10-Ring
Member
I'd probably have more guns if I didn't like shooting so much...
Do you prefer the guns or the shooting?
- Thread starter DMK
- Start date
- Status
PAshooter
Member
I voted for "the guns" although I really enjoy my trips to the range.
Trouble is that work, family, and other time committments make range visits (at least trips to the outdoor rifle range) an infrequent occurrence. But yet, I keep collecting. Can't tell you how many milsurp long arms I've cleaned and rehabbed but never shot. They've given me countless enjoyable hours in the shop after a long day at work. But one of these days...
I guess my first love is collecting, but shooting is a close second. For now, limited range time doesn't hamper my ongoing collecting habit. Not a problem - one of these days (like, maybe, when I retire) I'll have the time to shoot a bunch of "new" (old) guns that have never made it to the range with me.
BTW - anyone else wondering what the two folks that answered "I don't like guns" are doing on a gun board?
Trouble is that work, family, and other time committments make range visits (at least trips to the outdoor rifle range) an infrequent occurrence. But yet, I keep collecting. Can't tell you how many milsurp long arms I've cleaned and rehabbed but never shot. They've given me countless enjoyable hours in the shop after a long day at work. But one of these days...
I guess my first love is collecting, but shooting is a close second. For now, limited range time doesn't hamper my ongoing collecting habit. Not a problem - one of these days (like, maybe, when I retire) I'll have the time to shoot a bunch of "new" (old) guns that have never made it to the range with me.
BTW - anyone else wondering what the two folks that answered "I don't like guns" are doing on a gun board?
iamkris
Member
To decide how to respond to this, I put the question to myself as follows (note -- answers #3 and 4 don't apply to me so I didn't consider them):
"If you were told you could either a) only accumulate guns for the rest of your life but not shoot them (e.g., like guns more) or b) only shoot guns for the rest of your life but not handle or keep them near you when not physically shooting them (e.g., like shooting more), which would you choose?"
I chose a) in this case...I like to get my guns out a "caress" them...look at their lines, investigate their actions, read up on their history, hold milsurps and let them "tell" me their stories. I adore shooting but if I had to choose, I'd go only with the guns.
"If you were told you could either a) only accumulate guns for the rest of your life but not shoot them (e.g., like guns more) or b) only shoot guns for the rest of your life but not handle or keep them near you when not physically shooting them (e.g., like shooting more), which would you choose?"
I chose a) in this case...I like to get my guns out a "caress" them...look at their lines, investigate their actions, read up on their history, hold milsurps and let them "tell" me their stories. I adore shooting but if I had to choose, I'd go only with the guns.
Bazooka Joe71
Member
I love to stare at, clean, rub, and whisper sweet nothings to my guns......
But I love shooting them a whole heck of alot more.
But I love shooting them a whole heck of alot more.
iamkris
Member
So, DMK - which do YOU prefer?
Cliff47
Member
There is a certain appreciation for the technology involved with a fine firearm, be it a handgun, rifle, shotgun or trench mortar (just kidding there).
But there is also a certain zen thing going at the range when you are "in the zone" and everything comes together (grip, sight picture, breath control, the squeeze of the trigger).
Afterwards, the cleaning of the firearms can be a very meditative experience.
For the record, I have not cast a vote, but prefer to voice my opinions.
But there is also a certain zen thing going at the range when you are "in the zone" and everything comes together (grip, sight picture, breath control, the squeeze of the trigger).
Afterwards, the cleaning of the firearms can be a very meditative experience.
For the record, I have not cast a vote, but prefer to voice my opinions.
brashboy
Member
You mean, I have to choose?
i like the guns
i like the history
i like the mechanics
i like the service
i like the cleaning
i like the visuals
shooting is great dont get me wrong. but i lack the attention span to be a bench rest shooter, the motivation to be a trap shooter, the interest in being a hunter, or the time to be a competator.
i like the history
i like the mechanics
i like the service
i like the cleaning
i like the visuals
shooting is great dont get me wrong. but i lack the attention span to be a bench rest shooter, the motivation to be a trap shooter, the interest in being a hunter, or the time to be a competator.
TnShooter83
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2007
- Messages
- 172
Both, but I enjoy the development, and history behind it as well
if not more than shooting. Me having that 700BDL, and it taking part in
Vietnam means some thing to me. Just a piece of history behind all firearms.
if not more than shooting. Me having that 700BDL, and it taking part in
Vietnam means some thing to me. Just a piece of history behind all firearms.
It's been an evolution for me. I started out obsessed with having the guns, the more the better. Buying them building them, accessorizing them, etc.
Now it's slightly more shooting than having.
After buying and selling numerous handguns and rifles, I fell in live with a .22 bolt action and all I want to do is shoot it. I practice with my carry weapons, too, but when I go to the range with several guns, most of my time is spent with the .22.
Now it's slightly more shooting than having.
After buying and selling numerous handguns and rifles, I fell in live with a .22 bolt action and all I want to do is shoot it. I practice with my carry weapons, too, but when I go to the range with several guns, most of my time is spent with the .22.
Regolith
Member
I prefer the shooting myself. Everything else is just preparation or cleanup.
Redneck with a 40
Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,273
This is a tough one for me also. I enjoy admiring and handling my guns, reading about them, researching calibers and ballistics tables, reading reloading manuals and gun books/magazines ect. So yes, I very much enjoy just being in the presence of guns, I admire and respect them.
However, going to the range and lighting off some rounds is where the fun is at. Its very thrilling to discharge a deadly weapon, the flash, the boom, the recoil. Then you get to see a dozen or more rounds inside the "black ring" and it brings a smile to my face, pure satisfaction and pride.
So I guess the bottom line with me is that they go hand in hand, guns and shooting. I don't think I could have one and not the other. Although If I had to choose one, I'd rather have a collection of guns to admire, and give up the shooting. I hope this never comes to fruition because that would really SUCK!
On a side note, before the Brady Campaign shut down their blog, because the pro-gun folks were handing their a** to them, an anti-gun poster, one of THREE, lol, asked if we hugged our guns every night. Just to piss her off, I said I "hug my guns every night". I thought this was hilarious and she was pissed, lmao!
However, going to the range and lighting off some rounds is where the fun is at. Its very thrilling to discharge a deadly weapon, the flash, the boom, the recoil. Then you get to see a dozen or more rounds inside the "black ring" and it brings a smile to my face, pure satisfaction and pride.
So I guess the bottom line with me is that they go hand in hand, guns and shooting. I don't think I could have one and not the other. Although If I had to choose one, I'd rather have a collection of guns to admire, and give up the shooting. I hope this never comes to fruition because that would really SUCK!
On a side note, before the Brady Campaign shut down their blog, because the pro-gun folks were handing their a** to them, an anti-gun poster, one of THREE, lol, asked if we hugged our guns every night. Just to piss her off, I said I "hug my guns every night". I thought this was hilarious and she was pissed, lmao!
XD Fan
Member
It is hard to separate the two for me.
bhk
Member
I like both, but as I get older I guess I am leaning more torward the appreciation of the design and workmanship involved in my firearms. Maybe it is because I have lived in the country for decades and can shoot at my place on my own range all I want. I enjoy it thoroughly, but it is not a big deal to me any more. I still shoot a couple times a week, but it often only takes a dozen or two rounds to satisfy me.
Black Adder LXX
Member
BOTH
I like the guns more, except when I'm at the range, then I like shooting more.
OP
OP
DMK
Member
I love to shoot, but I'm a gearhead at heart. I love mechanical things. I was the kid who took all his toys apart to see how they worked AND then put them back together again.
So, I'd have to say that my fascination is with the guns, the ammo and what makes them work. They are just really cool machines. Especially semi-autos.
operator114
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2007
- Messages
- 41
Both. I have firearms that I shoot, clean and work on (AR-15), and some that I shoot and don't clean or work on (AK-47). I also have some that I don't shoot because they're collectable (M1).
You might as well ask if I prefer breathing in more than breathing out.
You might as well ask if I prefer breathing in more than breathing out.
Bazooka Joe71
Member
Um, who are the 3 people that don't like guns?
fastbolt
Member
DMK,
You enjoy forcing answers from folks to questions which they wouldn't ordinarily consider as relevant? Like those political poll-takers who demand answers from carefully contrived and worded questions which aren't really connected to the way things are really occurring?
Just kidding ...
I couldn't find an answer I really felt represented my feelings, so I picked the 'shooting' option. Not what I'd come up with on my own, though.
I used to enjoy firearms ownership for the simple pleasure of it.
I used to enjoy acquiring and collecting specific firearms for the simple pleasure of pride of ownership.
I could still feel this way about some single action revolvers, FWIW, and a couple of ,22 pistols which have provided many hours of simple plinking & general, recreational range enjoyment. I've thought about having a custom PPC-type revolver built for me, too, since I know a fellow who does very nice work on revolvers and pistols in his retirement. Always wanted a nice .38 Special target gun.
However, as someone who has been able to attend more than a dozen armorers classes and has been responsible for helping maintain an average of more than 500+ agency owned weapons ... I've become a bit tired of 'working on' firearms. Cleaning and preventive maintenance isn't exactly high on my list of preferred recreational activities and pastimes, either. Necessary, though. That being the case, however, it needs to be done right. That's why I spent the time and effort to attend all of those armorer classes in the first place.
For the most part, though, I've come to look at the significant bulk of my personally-owned firearms collection pretty much from the perspective of effective and efficient tools for off-duty needs and considerations.
As I look toward my imminent retirement I see them from the perspective of using them as retirement CCW weapons. Some will get more usage in this regard than others. Just depends on my anticipated needs, lifestyle and activities.
Probably won't be getting rid of any of them, though. My appreciation of the right and ability to own firearms has been too well ingrained over my lifetime (since childhood) to ever get rid of them.
You enjoy forcing answers from folks to questions which they wouldn't ordinarily consider as relevant? Like those political poll-takers who demand answers from carefully contrived and worded questions which aren't really connected to the way things are really occurring?
Just kidding ...
I couldn't find an answer I really felt represented my feelings, so I picked the 'shooting' option. Not what I'd come up with on my own, though.
I used to enjoy firearms ownership for the simple pleasure of it.
I used to enjoy acquiring and collecting specific firearms for the simple pleasure of pride of ownership.
I could still feel this way about some single action revolvers, FWIW, and a couple of ,22 pistols which have provided many hours of simple plinking & general, recreational range enjoyment.
I've thought about having a custom PPC-type revolver built for me, too, since I know a fellow who does very nice work on revolvers and pistols in his retirement. Always wanted a nice .38 Special target gun.However, as someone who has been able to attend more than a dozen armorers classes and has been responsible for helping maintain an average of more than 500+ agency owned weapons ... I've become a bit tired of 'working on' firearms. Cleaning and preventive maintenance isn't exactly high on my list of preferred recreational activities and pastimes, either.
Necessary, though. That being the case, however, it needs to be done right. That's why I spent the time and effort to attend all of those armorer classes in the first place. For the most part, though, I've come to look at the significant bulk of my personally-owned firearms collection pretty much from the perspective of effective and efficient tools for off-duty needs and considerations.
As I look toward my imminent retirement I see them from the perspective of using them as retirement CCW weapons. Some will get more usage in this regard than others. Just depends on my anticipated needs, lifestyle and activities.
Probably won't be getting rid of any of them, though. My appreciation of the right and ability to own firearms has been too well ingrained over my lifetime (since childhood) to ever get rid of them.
mjrodney
Member
After all these years of practice, the center of a paper target at 25 yards usually ends up as a baseball sized ragged hole.
When that target comes in off of the 25 yard line with the center blown out of it, bystanders and fellow shooters will often nod in acknowledgement, but very few ask what type of handgun was used.
It's the shooting.
When that target comes in off of the 25 yard line with the center blown out of it, bystanders and fellow shooters will often nod in acknowledgement, but very few ask what type of handgun was used.
It's the shooting.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
