When, if ever, did you specialize?

[BKDinTexas]

After owning and carrying several smith revolvers (most of which I wish I had back) early in a law enforcement career, I jumped headfirst into the black gun craze. Lately, since I'm long out of law enforcement, a wave of nostaglia hit me and at the height of the post election craze, I traded some black guns and accessories for a nice little collection of several old Smith revolvers, most NIB.

Fortune smiled on me, and in the course of two or three months, I was able to snag several more, to where I have a collection that would at least draw a polite golf clap here.

My dilemma is, there is not a lot of theme to my collection. I do tend to drift towards short barrel, combat type revolvers, but my latest acquisition was a like NIB model 28 six inch. I do tend to stick to NIB or like NIB guns, which is making it hard to shoot any of them.

So, am I that unusual? (The collection I mean!)
Do most folks have a "niche" they collect, or more just whatever "speaks" to them when they have the money and opportunity? Sometimes what I like changes based on the best pictures posted here lately!

What says the board?

 

[panamajack310]

Hey, welcome to the forum. I can not speak for any one else here as we all like different things. I personally like combat Law enforcement revolvers. Revolvers with 4" or less. I have no use for a 6" gun as it is harder to conceal. I have several 2.5" and 3" revolvers I actually still carry on duty.
I like the astetics of a snub nose revolver.

 

[armybass]

For me I am more into mass consumption right now so I am not that picky. I just prefer blued, P&R Smiths with stock grips. I also prefer the law enforcement models but I am trying to get at least one of each model/caliber.

This was the collection a few months back, several have been added but have not had the time to snap a new picture. I want to do it in natural light so it may be a while before I can cart the arsenal outside for the photo shoot.

 

[BKDinTexas]

Thanks for the welcome.

Panama, we have some of the same tastes in short barrels, but I am also a handgun hunter, so some of the longer barrels appeal to me also.

Army, I hear the mass consumption thing, but you have a theme of sorts there going!

 

[Lt JL]

I have all, I think, of the regular production prelock, .357s on K, L, and N frames. And a 520. so for me, it's 19s, 13s, 65s, 66s, 27s, 28s, 581s, 586s, 681s, and 686s. Various barrel lengths from 2.5 to 6.

 

[fyimo]

I stared with one S&W in January and I have a whole bunch now and my collection is scattered accross the board of pre 1982 S&W's. If I have any favorite target group it's 27-2 as I have 7 of them.
My favorite 27-2 is a 5 inch unfired in box, tools, and paperwork.

 

[BKDinTexas]

You guys are killing me. I'm taking some pictures and figuring out how to post 'em tomorrow.

 

[29aholic]

BKD
Welcome to the forum...with the rest of us nuts!!!

My collecting has always been all over the map, but I have tried to settle down (hasnt happened)

I am trying to collect 1966 guns (birth year) but I also wanted 1 early pre 29 as my handle implies I am a 29aholic
well guess what
Here's the ONE pre-29

Oh wait there's 3!!!

And here's my 1966 guns



wait again!!! I aint got any...damn

I guess to answer your question...youre sick and the only cure is more S&W's

 

[Vulcan Bob]

The only thing I specialized in was WWII US Paratrooper/Airborne uniforms,equipment and weapons. When it comes to handguns I am a accumilator more than a collector. About an equal number of K frames as N frame with a few J's thrown in. Other than S&W's I have no brand loyalty other than they have to be a quality firearm.

 

[j38]

BKD,

Welcome to the Forum - I'm glad you're here!

It really does help to focus your collecting habits. I've narrowed mine down to 20th Century revolvers (and a few autos, as well). As much as I'd like to specialize some, I'm such an opportunist that I'll reach for the cash whenever I find an interesting one (a model I don't already have) at a good price.

I do tend to pick guns that I can shoot without feeling too bad about it. I do shoot all my guns (so far).

Good luck with your collecting and I'll look forward to seeing some pictures soon.

Regards,

Jerry

 

[Schmidty]

I get what I can, when I can. Usually price is a factor for me, as the chief financial officer will veto me. Armybass, that is a nice looking collection.

 

[pace40]

My collection theme now is the Model 2 Old Army and Old Model 1 1/2's. Last year it was pre-27's. Before that it was M&P's.

Yes I specialize but never know when the direction will change on a whim. On the plus side, during any particular niche run, I study everything I can get my hands on about that particular model so I know a lot about M&P's, pre-27's, and the Civil War era guns. Not so much about everything else though.

 

[wbraswell]

BKD, you think you're unusual? Hah? Not here. I must tell you that you are ill with a disease called SWessonitis. You clearly have the symptoms. It is not fatal, but can lead to CGO (Compulsive Gunbroker Disorder), cash shortages, divorce, and an addiction to Hoppes #9. People who vote SDT will shun you. You may exhibit zombie like behavior while being drawn to large gun shows. But you are still in the early stages, and there may be hope. Just tell me where in Texas you live and I will come and you can give me these Satanic intstruments of destruction and then you will be on your way to recovery.Please. I've never been able to focus, and always wish I could have. In hindsight, I wish I had concentrated on I and J frame .22s.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Long-tube Model 57s.

 

[H Richard]

I consider myself an "accumulator" rather than a collector, but find myself targeting the older revolvers. My earlier one is a 1873 No. 1 1/2 .32 RF Tip Up, which sits next to my 1879 No. 1 1/2 .32 CF Top Break, along side my 1911 .32 DA 5th, and the 1921 .32 Safety Hammerless.

I Frames are another thing that fit in my "accumulation".

Actually the newest S&W I have is 36-6 from 1989.

However I just shot the new 632, and it is a remarkable little gun in .327 Magnum. The comp really helps control muzzle flip.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I am impressed by the discipline of collectors. I'm merely an accumulator. Gila the Collector likes blue 44's, late prewar through 1960's S-prefix. Gila the Accumulator likes Model 2x or 62x pre-MIM/lock N-frames in general.

Battered 4506's captivate me, too, for some reason.

 

[Allen-frame]

BKD , I believe I started with kind of a blind lust,in the beginning. Kind of like when a relationship is new,
when you'll just stop and do it anywhere.
I bought anything that was a decent deal. And subsequently ,have owned and fired many different models.

What happened next can only be described as 'N frame lust' .
The more I acquired N frames, in any caliber, the more these went to the range with me.
The N frames do not leave the collection.

So, as time went on, the J frames went in trade. Then the L frames in 357 magnum. Now the K frames, which used to
outnumber the Ns' are down to a select few that I would be hard pressed to choose from to get rid of any one.

As it stands now, my last inventory shows I own N frames in 9 different calibers. 14 in 357 alone.
And it's never enough.
Mine eyes are ever scanning the horizon for the next treasure to come along.


You asked ,, I had to answer. Hope this helped.


Regards ,,,,Allen F.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

BKDinTexas:

Your situation sounds normal to me, both the focus and the drift. A little over twenty years ago, I decided that I had too many guns, and that I would focus on what I would actually carry or use. I have fewer than half a dozen handguns with barrels over 4", and one of those (a C*** Woodsman) can be carried concealed IWB in Bianchi 3S Pistol Pocket designed for a PPK. I now have MORE guns than twenty years ago, but I can carry most of them (not all at the same time), and I probably have fewer than I would have had if I hadn't set a rule.

I have excuses for all of the non-carry handguns that I own.

 

[BKDinTexas]

OK, I will go on and get divorce papers drafted and hire a bankruptcy attorney...

I'm glad at least I'm not alone.

Before the spousal unit leaves and takes all I have, I will take some pictures when I get home from my place of enablement (work that is).

 

[fyimo]

Originally posted by Allen-frame:
BKD , I believe I started with kind of a blind lust,in the beginning. Kind of like when a relationship is new,
when you'll just stop and do it anywhere.
I bought anything that was a decent deal. And subsequently ,have owned and fired many different models.


What happened next can only be described as 'N frame lust' .
The more I acquired N frames, in any caliber, the more these went to the range with me.
The N frames do not leave the collection.

So, as time went on, the J frames went in trade. Then the L frames in 357 magnum. Now the K frames, which used to
outnumber the Ns' are down to a select few that I would be hard pressed to choose from to get rid of any one.

As it stands now, my last inventory shows I own N frames in 9 different calibers. 14 in 357 alone.
And it's never enough.
Mine eyes are ever scanning the horizon for the next treasure to come along.


You asked ,, I had to answer. Hope this helped.


Regards ,,,,Allen F.

Wow is all I can say and man oh man I guess I'm just getting started in this weird sickness. I have bought 26 S&Ws since January 1st of this year and yes I love N frames too. If I settle on a size a frame size it would be an N frame but I have some K/L frames to because I like them. I have 7 27-2's. 3 29-2's, 2 28-2's, 1 25-2, and 1 629 no dash so about half of my S&W's are N frame.

"I believe I started with kind of a blind lust, in the beginning. Kind of like when a relationship is new" VERY WELL SAID