I recognized back in my 50's that there simply had to be a limit to acquiring firearms. I did a lot of handgun, and then a lot of rifle, competitive shooting back then, and when I started to run out of room in the three gun cabinets, I decided that something really needed to change. Add to this that I was also handloading about 80% of what I shot (now it's closer to 95%).
So I decided to set some criteria for how firearms would be included in my stable (not collection, not arsenal...) of firearms. Each one needed to support a specific activity that I actually engaged within. Duplication of capabilities was to be avoided. 'Nice' was to be superceded by 'necessary', and it was time I seriously avoided fooling myself about the two.
Well, like most intentions, it was only partially adopted, but the number of gun cabinets was thereafter limited to the original three.
Complications arose.
I got the AR bug. I acquired a world class Garand (SA October 1940 with a 1953 arsenal Winchester rebarrel). My Granddaughter got into shooting (she currently lives with us). Not a collector, the Garand is set up as a shooter (glassbedded, N/M .052, 1/2 MOA turn rear, globe/inserts front, butt pad extender)
I adopted a 'project mentality'. I now have F Class rifles, a modified, but very basic .223 F T/R rifle, and a .308 configured absolutely identical (not because I need them to be identical, but because the upgrades are both as frugal as possible, and well suited). The old Ghost Dancer 260 F Open rifle. One, now a pair of Stag Model 6 Super Varminters that are legal for F T/R Mid Range Comp when fitted with Bipods and Single Loading Enhancement Devices. A General Purpose 5.56 bolt rifle (Mossberg 20" MVP Predator with an AR 223 Drop Zone scope). Others, including a run-n-gun AR Upper (SPARC), and a 16" Bull Barrel 'rather precision' Upper (another AR 223 Drop Zone).
There are others (for instance, an older Savage 10FCM Scout, unusually chambered in the other caliber, 7.62x39), a much labored Mosin-Nagant 91/30, other toys and implements). I will never be bored, but I'm also at the point where much more could easily overwhelm me. There's an Axis II .30-06, intended to replace my older Win 70 .30-06, but really, nothing can replace that one.
I also have a handgun (two if we count my Wife's), and I may acquire another one or two of them.
Shooting is a weekly regimen, except in Winter (yes, we actually do get a Winter down here on the border), and the temps are finally picking up again enough to shoot without gloves.
Acquisitions these days must be preceded by a like divestiture; so I hand them down to the next generation.
These days, 'how many?' is usually answered with 'enough, but no more than that...'. You may believe that if you like...
Greg
