just "things" that took up space in a safe. I can't say I even took them out to look at them. And I discovered that I had as much fun selling them, as I had buying them in the first place.
I've replaced a few, but this time I stuck with "shooters."
Last edited:
There's more to life than Smith & Wesson's. I have some nice vintage Colt's and there's always certain milsurp firearms that might catch your fancy . . . I know I have a wondering eye for USGI M1 carbines.
Are those housed in the front or rear of the troops barracks???
Wow...that is going to be one big boat that sinks.
deadin
US Veteran
To paraphrase Grayfox: "Most of the guns I wanted were hard to find and darned expensive."
This was my problem about 20 years ago. My collection goal was almost complete and because of the scarcity/price combination, I started getting bored with it as I wasn't adding anything. I kind of shifted to collecting cameras and soon found I couldn't afford both collections and soon sold off my Smiths. About 10 years ago the cameras lost my interest and now I'm back to guns. (S&W are only part of my current interests.)
This was my problem about 20 years ago. My collection goal was almost complete and because of the scarcity/price combination, I started getting bored with it as I wasn't adding anything. I kind of shifted to collecting cameras and soon found I couldn't afford both collections and soon sold off my Smiths. About 10 years ago the cameras lost my interest and now I'm back to guns. (S&W are only part of my current interests.)
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2012
- Messages
- 206
- Reaction score
- 290
Except for a 27-2 6.5" blue and a registered magnum (which is not likely to happen) I have all the S&W's I really wanted . Lately I have been accruing WW1 and WW 2 revolvers , this has been a lot of fun and also cheaper .
Zeman
Member
Give up, I just got started a few months ago!
Bajadoc
US Veteran
I have all I want. I'm finished collecting unless something REALLY good comes along. This thread makes me ashamed of my rifle collection!
bamabiker
Member
I was just starting to look for some nice old S&Ws when the prices went crazy. I'll just be happy with what I've got and be patient and picky for anything else.
I'm not a serious enough "collector" to pay the prices that we are seeing these days.
I'm not a serious enough "collector" to pay the prices that we are seeing these days.
model70hunter
Member
Yes I'm giving up on collecting guns period, age, new home, refocusing on hunting animals, birds and clay sports more. Sold some last year to put in the new home funds. I knew I would someday. Some were a good investment, some got my money back.
I will continue to buy certain guns like a 686 in 4" to replace the Pythons I sold. Do I need it? Well I have a 4" 19-3 in Nickel and a pre 27 in 6.5" so perhaps not really. I Do like the the L frame size. Thinking about it, do I need three 357's? Am I reverting back to collecting? The 4" 686 will look so nice next to my 4" 629.
i think I'm a lost cause in denial. three in 357 is not a collection. Three with shiny bbls is not a collection unto it's self.
If I don't go for the trifecta is 2 a collection?
I will continue to buy certain guns like a 686 in 4" to replace the Pythons I sold. Do I need it? Well I have a 4" 19-3 in Nickel and a pre 27 in 6.5" so perhaps not really. I Do like the the L frame size. Thinking about it, do I need three 357's? Am I reverting back to collecting? The 4" 686 will look so nice next to my 4" 629.
i think I'm a lost cause in denial. three in 357 is not a collection. Three with shiny bbls is not a collection unto it's self.
If I don't go for the trifecta is 2 a collection?
Biginge
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yep. Boys I'm about done with them. Was a fun ride . Bout time for someone else to "rent em" and keep em in their safe before moving them on along. Oh, rents gone way up too.
SquarePizza
Member
I am kind of in that boat.
I have everything that I want. I have my carry 686 that I run IDPA with as well, I have a glock in 22lr for rimfire fun, and a model 36 that the gf enjoys.
I want to buy new guns, I really do. I even sold some stuff to free up the cash to buy a new one.
And then I realized that there is nothing that I want. or more pointedly, there is nothing I will USE. I think R8s are neat and I keep an eye out for one, but if it wont get carried, then it is just a pricey range toy, and playing with something other than my carry gun doesn't really appeal to me.
So I almost feel like I am twisting my arm to spend the cash I set aside for one. There is just nothing that wows me, and everything else is just way too high and getting higher by the month.
I have everything that I want. I have my carry 686 that I run IDPA with as well, I have a glock in 22lr for rimfire fun, and a model 36 that the gf enjoys.
I want to buy new guns, I really do. I even sold some stuff to free up the cash to buy a new one.
And then I realized that there is nothing that I want. or more pointedly, there is nothing I will USE. I think R8s are neat and I keep an eye out for one, but if it wont get carried, then it is just a pricey range toy, and playing with something other than my carry gun doesn't really appeal to me.
So I almost feel like I am twisting my arm to spend the cash I set aside for one. There is just nothing that wows me, and everything else is just way too high and getting higher by the month.
Raider
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
i am at the point where I have a small collection of fairly nice S&W's; none really rare or expensive. I admire and collect for their excellent workmanship and uniqueness. At this point in my life, I don't go looking for any specific model (grail gun) but if I run into a model that starts a yearning in my heart that I just gotta have it, then I'll try to make a deal on it. If the seller wants too much, then I'll happily walk away knowing that something good or better may be just around the corner. Its more fun if I don't feel any pressure to buy buy buy.
Charlie
Charlie
Just to help you visualize that image, here's a pic of my early 4" 686ND and 4" 629ND.
Our friend Faulkner has an "arsenal"! (or is that an "armory"? 
)
I am not dissuaded by the current prices. As a shooter and "accumulator" rather than a collector, these days I am much more discouraged by my vision! I think as we get older most of us realize our best shooting days are over, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't still enjoy it. I am always checking the cases when I go to the shops, maybe not with the zeal that I did when I was 30-something, but I still enjoy that too. I probably don't buy as much as I might if prices were lower, but the truth is, I might buy more if I could see better too. And I don't have the problems with modern S&Ws that some do. They still make certain models I admire. For example, I just recently saw a new production 5-inch full-lug 629 that appeared to be a very well made gun. I could stand to have one of those!
Great shot of all the carbines, Faulkner.
)I am not dissuaded by the current prices. As a shooter and "accumulator" rather than a collector, these days I am much more discouraged by my vision! I think as we get older most of us realize our best shooting days are over, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't still enjoy it. I am always checking the cases when I go to the shops, maybe not with the zeal that I did when I was 30-something, but I still enjoy that too. I probably don't buy as much as I might if prices were lower, but the truth is, I might buy more if I could see better too. And I don't have the problems with modern S&Ws that some do. They still make certain models I admire. For example, I just recently saw a new production 5-inch full-lug 629 that appeared to be a very well made gun. I could stand to have one of those!
Great shot of all the carbines, Faulkner.
Rpg
Member
Every now and again, I locate a S&W that interests me.
I can't buy them all, or even many of them.
But since I'm not a systematic collector, I occasionally have the happy circumstances of locating something interesting and having some extra cash.
If it's stainless, I'm not interested.
If it's built before 1980 or so, I may have some interest.
If it's built in the '70s or earlier, my interest is greater.
If it's pre model, my interest is even greater.
If it's after 1980, I see it as something i need not preserve and can beat up with a clear conscious.
Sort of a disposable firearm, akin to a zip lock bag.
But that's just my taste.
I can't buy them all, or even many of them.
But since I'm not a systematic collector, I occasionally have the happy circumstances of locating something interesting and having some extra cash.
If it's stainless, I'm not interested.
If it's built before 1980 or so, I may have some interest.
If it's built in the '70s or earlier, my interest is greater.
If it's pre model, my interest is even greater.
If it's after 1980, I see it as something i need not preserve and can beat up with a clear conscious.
Sort of a disposable firearm, akin to a zip lock bag.
But that's just my taste.
Last edited:
LVSteve
Member
I got bitten by the milsurp bug. The variety and low cost sucked me in. I tried to keep it Enfields (born British) and Mosins (lots of variations and cheap) but somehow a bunch of Mausers found their way into the house, too.
Like many here I have accumulated a number of S&W's over the past 5-6 years. I was a late starter. I started with K frames and graduated to N frames. I have from .22lr 17's to .45 Colt 25-5's. All are blue and Walnut.
I have about all I want and most are shot at least occasionally.
I have been drawn to milsurps and have centered my interests to training arms. Springfield 1922, SMLE converted MkIII and MkIII*, Winchester 52 pre A's, BSA Martini's, Mauser type KKW's. I really enjoy the search.
I need something to keep my mind active during my retirement years.
LTC
I have about all I want and most are shot at least occasionally.
I have been drawn to milsurps and have centered my interests to training arms. Springfield 1922, SMLE converted MkIII and MkIII*, Winchester 52 pre A's, BSA Martini's, Mauser type KKW's. I really enjoy the search.
I need something to keep my mind active during my retirement years.
LTC
I'm similar to SquarePizza. I have all I need. I more or less have all I want. I only have 5 revolvers, all new models bought in 2013 and 2014. If I don't quit reading this forum, I am sure I'll end up finding another model I want. I longed for a 686 for years before getting one, so I won't be buying something for mere want anytime soon.
PlaytheAces
Member
I haven't given up as much as I pretty have those I want, and my wants were fairly modest to begin with compared to many. Just isn't anything I want that bad anymore.
I'm not exactly ancient, but I'm old enough that I think I'm pretty much past the collecting/accumulating stage. I actually have a Ruger and a Colt sitting on my desk that I've been mulling putting on the block. I think the time is fast approaching where if I don't shoot it, I'm ready to let loose of it.
At least the non S&Ws.
I'm not exactly ancient, but I'm old enough that I think I'm pretty much past the collecting/accumulating stage. I actually have a Ruger and a Colt sitting on my desk that I've been mulling putting on the block. I think the time is fast approaching where if I don't shoot it, I'm ready to let loose of it.
At least the non S&Ws.
Brian41
Member
I'm like some others in that I have most of what I want in S&W revolvers. It took a lot of years and fortunately they were cheaper then and I worked a fair amount of overtime to afford them. I'm retired now and don't have the extra money anymore either. I have started doing some trading now and my last two 1911s I got that way.
I did wind up with some cash from some trades a year or so ago. I put that in my gun fund but have yet to find something I must own. Nice to know it's there if needed though.
I'm wanting to concentrate on shooting them more now that I have the time to do so. Can't hardly wait for the weather to improve so I can shoot again.
I did wind up with some cash from some trades a year or so ago. I put that in my gun fund but have yet to find something I must own. Nice to know it's there if needed though.
I'm wanting to concentrate on shooting them more now that I have the time to do so. Can't hardly wait for the weather to improve so I can shoot again.
BKDinTexas
Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2009
- Messages
- 173
- Reaction score
- 69
Yes I have.
I've forced myself to collect only K frame revolvers. The new ones (Post 1981) don't interest me, and I have a good assortment of older shooters. I don't have, or need; a K-32, a model 45, or any of the WWII historically significant guns.
I still browse the various gun sites, but I'm pretty much satisfied with what I have. However, if I run into a 1905 2nd model in with extractor pins, target sights, 6" barrel, and not too pretty, I'd be interested.
I still browse the various gun sites, but I'm pretty much satisfied with what I have. However, if I run into a 1905 2nd model in with extractor pins, target sights, 6" barrel, and not too pretty, I'd be interested.
Yep, same here, its not as fun anymore, way too costly, yes, some still come to me and I find them for others, always like to "look/see" and still tinker on them, but have run the gamut of all of them, S&W, Colt ,High Standard, and even Rugers, and now and then a US military gun or two.....
keeping things "local" , close to home.
keeping things "local" , close to home.
