Your Handgun Interests

BillCA · March 26, 2006, 04:09 AM

What's your interest in handgun shooting? Are you mostly interested in personal/home defense, hunting, target/competition shooting, cowboy/reenactments, police/military service guns, collecting or something else?

The poll is multiple choice but it works best if you select only your main interest(s).

I'm interested in people's primary interest in handguns overall. I'm primarily interested in defensive use, as I suspect most are, but collecting has become another big interest recently. What about you?

Silvanus · March 26, 2006, 08:44 AM

Mostly target shooting for me. There are a lot of guns I would like to buy just to have them (collecting), but right now I can barely buy those I "need"

625 · March 26, 2006, 08:50 AM

The main reason I started buying handguns is for SD, but I voted for the first four reasons on the list because they all are applicable now.

XavierBreath · March 26, 2006, 09:05 AM

I began as a self defense issue years ago.

Once I became established and married, with a wife that collects plates, I began to accumulate firearms. I went through the usual progressions new collectors go through, until I settled on old Colts and S&W handguns as my favorites. I especially enjoy old guns that were converted for concealed carry. In fact, on the S&W forum, by tagline is "Accumulator of the ones the collectors eschew." I enjoy the history of it all, and the history of firearms just began at the factory. The real history occured after the guns left the factory.

FWIW, my wife collects C&R guns along with her china now.......

RevoRick · March 26, 2006, 09:23 AM

I fall in the more than one of the above catagory. Although I checked the target shooting I also would have like to check home defense, hunting, and collecting.

WESHOOT2 · March 26, 2006, 11:12 AM

My beginning was for personal defense, but now all I care about is competing (A33102).

That said, all my competition guns are carry guns.

And on a professional level, virtually all my work concerns non-target considerations.
But that's ammo

So I 'voted' "Target", but I have a gun in my bathrobe pocket right now..........

I have many guns.

PATH · March 26, 2006, 12:50 PM

All of the above was not listed but that is where I would have placed my vote!

Moloch · March 26, 2006, 01:12 PM

Target shooting & Plinking Homdefense and collecting. pRetty much use for my guns.

Archie · March 27, 2006, 12:55 PM

... but I do about all that stuff except for hunting. And that's only because I'm trapped in the Los Angeles basin area and really can't get anywhere to hunt. Hopefully when I get out of PDSR California.

I carry a gun for a living. I guess that has to be primary.

Personal Defense and Target shooting are next. I'm pretty serious about my safety, but I shoot a lot more Bullseye than I've ever defended myself.

I collect, too. Pretty eclectic, but I collect.

I didn't vote in the poll. Checking off everything but one wouldn't mean much, statistically.

Ala Dan · March 27, 2006, 09:26 PM

I voted for personal and HD defense use, although target shooting/
plinking comes in 2nd~!

BillCA · March 27, 2006, 11:45 PM

When I started thinking about this poll, my presumption was that self-defense would come out #1. A handgun is primarily a defensive tool after all.

Some folks chose "other" and I think it might be interesting to see what "other" means to them.

Archie, I'm in Silicon valley and I know how hard it is to get away to do any hunting. Just finding a wooded area that's not full of tree huggers is a chore.

WeShoot, I sometimes think I'm paranoid with a gun in the desk... but then, I seldom wear a bathrobe either.

XavierBreath - now I know who to talk to about the history of snubbies! I started off with service type guns and now snubbies and autos are the game.

This poll will run for a while so I hope to see some larger differences show up in some of other categories. And I always enjoy hearing someone talk about what they enjoy doing with their handguns.

j1132s · March 28, 2006, 01:02 AM

Mainly for range shooting and preparing for competition. Although I'm finding competition is harder than I first thought 8 months ago when I started to shoot again.

phrkshw · March 28, 2006, 01:46 AM

defense and home defense is priority one but i do enjoy the range quite a bit

**44 AMP** · March 28, 2006, 01:58 AM

I don't really have one. I do everything on your list except LEO. Collect them cause I like them, use them for plinking, hunting, defense, etc. and some are aquired because they are historical pieces, which are used for plinking, defense, etc...

Guess I don't fit properly in the categories, unless it is "other".

Harry Callahan · March 28, 2006, 11:55 AM

I'm a guy that has guns for home defense, target shooting, and collecting. I don't hunt. Never have and never will. I just can't bring myself to shoot an animal. I have no problem with those that do hunt, however. Just not for me. Only animal I am sure I could shoot is one on 2 legs coming through my door or window as an uninvited guest intent on causing me and my family harm. Then it's lights out, dirtbag!

Jeff #111 · March 28, 2006, 03:25 PM

Depends on the time of year. Right now my interest in collecting (S&W revolvers) and historical focus (police firearms) have converged. Last year it was all about target handguns. It just depends. So I checked all the boxes.

BillCA · March 28, 2006, 11:06 PM

Attaboy Jeff! That's being decisive!

The only problem I have with collecting gun is that there are always more that I'd like to buy than a money supply! I don't know what I'd do if S&W started offering blued revolvers again... start eating rice & beans mebbe.

j1132s, I'd be interested in hearing more about your competition shooting. PM me if you like.

DoItRight · March 29, 2006, 01:20 AM

... I started shooting a couple of years ago just because "A grown man ought to be comfortable with firearms."

I grew up in a household where there were no guns and it never really even came up. (In a "gun unfriendly" state, I might add.) Moved to Minnesota where there is a thriving gun culture and decided that now was the time. Got an instructor, took the basic firearms course, and have been enjoying the hobby ever since. I get to the range a couple of times a month and it's a very satisfying thing to do and do well.

I've never CC'd and don't think I'll ever will but it's nice to be well versed/practiced enough to be comfortable with handguns. I've never needed a gun and I pray I never will, but it's nice to own some and be at ease with them "just in case."

npcolin · March 29, 2006, 04:44 PM

I just like them and everything about them. But activity wise, I guess I lean towards competition type.

View Poll Results: What's Your Handgun Interest?
Personal/home defense	168	78.50%
Hunting	40	18.69%
Target Shooting (range, competition, plinking)	150	70.09%
Collecting	67	31.31%
Professional use (LEO, Military, Security, etc.)	21	9.81%
Period History (cowboy, re-enactments, etc.)	18	8.41%
Other	16	7.48%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 214. You may not vote on this poll

March 26, 2006, 08:50 AM	#3
625 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2005 Location: PA Posts: 858	The main reason I started buying handguns is for SD, but I voted for the first four reasons on the list because they all are applicable now. __________________ I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves. Ronald Reagan

March 26, 2006, 09:05 AM	#4
XavierBreath Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2002 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 2,800	I began as a self defense issue years ago. Once I became established and married, with a wife that collects plates, I began to accumulate firearms. I went through the usual progressions new collectors go through, until I settled on old Colts and S&W handguns as my favorites. I especially enjoy old guns that were converted for concealed carry. In fact, on the S&W forum, by tagline is "Accumulator of the ones the collectors eschew." I enjoy the history of it all, and the history of firearms just began at the factory. The real history occured after the guns left the factory. FWIW, my wife collects C&R guns along with her china now....... __________________ Xavier's Blog

March 26, 2006, 09:23 AM	#5
RevoRick Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 201	I fall in the more than one of the above catagory. Although I checked the target shooting I also would have like to check home defense, hunting, and collecting. __________________ Criminals thrive on the indulgence of an understanding society DW 10mm CBOB, 10mm Experimental, .45 Pointman GD, .45 Patriot CCO. DW 744 VH .44 6", 715 VH .357 4". Fusion 10mm Longslide XM-10 Tactical Hunter. Glock 19c, Browning Buckmark, S&W 686 .357 4", 629 .44mag 8 3/8". Uberti Cattleman .45LC. http://www.1911auto.org/forum/index.php?referrerid=24

March 26, 2006, 11:12 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	personal vs professional; then vs now My beginning was for personal defense, but now all I care about is competing (A33102). That said, all my competition guns are carry guns. And on a professional level, virtually all my work concerns non-target considerations. But that's ammo So I 'voted' "Target", but I have a gun in my bathrobe pocket right now.......... I have many guns. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 26, 2006, 04:09 AM	#1
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Your Handgun Interests What's your interest in handgun shooting? Are you mostly interested in personal/home defense, hunting, target/competition shooting, cowboy/reenactments, police/military service guns, collecting or something else? The poll is multiple choice but it works best if you select only your main interest(s). I'm interested in people's primary interest in handguns overall. I'm primarily interested in defensive use, as I suspect most are, but collecting has become another big interest recently. What about you? __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

March 26, 2006, 08:44 AM	#2
Silvanus Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2005 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 1,324	Mostly target shooting for me. There are a lot of guns I would like to buy just to have them (collecting), but right now I can barely buy those I "need"

March 26, 2006, 12:50 PM	#7
PATH Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 1999 Location: Rockland, NY Posts: 1,489	All of the above was not listed but that is where I would have placed my vote! __________________ For sure it is an evil spite, and breaking to the heart, For Irishmen to watch a fight and not be taking part. -Robert Service 'How MacPherson Held The Floor'

March 26, 2006, 01:12 PM	#8
Moloch Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2005 Posts: 1,419	Target shooting & Plinking Homdefense and collecting. pRetty much use for my guns.

March 27, 2006, 12:55 PM	#9
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Bill, my apologies... ... but I do about all that stuff except for hunting. And that's only because I'm trapped in the Los Angeles basin area and really can't get anywhere to hunt. Hopefully when I get out of PDSR California. I carry a gun for a living. I guess that has to be primary. Personal Defense and Target shooting are next. I'm pretty serious about my safety, but I shoot a lot more Bullseye than I've ever defended myself. I collect, too. Pretty eclectic, but I collect. I didn't vote in the poll. Checking off everything but one wouldn't mean much, statistically. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

March 27, 2006, 09:26 PM	#10
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 13, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	I voted for personal and HD defense use, although target shooting/ plinking comes in 2nd~!

March 27, 2006, 11:45 PM	#11
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	When I started thinking about this poll, my presumption was that self-defense would come out #1. A handgun is primarily a defensive tool after all. Some folks chose "other" and I think it might be interesting to see what "other" means to them. Archie, I'm in Silicon valley and I know how hard it is to get away to do any hunting. Just finding a wooded area that's not full of tree huggers is a chore. WeShoot, I sometimes think I'm paranoid with a gun in the desk... but then, I seldom wear a bathrobe either. XavierBreath - now I know who to talk to about the history of snubbies! I started off with service type guns and now snubbies and autos are the game. This poll will run for a while so I hope to see some larger differences show up in some of other categories. And I always enjoy hearing someone talk about what they enjoy doing with their handguns. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately) Last edited by BillCA; March 28, 2006 at 11:01 PM.

March 28, 2006, 01:02 AM	#12
j1132s Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2006 Posts: 223	Mainly for range shooting and preparing for competition. Although I'm finding competition is harder than I first thought 8 months ago when I started to shoot again.

March 28, 2006, 01:46 AM	#13
phrkshw Member Join Date: November 7, 2005 Posts: 15	defense and home defense is priority one but i do enjoy the range quite a bit

March 28, 2006, 01:58 AM	#14
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,804	priority? I don't really have one. I do everything on your list except LEO. Collect them cause I like them, use them for plinking, hunting, defense, etc. and some are aquired because they are historical pieces, which are used for plinking, defense, etc... Guess I don't fit properly in the categories, unless it is "other".

March 28, 2006, 11:55 AM	#15
Harry Callahan Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2006 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 832	I'm a guy that has guns for home defense, target shooting, and collecting. I don't hunt. Never have and never will. I just can't bring myself to shoot an animal. I have no problem with those that do hunt, however. Just not for me. Only animal I am sure I could shoot is one on 2 legs coming through my door or window as an uninvited guest intent on causing me and my family harm. Then it's lights out, dirtbag! __________________ "Ah ah. I know what you're thinkin'. Did he fire 6 shots or only 5? To tell you the truth in all this excitement I've kind of lost track myself. But with this being a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off... you've got to ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? WELL DO YA, PUNK?!!!"- Harry Callahan(Dirty Harry)

March 28, 2006, 03:25 PM	#16
Jeff #111 Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,072	Depends on the time of year. Right now my interest in collecting (S&W revolvers) and historical focus (police firearms) have converged. Last year it was all about target handguns. It just depends. So I checked all the boxes.

March 28, 2006, 11:06 PM	#17
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Attaboy Jeff! That's being decisive! The only problem I have with collecting gun is that there are always more that I'd like to buy than a money supply! I don't know what I'd do if S&W started offering blued revolvers again... start eating rice & beans mebbe. j1132s, I'd be interested in hearing more about your competition shooting. PM me if you like. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

March 29, 2006, 01:20 AM	#18
DoItRight Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 211	This may sound strange but ... ... I started shooting a couple of years ago just because "A grown man ought to be comfortable with firearms." I grew up in a household where there were no guns and it never really even came up. (In a "gun unfriendly" state, I might add.) Moved to Minnesota where there is a thriving gun culture and decided that now was the time. Got an instructor, took the basic firearms course, and have been enjoying the hobby ever since. I get to the range a couple of times a month and it's a very satisfying thing to do and do well. I've never CC'd and don't think I'll ever will but it's nice to be well versed/practiced enough to be comfortable with handguns. I've never needed a gun and I pray I never will, but it's nice to own some and be at ease with them "just in case."

March 29, 2006, 04:44 PM	#19
npcolin Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2005 Posts: 155	I just like them and everything about them. But activity wise, I guess I lean towards competition type.

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