It seems like no one wants to be seen as a "gun collector" these days, like it's a bad thing.

What are peoples thoughts.

I have seen a number of derogatory comments about gun collectors from people I can only assume are gun owners on various forums.

I personally don't see it any different as someone who collects silver coins, etc.

I mean as long as you can afford to pay necessary expenses then buy what you want on top of that.

Just wondering what the average number of firearms owned are for Sig Forum.

You gentlemen/ladies keep what you get or move on to something new?

I think I listed all the major handgun manufacturers per the most recent data I could find.

Question:
What are your views about buying guns/collecting them?

Choices:
I only buy a gun as a tool, I own 1-4 max at any time
Not trying to collect but I somehow own 5-10 firearms
I swear I'm not a collector! 11-16 firearms
Collector - 17 - 25 firearms
Master Weapon Collector 26+ firearms
Law Enforcement: Everything I buy/receive is related to Duty/CCW

Question:
What is your favorite brand of handgun?

Choices:
Sigarms/Sig Sauer
Glock
Heckler and Koch
Smith and Wesson
Ruger
Walther
Beretta
Colt
Steyr
Taurus
Springfield Armory
STI/Dan Wesson/Wilson/High End 1911's etc
Something else

 

quote:

It seems like no one wants to be seen as a "gun collector" these days, like it's a bad thing.

No one? Proud collector, here. And shooter, too. There are simply no reasons to be one at the exclusion of the other.

Oh, and the so-called shooters should be thankful that there are collectors out there that kept their guns pristine all these years and subsequently sold their collection, so they (the shooters) can enjoy them.

It’s a marketing trick to make people take shooting classes. You see it most often by people selling classes, or shilling for them. It’s not totally wrong, you still see people against WML and modern techniques for defensive shooting.

Thought I was at least a beginner collector but with only a dozen SIGs, looks like I am pretty low on the totem pole. I can say this... i traded my one Glock for a P220 and sold a S&W for money to buy a SIG and I have yet to sell or trade away any of my SIGs. So, keeping up this strategy, I will get to collector status eventually

The good thing is now, I can tell my wife I need at least 5 more (and a bigger safe) to reach collector status

And yes, I completed the poll

Can’t stand the damn things myself.

I would have to check the collector box based on the number of guns I have. I do not consider myself a “gun collector” despite the fact that I have over twenty firearms. I have only five Sigs, the most of any of the brands I own. I have Sigs, Rugers, Berettas, Colts, Remingtons, S&W’s, Bushmaster, and a Les Baer. Most are redundant, except for a few bullseye pistols.
I admit that I have more than I really need, but I enjoy them all.

I don't really consider my self a collector even though I had to put myself in the master category.

I have for the last 15+ years bought guns that I like and take out to shoot and have (carry) just in case.

then ...... I think I've bought 4 or 5 Sig P239s in the last 5 months...

I don't collect them - they just multiply inside the safe.

I have a few Colt's that have greatly appreciated in value over the years. (Sadly, no Pythons). And a HK P7 that has also appreciated.

I think the OP needs to find some new friends...;-)

Last night we had drinks with out new neighbors who are from NJ. Surprisingly enough they asked me about local shooting ranges as the wife just got her first pistol (.22).

I told them I would gladly take them to our local range as my guest to see if they would like to join..

I had to check the master collector box, but I don't consider myself a collector, at least not in the classic sense. There are certain types of guns that I enjoy shooting, and I have compiled a modest "collection" of those, but none of them are pristine safe queens, nor do any of them have any significant value. I don't have a stack of pristine original boxes for every gun I own, or factory letters, or anything like that.

I buy what I like to shoot, and I shoot them all. If I determine that a gun isn't getting used, it usually gets sold off down the road to make room for one that will. I guess if that makes me a "collector", then I am one.

For the record, I have nothing against those who have a large collection of immaculate safe queens, and don't view "collector" as a dirty word. I enjoy it when they share photos and information about the guns they have. I don't have the funds or space to justify that for myself, but I can still live vicariously though others !

You don’t have CZ as a choice?!?!?!? Shame. Shame! SHAME!!!!

And you need to widen your range. There are plenty of folks around here who have well over 100 firearms.

I’ve got tools and I’ve got toys.

While my collection is small, I like Ruger Revolvers. Particularly oddball and harder to find guns, and I love the Six series guns.

I voted Ruger based solely on what I collect though it didn’t seem to count it. But for tools I prefer either Glock or Sig.

I used to have a collection of Sig's. Pretty darn complete as to each example. Then GOM arrived. Then finish options, then whole lines designed to last in production for a week. then... I gave up. So me. I have some older nice sigs.

quote:

Originally posted by esdunbar:
You don’t have CZ as a choice?!?!?!? Shame. Shame! SHAME!!!!

And you need to widen your range. There are plenty of folks around here who have well over 100 firearms.

yea I totally spaced on CZ my bad

There are GUN collectors and there are gun COLLECTORS. I'd put myself in the first group. I am a "gun person" who has a significant number of guns and so collects.

There are collectors that don't seem to be GUN people. I'm not sure why they have a zillion guns, but that is what they have chosen to collect.

In the end, if it makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone, then do what you will. It's just hard for me to understand vast collections of guns held by people that don't shoot hardly at all. But then there are people will vast collections of art who don't paint, so......

So, which one gets the greater emphasis is what I'm saying.

SIG is my primary, Dan Wesson, and then CZ more recently. But over time I could not begin to tell you how many guns I've owned, bought and sold. I've lost count.

The makeup of the "collection" at any one time has changed. Now it's more stable.

My collection has been mostly opportunistic. It's been a great 9 or so years. Not really seeking out anything specific but keeping a want list in mind just in case I come across. It will probably be a while before I see anything of serious interest that I have to have. Yes, I do believe they are tools with intrinsic value but lately I have transitioned to silver as a more liquid preservation of wealth.

Ruger, Sig Sauer, Beretta, CZ, Marlin.

I don't collect. It's probably the Japanese minimalism aesthetic in me. I just don't like having a lot of stuff to worry about, just lying around and collecting dust. I know, I'm a bad consumer.

Being an opportunist, it seems that I am more of a caliber guy than shopping for manufacturer specific items.

If something catches my eye, it probably runs on 38 Super, 10mm, 357 Sig, etc... or has the ability to be converted as such.

When a buddy of mine was trying to sell a revolver in 45-70, he knew who to call.

maybe its just semantics but in my mind you are conflating collector and enthusiast. An enthusiast to me is someone with lots of guns because they enjoy owning and shooting many different guns. Collector infers acquiring guns that are rare, unique, iconic or antique.

Either way I am neither. I own guns to fit my perceived specific needs. Fortunately I am very needy. Still, based on your criteria I fall into the piker category....