Seeking advice on starting semi-auto collection

[SteyrAUG]

The purpose of my post was to discourage "collecting." I regret wasting thousands of dollars "collecting" when I could have been shooting in competition, meeting new freinds, having a good time, etc. It's ironic that even though it was fun at the time to hunt down all those unusual and collectible firearms I used to own, ultimately once I acquired them it was a letdown. The joy was in the hunt, not in the acquisition.

We have had different experiences. I have had many "I've finally arrived" moments collecting. When I got my first genuine, factory MP5 it was the realization of something I had wanted since I was about 14 years old. It was hardly a letdown, you must have been collecting the wrong stuff for the wrong reasons.

And sure I enjoy getting out and shooting, sometimes even with other people. But collectibles aren't always for shooting, especially competitive shooting. Two different things.

[Warg]

Frankly, I figured my attempt to dissuade would go unheeded, so the next best thing was to get the OP to not waste his money. I wanted to offer some help from multiple angles so the OP could make up his own mind. Not that I'm a lawyer, but it's like an attorney saying to a client, "You shouldn't really do X, but since you probably will anyway, here's some advice on how not to get burned."


And who are you to criticize? You act is if you pontificate over these proceedings and whatever you pronounce is the right and proper thing. You ain't any better than the rest of us.

Nope, you're good and advice appreciated as you (and Kev) present valid points. I'm not wanting to spend $50K+ just because...

[SteyrAUG]

[*]PTR91 (model TBD)

I can help you on this one. You only want the GI barrel model. I won't say it will be problem free because I haven't had a ton of experiences with them, but all the others are much different than HK spec and the GI barrel model comes closest.

I will also say most of my DSA FAL rifles performed as well or better than my original FN imports, but I can't say the same for anything PTR. You might want to grab an original 91 rifle or a Springfield (Greek) Sar 3/8 series.

[Warg]

We have had different experiences. I have had many "I've finally arrived" moments collecting. When I got my first genuine, factory MP5 it was the realization of something I had wanted since I was about 14 years old. It was hardly a letdown, you must have been collecting the wrong stuff for the wrong reasons.

And sure I enjoy getting out and shooting, sometimes even with other people. But collectibles aren't always for shooting, especially competitive shooting. Two different things.

Again, and I think you'll agree with me here in that I think this comes down to one's definition of collection. A collection can simple be group of widgets that is revered by the collector. Revered for various reasons, naturally.

I very much enjoy shooting as well so my collection will likely include items that I can regularly take to the range and blast away to my hearts content. Those will be more current and will more or less consumable. However, there a some really interesting semi-autos I'd still like to acquire for the long haul and those will probably not be taken to the range much at all.

[Doc Safari]

We have had different experiences. I have had many "I've finally arrived" moments collecting. When I got my first genuine, factory MP5 it was the realization of something I had wanted since I was about 14 years old. It was hardly a letdown, you must have been collecting the wrong stuff for the wrong reasons.

And sure I enjoy getting out and shooting, sometimes even with other people. But collectibles aren't always for shooting, especially competitive shooting. Two different things.

You're right in that sense. I drooled over my Galil every time I held it. But I also let it get out of hand when I obsessed to the point that I ate McDonalds dollar menu stuff every day just so I could get that "next pre-ban AK."

[Warg]

I can help you on this one. You only want the GI barrel model. I won't say it will be problem free because I haven't had a ton of experiences with them, but all the others are much different than HK spec and the GI barrel model comes closest.

I will also say most of my DSA FAL rifles performed as well or better than my original FN imports, but I can't say the same for anything PTR. You might want to grab an original 91 rifle or a Springfield (Greek) Sar 3/8 series.

Thanks much. I'd like to pick your brain on AKs when the time comes as well.

Cheers.

[Firefly]

I have what I call my 'killin'' guns and stuff I collect.

My pile of shame is mostly reflective of:

Vietnam War Fetish
80s movies/Miami Vice seen as a kid
"Because I just wanted it for reasons and I live in the USA"

I looked into PTR 91s and you know I hear this, I hear that. If possible, get an original. Chasing the HK dragon is only going to lead to heartbreak. One day I will get a second original. Or not. We shall see.

My other favorite retro is the AR-180. It is genuinely fun to shoot. AR-15s were the blonde daughter who went to college and married Chad Whiteman. AR-180s are Joan Jett circa Crimson and Clover.

There's no shame in getting what you want. Some people will slut shame you. You know.....you only get one walk through this life. One way or another there will be no guns after you go.
Long after your friends abandon you, your family dies off, and your kids leave home to call only for money or because they want to feel less guilty for abandoning you.....

You will still have your pre-ban guns. And dirty hentai films. And those are the moments worth truly living for.

Pre-bans are like comic books. Meant to be treasured, enjoyed, traded, handed down, and stashed away.

Like Estate sales...

I remember they were selling this dude's Colt collection. I mean a COLT COLLECTION. Every snake, semi contemporary AR, and a few odd ball 1911s. His wife was a normievand his kids were squares and they turned it all in.

This is a deeper topic than "heyguys what are some good guns?"

This is how you will be judged.

Same applies to vinyl record collections.

Did you really want to be the guy who had Winger but not Purple Rain and 1984? Did you?

JM2C

[SteyrAUG]

Again, and I think you'll agree with me here in that I think this comes down to one's definition of collection. A collection can simple be group of widgets that is revered by the collector. Revered for various reasons, naturally.

I very much enjoy shooting as well so my collection will likely include items that I can regularly take to the range and blast away to my hearts content. Those will be more current and will more or less consumable. However, there a some really interesting semi-autos I'd still like to acquire for the long haul and those will probably not be taken to the range much at all.

Hell I've got lots of pointless collections. I still have my beer cans that I started collecting back in like 1975. I've even bought a couple on ebay in the last 10 years simply because I found one I always wanted but could find or afford back in the 70s. Keeping in mind beer cans have essentially zero value it was only for personal enjoyment.

And some of my semi autos are as important to me as anything, but it's hard to top an MP5 in terms of both "fun to shoot" and "wanted one since I was in middle school."

You're right in that sense. I drooled over my Galil every time I held it. But I also let it get out of hand when I obsessed to the point that I ate McDonalds dollar menu stuff every day just so I could get that "next pre-ban AK."

I hear ya. That is why I don't try and collect Lugers or SAA's. Some things can quickly put you in the poor house. Now I've gone without in order to afford some of my toys, but mostly that means driving a ordinary car that is a few years old and things like that.

You can let anything get out of hand if you get obsessive about it. Be glad you spent that money on something you owned that had a tangible dollar value that you could recoup. Lots of people ordering the dollar menu dinner because they invested poorly in the stock market, are trying to impress some chick that is 10 years younger than them by buying them shit or just have to buy a lot of cigarettes, alcohol and other substances just to get through the day.

Guns are guns, some you have to make you safe, others because you enjoy owning them. And when the day comes that you don't enjoy it anymore or you just can't afford to maintain the collection you want, that is the day you just get your money back out of them.

[JoshNC]

The purpose of my post was to discourage "collecting." I regret wasting thousands of dollars "collecting" when I could have been shooting in competition, meeting new freinds, having a good time, etc. It's ironic that even though it was fun at the time to hunt down all those unusual and collectible firearms I used to own, ultimately once I acquired them it was a letdown. The joy was in the hunt, not in the acquisition.

But this again strikes at the heart of what drives the individual. I'm both s collector and a shooter. I see the merits of both and enjoy both. It's not my place (nor anyone else's) to tell anyone how they should enjoy firearms. To some it is the thrill of the chase, of researching a particular design or model, then acquiring specific items to fill a gap or gaps in their collection. To others the thrill is more practical - in utilizing these items as tools. And myriad variations in between.

[JoshNC]

Basically, you just told a guy who asked about, say... "watch collecting" to go buy a 30-lap Ironman, a Solar Atomic G-Shock, and a Timex Weekender, and go wear the G-Shock every day.

Now you're saying "don't do watch collecting..."

Okay, that is a really funny analogy. However, again if one wants to collect modern military firearms I say go for it. If the intent is perceived future value, it is likely to be a disappointing endeavor.

I approach firearm purchases from a very simplistic gutternatural place - an item either interests me on some subconscious impalpable level and I buy, or it does not and I don't buy. I personally like modern military firearms and like the idea of my own reference collection. Future value plays no role, only whether my inner 8 year old looks at the item and must own it.