Your "Inventory..." How did it get that way?

Fx51LP308

Fx51LP308

Old Salt
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Apr 8, 2021
    3,866
    5,758
    Tampa Bay, FL
    #1
    Having been an owner/shooter for slightly over 10 years now, I confess I'm way behind most I of you in re: the size of my "inventory." I do have a few pieces here and there in each category (shotties, pistols, revolver (well only one of those), and rifles). And I have he ammo for all of them. No NFA stuff yet, but I'm working on it.

    But that is nothing compared to most of you, I think. A lot of you guys have overflowing safes, etc. maybe 2 or 3 of them. I'm amazed at some of the inventory collections you have. My basic question is, how did you acquire all that inventory? What led you to build the inventory you built? I don't need or want to know exactly what you have, but what process did your brain go through in the name of building that inventory. Did something in your brain just keep saying, "Buy...Buy...BUY!!!" or were your acquisitions more "measured" as are mine? DId you just have to have one of each brand or something? Did you react to the "new brand/model of the day" and go out and buy it? How did you acquire your present inventory?

    I ask, because for whatever reason, I don't seem to have that "buy bug." I don't need the latest, greatest piece. I don't follow the "item/brand of the day" thing at all. I make very specific acquisitions for very specific reasons/purposes. And I haven't in almost 2 years (some of that being "financial," but). I don't need to buy everything on web, etc. etc. only what I want/need. Granted I rarely sell anything but, at this rate, I may never catch up with most of you. I think I have all my calibers covered (.22LR, 9mm, .38 SPC, .45 acp, 5.56 Green Tip and .308 win (12G 00 Buck, 12G slugs, and other various kinds fot the shotties).

    And I don't see acquiring much more in the future, either. If I do anything, it will most likely be in the NFA area. Maybe some custom builds like a Wilson Combat 1911 or a Dan Wesson. Certainly my Colt SAA Peacemaker. And, I may replicate 1-2 of my EDCs to have them ready for whatever reason (i.e. I am forced into a DGU and it gets confiscated... Hopefully never, but...). But again, this is nothing compared to you guys.

    How did you folks do it? How did you build your inventory and how long has it taken? Hopefully, I"ll catch up with y'all, someday... maybe.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: CaptArab
    #3
    Maggot said:
    Inch by inch.

    I was in a store the other day that had both Wilson's and Nighthawks. I had my D Wesson Specialist with me, and frankly, for the difference in money, $1500 vs $3000 and up, I'll stick with the Wesson. Even if it is CZ.:cool:
    Click to expand...

    Interesting... I'd be curious to know how many retail stores actually have NIB WIlson's in inventory. I thought those were pretty hard to come by.
     
    #5
    I consolidated everything down to just a couple .45 ACP pistols, a couple .22LR guns, one 12-gauge shotgun, and a few 30-caliber rifles when we got stationed in Europe back near the turn of the century. Then promptly rebuilt my inventory in 2012 when we moved back stateside and Barry got elected.

    Now have a very diverse portfolio in both type and scale, and happy with it this way.

    Primarily have 5.56 ARs, but also several 300BLK uppers to put on when we come back in from the range or ranch. Primarily hunt with 6.8 or 280 AI these days, but still shoot a fair bit of .308 too. Have to get another long action for my old 30-06 at some point too… I used that one to build my 280AI rifle. Back down to two 10/22s for general plinking, a coiple .22 pistols, and a suppressed .22 bolt gun for silently popping varmints close to the house.

    For pistols, I’ve gone back and forth but I still prefer .45 for my personal carry. Now that the kids are grown up though, they both have a variety of pistols, primarily in 9mm, but a bit of .45, .380, and .22LR too.

    I take the Army Jerry approach to feeding them all, as my accountant wife is constantly reminding me of the rather substantial investment in freedom seeds we make every month to feed our family and friends firearms.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: sgtsmmiii and jrassy
    #7
    Fx51LP308 said:
    Interesting... I'd be curious to know how many retail stores actually have NIB WIlson's in inventory. I thought those were pretty hard to come by.
    Click to expand...
    Store in Phoenix had, I think 7 Wilson's and half a dozen Nighthawks. He told me about another manufacturer who made a pair out of a meteorite, up around $1,000,000 for the pair.

    Yeti Firearms​






    3.8 (12 reviews)
    PhoenixCloses in 23 min

    “Best local gun shop in the valley. Very knowledgeable and willing to help educate and make qualified...” more
    Guns & Ammo
     
    #9
    I acquired my collection when I was single and making good money in O&G.

    However, I was more about quality than quantity. My collection is not big by any definition.

    I haven't bought a gun in years. I have enough to cover my bases and all the shooting I do (or don't) do.

    I'm happy I did so back then, as I'm in a different financial situation today. There's nothing I really "need" in the firearm department. The only thing I'm really missing at this point is a large suppressor to adequately suppress the .300NM rifle I never shoot.
     
    #11
    Fx51LP308 said:
    Having been an owner/shooter for slightly over 10 years now, I confess I'm way behind most I of you in re: the size of my "inventory." I do have a few pieces here and there in each category (shotties, pistols, revolver (well only one of those), and rifles). And I have he ammo for all of them. No NFA stuff yet, but I'm working on it.

    But that is nothing compared to most of you, I think. A lot of you guys have overflowing safes, etc. maybe 2 or 3 of them. I'm amazed at some of the inventory collections you have. My basic question is, how did you acquire all that inventory? What led you to build the inventory you built? I don't need or want to know exactly what you have, but what process did your brain go through in the name of building that inventory. Did something in your brain just keep saying, "Buy...Buy...BUY!!!" or were your acquisitions more "measured" as are mine? DId you just have to have one of each brand or something? Did you react to the "new brand/model of the day" and go out and buy it? How did you acquire your present inventory?

    I ask, because for whatever reason, I don't seem to have that "buy bug." I don't need the latest, greatest piece. I don't follow the "item/brand of the day" thing at all. I make very specific acquisitions for very specific reasons/purposes. And I haven't in almost 2 years (some of that being "financial," but). I don't need to buy everything on web, etc. etc. only what I want/need. Granted I rarely sell anything but, at this rate, I may never catch up with most of you. I think I have all my calibers covered (.22LR, 9mm, .38 SPC, .45 acp, 5.56 Green Tip and .308 win (12G 00 Buck, 12G slugs, and other various kinds fot the shotties).

    And I don't see acquiring much more in the future, either. If I do anything, it will most likely be in the NFA area. Maybe some custom builds like a Wilson Combat 1911 or a Dan Wesson. Certainly my Colt SAA Peacemaker. And, I may replicate 1-2 of my EDCs to have them ready for whatever reason (i.e. I am forced into a DGU and it gets confiscated... Hopefully never, but...). But again, this is nothing compared to you guys.

    How did you folks do it? How did you build your inventory and how long has it taken? Hopefully, I"ll catch up with y'all, someday... maybe.
    Click to expand...
    I don't have much of an inventory and certainly don't need one for each cartridge out there, though it's fine if someone else does that.

    I got each one for a purpose, an evolution of sorts. Mostly .308 rifles. 3 bolt and semi-auto in an AR-10 format.

    One 5.56 in an AR-15.

    One 7PRC bolt gun.

    One 12 ga shottie.

    One handgun, S&W M&P M 2.0 in 9 mm with the 17 rd magazine.
     
    #12
    Family. Before I met my wife I had a .300 win mag for hunting and a glock 21. I carried nowhere because I just didn’t feel the need. These days it’s all about building up for their future needs. Now I always have a pistol on me that will hopefully get me to a rifle so that I can do my job as a father and protect my people.

    When I think about our armaments I rarely question it. The only thing that really bothers me is the amount of money tied up in it. But the more I think on it I start leaning towards the idea of we need more. I try not to think on it…
     
    #13
    Got into NFA junk back in the mid 70's when things were cheap.
    Wish I would have been as smart as Neil Smith back then, and built a semi load of RDIAS instead of the few I did. The cost of my first MG's, were cheaper than the stamps. Glad I dumped them all before the FRT's came out.
    Only regret was selling 2 belt feds, a S/L M60 with every trinket for ground or air, and a M85 BMG. The M85 was a blast on high, but even in those days pricey to feed.
     
    • Like
    • Wow
    Reactions: kthomas, AmmoFort, 748rpilot and 1 other person
    #20
    FWoo45 said:
    Neither Wilson nor Nighthawk make custom 1911s. If I had it to do over, I'd only have 6 or 7, but they would be nice.
    Click to expand...


    Search


    Custom Work​

    custom_work_1911.jpg

    All of our products are at an unmatched level of reliability and craftsmanship. Bill Wilson has guided us from a small single man gunsmithing operation, to the international leaders in custom handgun development and production. There is one driving goal in everything we do: quality.
    You can learn more about our custom work options by visiting each category below. When you are ready to have Wilson Combat customize your firearm, or need to ask some questions, please contact us via our contact page.

    Custom Guns & Firearms Including 1911 Pistols, 6-Shot ...​

    1760484711278.png
    Nighthawk Custom
    https://www.nighthawkcustom.com




    Nighthawk Custom is a proud builder of the ultimate American made 1911 and double stack pistols. Each part on a Nighthawk Custom is fully machined from 416 ...
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Fx51LP308
    #21
    Marinevet1 said:
    Since when? Both websites list custom work.
    Click to expand...

    Maggot said:
    Search


    Custom Work​

    custom_work_1911.jpg

    All of our products are at an unmatched level of reliability and craftsmanship. Bill Wilson has guided us from a small single man gunsmithing operation, to the international leaders in custom handgun development and production. There is one driving goal in everything we do: quality.
    You can learn more about our custom work options by visiting each category below. When you are ready to have Wilson Combat customize your firearm, or need to ask some questions, please contact us via our contact page.

    Custom Guns & Firearms Including 1911 Pistols, 6-Shot ...​

    View attachment 8787280
    Nighthawk Custom
    https://www.nighthawkcustom.com




    Nighthawk Custom is a proud builder of the ultimate American made 1911 and double stack pistols. Each part on a Nighthawk Custom is fully machined from 416 ...
    Click to expand...
    Agree to disagree. Choosing a different trigger or adding a slide top treatment doesn't make a custom 1911. One could potentially make the case that Yost and Burton build what they build and those aren't terribly custom either, but I wouldn't.
     
    #22
    tomcatmv said:
    Several years ago I had my C&R license. Even when surplus stuff was still cheap (like $99 for a CZ52) I went a little nuts. It's an addiction.
    Click to expand...
    It happens in every hobby. I've only got it mild in guns, but I was a mainlining junkie in high end audio. You think guns be bad expensive? How about 35K for a phono cartridge.Then you need a 30K tone arm, on a 250K turntable. Now on to phono stage, preamp, amps, cabeling, and speakers. In idiot can easily drop a million. And not be guaranteed good sound. @XikoPlavi


    1760485570804.png
     
    • Wow
    • Like
    Reactions: sgtsmmiii, doubloon, kthomas and 1 other person
    #24
    FWoo45 said:
    Agree to disagree. Choosing a different trigger or adding a slide top treatment doesn't make a custom 1911. One could potentially make the case that Yost and Burton build what they build and those aren't terribly custom either, but I wouldn't.
    Click to expand...

    Seems you're putting an odd spin on the word 'custom'. Every Nighthawk is made by one smith who signs it. I'm sure that if you want to spend the money, they will take it and build you what ever you want.

    But no, they're not meteorite 1911's.
     
    #25
    Maggot said:
    Seems you're putting an odd spin on the word 'custom'. Every Nighthawk is made by one smith who signs it. I'm sure that if you want to spend the money, they will take it and build you what ever you want.

    But no, they're not meteorite 1911's.
    Click to expand...
    They have a set model list with a few tweaks available to those models. NHC has a few packages that they will execute on customer supplied guns as well. 10 years ago I thought that Wilson and Baer were the apex of 1911s. After spending way too much on truly custom 1911s, I realized that I can only carry one at a time.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: sgtsmmiii
    #32
    Some of mine was inherited, but those generally aren't the guns I'm interested in. I'm just keeping them for the next generation as heirlooms.

    The rest of it was irresponsibly spending. However, I will be unloading quite a bit of those down the road as I get older and need the money for other things. If you are reasonable in your irresponsible purchases - you can actually get things that appreciate in value.

    ^I'd like to caveat the last bit by saying that I also have a decent amount of finances saved and put in other means. Guns are an investment of sorts that you can hold onto and fondle much easier than an electronic statement. That doesn't make me savvy either BTW, and I know it.
     
    #36
    I fell into the trap of over buying.
    All I really need-

    Easy to carry 9mm pistol.
    "Service" sized 9mm pistol
    Optional - 1911 45 and revolver 357

    11-14 inch suppressed SBR.
    Optional - backup suppressed SBR

    223 bolt action for hunting / practice
    15-18 pound 473 bolt face bolt action for shootability
    Optional (for me due to state laws) lightweight 473 bolt face hunting rifle

    Rimfire bolt action and pistol, both suppressed.

    Subsonic crap, dedicated extreme long range, too many pistols, non-556 ARs, PCCs, wildcat bolt actions, they all have fringe benefits that distract me from core competency with the core 3- pistol, SBR, hunting oriented bolt action field shooting.
     
    Last edited:
    #38
    kcbird said:
    It's like going into a whore house and seeing the line up. If one gives you that tingly feeling buy her, if they all do buy all of them.
    Click to expand...
    A trucker goes into a whore house and says to the madam.
    “ give me your fattest, ugliest, meanest whore here and I’ll give you my paycheck”.
    The madam replied, “ for that kind of money you can have my prettiest, sexiest gal”.

    The trucker replied,” hell honey I’m not horny, I’m homesick .”
     
    #39
    TheHorta said:
    Will everyone PLEASE list individual serial numbers to each of your “Inventories” along with the physical address where your “inventory” is kept?!

    This thread is useless to my colleagues without that information.
    Click to expand...
    They already have all that info for the most part, I think we all know how quickly they can "find people" when they really want to. Look at all the J6'ers...
     
    #40
    N_Turs said:
    They already have all that info for the most part, I think we all know how quickly they can "find people" when they really want to. Look at all the J6'ers...
    Click to expand...

    And, for that reason, I never asked for any of it, nor did I list any specifics of my own inventory. Just generic info. I simply asked how did you acquire it, how long did it take, and what were your thought processes in acquiring it....
     
    You must log in or register to reply here.

    Similar threads

    Fx51LP308
    Watch how you store it!
    Replies
    27
    Views
    2K
    CamW
    C
    Maser
    My $0 Tax Stamp Rant
    Replies
    73
    Views
    3K
    Llatikcuf
    Llatikcuf
    Fx51LP308
    What's your strategy for buying Ammo?
    Replies
    53
    Views
    2K
    sloporsche
    sloporsche
    eastexsteve
    Thinking about "chipping" your pet? Look what it did to ours!
    Replies
    34
    Views
    2K
    eastexsteve
    eastexsteve
    LuckyDuck
    Otherwise insignificant things that makes your day.
    Replies
    61
    Views
    2K
    LuckyLuke80
    LuckyLuke80
    Top Bottom
    Back
    Home
    Forums
    Merch
    Alerts