Do you enjoy the process of getting a new rifle?

[tkoglman]

I don't do a lot of alterations to my guns, pretty much just use them the way I bought them. I like simplicity.

What? I don’t understand a word you wrote. Is this even English? I’m very confused.

[MegademiC]

You order / pick up the rifle you wanted, inspect it thoroughly, more than most people do so the counter guy may be a little annoyed, but forget him it's your money.

Then fill out form, pay, take it home. More inspection, disassembly, clean out storage grease residue. Put sights on it or whatever, test mag fit.

Take to range to make sure it's not a total lemon. Get a basic zero.

If good start collecting parts you really want, but nothing major yet. Now go fire it more and see how it goes.

Still good? A few more accessory additions/alterations as you find what works.

Then another heavy shooting session. Still good? Start getting things together for the suppressor or can itself.

Then make sure it runs well with that. Check zero shift / rezero.

Now you're ready to have fun with your $1k rifle that has $750-$2k in accessories attached to it. Plus get more mags and ammo it likes.

About this time you might think...did I really need this rifle?
It's been alot of time and money. Maybe I'd like this other one more...

So you get it, try it out. So far so good. But it needs some alterations before you take it out next time...etc.

I've done this 3 times in the last year or two. Now I want something else.

Maybe just be happy and enjoy the process? Shoot more, spend less time on new "projects"?

Do you really enjoy this process?

You unknowingly answered your own question. You have a drive to accomplish and conquer, but you need tools. A lot of people chase satisfaction with purchases - and get stuck in a cyle of wasted money and emptiness. All the time sighting in and vetting a new rifle a year latter to be at the same level you were $1k and 1 year ago, all that work and realize you went in a big circle.

I find the more I shoot in competition or dedicated training (even dry fire with PURPOSE), my drive to buy anything but ammo goes away, unless I identify a specific deficiency.

Ive been shooting the same 2 "GP" rifles same 2 pistols for years. In the last 2 years I did an AR distance traner and a year later, a proper bolt gun.

I i probably have 1/5th the number of guns most "gun guys" have, but I also have a NVD and supplemental equipment and working on skill to be somewhat competitive competitive in night competitions.


Tldr: what is your goal? Define how to achieve it and do that. Is it a collection? Mods/accessories dont matter. Is it a certain level of shooting skill? The gun doesnt really matter. What do you want to be in5 years when you grow up?

[SteyrAUG]

You unknowingly answered your own question. You have a drive to accomplish and conquer, but you need tools. A lot of people chase satisfaction with purchases - and get stuck in a cyle of wasted money and emptiness. All the time sighting in and vetting a new rifle a year latter to be at the same level you were $1k and 1 year ago, all that work and realize you went in a big circle.

I find the more I shoot in competition or dedicated training (even dry fire with PURPOSE), my drive to buy anything but ammo goes away, unless I identify a specific deficiency.

Ive been shooting the same 2 "GP" rifles same 2 pistols for years. In the last 2 years I did an AR distance traner and a year later, a proper bolt gun.

I i probably have 1/5th the number of guns most "gun guys" have, but I also have a NVD and supplemental equipment and working on skill to be somewhat competitive competitive in night competitions.


Tldr: what is your goal? Define how to achieve it and do that. Is it a collection? Mods/accessories dont matter. Is it a certain level of shooting skill? The gun doesnt really matter. What do you want to be in5 years when you grow up?

That was me for a looong time.

I had a Colt Sp1 carbine, a SIG P226, a HK G3 and a MP5. I didn't know why I needed a Glock or a new Colt carbine. It took the HK USP series to finally buy a new handgun in 1993 and I wouldn't replace the SIG 226 I bought back in 1985 until the rail models came out in the 90s. I was shooting what I had and didn't know why I would need anything different.

But every once in awhile something comes along that is actually a dramatic improvement.

[Bret]

I'm at the other end of the spectrum trying to build the reference collection. If I had something close to the Reed Knight collection, I'd almost be done.

It's the same for me as well. For me, there is no need for a practical use to justify a purchase. I have plenty of inferior guns that I bought just because I find them interesting.

[Ron3]

My goal is to SETTLE on just a few rifles I enjoy shooting and can be practical and keep / shoot them until retirement and after should I be fortunate enough to live that long. And perhaps towards the end sell / trade them.

I really don't shoot rifles much at all. The closest and proliferic gun game near me is Cowboy Action and some static position marksmanship stuff.

I use to shoot idpa, ipsc, and 2-gun rarely but all of that is a couple hours away and on days I work, last I checked.

So, 3 or 4 rifles I really like should do it. Some duplicate.

Shotguns for fun only.

And a brace of handguns. I really enjoy handguns and have a couple good places to shoot them. (And PCC's)

The great thing about guns & factory ammo is they are like gold: The value goes up and down but they're never worthless. Well, unless it becomes illegal to sell / possess it.

[Ron3]

It's the same for me as well. For me, there is no need for a practical use to justify a purchase. I have plenty of inferior guns that I bought just because I find them interesting.

The problem is where to stop?

25 guns? 100? 200? Suppressors, ammo, optics, magazines?

Suppressors should probably be the most carefully purchased because the chances of ever selling one is extremely low, and you'll get less than half your money back at best.

[SteyrAUG]

The problem is where to stop?

25 guns? 100? 200? Suppressors, ammo, optics, magazines?

Suppressors should probably be the most carefully purchased because the chances of ever selling one is extremely low, and you'll get less than half your money back at best.

I'm currently at 250+, I'll let you know when I get there.

And yeah, suppressors as an investment are not a great idea, only thing worse is electronics which usually become more improved and more affordable. I just buy the suppressors I need.

[Ron3]

I'm currently at 250+, I'll let you know when I get there.

And yeah, suppressors as an investment are not a great idea, only thing worse is electronics which usually become more improved and more affordable. I just buy the suppressors I need.

Yea.

I've got a 556k Flow & that was expensive. I considered getting a a similar can for another rifle but instead I'm going to get another FH mount and the two rifles will have to share.

I'll probably end up inheriting a collection of guns, too, many of which I'm not interested in. I'll have to deal with that eventually. (Lots of Ruger Mk 1's and II's, older .22 rifles, 870's, 590's, older Ruger PC carbines, AR's with 16 in fat, carbine gas barrels from Bushmaster / Olympic, Tauruses, Charters, a bunch of older LE Glocks, etc.

[Bret]

The problem is where to stop?

I don't. Meeting my financial obligations to family, charity, etc. and space are the limiting factors. The primary driving force is opportunity. Most of my collection that I acquired over time is no longer available, at least at a reasonable price. A recent example is my Kalashnikov USA KR-9 factory SBR. They're going out of business. I paid about $1,000 for it. Within a couple of years, it will be a $2,000 rifle.

[SteyrAUG]

Yea.

I've got a 556k Flow & that was expensive. I considered getting a a similar can for another rifle but instead I'm going to get another FH mount and the two rifles will have to share.

I'll probably end up inheriting a collection of guns, too, many of which I'm not interested in. I'll have to deal with that eventually. (Lots of Ruger Mk 1's and II's, older .22 rifles, 870's, 590's, older Ruger PC carbines, AR's with 16 in fat, carbine gas barrels from Bushmaster / Olympic, Tauruses, Charters, a bunch of older LE Glocks, etc.

Gen 1 Glocks are always neat.

I don't. Meeting my financial obligations to family, charity, etc. and space are the limiting factors. The primary driving force is opportunity. Most of my collection that I acquired over time is no longer available, at least at a reasonable price. A recent example is my Kalashnikov USA KR-9 factory SBR. They're going out of business. I paid about $1,000 for it. Within a couple of years, it will be a $2,000 rifle.

I wish I had been able to grab a second SGL-31 so I could keep one New In Box. But at least I grabbed one. My gun collection is basically my 401k.