I went through a REAL bad 2 years while trying to buy all that I could before the Ca. assault weapons ban got inacted.
Racing against legislation that's sure to pass, holy **** does that ever rip you a new one.
I've gotten better so that now I only whip out the credit card and willfully go into debt when I see something that is on the cannot do without list. Mainly 20-30+ year old classic blued S&W revolvers or anything that falls into the "steal" category due to being priced so low.
Right now the list includes a S&W Model 24-2, Model 28-2, Model 57, Model 610, Model 29-2, and if I can find one a Model 25-2 or 26 "Target Model" 45ACP. The one I'm kicking myself for is a OLD Model 53 22Rem Jet that was selling in pristine condition for 600, low and behold when I went to research it and returned to purchase it the thing was gone. POOF, gun easily worth 900 dollars was gone in a flash.
I am certain if I was in a "free" state that I would still be very much addicted to the black rifle desease. As of now though, I find myself in a bit of a dry slump where I'm lucky if I can find 1 or 2 guns a year that I just HAVE to buy.