This Too Shall Pass . . . . . ?

[redlevel]

Right now I can't think of a single gun that I really want, much less just have to have. I broke a New Years resolution recently when I sold outright three guns. A hunting rifle I haven't fired in 20 years, and two S&W revolvers that were languishing in the safe, one unfired since I bought it, one fired once and put up. I wouldn't have done it, but I needed some cash very quickly, and selling these safe queens was the most expeditious way to get it. I figured I would be suffering pangs of sharp and deep regret now, but not so.

I have acquired three or four guns in the last year that just really ring my bell. They account for at least 75% of my range time. I have my loading/gunsmithing/man-cave about finished, and I'm looking forward to putting in long hours at the bench, building up the supplies for the upcoming apocalypse, whether it involves Zombies, blue-helmeted troops, or hungry hordes fleeing Atlanta.

My point is, I guess, for the first time in a long, long time, I'm satisfied with the guns I have accumulated, and am perfectly happy to burn up ammo with them, and then spend time replenishing those supplies.

Will I get over it?

 

[tork'd]

one day you will walk pass the one of the dreams you haven't had...yet..
and it will start all over again..
ask how i know...

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'm almost there myself. But, I shot a friends Springfield XDS 45 today. I WANT ONE!

 

[charlie sherrill]

Sounds like I'm about where you are RL. I've got my home defense SHTF weapons and ammo, a few nice collectibles, and a bunch of shooters. I'm not really looking for anything as I've owned most everything that interest me at one time or another. Occassionally something just jumps out at me (spell cheap) and I buy it. Now and then I let something go, usually to finance a trip or something for kids or grand kids and somehow reaquire it or something else later. On more than one occassion I've bought the same gun back three or four times. I've reached the time in my life where I don't look for the collectibles anymore (unless it's cheap) and I like stuff with just enough wear that I don't mind busting a few caps through it. I guess I could use another M1 carbine though, or maybe a nice pin barreled 64 snubbie or something....

 

[jlrhiner]

I'm there too. I call it the bla's. I haven't even been to th LGS since the first of the year.

(although that 50's ish .44 in the classifieds was really nice.)

 

[ACP230]

I gave a gun to my daughter a while ago.
Soon had two deals running so I will have a net gain soon.
I have resigned myself to this reality.
And am practicing radical Smith & Wesson acceptance.

 

[jframe]

Summer is the wrong time for the gun shops and shows anyway. I understand your complacency to a degree. I've always enjoyed the thrill of trading and a cool find more than actual ownership. The thrill of the hunt is always paramount with me.

 

[jkc]

I'm with you, I think, in that I've honed and culled the inventory over time, and have fairly well figured out what I really need in terms of guns that satisfactorily fulfill some purpose, and have sold off many others that no longer do. The exceptions of course are those that are too old or well worn to fetch any significant money, and so are kept because they're worth more as potential tools than the cash they're worth. I'm not a "collector" and am not much interested in owning guns, or anything else for that matter, that doesn't perform some useful function, excepting, I suppose, my taxidermied hunting trophies, artwork, fossils, and similar momentoes, which serve no useful purpose beyond giving me some satisfaction from having them around.

 

[Memphis]

Red, there is a whole lot to be said about being satisfied with what we have. I have struggled with that a bit during my collecting experience. Sometimes I just get a cup of coffee in hand and take out one of my revolvers...usually one that I dreamed of for some time and then finally acquired. I get out the books and read about it while having the gun in one hand and the coffee in the other. I have to sometimes get a grip on rabid bidding etc. Anyway, that part of your post struck home with me. I feel very fortunate to have my few S&Ws. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much enjoyment I get from this forum to boot!

Roger

 

[Cooter Brown]

Will I get over it?

Hard to say, Red. Do you have a nice M1 Garand?

 

[papajohn428]

I think it's cyclical. As money for toys became more available I acquired more and sold fewer. When I came into some money a few years ago I went kinda nuts, and bought a couple dozen, stuff I'd ALWAYS wanted. But now I find myself with more guns than time to shoot them, and I'm thinking of selling off a few, to those who would appreciate them more than I do.

At the recent NRA Convention here in St Louis, I bought a T-shirt that says, "If you know how many guns you have, you don't have enough." I hadn't done an inventory since my buying spree, and I put it off for awhile, then one day decided to do one from memory. The total ended in an 8, so I decided a round number would be a good thing.........but I can't really think of anything I'd get excited about. There are still a few grail guns out there, (696, 624, etc) but I'm too much of a tightwad to pay what they cost, so it's a moot point.

I guess I'll just sit back and wait, and see what tickles my fancy. I'm pretty sure I'm not done buying guns, not yet. There's always another "new surprise" waiting for me somewhere down the road!

This was going to be the year I didn't buy any new guns. So far up I'm up to eight or nine. Whoops.

 

[redlevel]

Hard to say, Red. Do you have a nice M1 Garand?

I do not, Cooter, and that brings up a good point about my buying habits. Luckily for my pocketbook, I have never gotten into military collecting. I never coveted the N-frame S&Ws that tend to be expensive. I have owned a few, but I just really prefer K and j frames. I never got into collecting Colts. I owned a very nice Python once, but I was afraid to shoot it for fear of spoiling the beautiful nickel finish. I used to covet a Peacemaker, but I'm over that now. I imagine that the only bandwagon I might jump on now would be 3-screw Rugers. I own only one of those, and I bought it new 40 years ago. I guess I am more of an accumulator rather than a collector, and the guns I tend to accumulate are shooter grade K and j frames, Single Action Rugers, lever action rifles, and double barrel shotguns. There was a time when I spent a lot of money on deer rifles and quail guns, but now I don't indulge in those pursuits nearly as much, and am pretty well fixed up with those guns. Satisfied, in other words. How long will it last? I don't know. I bought a Ruger .45ACP Vaquero earlier this year, and traded into a Kimber Pro Carry. I would never have bought a Kimber, but this one sort of fell in my lap for around $350. I have been enjoying shooting these two guns, along with my S&W .22 revolvers. Usually by now, I would have thought of something else I just really, really needed. Hasn't happened yet.

I think it's cyclical. As money for toys became more available I acquired more and sold fewer.

I think you are correct about the cyclical nature of our gun purchasing, especially based on purchasing power. I reached a point where I could make an impulse purchase every now and then, and started doing so. I picked up a few nice shooters that are still in my collection. A Model 60 and a Model 34-1 come to mind. Lately, I have spent a lot of money on improvements around the farm. I'm lucky to have a wife who makes very good money, and doesn't mind me spending some of it to improve her "homeplace." Her farm has been in her family for 100 years or more. Priorities change. A good fence, or an improved/restored 150 year old outbuilding becomes more important than another two or three thousand dollars worth of guns in the safe.

I am about to go to work in a new pawn shop. I hope I don't reach a point where I am spending my entire salary on all the bargains I imagine will become available. We will see.

 

[mg357]

redlevel you will get over it. It will just take some time.

 

[old bear]

I'm satisfied with the guns I have accumulated,

I believe that sooner or later we all reach that point in our lives; no matter what it is we’ve been collecting. To me it’s a sign of reaching some level of maturity and being content in whom and where we are in life. Being content is a good thing.

 

[snowman]

red,

I haven't bought a gun in six years, nor have I hankered for one. But then I'm not much help I'm afraid, because I've never had what a lot of others around here call the "addiction". Like jkc above, each gun I've bought has a definite purpose, which I thought through in advance of the purchase. I think I understand the mentality of the collector, but I don't have it. Nor do I have the means.

I do have a purpose right now for a M34 square butt w/2" barrel, so if you have one you'd like to sell for farm improvement money. . .

Andy

 

[BigBill]

I made a "gotta have" list and i'm trying to stay on track with it as they seem to show up. I do get distracted when other rare stuff shows up and its priced right and looks purdy.

I need to also thin some stuff out too as I go. I buy one gun thats in decent condition when another better one shows up down the road. We kind of change direction too.

I got really bored with the surplus military guns with the supplies running low plus i have what i want anyhoo. Then i jumped ship and got into the turn of the century 22's for the new grandson. Heck now i'm onto the older modern C&R guns.

The late 1890's and early 1900's 22cal single shot and pumps are a hoot too.

 

[wbraswell]

I've been momentarily content, but satisfied? What is this satisfied you talk of?

 

[chief38]

I have not bought a new gun since 2008 and quite honestly, the reason for that is that there's nothing out there that I either don't already have or that really turns me on. In fact, since that time I've actually sold 4 guns because I never used them or simply bought them on a whim.

Instead of just buying more guns that I know I'll never use, I've decided to spend the time improving my shooting ability and doing the few things to some of the guns that I always put on the back burner.

NOT that I am "an old man" (only 58) but there's only so many toys I have time to play with. Since I retired 3 years ago I have been REALLY busy touring the Country on my Harley, shooting, hunting, reading (never had time to do that while working) collecting toy trains, and most importantly, RELAXING with a good cigar and a drink.



Chief38

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Only want four more revolvers at this time. I want a Model 638 to replace my Model 37 as my primary back-up gun. (The Model 37 is too pretty now that I put buffalo horn grips on it, and a LGS has 638's for $355.00!) I want a Model 686(+?) of my own since I'll have to turn-in my 686-6 duty revolver eventually. And I want a 4 inch Heavy-Duty. (another LGS has one for $689.00.)

However, I'm not in a big hurry for any of them except the 638, and not that big on it since I have a Taurus 85SSUL that will fill the bill for now.

ECS

 

[Duke426]

Nothing wrong with that at all, Redlevel. I'm right there with you.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

My problem is not only is the nothing out there that I feel the need for, but I'm just tired of shooting. About the only real pleasure I get out of the collection now a day is that smug satisfaction one feels when he is in a gun store and realizes that his collection is better than the store inventory (well, you get my point ). And if I could sell them all for, say 10% less than what the store is asking for lesser models, I'be into some MEGA coin. Oh well, it be what it be.