What's an accumulator vs. a collector?

[deadin]

I tried being a "collector" a number of years ago. My "theme" or goal was to have at least one example of every chambering S&W ever made a revolver in. (Condition wasn't really all that important.) I did pretty well until I ran up against the .44 Henry RF, the 38-40, a couple of obscure British chamberings, plus a few others I can't currently recall.). (I seem to remember that there were about 5 guns I needed and there was no way I was going to afford them.)

 

[KarmannGhia]

I have come to the realization that I am a hoarder. If I see a gun for sale, and I want it (and I have the disposable cash), I buy it. I almost never sell or trade. There is no rhyme or reason, other than "I want that". I know, it's a sickness.

 

[Cellar Hound]

Everything is going to be OK....

There are many like you.... we see things we like and we buy them... we just need to accept that we can’t buy them all... it’s just the way it is....

 

[Chukar60]

Accumulators and collectors are the same thing.
Some people are just a lot more disciplined than others in their approach and execution.
I collect guns. Two main themes. S&W revolvers and shotguns, primarily double guns. I only have one safe queen and it is a Smith. It would be gone tonight if someone wanted to do some horse trading for a nice double barrel shotgun.
I accumulate to add to my collection some days and on others I collect to add to my accumulation.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

This started out being one of the more delightful threads on the topic, then it reverted to the same old rhetoric.

No clear-cut definitions apply. You are what you call yourself. I don't have to fit somebody else's parameters.

I don't color inside the lines. Never have. Don't plan to start.

There's an old term know as pigeon holing, where each pigeon only goes into its own hole when it returns home. I don't have a pigeon hole; I like a different roost each time I come home.

I have a nice bunch of Chiefs Specials. I don't call them my collection or my accumulation. I simply have 'em, and I'll get some more! I'll never have one of each known specimen. That's not my goal. I'm not sure I have a goal.

The hunt drives me, ever searching for the next one, not caring which one it might be. I guess I'm like the kitty whose owner takes it to Petco -- each isle has something that makes me say, "Oooh, shiny."

 

[steelslaver]

Some top breaks, some I frames, J frames, K frames, some L frames, some N frames, an X Frame. 22s, 22 hot rods, 32s, 38, 357, a 41, some 44s and 45s. Bunch of them modified.

An accumulation. No real focus.

 

[Glashaus]

I tend to accumulate my collections. I have several collections. The S&W collection, the WW I and WW II military collection, the old West collection, the post WWII/Cold War collection, the ex police firearm collection, and there are a few others. I buy firearms that I like and interest me and that I like to shoot, and maybe from a time period from the past.

 

[Green Frog]

I guess it's like the difference between a drunk and an alcoholic. I've been told that it's just that drunks don't like to go to meetings. Maybe it is a distinction without a difference, but if it helps us understand who we are and why we do what we do, so be it. And of course I still claim accumulator status and will cling to it along with my guns (and Bible!)

Froggie

 

[Bumpus13]

I am both and thus justify obtaining twice as many.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have the winner right here.

 

[Johnnu2]

I think the difference between a collector and an accumulator could be defined in many ways:
1) one gun safe vs. 6 gun safes
2) someone who NEVER sells or shoots vs. shoots'em all and sells when he wants to keep from losing control
3) one who can open his storage compartment and see everything he has
Finally, gives us all the opportunity to enjoy reading stuff and speculate on who is the happy collector/acumulator vs. who is the angry one... MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL,
J.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Right now I'm an accumulator ans I have been involved in the shooting sports in one way or the other for decades .That said I aspire to someday be a collector a true collector.Let me explain my view on this. I love to hunt .My kind of hunting is packing out into the forest for several days and camping ,scouting sign and hopefully stalking down that monster buck or calling in that elusive coyote and while im out there living as close as possible on what I can take in the field.As I mature I look at collecting as a way to extend the years I can enjoy firearms and the shooting sports. I admire the true collector as someone who can stalk so to speak their quarry ( a certain fiream) be relentless in the pursuit( going to countless shows and shops) and sometimes after all that work and toil not take a shot ( in my case maybe the buck wasn't a challenge I don't kill dumb deer ) in the case of a collector it may be a flaw small enough you need magnification to see .In both cases the knowledge to be successful depends on de adds and generations of wisdom passed down from others and in many instances hard lessons learned in the field .I can admire that dedication and drive and then in the end sometimes have the ability to walk away without taking the shot but in the satisfaction of realizing you can keep on .In other words as they say it's the hunt that is as much fun as the kill .I think most collectors at one time were accumulators but with maturity they become true collectors .So there I someday aspire to be a collector and I honestly admire you guys who are there .

 

[umwminer]

What Krogen said . Exactly.

That’s me too . Diseased .

 

[H Richard]

I am an accumulator, but do have a few "collections" among my accumulation. My initial goal (which I did finally reach) was to acquire one example for every decade S&W was in business. Hardest was the #1, 1st issue to get the 1850's decade. A set of 32 Safety Hammerless, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd models. Other than that, there is no rhyme or reason just I liked it when I found it.

 

[Camster]

I've heard both terms bandied about and am wondering what parameterizes each.
For example, me: I buy the best condition I can afford, but I abhor safe queens. I shoot what I collect, that's where the fun lies for me.

A collector has some discipline.An accumulator will buy anything that strikes his fancy at that moment.

 

[NYlakesider]

Well I started buying guns at age 14, back in the early 1960s! Got my NYS pistol permit in early 70s and started buying handguns.

Over the course of time I have accumulated some rather interesting collectable guns. Course I have shot every gun I own, sometimes stopping off at the range on the way home with my new purchase!

Guess in plain English that might make me a 50 percenter in this thread to some people.

Now safely in my house my wife thinks I'm a collector. In my own mind I'm a accumulator with good taste!

 

[larryofcc]

"Like some, I buy what I like. I have many shooters and tons of ammo. I like shooting my 22's best."

So do I. As time marches on, I find myself shooting my .22 rifles and handguns more and more. Less noise, less recoil, less weight, and I don't have to reload for them.

Most often, you don't have to pick up the brass either. Big Larry

 

[mbliss57]

I am a accumulator of collections. I can group all my accumulations into small collection niches. I buy what I love at the moment and occasionally I have a small collection that has accumulated and buy a gun or 2 to fill that micro collection. But at heart I just love guns and history and the hunt for anything cool and amazing.

 

[mm93]

An accumulator lacks direction. He buys whatever catches his eye without any particular direction or specific interest.
A collector is not necessarily going to focus on one brand, or model, but he could. Collectors are focused though, and if their wallets allow it, I know collectors with wonderfully diverse collections. But most of us have limited funds to go towards our desires, so we have to focus more.
I collect three brands of guns, but not specific models within the brands. S&W handguns, Marlin Ballard rifles, and Remington Rolling Block Sporting Rifles. I own other guns, but these three makers get 90% of my interest.
Collectors don't usually collect as investments. If they love what they collect then selling isn't really in the cards. They of course want to get a good deal, as that makes their money go further. But I rarely sell unless it's to upgrade some model within my collection.
Collectors can also shoot their collections as I do. But I have friends who own large collections and don't shoot any of their guns. They have guns to shoot, but care nothing about shooting their collectible firearms. I think shooting these fine old guns is part of why I enjoy collecting them. I can't imagine not wanting to experience what others have 100+ years ago with these same guns.

 

[CajunBass]

I just buy guns.

 

[moosedog]

To me an accumulator buys guns on a whim, while a collector has a direction or specific goal in mind.
I would describe myself as being both.