Why do we do it ?

[Ali-C]

4 at the moment, although I have about 8 more I want.

[kev.f]

well... .177 pcp .22pcp, springer in .22...pump up .20.....just need ia .177 springer...

[MojoCrow]

Well, technically, the Diana Mod.2 .177 pistol was my Dad's so it's been in the family for longer than I can remember, the Daisy 722 .22 pistol was an uncle's now mine, the LG 527 .22 rifle was my first Airgun and is currently at some relatives home to deal with rabbits. All of these came about before a wrist injury stopped me from shooting for about 16 years.

Now working in a gun shop for the last 10 1/2 years doesn't help and taking up shooting again to help out with my relative's rabbit problem (and get over a breakup) was also due to a tax rebate. First new gun after my return was my Webley Longbow Special Edition .22. I bought an Airmagnum for ratting (plastic stock to scratch up). A taste of HFT led to buying an S200. A few niggling things about it (fiddly small pellet tray and low shot count amongst other things) led to me recently buying an S400 Carbine and I'm happy with that....... For the time being.

Oh, and the Colt Tactical for a bit of IPAS.

[hawkfish]

Because there is no such thing as perfection! There is no one gun that is perfect for everything

[Andy Bee]

Because there is no such thing as perfection! There is no one gun that is perfect for everything

That is quite a clear and honest post....... Although!
(No, that's how it begins.. and carries on)

[PaulH]

I have 3 outfits at the moment and in the process of sorting out 2 more 1 for the wife and 1 for the daughter as they've just started shooting

And as there getting new guns I'm having a new 1 because it's only fair

[ateallthepies]

At the moment I have stopped on three rifles and a pistol. If I were to buy another gun it would be a .177 PCP of some description. Thank goodness it's not likely I'll be getting a FAC in the near future as that would mean a whole new set of combos to look into!

I think each calibre has it's place in shooting and if funds allow it's just nice to have a little collection that can be tailored to each need. Having said that one rifle could do all jobs as well with a bit more effort and practice.

Steve.

[Greenwing]

When I started shooting I always said I would only have one air-rifle as I only shoot HFT and don't need any more.....

well, I've now got 3.

My Mk4 is my HFT rifle.
My recently aquired hw77 is for a bit of springer fun, learning to tune/modify it, the occasional recoiling HFT.
and
My X2 merlyn was my previous competition rifle but it's one of the original ones (not the current merlyn) with a lovely stock and the MFC, and I just can't bring myself to get rid of it even though I don't use it much.

so I now don't need any more than 3.....

although I do find the idea of having an antique rifle appealing.

so, that's 4. I don't need any more than 4.....

mind you, there's always the.....



(you can see where this is going )

[177Chris]

I've got 2 rifles but i have absolutley no doubt i'll collect more along the way, i think for me i'm just being a tart, i see something thats nice and want it, just because its nice, its the same with my fishing gear....i have everything i need but i go to the tackle shop and see a nice new pair of barbel rods and think "hmmmm...well i have had the others over 6 months now!" and buy them. funny though cos i never end up selling the old ones "just in case"

[rickysdaystate]

a different outfit for a different type of shooting

[Parabuteo]

Fluffy...

You forgot

Specialist plinking rig to include

Blue bottle rig

Snail rig

Cowpat rig (any old hunting rifle should fit this bill if the quarry has legged it)

Long range horse pooh rig (as above)

Short range horse pooh rig (anything in the amateur calibre...I shoot .177)

James bond and general tactical squad on kiddie boys toy rig (anything stealth, s16, take down or pistol...and yes I own several...shamelessly)

Now dont forget the ghillie suit for those tricky snails boys (too bloody hot for the ghillie suit at the momenat anyway)

[55Belair]

It's `horses for courses'. I have several guns for different uses. They are:

Daystate Air Ranger, .177 HFT Open class
BSA Scorpion, .22 HFT .22 class
Air Arms TX200, .177 HFT Springer class
Air Arms S400, .177 FT
SMK QB78DL, .22 Back garden `plinking'
Beeman 400E, .177 (Pistol) Back garden `plinking'

And last,but not least.... a B2 (My first air rifle that got me into the sport. I would NEVER get rid of it).

[Rapidnick]

Excuse is the wrong word to use. None of us have to 'excuse' our conduct unless by purchasing another air rifle/motor cycle/fishing gear/cameras/lenses etc, they prejudice the finances of their families. The word that best describes that sort of person is 'idiot'.
Moving on, air rifles are very like cameras in my mind. Provided you can easily afford it the ideal is to have a different rifles for different purposes. Precharge backed up by self contained and so on. Also my choice is very different if I have a FAC or not.
If all my shooting gear was stolen or destroyed I think I would like the following air rifles..
1. FAC precharged hunting rifle-almost certainly a .25 regulated Rapid.
2. Back up FAC hunting self contained rifle-a .22 HW80.
3.Club/competition .177 precharge-choice is very wide.
4.Club/competition self contained-probably a .177 tuned HW97 or AA TX something like that.

If I didn't have a FAC I think I would pick a .20 Rapid/HW80 back up for hunting and the same .177 target rifles as detailed above.

Only one rifle? Really difficult and I'm glad I don't have to limit myself in that way.
If I did? OK, .20 HW80.

[Noid]

Well, i think it's a bit of an addiction and after buying a .22 B2 to show the Mrs how to shoot, i have gone and bought myself;

.22 HW90
.177 XS-78
and hopefully picking up an XS-79 at the weekend too!

I was only meant to be introducing it to the Mrs as a hobby for her to take up, thinking that i had done all my shooting in my early years and got the bug really fast!

I justify mine like this;

HW 90, never gonna break and a cracking piece of hunting kit that has had more rabbits that i can remember!

XS-78, It came up at a price that i couldn't turn down so i bought it for a bit of a play around with and see how i could get along with a .177

XS-79, Also came along at the right price and i plan on using it as my main (summer) hunter.

I think that just about does it, well, the Mrs buys that anyway.