Collecting your favorite gun.

I have more than one s&w 22a...love those guns
I could go broke buying all the different variations......

My collecting interest in firearms consists primarily of .44 Special Revolvers and Swiss SIG P210s. I certainly have other interests, but those two categories are such that I go after variations and multiples.

S&W 1st Model Hand Ejector (Triple Lock) in .44 Special:


S&W 3rd Model Hand Ejector of 1926 that letters to Wolf & Klar:


Forged SIG P210-6 in 9mm:

I have 2 categories of guns. One is a "gun collection". It consists of US mil property marked firearms, such as Garands, 30 US carbines, a trapdoor Springfield, 1911, 1911A1, etc., as well as some "interesting guns", like my 1963 super 38, MK4 series 70 Gold Cup and its cousing the 4" python, a nylon 66, and so on. The majority of the "gun collection" are safe queens, but a few do get fired on rare occasion. The second is a "collection of guns". These are guns that I use for training, CCW, HD, hunting, and so on. AR's, Glocks, a few nice 1911's, some long range rifles, and nice but not particularly "special" guns like a Wal Mart 700 in 243 or my Ruger American, or my Mossberg 930 winged critter gun. Guns that are great for what they are used, but they are guns that anyone can get at academy or wal mart.

Two J Frames, eight Ks, one L Frame. Kinda piddling in comparison with larger accumulations, but I know each one and I smile when I see them and they shake my hand like they are glad to see me.

Edit: of course there are others around but this group of S&Ws is the only group that might be considered a “collection”.

I'm primarily collecting S&W K frames with Model numbers and adjustable sights (Model 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). Working on an example of each commonly available barrel lengths.

Model 16's are the most difficult to find.

cfullgraf said:

I'm primarily collecting S&W K frames with Model numbers and adjustable sights (Model 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). Working on an example of each commonly available barrel lengths.

Model 16's are the most difficult to find.

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Good luck. I’m sticking with .38s and .22s!

460Shooter said:

After looking at these pictures, I realize that I suck at life.

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I've been into shooting, loading for 35+ years, 10+ was working part time at a pawn shop and doing gunshows with the owner ... it gives me a distinct advantage

J-Bar said:

Good luck. I’m sticking with .38s and .22s!

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Probably not a bad idea, definitely easier to accomplish.

I have a Model 16-4 (32 H&R Mag) but would like to get a Model 16-0, 16-1, 16-2 or 16-3 (32 S&WL). Unfortunately, S&W made only about 3000 32 S&WL versions while they made about 8000 Model 16-4's, the 32 H&R Mag versions.

Some day I'll find one.

I don’t have that kinda money to throw around on vintage guns, but if I did, I would collect all metal, “vest pocket” mouse guns. Like those old colt .25s and 32s. Sometimes I like old worn ones that were ment to be practical but sometimes like the ones engraved like a piece of jewelry or pocket watch.

I always have an eye out for Ruger DA Sixes. Have a SS Security with a 2 3/4 barrel, SS Speed with the same and a blued Service 4 incher. Gave the stepson a blue Speed. Traded off a blue 150 series "lowback ". Darn thing kept rolling up in my hand.

Kaybee said:

I don’t have that kinda money to throw around on vintage guns, but if I did, I would collect all metal, “vest pocket” mouse guns. Like those old colt .25s and 32s. Sometimes I like old worn ones that were ment to be practical but sometimes like the ones engraved like a piece of jewelry or pocket watch.

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Walther WTP9. Plain or engraved, they are a work of art.

Over time, I seem to have acquired a small collection of pre-war Winchester shotguns, from an 1897 to a model 37. Most of them are 16 gauges, with the exception of the '97. Somehow too, a couple Ruger M77's have found their way home, in miscellaneous calibers. But the little 22LR, and its big brother the 22 WMR, seem to hold a special place in my heart and home. There are more rimfires in my cabinet than any other type of gun. I don't know why it happened that way, but it did. Seems like I just looked up one day and had a dozen. Go figure. They are definitely my favorite guns to shoot, and the ammo is cheap enough to shoot all you want. There are probably about 500 rounds of centerfire rifle ammo in the house right now, and about 500,000 rounds of 22lr and WMR. That should give you some indication of my love for the little cartridges.

Mac