What makes you a "collector"?
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I might be a collector. I tell my wife each one I buy is a part of my collection. I started with old winchester long guns a mod 70 pre 64, a couple mod 94's in 32 win spc, several mod 12's, 2 mod 63 22lr, a Browning sweet 16 Belgian made,and of course my 3 Mod 19-3 S&W's. The rest are newer guns for hunting or target. How could I forget my 7 win model 11sl's these were the first attempt at auto loading shotgun by winchester,
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I guess I'm a collector then, as mine seem to have a central theme. Pre-war K frame targets, about 15. Plus a couple of scattered 5-screws just for fun.
Collected Special Order Winchester Model 1894 Sporting Rifles for years, but sold them to fund returning to college when I was in my early 30's.
Regards,
Bruce
Collected Special Order Winchester Model 1894 Sporting Rifles for years, but sold them to fund returning to college when I was in my early 30's.
Regards,
Bruce
Faulkner
Member
One man's "collector" is another man's "hoarder"...
"Hoarder" is what people who can't afford to be collectors call collectors.
I started out acquiring USGI M1 carbines over 25 years ago because I found them interesting. Eventually my interest developed into a collection, which in turn became an investment that is now part of my retirement plan.
Wow!!!"Hoarder" is what people who can't afford to be collectors call collectors.
I started out acquiring USGI M1 carbines over 25 years ago because I found them interesting. Eventually my interest developed into a collection, which in turn became an investment that is now part of my retirement plan.
At least you're not denying the fact that you are a collector!
You'd have a very hard time convincing anyone that you didn't own a collection! 
Agree. Coin collecting is a good example. No intention of spending the coin.
BTW a collection is called "an arsenal" by the hoplophobe.
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Alpo
Member
I think it's the mindset. It's not whether you have five or fifty or five hundred. It's not whether you have all sorts of guns, or they all are some variation of a Combat Magnum. What makes you a COLLECTOR is that you consider yourself to be one.
I probably have close to a thousand books. But I'm not a book collector, I just like reading. I have several hundred movies, but I'm not a movie collector, I just enjoy old movies. And I have guns. But I'm not a gun collector.
I probably have close to a thousand books. But I'm not a book collector, I just like reading. I have several hundred movies, but I'm not a movie collector, I just enjoy old movies. And I have guns. But I'm not a gun collector.
Originally Posted by vt_shooter
You're a collector of x-widget if you buy it simply to own it as opposed to buying it to use it?
Agree. Coin collecting is a good example. No intention of spending the coin.
....
Strongly disagree. Coin and stamp collecting are bad examples for comparison to gun collecting because once you use a coin or stamp, it's gone. However you can use a firearm many times and still have it - more like (on a more expensive scale) car or airplane collecting. Jay Leno drives his cars and Paul Allen has a collection of WWII aircraft that get flown.
Coin and stamp collecting would be more akin to cartridge collecting. Even then it's an imperfect comparison because nobody is going to spend a highly prized coin. There would be no reason to do that, whereas someone might actually shoot a rare cartridge just for the experience. Like opening a rare bottle of wine.
Probably the best answer of all... and one that (hopefully) most of us can agree on.
I have to admit that the topic, both the question and the variety of answers, amuses me greatly.
Obvious from my prior posts, I consider myself a collector... albeit a "poor man" collector... one with multiple themes (some of which have changed over time) and plenty of "off-theme" variety too. 
When did I first know I was a collector and not just a guy with some guns? Probably after my first dozen or so acquisitions 35+ years ago, most of them S&W revolvers, 4 of them Model 66 revolvers (and still unfired-in-factory-box).
Well to be honest I have been called a collector by some, an accumulator by others and certain enlightened parts of the population a gun nut!
That ranks right up there with that old quote "call me anything but late for dinner!"
That ranks right up there with that old quote "call me anything but late for dinner!"
the ringo kid
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In that case? im a jen you wine collector. Ive only fired two of em.
I have them from top breaks to X frame and Scandium. 22 to 500. Original to modified into a carbine. Some are pretty shiny and some are a bit on the rough side finish wise. Have I collected an accumulation or accumulated a collection of S&W revolvers? I don't care which. I am happy with what I have until I find another one I want.
Obviously we have a number of different ideas, both about what a collection is, and what a collector is.
I've seen collectable revolvers which, in the hands of a particular fellow, became non collectable. That's what I generally call a "shooter". But i have a collection of shooters, and a few collectable firearms.
I've seen collectable revolvers which, in the hands of a particular fellow, became non collectable. That's what I generally call a "shooter". But i have a collection of shooters, and a few collectable firearms.
According to several of these definitions, I have to be a "collector", but I tend to consider myself an accumulator. I did set a goal of a representative example of a S&W revolver form every decade from 1860 to present. I did put that together, but have since disposed of a few to upgrade my "accumulation". Unfortunately since I use a spread sheet to track my "accumulation" and do possess an 03 FFL I guess I must be a collector.
To me......
If you buy a gun to put in the safe and don't intend to shoot it. You are a collector.
If you buy a gun to put in the safe and don't intend to shoot it. You are a collector.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I have a gun in my safe that I have not shot, has never been shot. I didn't buy it for that purpose, but there it is. Am I a collector?
OP
Protected One
Member
Apparently rwsmith thinks you are!
Rastoff
US Veteran
So, if I go shoot it, does that remove my collector status?
... might put a wee nick in your "investor" status.
