Like so many, started with Airsporters cos that's what I used to "drool over" in gunshop windows as a kid in the 1960's.
"Did them" and Webbo's, then took a long rest (fishing interests) and missed the early German hardware. Eventually, the fishing interest wained and I began to buy Weihrauchs and Theobens from a hunting perspective and ended up with four R7's. Sold those upon getting my ticket and acquired three rimfires, then ran the collection right down. Built it back up to over 30 various guns and ran it back down to five or six when the centrefires came along to fund them.
Still do the firearm stuff but I also still like collecting, shooting air rifles and meeting the many great blokes with like minded interest along to way !
The collection of 18 air rifles and three pistols is ebbing a bit of late and it might "ebb a bit more" if I can only decide what to part with next.
Main thing is, I regularly shoot ALL my guns and like them to perform well, I certainly don't have any "pristine" examples wrapped up in boxes !
“Let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short, let us dwell on the distance we have travelled" !