How do you collect?

[Chefjon]

So I've been thinking about this for awhile and it came to a head yesterday at a local gun show. I was faced with too many choices (I know that's not ~too~ bad of a problem lol).

They were all S&W Semis but they were all very different. Granted, I want them all but I'd like a little more method to my madness.

The choices were:
539, Blued 96-97%, no box, $450
4013tsw 99% box, 2 mags, $500
1006 99%, box, 2 mags, $600
CS9 Black, no box, $425

It took my half an hour to actually decide on the 539. I went with it because of rarity and it being in really good shape. I've been trying to limit myself to pistols with matching boxes but the 539 just kinda "spoke to me"(Wood grips didn't hurt either lol).

I'm having a little self-doubt today that I made the right choice. I've never fired a 10mm and it was in AMAZING condition. The 4013 felt great in my hand but I'm not trying to add calibers atm.

TLDR:

How do you collect? By caliber? By Gen? By Model #? By modifier (CS/TSW)? By "best deal"?

I think the 1-3 Gen "market" is kinda set to explode because there are so many ways to collect them. I'm addicted! Just wanted to see what y'all do

 

[Jim H]

I collect semi-randomly. Price a factor, but I also like variety

Wheelguns:
Ruger Blackhawk in both .357 and .41 magnum - good combination price at a gun show
442 Airweight - for concealment, legendary S&W J-frame, small, light, and dependable

Pistols:
SW40F - high capacity at a good price, love how it felt in my hand
S&W Model 59 - milestone S&W gun, sitting unloved at Gander Mountain, really good price
S&W 3953 - for concealment in a small, single stack DAO, when I don't carry the 442

.22
Beretta NEOS - wife shot it, fell in love, we bought it
Ruger Mark II Target - saw it in a used gun case, my wife fell in love, we bought it
Ruger Standard - old classic, local purchase at a good price

 

[crofoot629]

Haphazardly to start with.

If I could go back I’d concentrate on .22 Rim Fire revolvers, and 4” M&P revolvers.

Emory

 

[Smee78]

I really have no set path, some times its a j frame and others its 45LC then one day it's a 10mm. I also look at what I already reload for and mostly price and condition.

 

[Titegroups]

Collect or accumulate.

 

[JJEH]

Buy what YOU like. Variety is fine, I like that as well.

 

[KarmannGhia]

How do I collect? Behind my wife's back (I have enough she will not notice another one, and she will kill me if I buy any more)

 

[novalty]

The purpose for the guns I collect is to pass down to my children. Working on diversity of guns, so that they have a variety of firearms to shoot. Then it will be duplicity.

 

[davevt48732]

I collect anything that will be useful for the inevitable zombie apocalypse
Pretty much anything that goes bang.

 

[SW_shooter]

I too have started out haphazardly. The first one was one that I saw and liked (659) and the price was good. The second was cool looking (459) as the owner had had it re-done in all black melonite. The third was because I like .40 cals (4046). The most recent was because I wanted a first gen with a box for investment purposes (39).

Now I am building up funds for my wish list (in no order):
59 (two-tone)
539
439 (nickel)
745 (two-tone)
45xx
10xx
4013tsw
5906
and another 39 to shoot

And I'm sure I'll see others and be tempted.

It's an addiction!

 

[Denver Dick]

Interesting question, I'll break it down by types/brand of firearm:

M1 Garands

I purchased (it was by lottery, and limited to one per lifetime back then) a DCM M1 back in 1982 (IHC rebuilt in 1962, pristine condition). That satisfied me until 2000 when I found out that I could buy more from DCM (CMP). Anyway, by 2006 I ended up with about 15, mostly nice shooter grade rifles. I then cherry picked the two really sweet rifles from the collection (SA 5.7 million s/n, CMP Collector Grade in 99% condition and SA 5.9 million s/n correct rifle in 97% condition) and sold the rest over 3 1/2 years.

Swiss K31 rifles

From 2003 through 2006, I acquired seven nice ones. I again cherry picked the three best (1950 shooter in 85-90% condition, 1952 in 90-95% condition and 1957 in strong 95% conditioin) and sold the rest over the next couple of years.

Makarov pistols

From 2000 through 2007, I acquired six nice ones. All six were were relatively inexpensive except the Russian PM, so I've kept all but one. I got rid of one I had in .380 cal. The core collection consisting of the Russian PM (1976), East German (1962) and Bulgarian (1981). The other two are are Russian commerical models made in the mid 1990s.

S&W 2nd and 3rd generation pistols

Since the mid 1990s had owned three 3rd generation pistols, but they had ended up with my brother and a close friend. Then, in December 2006, I got serious about 3rd Gens. From January 2007 through late 2009, I aquired approximately 25-26 pistols. All but two of them were 3rd Gens and all but 3 were 98%+ condition. Between late 2009 through 2011, I culled my collection down to 18 3rd Gens and one 2nd Gen. I like my collection the way it is currently and I'm not actively seeking more. However, if a pristine 3rd Gen with a really great price were to present itself (especially a 1026, 5904 or 3914), then I might have to jump once again.

S&W revolvers

Geez, I've purchased and sold a lot of these since the mid 1970s. No particular focus, but I am pretty proud of my 629-2 w/5" bbl., 29-4 w/3" bbl. and 681-3 CRPD in .38 spl. w/4" bbl. All three are in 98%+ condition.

 

[44wheelman]

You made the same choice I would have made. I've been looking for a 539, to go with my pre 39, 639, & nickel 39-2. That 1006 is a close second- also a good deal, but I've been seeing 539's with prices in the $550-$600 range.

 

[Chefjon]

Yeah, I might need to clarify a bit.

Collect or accumulate.

My definition of "collection" would be a focused accumulation; one with a goal(s). I just wanted to see how other Smith-lovers "accumulate" and if they have goals and, more importantly-what do they like more or best.

Buy what YOU like. Variety is fine, I like that as well.

Thanks! I will! It seems like a few people have taken this OP as "Tell me what to collect". That's not what I meant. I'm honestly just interested in the way everyone else goes about it. What everyone's rules are, if they have any at all. I think that sharing the process is just as interesting as the end result (The guns). Call me kooky!

The purpose for the guns I collect is to pass down to my children. Working on diversity of guns, so that they have a variety of firearms to shoot. Then it will be duplicity.

Much respect for that one, brother. I didn't have anyone to pass it down to me and (AFAIK LOL) I don't have anyone to pass it down to. Good on 'ya!

Pretty much anything that goes bang.

My main problem is-if it shoots a projectile faster than 700fps...I want one!

@SW shooter, Denver Dick and 44wheelman- Yeah, that's more of what I was asking. What are your goals and why-type-of-stuff.

Thanks for all the replies guys! I really enjoy seeing everyone else's responses to getting bitten by the Smith-1-3 gen bug!

P.S. Dick, welcome home man!

 

[JR78]

How do I collect? Behind my wife's back (I have enough she will not notice another one, and she will kill me if I buy any more)

You too uh?

 

[Oldnoob]

So I've been thinking about this for awhile and it came to a head yesterday at a local gun show. I was faced with too many choices (I know that's not ~too~ bad of a problem lol).

They were all S&W Semis but they were all very different. Granted, I want them all but I'd like a little more method to my madness.

The choices were:
539, Blued 96-97%, no box, $450
4013tsw 99% box, 2 mags, $500
1006 99%, box, 2 mags, $600
CS9 Black, no box, $425

It took my half an hour to actually decide on the 539. I went with it because of rarity and it being in really good shape. I've been trying to limit myself to pistols with matching boxes but the 539 just kinda "spoke to me"(Wood grips didn't hurt either lol).

I'm having a little self-doubt today that I made the right choice. I've never fired a 10mm and it was in AMAZING condition. The 4013 felt great in my hand but I'm not trying to add calibers atm.

TLDR:

How do you collect? By caliber? By Gen? By Model #? By modifier (CS/TSW)? By "best deal"?

I think the 1-3 Gen "market" is kinda set to explode because there are so many ways to collect them. I'm addicted! Just wanted to see what y'all do

I go by what I like and if it's interesting and rarity. On your list of 4, I would go with 1006 > 539 > 4013 = CS9.

 

[Oldnoob]

How do I collect? Behind my wife's back (I have enough she will not notice another one, and she will kill me if I buy any more)

Lol. This post speak true to many of us.

 

[Quentin]

I try to get the best gun possible at the time and fill in gaps in my collection. Over 40+ years I've finally cut down on mistakes and watch for the gems.

I think you did well by the way!

 

[PuertoRican]

Don't consider myself a collector by any means. Noticed when I bought my first two old Smith revolvers that 1 was from 1920 & the other was from '32. Since then, I've been attempting to get at least one firearm for each decade since 1920. Need one from the 50's to get there.

 

[Chefjon]

Don't consider myself a collector by any means. Noticed when I bought my first two old Smith revolvers that 1 was from 1920 & the other was from '32. Since then, I've been attempting to get at least one firearm for each decade since 1920. Need one from the 50's to get there.

That's cool! I'd like to find a 39 that dates to '74, my birth year. What are you looking for from the 50's? Anything I can keep an eye out for?

 

[eshap2]

So I've been thinking about this for awhile and it came to a head yesterday at a local gun show. I was faced with too many choices (I know that's not ~too~ bad of a problem lol).

They were all S&W Semis but they were all very different. Granted, I want them all but I'd like a little more method to my madness.

The choices were:
539, Blued 96-97%, no box, $450
4013tsw 99% box, 2 mags, $500
1006 99%, box, 2 mags, $600
CS9 Black, no box, $425

It took my half an hour to actually decide on the 539. I went with it because of rarity and it being in really good shape. I've been trying to limit myself to pistols with matching boxes but the 539 just kinda "spoke to me"(Wood grips didn't hurt either lol).

I'm having a little self-doubt today that I made the right choice. I've never fired a 10mm and it was in AMAZING condition. The 4013 felt great in my hand but I'm not trying to add calibers atm.

TLDR:

How do you collect? By caliber? By Gen? By Model #? By modifier (CS/TSW)? By "best deal"?

I think the 1-3 Gen "market" is kinda set to explode because there are so many ways to collect them. I'm addicted! Just wanted to see what y'all do

GO WITHE THE CS9, IT IS A CLASSIC AND HARD TO GET. OFFER $395.