Thread: Guns Guns and MORE Guns

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Personal question to all. Apart from hunting why do people in the US have so many weapons? Is it for protection or just simply a hobby and, like razors, the more the merrier?
As a UK citizen the laws are very different so would be good to have an insight.

For me it’s a mixed bag. My main purpose is self protection. Crime in my area has been shockingly on the rise. Two years ago a car jacking was unheard of. Now it’s common. My second reason is that I grew up with them. My father bought me a .22 rifle when I was a kid. Beautiful little gun. I wish I still had it. Third, it’s a fun hobby. In fact I’ll be at the range tomorrow trying to stay sharp. It’s something I can do by myself and still enjoy. And fourth, it’s a right. And a right not exercised is a distant memory sooner than later. I’d like it to be like razors but a good gun isn’t cheap. Nor is the ammo that has become a commodity. I like to keep at least a thousand rounds of every caliber on hand. Preferably more. But that costs money. So, like razors, I’m not a collector. Everything I have is used except the shotgun my father left me. It’s hard to get any use out of that where I live.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

Actually for me it's a family thing. More of a tradition in my family. The family dymnamics introduce you to guns at an early age. I have guns from 1842 to the present that have been passed down from generation to generation. There's an expectency that you will continue the tradition to pass these guns to the next generation. I have a vast collection of Rifles and hanguns. 90% of them are antiques and I would never shoot them. They are relics from the past that formed this country into the nation that it has become. At least that is the belief.

I belong to a few online gun groups. They tend toward new, new, new guns. My Glock gen2 is considered a museum piece. I’ve never subscribed to that thinking. A good gun will outlive you. My father taught me to be vigilant about keeping it clean and oiled. I’ve swapped out a few springs in the mags on some. But they have survived quite well. He had a collection I would have loved to inherit. But he was in financial distress in his final days and they were worth a lot of money. Im sure he would have left them to me if I asked. But I couldn’t do that. I have one. It’ll do.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I belong to a few online gun groups. They tend toward new, new, new guns. My Glock gen2 is considered a museum piece. I’ve never subscribed to that thinking. A good gun will outlive you. My father taught me to be vigilant about keeping it clean and oiled. I’ve swapped out a few springs in the mags on some. But they have survived quite well. He had a collection I would have loved to inherit. But he was in financial distress in his final days and they were worth a lot of money. Im sure he would have left them to me if I asked. But I couldn’t do that. I have one. It’ll do.

^This!^

I like rifles best, like shooting rifles, playing with rifles, thinking about rifles, but I do like Colt and Smith & Wesson handguns as along as they are not the "new, new, new guns" OCDshaver mentions. Well ... I still like the current 1911 guns that Colt produces, if one can find them these days.

Here's where the 1911-guns roosting in the safe begin to get a little weird and wacky with regards to Colt factory chamberings that folks may not have been aware were produced at one time. This one's a Colt National Match in .38 Special. It's actually a target competition offering, only accepts the .38 Special "mid-range" wadcutter load and is sprung for light powder puff target loads. It's trigger is to die for. With the Bulls Eye competition clan, it never really made market inroads against the Smith & Wesson Model 52 in the same chambering. This one's been "rode hard and put up wet," but it can make anyone look good when shooting it for group on paper. Even me when I'm in a shooting humor! This pistol dates to 1961.








Magazines have a five cartridge capacity.

Yea, you are right in that the Colt National Match made for the 38 Special wad cutter loads was nowhere near as popular as the S&W Model 52 in the same calibre. That is, at least in my neck of the woods. I had a 52 with a Bo Mar rib added. Never break your wrist on firing or you'd more than likely get a jam on ejection with that one.

At the same time some of the keener pistol clubs were switching over to the Walther GSP in 32 S&W Special for centre fire match shooting. Generally bought with a 22 cal LR barrel and a pair of magazines to allow the use of the same pistol in both centre fire and 22 match competition. The kit met then ISU/Olympic standards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walther_GSP

Bob

I love the 1911 style of that weapon. I can't say that I'm too fond of the .38 cal however. Regardless, that is a nice handgun!

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

I love the 1911 style of that weapon. I can't say that I'm too fond of the .38 cal however. Regardless, that is a nice handgun!

The National Match model was set up solely for wad cutter target loads for match shooting. I'd guess for lower recoil in the timed and rapid fire parts of the course. I'd bet you'd batter the gun up pretty quick using reg 38 Special loads never mind the +P stuff. Hard to bet the 45 ACP as a stopper load.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

The National Match model was set up solely for wad cutter target loads for match shooting. I'd guess for lower recoil in the timed and rapid fire parts of the course. I'd bet you'd batter the gun up pretty quick using reg 38 Special loads never mind the +P stuff. Hard to bet the 45 ACP as a stopper load.

Bob

I can tell you from personal experience the 45ACP is definitely a stopper round!

These are my every day carry rounds and do pack a little zip.

Pete <:-}

Nasty Lil things. Makes a hell of a mess to those on the receiving end.

Originally Posted by Johntoad57

I can tell you from personal experience the 45ACP is definitely a stopper round!

I thought so.

Bob