The stages of gun ownership/accumulation

Over the years I think I have seen a few different “phases” of gun ownership pass. Types, prices, related accessories have come and gone mainly according to the amount of money I was willing to spend. First phase consisted of a few different SKS’s, a blackpowder revolver, and a Taurus 92, Accessories included a laser for the Taurus, some sort of folding stock and a 30 round mag for the last SKS. That lasted a few years. Next phase prices went up. A Springfield Mil-Spec, and my first Bushmaster AR. Many magazines for the AR, a Colt carry handle scope, hard case. After that AR left my possession the pace picked up. Norinco 84S-1, a couple milled Bulgarian postbans, another 84S rebuilt later into a SBR “krinkov,” an M1A, DSA SA58 FAL, 50-61 FAL, CMP Garand, CMP M1903, a few other AR types, Robarms M96, Beretta M9 and a couple bolt action C&R types. Untold accessories for all; mags, slings, scopes. Tried em all out, had fun, now they’re almost all gone. Most recent phase: the classics. Replaced the CMP with a Miltech Garand cause I missed it, got a M1917 Remington at a gun show, replaced the Springfield Mil-Spec, ordered a Norinco M97 trenchgun. Not many high cap mags or other doo-dads around to soup these up and that’s just the way I like it now. This phase is cheaper and feels more “authentic” than what passed before. What I have now duplicates the function and design of genuine military hardware even if it isn’t (Mil-Spec, Norinco) or it really is original (Garand, M1917). Any of this stuff is subject to replacement too, I suppose. There is a constant turmoil and turnover going on in my gun collection. You guys do this too?

Like you, I worked my way up to more expensive guns.
I also was a gadget freak, but I find guns hold their value better.

I have sold guns, sometimes they were bad choices for myself, some didn't work as well as I wanted.

The two I regret the most were an M1 Carbine and a AK-74 clone.

I do the same thing...
One month, it's handguns..
The next, EBR's..
The next, more bolt guns..
The next, shotguns..
The next, antiques...

It's weird.

my first phase was complete when I owned a 22, a 30-06, an AR, and a durned scattergun.

Branched into pistols, then then old bolt action 22 and CF rifles.

Next phase was curio and relics, 3 at a time.  Keep them in boxes in the garage till I get the desire to clean them up.

I don't think I will ever sell another gun if I have the choice.  Regretted every baby I've ever sold to that uncaring world out there.

Phase 1: Buy first gun for self defense, Good  job

Phase 2: buy another and justify it.

Phase 3: Figure out how to keep justifying every new gun without getting kicked out of the house.
Phase 4: I'll tell you all about it when I figure out phase 3!

[stick]

That's my outlook too.

My first phase lasted from birth up through the age of 21. In this phase I never had more than a hunting shotgun, a riot shotgun, a centerfire rifle and a few 22's. Once I hit 21 that's when I became an official gun nut. While I was saving money to purchase one gun, I would already be planning the next purchase! I do believe this is an addiction. So I think I am now in phase 2 and will probably remain in this phase until they plant me. But hey, I enjoy it. This is sort of like an adult version of baseball cards and action figures rolled into one...only more expensive! But we get pleasure from it, so it's a good thing. If it wasn't guns we'd just be blowing our money on worthless electronics or something anyway.