Is there a method to your madness?

I really can't say what trips my trigger as far as my gun collecting. My collection is , shall we say , diversified.
 
If it letters to, or Roy says it was shipped in November of 1947... I will buy it.
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Be Still My Heart......:D Beautiful...

I'm still looking for 10/1947
 
I like Rugers and Lugers... that's my rhyme! :D

Seriously, one of the cool things about the shooting hobby is how wide it is. You can spend a few years reading, learning, shooting, and having a lot of fun, and then after the learning curve flattens out, change to another aspect of the hobby.

I was into the tactical stuff for a long time. Eventually, I lost interest in the ARs and Glocks and Kimbers. They seemed to have no "soul". I can't explain that, so don't ask. Then I started into my Colt phase. The Kimbers had started me down the 1911/ Government Model road. I don't have the patience to get too far into the minutia on Government Models and Commanders (no disrespect to those that do... I am glad we have that knowledge), and Colt revolvers are are little too rich for me. Eventually I came to Smith Sixguns, and I am having a blast learning. Oh, there have been some short side trips with various hunting rifles and shotguns, too. What's next? I dunno... Long range shooting? Black powder? World War II rifles? A return to tactical? Who knows? All I know is that I am having a lot of fun.
 
Js, Ks, Ls and Ns

I found out about revolvers after having ejection problems with a wonder-nine that was my home defense piece. My local pusher recommended a J frame chiefs special, then had to have a centennial and a bodyguard just to see what the differences were. Received the SWC bible for my birthday introduced me to the perfection of K frames, 10, 17, 19 and so on. Then I had to try a L frame which eventually led me to a 28-2 N frame. I really like the fit and finish of P&R revolvers as long as the wallet agrees.
 
I buy what I like and I like quality, accurate handguns. I don't own a bunch of fixed sighted guns as that is not my cup of tea. If a gun ain't accurate I get rid of it. I'm not saying fixed sighted revolvers ain't accurate so don't jump any conclusions and flame me. I just find the adjustable versions more versatile.

I have bought some guns because they have a lot of eye appeal and are accurate too. That's the case with the 6 inch Python and the 3 1/2 inch model 27-2. Probably had a lot to do with the 2 1/2" model 19 I bought, also. The last two just look like they mean business, kinda muscular looking, like they've got broad shoulders, know what I mean?

I have been influenced by "the" movie, too. My first model 29 was purchased solely based on the classic line by Harry in the opening scenes. Being in my late teens/early twenties during that period almost guaranteed that as a gun lover, I would end wanting "The most powerful handgun in the world". The others were purchased because the model turned out to be useful, accurate and beautifully made. I cast my own bullets and reload so I am insulated somewhat from high ammo cost.

More recently (past ten years or so) I have been influenced by the widespread popularity of concealed carry. Several of my purchases have reflected that influence including my most recent, which is a Mid-sized 1911 type. Could be that the birthday of the model came into play, also.

So, my collection of guns are not narrow in scope as is some of the guns of our esteemed forum members who collect only pre-war examples or model specific examples.

In other words, I'm all over the map and seem to like the guns that everyone else does. So much for being different, huh? Enjoying it all anyway. That's the main thing!!!
 
My S&W 'Shootable Utility Stocks' have not lost 10¢ in the past two weeks. Now my financial stocks are a different story.

The 29/629s, M19s and 586/686s have all held their value and barrel length. I couldn't be happier. The new Remington 1911 may have depreciated but I don't care.
 
barbouka,

You ask a valid question. Up until 2005, I bought firearms primarily if I felt like I was going to utilize it in my law enforcement activities.

April of 2005 (04.27.2005 to be exact) I came across a 6" Ruger Security Six that was very similar to the one I had back in 1977.

I knew I would never qualify with it, never carry it on duty, or off duty, I just wanted it. I got it for a good price and went silly, just plain silly after that.

I will buy firearms when they appeal to me. There is no rhyme or reason why they appeal, they just do. It does not matter brand, caliber, action, finish, barrel length, etc, etc, etc.

Last purchase was a Colt Lawman Mark III 4", 357 magnum, nickle plated, and I cannot tell you why I wanted it, I just did.

I do have very soft spot for the older revolvers. But also acquired a Baby Browning (needs to be refinished) just because I think it is just tooooo cool.

I am an accumulator of quality firearms, not a collector of a specific caliber, brand, model etc, etc, etc.

Hope this is helpful.
 
Back when I was a much younger man, I used to pour over an old, dog eared copy of "The Shooters Bible." I wanted a handgun, any handgun really. The problem was they wanted money for them. A Smith & Wesson? HA! I couldn't afford a RG-22 (Which was about $29.95 back then.). But I knew that was what I wanted. A Smith & Wesson or a Colt.

Flash forward to today, and every time I see something like that 25-5, or a Model 10, I'm that young fellow, kid really, just staring at that Shooters Bible and wishing.
 
I just recently started "acquiring" handguns. I too started out buying guns that had a specific purpose (i.e. HD, CCW, etc). Then I found out how much fun I had shooting them and seeing all the wonderful revolvers on this site, and the addiction started. I personally prefer stainless steel finishes, but won't turn my head away from other finishes if the right gun comes along. I'm currently keeping my eyes open for the right 629 to come along. I could come up with all sorts of justifications as to why this would be my next purchase, but the reality is it's just what I want. Also, there's a good chance I'll find something else that catches my eye before I find the 629 I'm looking for. So the short answer is... I would like there to be a method, but it truly is just madness.
 
Great responses.

Interesting responses. I thought I was going to hear, "I like 27s and am trying to find one in each barrel length.", or, "I collect nickel K frames.", or whatever. All of which I would be interested in hearing about. But it seems a lot of us just hear a siren's song and have to answer. A 58's rugged, intimidating appearance just appeals to me. The same for 3" 27s, but somehow more refined. I think a 2" 19 is just plain beautiful, and a 6" 28 would be a great gun to try to wear out. Every time I see a model 10 I think of Broderick Crawford in "Hwy. Patrol" and want to shoot one. (Not sure that was even the correct gun.)

Anyway, great fun learning about, searching for, and hopefully shooting these beauties.
 
I am,more often than not, drawn to the wood. Any firearm with attractive or unusual wood color or grain is subject. Although I carry an issue Bushmaster in the front seat daily, the M-14 in the trunk was picked as much for the wood in the stock as anything else. I do not own a recreational gun of any sort that has stocking that is man-made. Even my "duty" sidearms sport wood hannels.

That said, I apparently have been blessed in that all of my rifles will do MOA or less when I do my part...and they are a #@%^ of a lot more interesting to look at. I am at the point in my life that I hunt with a group of much younger folks and they are always facinated by the wood and its grain and texture. They are drawn to the plastic stuff for whatever reason. Also with wooden stocks, each scratch and ding has a story to go with it...you don't get that sort of thing with a chunk of black plastic.....
 
I could never become a collector because I never buy something that I don't like and I think the central idea for a collection is trying to "complete" it some day (impossible if the collected items are S&W firearms).
i.e. I could never buy a Bodyguard.
So, I buy what I like, if I can.

Regards, Alejandro
 
Methods vs Madness

As far as wheelguns go, I stick to stainless and round-butt. That helps limit the madness. That said, when I find one that meets my criteria, I get feverish and can't sleep until I either make it mine or talk myself out of it somehow.
 
My "tastes" cover the waterfront. Mind you, most of my revolvers are SWs, and cover roughly 90 years in age range, but being an ex-Brit, I do have a nice sub-collection of Webleys and Enfields. In semi-autos, a number of variations covering almost 95 years, with SWs, Walthers, Mausers, CZs, etc. If it strikes my fancy, then it may come home with me. Luckily, at 72 plus, I can afford my hobby, as I am still employed full time and have no retirement age, so my SS pays for my hobby. Dave_n
 
My gun taste span all over the place.from Smiths,Colts, Rugers, glocks, Winchesters,Remingtons,Marlins,and Savage. and I even have a CZ in the wood pile.but as Smiths go I mainly have six guns.I do have a 686 collection of barrel lenghts all I need is a 8 inch. Like all have said the main thing is the fun in shooting them and just enjoying having something from the era they came from.
 
Alls I know is I recently bought my first revolver, a 67, and now I want a 60, a 63 and 642. Why? Don't really know. But, I want them. Bud
 
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