Are We A Dieing Breed?

[SW MP15]

Are there any NEW True Gun Collectors any more?

Everyone I've talked to in the last few years "might" have 2-3 handguns and maybe a rifle or shotgun.

I've been collecting S&W's and Colt 1911's and pre 1890 Colt Single Actions. since 1978. I also have other Brands, but my main collection consists of Colts and S&W's. And have both shooters and some old "MINT NIB" guns that I would never ever shoot. And a ton of old Collectible items from all the above Manufactors. Grips, books, catalogs, ash trays, etc etc.

I got my first 410 when I was 7, I'm 60 now. And was always fascinated by the tooling, machine work, the hand work and blueing, nickel plating that went into making of a firearm. That's what got me into collecting. Just the thought of someone in the 1890's hand filing and hand fitting the trigger or hammer on my gun.

I heard a few years ago, that Factory Letter requests, were way down.

Did the onset of Polymer Guns do collecting in? To me the Polymer guns aren't very interesting? Very little true tooling, very little finish differences (nothing like the 1930's gun blueing) and I don't know if they'll ever really be collectible? Other than just being a gun?

What do y'all think. Are we a dieing breed? Or will there always be Firearms Collectors?

 

[Watchdog]

What do y'all think. Are we a dying breed?

No, I don't believe so. I'm not as serious or knowledgeable a collector/accumulator as a lot of the members here. I don't have as many guns as a lot of people, but my interest remains high. My "search for knowledge" about firearms, not just Smith & Wessons, motivates me now just as much as it did forty years ago.

What's changed for me is how much I talk about my guns and what I have. I'll talk about this gun or that gun, but don't go around talking/bragging about what and how many I have. Those days are over. I'll show some photos and such. But no one other than a couple of friends knows just how many and what kind I have. Some things are best kept to myself, I think.

Or will there always be Firearms Collectors?

Always. One way or another...always.

 

[CBus660R]

I'm 41 and among my friends, I don't think anyone is a serious collector in that we don't go looking for those sweet NIB with all the right features kind of guns. We tend to look for guns that we like and can enjoy at the range, out in the field, tucked away as a CCW, etc... I chalk that up to economics. Personally, I'm just not in a place where I can throw the $1000+ out that there to put a clean FBI 1076 in the safe next to my non-FBI 1076 I already have. Or to add a few more variations of the Ruger Mk II 22/45 to compliment the 5.25" taper barrel version I already own.

 

[Tom S.]

A friend's son collects stuff (not just guns) as part of his 401K. He had to have sewer work done in his basement, and when the plumber saw his safes (5 or 6 - I don't remember) the guy asked if he collected safes.

The way some prices have gone on a lot of guns, I sure could have done better than my IRA.

 

[Chuck24]

What most people consider collectible guns have just gotten too expensive for begining collectors. There's only so many out there and as more and more people want them the price naturally goes up. A young man or woman just starting their adult lives have so many more necessaties that they need to spend their money on, collecting of any kind takes a back seat. While a firearm for self defense can be considered a necessity, the collecting part must wait until more disposable income becomes available.

 

[SweetMK]

All that needs to happen is that a "New Glock" be developed,,,
it will obsolete all the current black plastic,,, and the collector grade wheel guns.

It will happen,,, kinda like what fuel injection did to carbureted car engines.

Kinda like what the car did to the horse,,, it WILL happen.

It happened to copper (fiber optics),, it happened to carbide cutting tools (ceramics)

There will be a few collectors left,,, I will not care,, the few I have, I will never sell.

 

[Comrad]

I'm a perennial collector, I have collected any and everything over the years, stamps, coins, matchbooks, baseball cards, rocks, shells, keychains and on and on and I have found all those pursuits over the years have fallen out of favor and hardly anyone collects anything these days.

I think when this current collecting generation is gone there won't be many who grew up with revolvers.

I think it's that way too with the classic cars, prices and interest seem to be coming down as those of us who want to relive our youth with an old classic are slowly departing the scene.

 

[loknload]

Yes I think as serious collectors we are!
I don't think the younger generation has the interest as we do, they have drifted into other interests of recreation and hobbies!

 

[Leonard]

I think we are look who attends real gun shows like OGCA

 

[Muss Muggins]

I just accumulate stuff . . .

 

[bigwheelzip]

Are there any NEW True Gun Collectors any more?

Is there an App for it?

 

[Tom S.]

Just wait until Star Trek phasers become available. Variable intensity, no bullet drop, and quick change battery packs for nearly unlimited shots. Powder driven projectile devices will be cast aside to rust, or in the case of stainless steel, sold for scrap.

 

[H Richard]

When I read about the apprehension of criminals and they find an "Arsenal" in their home, 3 guns and a 1000 rounds of ammo. I shudder to think what they would say if they went into my shop, or the shop of quite a few of my friends homes.

 

[Muss Muggins]

When I read about the apprehension of criminals and they find an "Arsenal" in their home, 3 guns and a 1000 rounds of ammo. I shudder to think what they would say if they went into my shop, or the shop of quite a few of my friends homes.

Yeah, my wife always looks at me funny when those stories are aired . . .

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Part of the problem is prices.
There was a time when guns new or used were affordable.
Now days any gun worth having is expensive and not all of us have "throw away money".

 

[susieqz]

collectors are a problem for us po'folk.
of course you have the right to own hundreds of guns. nobody disputes that.

but on the colt forum, i often see guys with 200+ colts.
they are the reason i'll never own a nice SAA.
without collectors n buying as investments, prices would plummet n normal people could have a colt at a sane price.
same thing with s&w.
i'd like a model 18, but i can't pay $800 for a 22.
i can only buy guns that are not considered collectable.

so, some of us won't cry if collectors switch to stamps or coins.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I don't even want to think about what might become of my meager collection of shooter grade firearms. Guess that's why I shoot them and clean them while I can.

 

[shouldazagged]

I envy those of you who can afford to be true collectors. I also recognize that your competition among yourselves, driving up prices, is one reason that even when I was working I could never afford collectable guns.

Such is life.

 

[bigride]

I started relatively late. If I knew 15 years ago what I know now...

However, I have chosen a life that would never result in an income capable of being a "serious" gun collector. What "collection" I have is the result of not wasting opportunity--buying and selling wisely to secure firearms that trip my trigger . So while I am certainly no expert, I find that in this pursuit, I have collected more knowledge than guns...and that ain't so bad.

A dying breed? Well, the times they are a-changing...but not for the better I fear.

Just pretend this is witty.

 

[jessebogan]

I think a lot of it comes down to funds. I think I paid 225 or so for my 28-3 brand new in the box in 1988...I am self employed so there is not as much in my pocket as I might wish. I am lucky to buy one or two guns in a year these days. My gun interests are pretty broad, from Milsurp rifles, to S and Ws, to 22 rifles...I try to plan ahead, and stockpile some funds, but it is a lot more difficult to save a grand than it was to save half of that. All that said, my very modest collection makes me happy, and the local news people would have a stroke.... That must be the fine balance right? I am in my late 50s, and I like and enjoy ALL my guns. I rotate what I shoot, and I always keep my eyes open for the next interesting deal to come along. I keep going to gun shows, and I keep networking among friends. Sadly my local shops are "Black gun"emporiums, so nothing really to be had there...But the fun of the hunt, the research when you find something, and fun at the range is what keeps it interesting for me. I am not done yet.