how has your C&R interest evolved ?

[NOTABIKER]

I have settled into a pattern of WW 2 and later Communist block rifles. I do not know why because their is nobody more PRO USA apple pie than me. I separate the politics and the weapons.
At first it was mostly mosins and i had no problem refinishing a stock unless it was nice or more valuable. Early on i picked up a pretty nice 1907 M 91 that i did not alter in any way.For a while i did not keep any C&R that was not in very nice condition. The first rifle i regretted selling because it was not a beauty was a 1957 Chinese SKS. I now own and like C&Rs that will never win a beauty contest but function properly. It ate at me until i found another early Chinese SKS in no better condition than the one i sold two years ago and i am glad i now have one dings and all.
I have owned all the popular WW 1 up US military rifles but sold all of them except my sported 1917. mostly because they are more valuable and are the first to go if i need cash . what is the point in selling a 125 dollar T 53 ].
I have reverted back to mosins, SKSs, AKs. Except for a savage bolt 22lr and a Mini 14 that is about it and i am OK with that. I do not have the passion or the funds for a large collection and i can live with that. Don't get me wrong if i had more expendable income i would have more C&Rs for sure.
So getting back to the main subject how has your C&R Hobey evolved.

[ccandgc]

My interests have mainly centered around US since I was a kid. Then I figured out I like Enfields too. A few years ago I became interested in Russian stuff, but have since lost interest. I'm gonna keep a few of them, but will unload most...never cared for Japanese stuff, and haven't gotten into German rifles, but have a nice WW2 german pistol collection. I have some modern stuff, but it has always been WW2 and before. The past couple of years I've focused on sniper rifles....

[beerman]

My history is mush like Notabikers. I originally went after Allied & axis WW2 guns..then decided I wanted to collect one of evey example Springfield Armory cartridge gun ever made..I managed to achieve this, but had to settle with a S/A inc ..for the M-14 example (M1A)..then drifted to WW2 American Guns. Now I'm down to a hodgepodge of many of the better examples (mostly American) The only ones I regret parting with is my 1st Chinese SKS and my SVT 40..they rest have good homes with grateful owners.

[knucklehead0202]

My interest was always with the more obscure stuff. My first rifle was my 52 Tula SKS, which kinda fell into my lap. From there I bought a type99 arisaka, some Big 5 mosins, an m95 steyr and then it really just kinda spun out of control. For the most part I've usually bought what was available in what I could afford rather than searching a particular type of gun. The end result is a smattering of random crap from the 1890s in about the 1950s. Thus far I have NO American rifles because I'm poor and they're overpriced.

[Father Ted]

From obsessed to possessed.

[Crunch130]

From Mausers only to a couple rifles that aren't.

Crunch

[I Swan]

Like many I started with them because affordable and cheap to shoot on stuff like Mosins. Never got heavily in to US and Nazi stuff due to fakery and high prices. As of late have been doing the unusual stuff like Berthiers, Lebels, Dutch Mannlichers. I actually find the weird foreign stuff the most interesting.

As I got more advanced in the collecting as many have found it is no longer a cheap hobby. I generally won't buy basic Mausers and Mosins anymore.

[bob_e95482]

My collection is military and military-style arms. From Ar's and Ak's, an SKS, to an FAL and M1A, a Volunteer Arms Tommy gun, and a Garand. 8 1911's but none are actual GI. Now it's going to bolt action guns. Mosins, Mausers, Enfields, and now an 03A3.
I have most of the major military calibers covered, with multiple guns shooting the same round. Now, the Swedish guns are starting to look good, and I may have to add another caliber.

[HibikiR]

My interest is mostly in Vietnam era weapons of both sides. Luckily for my bank account there are not that many things to collect thanks to laws on automatic weapons and destructive devices.

So far my interest hasn't expanded from weapons to militaria, but that might change.

[Armistice]

I just bought what I liked and was a good price and what I didn't have. Most of my rifles are WW2. My 1903 and SMLE WW1, Mosin pre WW2, and Garand Korean era... and my grandpa's hunting rifle pre-62 Winchester

As my collection grew, the number of rifles on my list got smaller

However, I was on a stint of buying bayos. Cheaper than guns most of them, but have since stopped as now the ones I want are on the expensive side

I'm broke and will stave off buying guns for a few months, but will prob get into handguns as there are a few I like... P08 and P38

[glennsche]

for me rifles was an extension of my other collections. started w helmets 20 years ago. branched out into medals/uniforms/bayonets to complement the helmet collection, then realized i needed something to mount the bayonets on.

bought my first mosin in 2008, and since then have tried to get one of each combatant country from wws 1 and 2. sold the uniforms/medals to buy rifles.

for a while just wanted his and her long rifle/carbine of every major rifle type, but then got an sks fn49 and svt40 for investment purposes. i generally dont like semis as much as bolt action rifles tho.

i suppose at this poitn i'm more interested in getting the M1 and M1 carbine, and then branching into snipery stuff, since i LOVE the PU sniper. Someday i'd like to get the k31/43.

[Emdawg]

Depends on my current collecting mood. One month I will be into WWI German. The next it might be Commie weapons. Then it will shift to civilian weapons from before WW2, like my recent Remington.

[Saigon1965]

Oh the ever evolving world of collecting - Somehow it just simply doesn't stop with anything of particular -

It's just so easy to get more of anything!

I've met a lot of wonderful folks collecting - Even at my amateur status - There are lots of guys willing to lend a hand -

I've rotated out most of my stuff -

Main topic are Vietnam bring back/war trophies - I supplant this with some French stuff then added a small collection of Mexican Mausers for the girlfriend -

There is a militaria show in Hayward that I understand is one of the best - I've been wanting to go to one -

Everytime I see another "I just got this...." thread - I try not to open it! It's too easy to slip back in - But I click and congratulate the member for acquiring something new - Hoping I would have some self-control - But I do really enjoy reading about the new acquisitions -

I attend gun shows to connect and re-connect with old friends - I've been invited to attend the Ohio gun collectors assoc - I understand this is one of the best out there and will have to attend -

I wish I have the time to shoot more - But that just isn't the case - Perhaps now that there's a range down the street from work that might change -

However your C&R interest goes - Cheers!

[Capybara]

I will say that my collecting has largely been driven by this board. Just got into C&Rs two years ago and slowly built the "Calguns list". First a 91/30, then an M44, M39, then a Russian SKS, then a K31, then a few Enfields, then an M1 Garand, Turkish Mauser, then a Yugo M48. Then a few handguns, CZ50, P38, 1895 Nagant, CZ82, P64. Overall, I only buy shooters, I like to shoot all of my guns and I like variety. I totally appreciate the history as I shoot each gun, I am also a reloader, so it can be fun to reload for all of the more obscure cartridges.

Still need a Springfield '03, a Krag, Swedish Masuer, a K98, Perisan and or South American contract Mausers, Steyr M95, perhaps a MAS 49/56 but the safe is full and the checkbook is empty so it will be a while.

[NOTABIKER]

i just can't get excited over Nazi guns, It is not about Hitler or anything like that. Swiss, Swede, Japanese ,British also. I think i like the simplicity of commie stuff. Maybe they are not charming or works of art but they work and are well made and that is all that really matters in combat.The less parts the better. Some look at the crude construction of a war time Mosin and think it is poorly made. Not so, it is one tough rifle.
I do like WW2 american rifles but they have become to valuable for me to enjoy shooting.I have owned nice examples of M1 1903a3 Mi carbine but sold them after shooting them 4 or 5 times. they were nice but i do not miss them.
Mostly i now shoot Mosin carbines and SKS . .18 - 22 cents a shot is what i like.