[Hdq]

I am gonna be 18 i have been shooting hunting and using firearms ever since i can remember. I have a job and 3000$ in the bank i already have a list of guns i want to purchase during my life time i want an ak47, mossberg 500, ruger 1022, remington 700, ar 15, mosin nagant, sks, glock 19, springfield xdm, 357 revolver, and a henry us survival 22 and a lever action 357 these are all guns id like to have in my collection so far. i will have a lifetime to get these any advice from an old timer to a youngster? Is it better to buy all the most expensive guns now and the least expensive later? Should i start off my collection with a 2000$ ar 15 and work my way down or should i start off with a 400$ sks and work my way up? If you can start over on your gun collection how would you do it?

[sniper762]

you should pick a theme for your collection and collect accordingly

milsurp
us milsurp
antique guns
hunting guns
guns that make me look bad a**

[carbon15man]

Jus turned 19 bought 6 gun while I was 18 I didn't really have a theme started out with an ar went to mossberg 535 tactical mosin nagant mossberg ar look alike and a marlin 30-30 10/22

[Overkill0084]

OK, so you're obviously not a cheapskate. Good. My personal opinion? Get what you enjoy. Be it a $2000+ AR-15 or a $350 Ruger pistol. It isn't about how much you spend, it's about enjoying yourself. My collection is nothing special compared to some, but it consists of guns that cover the cost spectrum.
FWIW, I suggest you start with .22s of varying types. You can't beat them for fun per round. I enjoy my $280 Ruger MK3 as much as any of my pricier 1911s.
Then move along to your other options.
I will also add, don't settle. If your really like the $1100 pistol more than the $700 alternative, spring for what you really want the first time. You will be happier in the long run. Coulda woulda shoulda wastes time and money.

[vincent]

Start out with a well rounded collection of 'must haves' then go from there...

http://nrvoutdoors.com/WHAT%20TO%20HAVE/WHAT%20EVERYONE%20SHOULD%20HAVE.htm

[sniper762]

Originally Posted by carbon15man

Jus turned 19 bought 6 gun while I was 18 I didn't really have a theme started out with an ar went to mossberg 535 tactical mosin nagant mossberg ar look alike and a marlin 30-30 10/22

30-30 and 10-22 good practical, multi-use weapons
mosin, absolutely practically worthless (yet cheap deadly weapon)
all others probaboy "make me look bad a** weapons"

[GaryGlock]

Is get your AK, mossberg, glock, sks, an mosin, could probably find em all for 2500, not totally break the bank. I feel the best collection are the ones you like to shoot. There's no right or wrong for the most part.

[JD1969]

IMO there is a difference between a collector and a accumulator. A true collector will have a focus, like maybe Peacmakers or 1911's or WWII milsurps. These guys will seek out the very rare, usually high dollar firearms and it may take a lifetime to get their collection where they want it and may or may not shoot most of the collection. I am a accumulator and there is nothing wrong with it. I buy what I like and what I want to shoot. I buy everything from black powder to milsurps, whatever I find interesting. If I were in your shoes I would start out with what I call the must haves. A .22 semi auto rifle, a 12ga pump and a good pistol. At your age you will have many years to get the other firearms. Plus you never know what time will bring, I had to sell of a great deal of my firearms so I could pay some college bills and move across the country, life happens. I am now 37 and have rebuilt my "collection". Get what you like to shoot and leave some money for ammo.

[sniper762]

i collect 20th century us military individual issued weapons (non-full auto) i have them all with the exception of the johnson, and the 1903a4, the m40 m24, m107 and the m110 sws's

some are exact replicas.....i.e. ar15/m16, m1a1/m14/m21, khar arms 1928 thompson/m1 thompson, etc.

30 years of collecting.

[aandabooks]

JD gives some good advice. Personally, I would make sure something in .22 is near the top of the list. Affordable to shoot and you can keep buying more guns because you aren't sinking your whole budget into ammo. A couple hours at the range with an AR in .223 and you could buy most of the Ruger 10/22 you had on your list.