Hobby or Lifestyle?

[rob_s]

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]

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

[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.

[Zhurdan]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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

[Outlander Systems]

"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]

“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.