The Disease.....

[rbonin]

Hi, I'm Bob and I'm a gun-aholic!   And you guys really drive me nuts!  First it was the Berettas, then the Baby Glock, then the J-frames, then the NAA Guardian (thanks to GeorgeH!).  Now I have to give in and order the R9S.  I sometimes wish the formation of the internet had never succeeded.  But, I digress... my order will be placed this week unknown to my wife.  I sold off a Model 1816 flintlock musket for this sickness that I have acquired regarding smaller and smaller carry pieces.  So much for the classics.  I hope that this will finally cure me.   IF not, YOU ARE ALL TO BLAME!

[GeorgeH]

When you start to get the shakes, smelling a little Hoppes No.9 may help to ease the pain.

I too am a gun junkie.

[Richard S]

rbonin:

Welcome to the club, and welcome to the Forum.  Be advised, however, that there is no known cure for the "disease."

RS

[PCA]

Bob,

the R9 is the first handgun I am buying in 4 years, having transfered my addiction from firearms to custom knives. I strongly identify with what you are saying and welcome to the forum.

[sharp]

I've lost track of how many guns I've bought and then later sold over the last 10 years.  I think in the R9S I have one that I will never part with !  Add to that my Ed Brown Kobra Carry and my G19, I have a threesome which will stay intact indefinitely.  Of course I have said it about other firearms which I no longer own; Wilson Combat CQB Compact, Kimber Ultra RCP II, Freedom Arms model 97, HK P7M8.............
I think it is indeed, an addiction!  I'm trying to get over it since alot of the formerly owned weapons were purchased w/o wife's knowledge and I'm trying to be more on the up and up with her for the present and future.  I'd like to think I'm getting wiser with age.....

[PCA]

Sharp,

I understand what is meant by activity without wife's knowledge.

My wife didn't like guns or Republican party and we are still divorced.

[R9SCarry]

Welcome Bob

I also am a gun o'holic ... serious affliction (serious on bank account too) ... but hey ''It's investment Honey'' LOL!  When I got my first pup I never considered a second ... that changed!!  I decided my early issue one - with which I did most ammo testing had to be given less of a hard time and so ... #2 came along, leaving #1 to ''rest'' in the safe.

Phil (PCA) - and others - know of my profligacy .... and early in the year I really thought I had things wrapped up ... but - oops - no!!  A new SIG 226ST ''came along'' ... and today collected via a transfer a nice Smith M19-3.  I have an NAA mini revo on order and ... am actively trying to work a deal on a M29-3.  Shucks .. there is no cure!

Sirs, I rest my case (gun case, that is!) ....  

(darn typo's!)

[sharp]

Sharp,

I understand what is meant by activity without wife's knowledge.

My wife didn't like guns or Republican party and we are still divorced.

PCA,
Well, luckily my wife came from a gun-a-holic conservative Republican dad (who actually introduced me to guns and shooting)............it's just money spent behind her back that she doesn't like...........so I have to be careful.  Years ago, when it was just Glocks and Sigs she never knew the difference, but now with a more diversified collection I can no longer pull the wool over her eyes so easily.  Lately I buy a gun, then sell one of the other guns so to her it's just a trade, not necessarily spending more money.  She knows it's a sickness, so she doesn't give me too much grief about it anymore.  I'm just wondering how I can justify another R9 without telling her that it's hers!!

[Rocnerd]

My wife doesn't usually give me too much grief, as long as the bills get paid, but if she does I just point to the hundreds of pairs of shoes in her closet and she "understands" about wanting, not needing, another gun.  Actually my next purchase will be a Taurus SS .38+P with Pearlized grips for her.

[Calvin Cooledge]

Dudes and Dudesses,
I have come up through the ranks of the custom knife world, graduating to nice watches, fancy canes, and now guns. As if I needed something new to collect. As an officially licensed Obsessive-Compulsive, I am qualified to speak on these issues.

One is the W.A.F. aka the Wife Acceptance Factor. In the olden days, a long long long long long long long long long time ago (in fact it was a Tuesday;^), stereo components were my bag. My pal, who shall remain nameless (Rick Groom), told me that componentially speaking, adding one more piece to my rack system was OK, as long as it matched the others. So, if you had all black components, say, and you added a silver one, it would stick out like a, um, silver component in a black rack;^)
But, and it's a big but, put in a new black one (not a butt however;^) and she'll never notice. Ahah! you say. What about the bill? This is the way to handle that: get your own credit card and checking account, just for guns and knives and stuff. Tell her it's so you can buy her things and she won't be able to figure out what you got  her because she can't see the bill. Then, promptly go out and buy her something, just to prove you ain't lyin. So, now you are set to spend spend spend!

So you don't get into hock, make it a business-like, um, business, and make sure to not lose money on stuff you buy. Now that takes some real discriminating purchasing, but since ya'll have or will have Rohrbaughs, I figure you already have good taste. DON'T go buying everything in sight like my friend, who shall remain nameless (Bob Harshall), and end up screwing yourself and taking a loss on what you buy. Trust me, you won't make it up in volume;^)

Buy quality and you'll never go wrong. And remember, (blank) will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no (blank). (fill in the blanks)

Calvin Cooledge
PS-an example of the above is I'm giving up my treasured Chris Reeves Thambouti wood and titanium walking stick to pay for a nice automatic watch I "need" more. Trust me. I know need...

[R9SCarry]

"Need" ......... the ''want factor'' cunningly disguised.!!

[theirishguard]

Y'all "can you live without it----yes, but do you want to live without it"?  NO  NO     Tom

[PCA]

Calvin Cooledge,

What knifemakers do you collect? If necessary, go PM to converse about custom knives

[Calvin Cooledge]

There is Obligatory Gun Content (OGC;^) in this post, although it contains mostly knife talk, so feel free to hit the back button if you're
not interested in knives. I don't understand it if you aren't, but that's your perogative.

I've heard and read in numerous knife related magazines and forums that guys who will pay big bucks for guns will go and buy a $15 knife.
I don't know why.

Having started collecting factory knives since I was 8 years old (1960 for you who are not mathmatically challenged) and I've been collecting custom knives since I was introduced to them when I moved South from Pittsburgh, PA in 1977.

My first real exposure to custom knives was at an amazing gun and knife show in Birmingham, Alabama (Question: What's the best thing to come out  of Alabama? Answer: Interstate 20;^).

I met knifemaker extraordinaire, Jim Hammond and he sponsored me in my Honorary Membership in the Knifemakers Guild. I've been a member for over 25 years!

I collect whatever I feel. I don't have a trend that I follow; I collect fancy folders(Tony Bose), field grade folders (Bob Dozier), fancy fixed blades (Tim Hancock), and field grade fixed blades (Roger Massey). These are examples; I have numerous knives by other makers. I buy and sell as my tastes change but I am definitely not a formal dealer. It's an amazingly fun hobby and I actually have made some money on my knives. Some will never leave my collection.

I have met so many wonderful people in the knife world; many I call close personal friends. I even have a knife related business that keeps me in contact with them via shows and the internet. I was not surprised to meet more wonderful people once I got straight with collecting guns too. Even though I haven't met any of you yet, I feel like I know you anyway and would get along famously with you if we got together in person. I'm ashamed I didn't get into guns sooner. But, hey! It's never too late to have a second childhood;^)

Speaking of that, it was really my mid-life crisis that started all this. It's all over but the convertible;^) And the mistress. My wife wouldn't approve of that so I just look at the menu;^) Jennifer Anniston, if you are out there, my wife gives me a free pass with you if she can have a free pass with Tom Selleck. Sigh!

If any of you are interested in talking more about knife collecting, I'm only happy to help you get started. The custom knife world is amazing and wonderful. I can't say enough about it.

Calvin
"Everybody's Friend; Nobody's Stranger"

Calvin Cooledge,

What knifemakers do you collect? If necessary, go PM to converse about custom knives

[theirishguard]

Calvin,, Do you know of Ralph Bone?    Tom