Arms!!!
Here we have the second in my series of "expensive hobbies" posts. While this next hobby is not exactly new, my involvement in it is certainly expanding with the increased funds available. It's probably my favorite hobby, and certainly the most controversial...
Type your cut contents here.
I think everyone who reads this journal knows that I am a gun afficionado, or "gun nut" as some people put it, but I don't think you know quite the extent to which my fascination runs. Let me try to explain. Currently, I own five guns: a semi-automatic Romanian version of the ubiquitous AK ($350), a Ruger Mini-14 rifle($475), a lever-action Marlin 336 deer rifle($275), a bolt-action Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I rifle (made in 1943!)($125), and a CZ-75 semi-automatic pistol($370). Now, you may notice that I do not own a shotgun yet. This is primarily because I can't decide which basic pump-action shotgun to buy, between the Remington 870, Winchester 1300, Mossberg 500, or the Ithaca 37(each costs about $300). I have discovered a way out of this confusion, though. I will simply buy all four, along with a Franchi SPAS-12($1200) and have a rack of shotguns to choose from! Oh, but this is just the beginning.
I believe that the CZ-75 is the best high-capacity double-action pistol ever designed, and apparently many other people agree. So many people, in fact, that the CZ-75 has been cloned by at least nine different companies. I have decided to collect as many of the different clones as possible, and most cost $350-$500 (however, the Swiss Sphinx 2000 goes for $800-$1000, I guess because it's Swiss). In addition, I want to get a Kel-Tec PF9($225) as a very small companion piece for the CZ, to have a large and small pistol pair in 9mm Parabellum. Sticking with pistols, I plan to get a CZ-83($350) and a Kel-Tec P3AT($200) for a matched .380 ACP pair. In .45 ACP, I plan to get a Para-Ordnance P14($800) and P10($650), along with a Rock Island Armory 1911 ($370) and possibly a Kimber Custom 1911 ($1100). That does it for current semi-auto pistol plans, but I'll probably pick up a few revolvers too($???). Oh, and of course, a .22 pistol, like a Browning Buckmark, a Ruger Mark III, or maybe a Beretta Neos (about $220).
The majority of my gun collection will consist of rifles, both modern and not-so-modern. I've already begun collecting British Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles, which were built in various forms from 1888 to circa 1973, in plants on four continents. My particular collecting focus is on SMLE Mk. I, SMLE Mk. III, No. 4 Mk. I, and No. 5 Mk. I rifles, which were made from 1903 to 1973, at factories in England, Canada, the US, Australia, Pakistan, and India. My current plans call for a total collection of about 20 rifles, most ranging in price from $125 to $500, although certain rare specimens, like a SMLE Mk. I made at RSAF Sparkbrook, or a complete No. 4 Mk. I(T) sniper's set, will run over $3000 (it'll be a while before I get either of those). I'm also interested in collecting bullpup-style rifles, of which only four unique models are available in this country(all semi-automatic): the Bushmaster M17($750), the Fabrique Nationale FS-2000($2000 currently, though it is brand-new and the price will drop), the Steyr AUG($3500), and the Valmet M82($1700). Currently, these are the only two categories (bullpups and Enfields) of rifle I plan on collecting, but there are a couple other random rifles I'd like to get: a Yugoslavian M70AB2($450), a Sigarms 556(~$1500), some version of the FN FAL(~$1700), a Remington 7600 pump-action hunting rifle($300), and possibly a bolt-action big game rifle in .375 H&H Magnum, likely a CZ 550 or a Browning A-Bolt(~$900 for either one). That should fill out my rifle cabinet, at least until I think of something else I want, and I don't plan on acquiring all of these guns for many years to come. This is a collection of a lifetime.
So, with current plans, my armory will have 5 shotguns, at least 12 handguns, and some 35 rifles, with a total estimated cost over $25,000. Expensive, yes, but this cost will be spread over at least 10 years. I think I'll need a couple safes to fit them all.There you have it! So, if anyone ever wants to try shooting almost any type of gun, come on over and visit. I'll be happy to accomodate you. Surprisingly, as expensive as this hobby is, it's not actually the most expensive one I am interested in. That will occupy the third and final installment of "Lou's Pits to Throw Money In"
Type your cut contents here.
I think everyone who reads this journal knows that I am a gun afficionado, or "gun nut" as some people put it, but I don't think you know quite the extent to which my fascination runs. Let me try to explain. Currently, I own five guns: a semi-automatic Romanian version of the ubiquitous AK ($350), a Ruger Mini-14 rifle($475), a lever-action Marlin 336 deer rifle($275), a bolt-action Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I rifle (made in 1943!)($125), and a CZ-75 semi-automatic pistol($370). Now, you may notice that I do not own a shotgun yet. This is primarily because I can't decide which basic pump-action shotgun to buy, between the Remington 870, Winchester 1300, Mossberg 500, or the Ithaca 37(each costs about $300). I have discovered a way out of this confusion, though. I will simply buy all four, along with a Franchi SPAS-12($1200) and have a rack of shotguns to choose from! Oh, but this is just the beginning.
I believe that the CZ-75 is the best high-capacity double-action pistol ever designed, and apparently many other people agree. So many people, in fact, that the CZ-75 has been cloned by at least nine different companies. I have decided to collect as many of the different clones as possible, and most cost $350-$500 (however, the Swiss Sphinx 2000 goes for $800-$1000, I guess because it's Swiss). In addition, I want to get a Kel-Tec PF9($225) as a very small companion piece for the CZ, to have a large and small pistol pair in 9mm Parabellum. Sticking with pistols, I plan to get a CZ-83($350) and a Kel-Tec P3AT($200) for a matched .380 ACP pair. In .45 ACP, I plan to get a Para-Ordnance P14($800) and P10($650), along with a Rock Island Armory 1911 ($370) and possibly a Kimber Custom 1911 ($1100). That does it for current semi-auto pistol plans, but I'll probably pick up a few revolvers too($???). Oh, and of course, a .22 pistol, like a Browning Buckmark, a Ruger Mark III, or maybe a Beretta Neos (about $220).
The majority of my gun collection will consist of rifles, both modern and not-so-modern. I've already begun collecting British Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles, which were built in various forms from 1888 to circa 1973, in plants on four continents. My particular collecting focus is on SMLE Mk. I, SMLE Mk. III, No. 4 Mk. I, and No. 5 Mk. I rifles, which were made from 1903 to 1973, at factories in England, Canada, the US, Australia, Pakistan, and India. My current plans call for a total collection of about 20 rifles, most ranging in price from $125 to $500, although certain rare specimens, like a SMLE Mk. I made at RSAF Sparkbrook, or a complete No. 4 Mk. I(T) sniper's set, will run over $3000 (it'll be a while before I get either of those). I'm also interested in collecting bullpup-style rifles, of which only four unique models are available in this country(all semi-automatic): the Bushmaster M17($750), the Fabrique Nationale FS-2000($2000 currently, though it is brand-new and the price will drop), the Steyr AUG($3500), and the Valmet M82($1700). Currently, these are the only two categories (bullpups and Enfields) of rifle I plan on collecting, but there are a couple other random rifles I'd like to get: a Yugoslavian M70AB2($450), a Sigarms 556(~$1500), some version of the FN FAL(~$1700), a Remington 7600 pump-action hunting rifle($300), and possibly a bolt-action big game rifle in .375 H&H Magnum, likely a CZ 550 or a Browning A-Bolt(~$900 for either one). That should fill out my rifle cabinet, at least until I think of something else I want, and I don't plan on acquiring all of these guns for many years to come. This is a collection of a lifetime.
So, with current plans, my armory will have 5 shotguns, at least 12 handguns, and some 35 rifles, with a total estimated cost over $25,000. Expensive, yes, but this cost will be spread over at least 10 years. I think I'll need a couple safes to fit them all.There you have it! So, if anyone ever wants to try shooting almost any type of gun, come on over and visit. I'll be happy to accomodate you. Surprisingly, as expensive as this hobby is, it's not actually the most expensive one I am interested in. That will occupy the third and final installment of "Lou's Pits to Throw Money In"