Sharpsshooter's thread on serial numbers got me to thinking about "gun collecting" vs. "gun acquiring".

Are any of you guys serious collectors of a specific category of fire arm? Not talking muzzleloaders here, but cartridge guns.

I've never collected any particular style, make, or category of gun. But I seem to have acquired a bunch of them. I like single shots and have several - two falling blocks and two bolt actions (though I like the falling block actions more). The only "repeater" rifle I have is a Marlin 1884 lever action in .357 Mag - a really sweet little thing. Military rifles hold no appeal for me, nor do semi-auto's or the whole family of black stock stuff, or even classic bolt actions. In the handgun department I prefer revolvers over semi-autos, though I do have a Colt 1911 Officers Model .45ACP, Ruger Mark I .22 LR, and Walter PPK/S .380. The revolvers include two Rugers (.22 & .41 Mag) and two Rossi's (a .357 & a .44 Special - my absolute favorite). One last handgun, a .38/357 Remington Rolling Block is a hoot to shoot. So as you can see, I have a group, not a collection.

What about you?