How many have more guns than they can use and why?

[Agsalaska]

I'm guilty. I use two handguns and two rifles. And I rarely shoot even them. But they are a small percentage of my collection. I probably won't shoot 90% of the guns I own. And I rarely let anything go.

For example, I landed a sig226 a few months ago for a ridiculous price. It is stainless, unfired, in it's box. 9mm. I will never shoot it. My grand kids will get it in its current condition. That's how I do guns.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I'm simply at a point in my life where I can afford impulse purchases. Kids are grown, out of college, and married. House and cars a paid for, and no credit card debt.

Saw and bought a used S&W 629 performance center 629 .44 magnum today. Sure don't need it, will seldom shoot it, but it is there if I want to. And buying it used, I won't lose money on it

 

[Ignition Override]

A friend has an interesting "selection" and each is in excellent, a few in mint condition. The hidden armored room means that he never has to worry about them, and almost all have no record of any transaction. He buys but never sells, and does not shoot very often.
Most of these rifles have never been operated, and the Enfield #4/Mk.2 in cosmo (wrapped in the bag) will never be used.

Most are bolt actions, but most of his semi-auto sport utility guns were acquired recently, because he is concerned about the growing power (without accountability) of certain US federal agencies, especially the DOJ, and the WH to circumvent Congress.

 

[9MMare]

While I dont do so, I certainly understand people 'collecting' guns just like people collect lots of other things they are interested in.

I only keep guns that I have for specific purposes/locations. I admire lots of guns but see no point in buying something that 'shoots like a dream' but I'd never use, as much as I'd like it.

I'd also love to display some really handsome guns....but dont find that to be a particularly wise idea unfortunately...and cant afford guns for that purpose either.

 

[Pete D.]

Sure

Surely do. Handguns....I wanted to have a handgun for each of the commonly available cartridges. I wanted backups for pistols - my target guns - that I shoot a lot. A few are unusual and kinda neat to own.
Rifles....target rifles...I have two that I shoot regularly. The rest..there are a bunch that are for historical interest, neat factor, "just because". I have no use for either a .375 H&H or a .416 Rigby, nevertheless, I own both.
Shotguns......because I am afflicted with SAD (Shotgun Acquisition Disease) and I just cannot help myself.
Muzzleloaders......the basics, a sense of the past, my prettiest guns are MLers.
Pete

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Some of mine are backups or replacements for my favorites, in case I break one or wear it out.

 

[Twiki357]

I definitely have more than I need or to some extent use. I have this problem of not being able to pass up a good buy, whether I need it or not and I've never sold a gun. With the exception of two S&W Model 36's that were stolen back in the mid 1980's, I still have every gun I've ever bought. But, I do have two that I would be happy to sell if I could come close to getting my money out of them.

 

[stickhauler]

How many cars do you need? We have 2 cars, my wife hasn't driven since the late 1960's, and has no intention of doing so. And I'm a trucker, so if my usual driver gets more than 25 miles added to the odometer in a week, it a situation where we traveled somewhere. I've got a 300 ZX sitting in the garage, I likely haven't put more than 250 miles on it in the last 2 years. Both have full coverage insurance on them, and both are licensed.

I've got somewhere in the range of 30 guns, 5 the same exact firearm, made by different manufacturers, they're M-1 Carbines. I decided I wanted to have one for each of my grandsons, for them to have when I pass away. I've got 3 grand-daughters, they also have "dibs" on certain firearms I have.

All are operational, I'll rotate different ones for each range visit, so I likely shoot all of them at least a couple of times a year, my favorites more often.

They've increased in value more than my 401 K and IRA over the past several years

 

[JohnBiltz]

I don't but if I won the Powerball I would.

 

[Teachu2]

I have a couple dozen and a few more - more than I can carry, not more than I can use. Some will go unused for months or years, then get several workouts in a few weeks.

I'm deeper in the areas that interest me most, and long ago passed the "need" threshold. That's OK, as I don't own any I don't enjoy.

 

[Losov]

I do. I've had a .357 colt for over twenty years but it is too big to be of value as an EDC. Of the guns i own it is the most fun to shoot. I bought a couple of 9 mm semi autos that I thought I would use for EDC as the weather turned colder, but I'm used to my .380 and don't think I'll switch. Consequently, I plan to cull the herd and dispose of the 9s in the near future, exactly how has yet to be determined.

 

[GBExpat]

How many have more guns than they can use and why?

I own many more firearms than I can use because I like firearms & shooting in general and I can afford to buy the specific types of firearms that I like the most.

I have used most of them and plan on eventually using them all ... but if I had bought them only as I developed a need or the time to use them, they would now cost me MUCH more to acquire and some would not even be readily/easily available.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I don't have a lot but I certainly have more than I need.

"For someday" is a good enough reason for me.

.

 

[Clark]

jmorris

Why? Why not.

Why collect stamps? They are useless unless used. Same with collecting anything.

I have collected stamps and I have collected guns, and guns take up more space.

But it is better than collecting cars or tractors.

Right now I have one vehicle and no tractors. I have been clean for 13 years.

 

[beatledog7]

By definition, I "can" use every firearm I own. That's because I have the ability to manipulate every one of them safely, I have ammo, and I have a place to shoot them within reasonable reach.

Do I use them all with any degree of frequency? No. But each one will get taken to the range or the field at least once this year. Some have been shot only a few times since I've owned them. Others have been shot a bit more, and a few get shot at least monthly. Three are in daily "use" in CCW or HD roles, and a fourth is about to enter that category.

All of my guns have a legitimate and distinct purpose. I'd make no apologies for owning them even if I never shoot them again.

 

[Crashbox]

I can use only one or two at a time so I reckon I have more than I can use. Usually I will go out, search for and purchase a firearm that I want.

But two days ago I was in a sporting goods store about 40 miles south of me and happened to find bullets for Mom's old rifle which made me quite happy. I then stopped at a gun shop on the way home and found brass for Mom's old rifle and set the boxes on the counter and told the gentleman working there that I was there to spend money. He said, "I can help you with that" and placed a Ruger No. 1-H Tropical in my hands. Ten to fifteen seconds later I said, "I'll take it." Did I really NEED the firearm? Not at that time I didn't. But did I WANT it? You betcha! (actually wanted one like it for a very long time!)

 

[dprice3844444]

How many have more guns than they can use and why?

that's like asking why women have so many shoes,because we can

 

[tarosean]

It's like a disease.. I've been afflicted for a few decades. I just cannot stop. It's like a fun version of potatoe chips. At first it was rifles, then I sold off all but 3 when i took up bow hunting. Right now i buy up handguns in various forms and fashions..

 

[khegglie]

I run Khegglie's home for orpan firearms.

 

[BSA1]

I think most of you are looking at the question wrong.

I use ALL of my guns. Some just have different uses than others.

Their are some that are suitable for CCW.

Their are some that are a bit larger and more suitable for H.D.

Their are some that are suitable for teaching new shooters.

Their are some that a suitable for inexpensive plinking.

Their are some that are suitable for small game hunting.

Their are some that are suitable for big game hunting.

Their are some that are suitable for bird hunting.

Their are some that are suitable for competition shooting such as CAS.

Their are some that are for investment.

And then their are some that simply give me joy to own.

But each and every one of them has use to me.

 

[Clark]

When I was young and handsome, women were magnetically attracted to me.
I owned 3 guns, just like my father did; 22 rifle, 30-06 rifle, 12 ga shot gun.

Then I got fat, old, and ugly.
20 years later, I have 300 guns.
At least I did not become an alcoholic or philanderer.
Gun collectors are just o.k.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

^^^ laughing at that one and I have to agree, they keep me too broke to hang out in saloons.

 

[tubeshooter]

I wanted a good, general-purpose .22 handgun. 7 guns later, I think I am finally satisfied...


These things happen.

 

[nwilliams]

The most guns I've ever had at one time is around 35-40.

Currently I only have 18 guns in my collection. Some of them I shoot often and others only occasionally but I like having lot's to choose from.

Part of the problem is that I work at a gun shop and it's like an alcoholic working at a bar for me.

 

[Hardtarget]

I'm a bit of an accidental gun collector. I've only bought a few of them...most just came to me by default...nobody else wanted them. My guns are "utilitarian", plain jane type guns. I'm a hunter/plinker and thats the type of collection I have.

Don't get me wrong, I like all of them. For instance, I have five 12 ga. guns. I duck hunt with one. One is for HD. I dove hunt with the Win. mod 24 SxS one time a year. The O/U will see some impromptu skeet. The last is a loaner.

The core group of eight guns see 95% of all the shooting, The rest I just take care of.

Mark