Am I a 'gun collector'? When did I become one?

[Black Butte]

I'm not collecting, I'm investing. Now it's time to diversify my portfolio with a pump action.

 

[22-rimfire]

Funny how "collector" is a dirty word around here...

Why is that?

You become a collector when you start to buy guns for no reason other than they exist, you like them, you have no identifiable need for the gun, and you want more of them. You begin to rationalize the purchases by saying they will increase in value or call them investments. Condition becomes very important to you and buying guns with the correct box and paperwork becomes very important to you. You have no intention of ever shooting these guns. You're now a collector.

But you can be both a collector and an accumulator. I personally think a collection needs some sort of unifying theme. An accumulator is more random in terms of purchases and you likely shoot a lot of these accumulated firearms.

 

[grumpy66]

You know you got it good when you walk into the local dealer and he says "I've been holding this just for you".

Yes, I pay his rent.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Officially, you're a collector once you get your C&R FFL.

Unofficially (and in reality) you're a collector the first time you buy a gun not because you think you need it, but just because you want it.

Welcome to the club.

 

[Loosedhorse]

[error]

 

[Nushif]

I'd say once you have more than you can carry, you are a collector.

If I hold out my arms, stack them just right and walk really, really slow, so I can try not to drop any I can still carry all mine. Or I could wear cargo shorts and a backpack and stuff all my pockets.

Hah! I am *not* a collector.

 

[O C]

When you start BUYING COLLECTIONS you've past the point of no return. I have bought 3 collections ( 2 from estates of people I knew), and now have 53 handguns with an average investment of $335.00 per. They range from a NIB Colt Boa to a Walther PPK/s. Now I'm getting close to start unloading some and keep very few. It's almost like selling your children (although there were a few times that wasn't such a bad idea).

 

[clutch]

I'm not a collector even if I have the 03 FFL*. I'm a black hole, a place where guns come in and never leave my possession.

Clutch

*Gee, I forgot to renew my 03FFL just before Obama came into power and had to re-apply for a new one. So sorry about previous license and bound book.