Hobby or Lifestyle?

rob_s · #1 01-13-10, 11:27

This question sort of arose in another thread and I like the concept very much as I think it goes to the root of many disagreements people have on firearms-related forums.

I thought I would also break with a personal rule and post a poll to go with it.

Are firearms a hobby for you, or are they part of a larger hobby, or are they a lifestyle or part of a larger lifestyle?

I'm being intentionally vague with the definitions for the choices here because I'd like to hear how you voted and why you think that vote applies to you. I obviously have my own ideas about what the different choices mean but want to keep them to myself for now to hear others' thoughts.

Hobby: firearms are a hobby in and of themselves
Hobby: firearms are part of a larger hobby
Lifestyle: firearms are a lifestyle in and of themselves
Lifestyle: firearms are part of a larger lifestyle

snafu · #2 01-13-10, 11:48

For me,it's part of a greater lifestyle.Too long n the USMC.
Also 4 generations of LEO behind me.

John_Wayne777 · #3 01-13-10, 12:00

I'm a little puzzled by firearms as a "lifestyle". I'm not sure what exactly that means.

Are you referring to firearms as a part of an overall lifestyle that is concerned with concepts like security and personal defense or does "lifestyle" mean something else?

If the definition is personal security and self defense, then firearms can be both. I like guns. I like to shoot them, collect them, learn about them, and occasionally tinker with their inner workings. I think they are fascinating pieces of machinery.

I also carry firearms daily as a tool of personal defense.

Zhurdan · #4 01-13-10, 12:04

I voted for option 4: Firearms are part of a larger lifestyle

Why? Because I think they almost have to be when you carry a pistol everyday for defense, if not, they should be. I've been shooting for over two decades (actually more, I started shooting when I was 5, but not more seriously until I was 15). I'm 36 now and have been carrying a pistol daily (civilian) for about 17 years. It becomes part of your lifestyle just like anything else you do daily.

I will clarify that my fascination with autoloading rifles is in it's infancy in comparison to my lifestyle with pistols. I've owned an AR-15 for about 12 years, but it was mostly a pop can plinker or squeeky killer for the majority of that time. I've started getting more serious about its application over the past 3 years. I'd say I mostly got into it simply because I like to take something and become more proficient with it. I do pretty well with the pistol, but wanted more of a challenge, so I started working with the rifle a bit more.

Overall, I'd say the pistol is a far more significant part of my lifestyle than the rifle, but I see myself heading more and more towards both.

woodandsteel · #5 01-13-10, 12:12

It used to be a hobby and a lifestyle for me. I have a safe full of firearms that I hardly ever shoot. I bought them because I appreciated the history or the engineering that went into them.

When I went into law enforcement many years ago, I was upset to find that the department I was going to decided on switching over to Glocks. In my "firearms enthusiast" stage, I saw the Glock as an ugly, purely utilitarian sidearm. Now, I probably won't buy any other handgun besides a Glock.

That is unfortunate, because there are so many out there that I want to buy. Such as the HK p30, the HK 45c, any number of 1911's and so forth. But I have recently became more interested in spending time and money becoming more profficient with my duty Glock than buying new ones.

This has spilled over into my rifle collection as well. I would love to get an M1 Carbine as well as an M1A, and a number of bolt action rifles. But, for the time being, my money will go into my current and future AR style carbines, magazines and ammo.

C4IGrant · #6 01-13-10, 12:12

Ya know I had this conversation with a customers wife just the other day in our store.

The lady viewed her husband having his CCW and carrying a gun everywhere they went as a "hobby." I informed her that carrying a gun to protect yourself or your family is NOT a "hobby."

I believe that collecting firearms IS a hobby. Training on how to use them and carrying one (for CCW) to NOT be a hobby (more lifestyle thing).

IMHO, people that own guns but never attend training or practice how to fight with a gun would be considered "hobbyists." People that do train (and have actually attended a defensive shooting schools) will view firearms as a requirement (lifestyle).

C4

C4IGrant · #7 01-13-10, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodandsteel

It used to be a hobby and a lifestyle for me. I have a safe full of firearms that I hardly ever shoot. I bought them because I appreciated the history or the engineering that went into them.

When I went into law enforcement many years ago, I was upset to find that the department I was going to decided on switching over to Glocks. In my "firearms enthusiast" stage, I saw the Glock as an ugly, purely utilitarian sidearm. Now, I probably won't buy any other handgun besides a Glock.

That is unfortunate, because there are so many out there that I want to buy. Such as the HK p30, the HK 45c, any number of 1911's and so forth. But I have recently became more interested in spending time and money becoming more profficient with my duty Glock than buying new ones.

This has spilled over into my rifle collection as well. I would love to get an M1 Carbine as well as an M1A, and a number of bolt action rifles. But, for the time being, my money will go into my current and future AR style carbines, magazines and ammo.

I am the exact opposite as you (until recently). I had ZERO interest in collecting firearms. I woud not buy a gun that I didn't think served a hunting or defensive purpose (and one that I would actually shoot). So that means that I had a total of about 8-9 guns. This is not a lot for an FFL that can get things at cost and also write the expense off.

I have had a shift in thinking recently and have started to buy guns that are not made any more. As of late, I have picked up an M1 Carbine, two HK P7M8's, Sig P6 and a Nazi marked HP.

So now, I am kind of interested in historical weapons (that I can still shoot).

C4

#8 01-13-10, 12:29

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.”
James A. Michener

Outlander Systems · #9 01-13-10, 12:32

"A haircut's not a lifestyle"

+10 to anyone who gets the reference.

I voted four. As my agenda-neutral handle suggests, firearms are factored into a grander scheme. Said scheme includes keeping myself 6' above ground.

Outlander Systems · #10 01-13-10, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddG

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.”
James A. Michener

Sounds like something Miyamoto Musashi would say.

orionz06 · #11 01-13-10, 12:48

Firearms, in the context of this forum and others, are all generally part of a larger lifestyle, and the arguments begin when you discuss the overall lifestyle. Desk jockeys and the well trained should have no problems coexisting, assuming everyone acts appropriately.

Stemming from the other thread, someone was questioning the fitness of a class attendee who had all the latest and greatest, but wasn't in the best of shape.

Right there is an example of two different lifestyles, but both may fit choice #4.

One person may have a job requirement to maintain an expected level of fitness and proficiency, while the other may seek proficiency to maintain confidence in his ability to defend himself and others. Both might meet all of their own personal standards, but their personal standards just don't agree.

rob_s · #12 01-13-10, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_Wayne777

I'm a little puzzled by firearms as a "lifestyle". I'm not sure what exactly that means.

Are you referring to firearms as a part of an overall lifestyle that is concerned with concepts like security and personal defense or does "lifestyle" mean something else?

If the definition is personal security and self defense, then firearms can be both. I like guns. I like to shoot them, collect them, learn about them, and occasionally tinker with their inner workings. I think they are fascinating pieces of machinery.

I also carry firearms daily as a tool of personal defense.

If I may quote myself...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_s

I'm being intentionally vague with the definitions for the choices here because I'd like to hear how you voted and why you think that vote applies to you. I obviously have my own ideas about what the different choices mean but want to keep them to myself for now to hear others' thoughts.

snafu · #13 01-13-10, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navigating Collapse

Sounds like something Miyamoto Musashi would say.

Thinking the same only Yukio Mishima "Sun and Steel"

I was brought up to believe firearms are tools,tools to save lives,put meat on the table.
To me it's a mindset thing. I'm not a collector of anything.
If I don't use it it goes.

vaglocker · #14 01-13-10, 13:44

It's not a life style choice we are born this way!

variablebinary · #15 01-13-10, 13:45

Lifestyle

A person can do IPSC, 3 gun, carbine class, play soldier, or whatever, it's always going to fall short of someone who puts their ass on the line day and night. Those types of shooters dont get to walk away and go home when they are tired, or cold or sleepy.

That's a lifestyle. I enjoy guns, I enjoy training, I carry a G19. Guns are important in my life, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it a lifestyle.

Pi3 · #16 01-13-10, 13:47

I started shooting my father's .22 pistol in 1960 (a nice little llama 1911 clone). We literally wore it out. I bought a pistol for selfdefense (& fun) in 1977. To me, firearms fall into 3 categories: an emergency device like a fire extinguisher, a sporting tool like a golf club & something to collect like coins or stamps. Over the years I’ve shot sporting clays, skeet, high-power, silhouette, .22 silhouette, 3 position .22 & done a lot of plinking, but practical pistol is my favorite. I think the tactical carbine matches would also be as much fun (my next thing). I got a couple of guns that are optimized for those sports. Losing interest in collecting, I sold the guns that I started to collect. Men seem to find weapons appealing, maybe we are hardwired that way. I've watched little boys playing, if you don't let them have toy guns, they will make a shoe or broomstick into one. I don't have an urge to take my fire extinguisher out & practice with it.

rob_s · #17 01-13-10, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by variablebinary

I enjoy guns, I enjoy training, I carry a G19. Guns are important in my life, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it a lifestyle.

So which did you vote? I could see taking that stance but voting #1, 2 or 4.

rob_s · #18 01-13-10, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pi3

firearms fall into 3 categories: an emergency device like a fire extinguisher, a sporting tool like a golf club & something to collect like coins or stamps.

That's a good one, and I have used a variation on that before. Maybe another poll would be...

A firearm is to me like a...
1)...fire extinguisher
2)...golf club
3)...rare coin or stamp

While some may find all three to be accurate I think almost everyone would have one that would outweigh the others.

apb2772 · #19 01-13-10, 14:25

I myself chose part of a larger lifestyle. I have immersed myself in firearms related activities and work for as long as I have been able to. I have attended and completed ~17 months of gunsmithing school. I have been S.A.R.E.T. certified and trained at Rock Island Armory. Worked as a gunsmith commercially, a firearm salesman/counterman, and traveled the country as a Small Arms Repairman.

Although I am now laid off and unemployed I am working on some firearms related projects with some past associates. At the present time I am searching high and low to find a new Small Arms Repairman "Gig" - read "Get A Job". I am also attempting to put together a new pistol caliber carbine design that is lightweight, robust, affordable, and ergonomic for the mainstream gun enthusiast.

I started out as a ill educated "Gun Junkie". I made a plethora of gun buying decisions both financially and in terms of the firearms I chose to purchase. At this point in time I have a nice "Collection" of quality firearms and within said collection I have a core group of "Essential" working rifles and handguns. At this point in time I still have the urge to buy any firearm that strikes me as classic in design, or that is mechanically interesting/intriguing to me - although now it is not financially feasible.

It seems now that I prefer to work on firearms now more than I actually shoot them, but make no mistake I do enjoy practicing with them. When I get the chance I also enjoy occasionally hunting also. That said it is not the overriding reason I own firearms. To me hunting is more of a skill that I have learned and now view as an essential skill acquired and presently practiced as a hobby. If I had more $ and time I would like to attend some formal firearms instruction like a carbine class.

My chosen occupation and interests are all firearms interconnected and or related.

--->APB

chadbag · #20 01-13-10, 14:45

I think you need a 5th choice. Combination.

EDIT: To that end I voted #4 as to me that would encompass the lifestyle bit with the hobby being part of the greater lifetyle part

I think the lifestyle choice is important and covers how I feel about the importance of firearms, especially for defense of self, family, and community. Carrying daily, being skilled in the social use of a firearm, practice, etc of those skills and being of that mindset is a lifestyle decision and commitment.

However, one can also enjoy firearms as a hobby. I like tinkering with them, shoot at targets for fun, plinking, and blowing the crap out of things too. This is separate from the "social work" interest.

I always had an interest in firearms since I was a kid, but did not grow up shooting them and only had a 22 I bought on a whim for fun when I went back to college to finish up. However, when Clinton started to push through the AWB I got serious about it and started getting interested in the social work aspect and got an AR, a handgun, etc and started to get some training (not the sort of training I would take today but at the time it was what I knew about) and made the commitment to carry.

But being a naturally inquisitive person I also was interested as a hobby. I like to tinker and build things so I got it to reloading, made my first AR, etc.

I also like history so I picked up some 8mm mausers (7.92mm Mauser) and some Swedish mausers and a Ljungman. And a bunch of Enfield SMLE types.

I did make a rule early on that all the firearms had to be "practical" though. With a very liberal definition of "practical." I only sold one firearm due to this rule -- an Eagle Arms very heavy barrel 24" or so "target" gun. Like a 2" dia barrel roughly. You could watch the hits through the scope like it was a 10/22. I decided it was not rally practical and got rid of it. Everything else has a "practical" use besides being fun (obviously social tools have the biggest practical use)