Many years ago, I started collecting surplus military arms because they were $10.00 to $20.00 each and that was all a teenager cutting grass could afford. I still have all of them. Then I moved up to sporting rifles and shotguns and gathered in a pile of them. Handguns were not neglected and neither were muzzleloaders. I bought used guns and never spent very much money on any of them. Over several decades, this activity never stopped. I now have way too many guns.

My latest kick is collecting bolt action shotguns. These can be had for next to nothing from the used gun racks at many gun shops. I prefer the Marlin Model 55 which was the basis for their Model 512 slug gun. Last week, I came across one in like-new condition with a factory installed external choke and muzzlebrake for $79.00. Someday, I will sell one gun a week until the collection is eliminated. So what do you folks collect?
Joe

Well, you might guess from my screen name, that I am an aficionado of FALs. And I used to collect them. My goal was to build one example of every variant (for our Canadian neighbors and Australian friends, in the US, owning milspec FALs can be problematic and expensive, so I was building "civilian" versions according to the 1994 assault weapons law). I never did find out just how many variants there were, but there were over a hundred. Lately, I have sold off all but a few really nice examples, and have started collecting WWII milsurp.

I don't have photos of all of them, but here are a couple:

Definitely collect TC Contender barrels...have for years.

Rugers here. About 3/4 of my collection. Got a couple of nice Brownings too though.

I tend to accumulate firearms rather than collect them. Collecting implies some sort of commonality of type or caliber, it seems to me. I do have a weakness for Ruger No1s and pre64 M70 Featherweights. And Sako Vixens. And, any US made revolver in 45 Colt. And, Colt Commander LWs. And, 220 Swifts.

The old model Ruger Vaqueros intrigue me. They are extremely strong, simple, accurate well made handguns and I have rounded up a few, all with the 4 5/8ths barrel. All 45 Colt, except one 44-40 used for black powder only. One is slated for work by Doug Turnbull with bone CH, high polish, and custom grips -- it will be a gift to my daughter, a remarkably accurate shootist who keeps trying to keep every Vaquero I let her shoot.

So, if anyone has an old model Vaquero that may be reading this, and, wish to find it a good home, please let me know. No 44 Magnums.