Why do you own the guns you own?

[akacoach]

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking about airguns and collections in general and wondered how other people see their own collections.

At first I thought the goal was to find the right gun, get good with it and stick with it. The longer I’ve been in the hobby though, the more I’ve realised that different guns seem to offer completely different experiences rather than simply being better or worse than each other.

For example, I’ve got an HW100SK and I absolutely love it. It’s accurate, reliable and easy to shoot well. If I want to put pellet on pellet, that’s the rifle I pick up.

At the same time, I’ve got an HW99 and I enjoy it for completely different reasons. Shooting a springer well feels different. It demands more concentration and technique, and when everything comes together it feels very rewarding.

I’ve also got a Gamo 440 in .22 which gives me yet another perspective. Being in a different calibre changes the way I think about shot placement and trajectory, and because I want to shoot it with iron sights it feels more stripped back and traditional. It’s less about chasing tiny groups and more about simply enjoying the act of shooting.

I’ve also accumulated a few pistols over the years. Some are more target-oriented, some are pure fun plinkers, and each seems to scratch a different itch depending on what sort of shooting mood I’m in.

The reason I’m asking is that I’ve been looking at a Katran Pro Compact in .177. Not because I’m looking to replace anything I already own, but because it seems like it would offer a different style of shooting altogether. Compact, lightweight, highly adjustable and something that could be used in a very different way to the rifles already in my cabinet.

That got me wondering how other people think about their collections.

Do you own multiple guns because each one offers a different experience?

Do you tend to have a favourite that does most things, with others filling more specialised roles?

Have you found that certain rifles or pistols keep earning a place in your collection even though something else could do the same job?

Or am I overthinking it and most of us simply enjoy different guns for different reasons?

I’d be interested to hear what you’ve got in your cabinet and what role each gun fills for you. Not necessarily what it’s used for, but what makes you reach for that particular gun on a given day.

Feel free to post photos too. Half the fun of these discussions is seeing the collections / rifles / pistols that have evolved over the years and hearing the stories behind why each gun earned its place in the cabinet.

 

[Paynut]

Personally, I have a problem, not as bad as it sounds, I have many rifles, pistols and the main thing is they all work, do what I need them to do.
As you rightfully say, all have different characteristics and learning to shoot them is part of the shooting experience, none are the same but pretty damn close .
I hope I’ve stopped buying now (the problem ) as I think I’m pretty much covered and they are all keepers, but never say never

 

[jcr]

i have a CP2 which i got after asking advice on forums for a close range ratting rifle.
its currently all i own but the traditional/mechanical part of me has an urge for a springer.
i quite fancy a HW30 or 99 but they are a bit too expensive for me to just go out and buy.

 

[Paul SE]

Generally the guns that I've bought were purchased for either a particular purpose, for example target shooting or pest control.

The Co2 pistols I have are for 'fun gun' shooting and plinking, and also for their similarity in looks to the original firearms that they portray and harking back to the days when we used to use fullbore pistols, - a trip down memory lane.

 

[keithy]

All my pc guns are for hunting first and are bull pups but are easily as accurate as any AA, hw100 etc. I have one springer a hw99s that is as good as my tx200 which i sold last year!

 

[Steve636]

I use the TX for a full-on shooting target session, top end rifle, big scope for ranging, mildots for hold-over, high expections.

HW98, good rifle, smaller scope, basic duplex scope, so no ranging and no dots, just guesswork, lower expectations.

Cometa Fenix 400, basic but accurate, very small scope used x4 in the woods, standing freehand, very challenging but fun.

Hurricane pistol with red dot, tin cans etc, great fun.

I would like a HW35k, put small scope on for standing and use the Cometa with open sights.

Would also like a HW90 Rammer too but I just wouldn't use the additional rifles enough to justify.

 

[Trumpetier]

I think the older you get, you tend to question it more regarding the amount.
I had about 12 rifles at one point, now I have three. To be honest, I really only use my Ultra.

 

[spikey]

Apart from a Webley Tempest and an HW45, I'm only interested in vintage airguns that are made with forged and blued steel parts and with wood furniture. I've a couple of steel Webley pistols, and a few rifles, pride of place going to a BSA Club, a BSA Improved Model D Light Pattern and a Bonehill Britannia.

I like them because of their solidity and because of their connexion to the past.

 

[Backgardenplinker]

This could be a very long reply so ill try to be short

I agree with you that most of the rifles i currently have offer different shooting experiences and challenges. They are all springers and only for casual shooting. Some more accurate and refined, modern etc and some less so. .177 or .22

I doubt ill ever keep the same cabinet collection. Some are in and out as projects or if i fancy something different

 

[Col_22]

My rifle/pistol collection (probably about 20) can be split into two parts. I've got a thing about old BSA/Webley spring rifles and pistols,which is the vast majority of the collection. It's not as bad as it looks because I bought most from fellow rifle club members at 'mate rates'. They don't get an airing as often as I'd like but when they do I randomly pick one and enjoy shooting it even with the agricultural triggers.
The second part is two PCP's for my weekly pest control commitments.

 

[valevelo]

Got to a point where I had too much overlap between air rifles. Getting FAC was a good nudge to streamline them or they'd not get used enough.

HW100S .177: all rounder, but has a biggish scope for bench rest
Zbroia Kozak Mk2 .22: has a Zulus on for rats & squirrels
Reximex Lieva .177: fun plinking
HW99 .22: first air rifle, nostalgia & plinking.
FX Impact Mk3 .25: FAC for pest control and some longer range plinking.

That's down from 7 sub12 PCPs at the maximum which was just too many for me to use them all

 

[Wing Commander]

They seem to start off as an itch...... and it just has to be scratched.
I own several examples of the same rifles. But that is due to being thoroughly impressed with the first one in the collection. They have to feel "right" and, above all else, they have to be accurate and shoot right... time after time.

I inherited an S200 Mk.2 from a friend who sadly passed away. . I couldn't believe how good it was (is) so I bought another two to make sure they were all the same... (good excuse, eh.. ). And they are.

I also have three Chiappa FAS-611 rifles (Ratworks versions) in the collection. Again, I couldn't believe how brilliant they are, so I thought it would be a good idea to have a spare in case one went "moody"... another good excuse ...Also, nobody has heard of them, which makes them fun to own... And for the last couple of years I have been favouring taking one of these to the club over anything else. They really are superb and supremely exquisitely accurate. They are a pleasure to own and even more fun to shoot.

There are others in the collection but the bottom line for me is:
They have to be accurate. . They have to fit. . They have to be solidly reliable.

The sublime AGT Vulcan 3 ticks all the boxes too...

I need to reduce the collection...... but they're all so lovely.

 

[Dodgyeye]

It's true my stable have specific reasons for ownership.

I've owned probably a 100 air guns by now and I've worked through what I like to cut things back to these below.

1936 BSA Standard 'Long Tom' .22

Airgunning stripped back to essentials only, with very fine firearm quality metalwork accurate and still putting out 10-10.5 ftlb with a modern spring. Superb ergonomics.



BSA Super 10 .22.

An iconic air rifle from BSA. Chunky robust construction (except for ageing reg) and more accurate than many £1000+ modern airguns. Now with a Huma reg and used as a hunter. Really like easy side lever cooking. Superb ergonomics.



Hatsan Striker .25 cal.

Robust, well made, lightweight, wipe down stock. It's a hunter, fun back garden plinker and everyone should have a .25 cal.



Snowpeak AP 1000 .177

Modern example of stripped back to bare essentials air rifle. Very lightweight for us oldies and excellent for shooting from drivers seat with folding stock and side lever for convience of entering exiting car. Used as a hunter and does the job very well and piccatinny rail convience when changing to night vision duties.

 

[Bullpup79]

I have my collection because i like military rifles and would love to get a FAC but looks like a lot of hassle and rarely have time to shoot at the minute with family life. i spend more time dressing them up and looking at them than i do shooting right now can't shoot in the garden as low fences and semi auto rifles tend to annoy the neighbours lol

 

[Mark E Smith]

My airgun life choices:-

Modern Weihrauch Springers - because I like them
Old Weihrauch Springer - MK1 HW80 - because its a proper gun !
Old Brit Irons - MK3's, Mercury, Premier & Senior - Nostalgia as I shot or owned them as a kid
Crosman Pump Pistiols - same as the old Brits
AA S400 - Bought it to see what the PCP fuss was all about - bit like your first Girlfriend - I'm still finding my way !
PX4 Co2 - great fun plinking

I keep telling myself I don't need them all and ought to reduce the pack but, haven't got round to it and the money would probably just end up going into general household costs.

 

[Sid60]

When I got to 48 it was a problem because I spent more time trying to decide which one to take out and I’d usually take about 6 then only have time to shoot 2 now I’m down to around 20. trouble is there’s so many I think I want that I can’t stop it’s an illness I tell ya

 

[stuffedit]

One old dog springer (Original 50) and a bunch of young CO2 pups (various replica pistols and a CR600) the springer ignited the flame and the CO2 pups keep it burning!

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

Interesting question and one I’ve not really ever thought about ??

I think first and for most l buy guns because l like the look of them and if they have had good reviews I’ll give them a go. The latest two being an Uragan 2 and BRK Ghost, both fantastic rifle. However, sometimes to my cost, l get drawn in by reviews when l shouldn’t and guns have been moved on pretty quickly.

What’s a big shame is that some guns just don’t see the light of day as much as they should, not because of not liking them, it’s not having the time to get around to them all.

 

[DJP]

I used to own more, but now I'm down to just two rifles: An HW100 in .177 and an HW97K in .22

Between them they cover the bases: PCP, springer and both main calibres.

I also own a small collection of pistols but that's just because I like them.

 

[CJM]

Perhaps it as I am older, but I am buying guns I was interested in as youth, enjoying them for a while and then moving them on.
BSA journey
Airsporter, my only tap loader soon to be sold.
Cadet Major, memories of youth, again soon to be sold.
Scorpion pistol, already sold, ditto HW45.