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In the guitar forums I frequent, discussions often center around "the dreaded Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (GAS).

This is a malady that causes one to buy "another guitar", sometimes because it's made from different wood combinations, or has a different body style, or sounds different, or is made by a particular company, or "just because". Sometimes the new acquisitions stick around, but usually they are traded in on the "next new guitar that'll make me play like Eric Clapton/Michael Hedges/name your favorite guitar hero".

It seems to me that many of the people here suffer from Gun Acquisition Syndrome/Firearm Acquisition Syndrome/Pistol Acquisition Syndrome. "Hi, my name is Larry and I'm a gun-aholic." "Hi, Larry."

Now that we have that out of the way, we have bought six pistols since the middle of August.

Since about 1971, my "arsenal" consisted of a Ruger Single-Six, a Blackhawk and a 10/22. For most of our marriage, those guns remained pretty much "out of sight, out of mind" because she didn't want a loaded gun in the house.

When my wife decided, in August, that she needed a defensive weapon (and her CHL), we bought a Kel-Tec P3AT, on the recommendation of a salesman in our nearest gun shop. She used that gun to qualify for her CHL, but didn't like it, for reasons we have both mentioned in previous posts.

After sending off her paperwork, she began taking private lessons at PSC, from Sharon. Of all of Sharon's guns (and Sharon's sister's guns) she was able to sample, she liked the Browning BDA (380) best. So off we go to the next Pasadena gun show. We couldn't find a BDA, but did find the very similar Beretta Cheetah (84FS) and a Browning Buckmark (she wanted a plinking gun, too).

So far, so good. I used the Cheetah for my CHL class.

The next month's gun show, she found a LadySmith AND a BDA. Bought the BDA. (That's four purchases in six weeks.)

On New Year's Eve day, we bought a CZ 75 D compact 9 and a RIA 1911. Since she REALLY likes the 1911, I will have to get one of my own, eventually (Kimber is currently at the top of the list of possibilities).

Some of this was due to "wanting a gun right now" and some in the mistaken notion that the smaller calibers would exhibit less recoil (in addition to the thought that the smaller calibers would be easier to carry/conceal).

Is this behavior somewhat typical, or should we seek professional help?

Larry,

You need help. You must remove yourself from the temptation. Please pack all of those guns up and I will be by to pick them up and help you through the 12 steps!!

Seriously, I don't think you are doing anything different than a lot of the folks on this forum. The only differnce I see is maybe you have a little more disposable income AND your wife is a gun fan also, so there is no resistance to buying that next firearm.

I also play guitar and over the years have traded around until I got the ones I really liked. Until you have played them and used them a lot, you really don't know if you will like it or not. Same goes for guns and your prefrences.

The only thing that might help would be to go rent the one(s) you are thinking about before buying. That way you don't take a hit when you try to sell the used one later.

Enjoy the hobby and don't go too deep in debt!!

Larry - Sounds like you're on the way to recovery. The first step is to admit that you have a problem.

I have found that most women don't appreciate a guy with a "GAS" problem but sometimes you can find some that will ,usually once women are around your "GAS" long enough they too get "GAS" .If you have "GAS" you will find a good "FART" "frequently arranged range trips"will help keep your "GAS"in check.If everybody can't "FART" at the same time, it may create a case of the "ARS" Ammo Retention Syndrome where somebody starts hoarding ammo.

I'm afraid it will only get worse. There is no cure, only practiced self control. I have it too. And I firmly believe I can rescue every mistreated firearm from the gun show tables. If you saw how many crusty .22's I have, you'd understand how bad a case I really have!! I'll be thinking of you, Larry. But don't count on it going away anytime soon. I once walked into my favorite gun store, and left with a Kimber Raptor, a Kimber Warrior, and a Sig 229 with .40 AND .357 Sig barrels! By the way. The FART as described is only a temporary relief. To get full relief, you have to sit down, concentrate, and have a really good BM (barrel movement).

I'm not alone

Thanks, you enablers out there.

Just to clarify, no guns have yet been removed from the family. My step-son wants the Cheetah. My wife has already told him that we'd pay for his CHL class. What we haven't told him yet is that he will have to pay the $70 to the state (he's a veteran), and when the plastic arrives, we will then give him the Cheetah.

Compared to some of you our case seems to be mild, so far. We have no desire to "rescue . . . mistreated firearm(s)", nor have we purchased more than two at one time. We did log range time on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. On Saturday morning, I got acquainted with the CZ and finished the remains of a .38 box through the Blackhawk, while she and the RIA attended the women's class at PSC. On Sunday, we sighted in the scope my step-son bought me for Christmas (10/22), then El Gato let us fire his new Kimber 9mm 1911 at the plate rack, after which we made some 9mm and .45" holes in paper targets.

HEY! I resemble that "enabler" comment!

Completely off topic........but,
what kinda axes ya packing?

Gibson ES-345TD (sunburst, 1966) and Nighthawk Custom (fireburst, 1996)

Taylor 615 (1994), 422R (1997), Baby (1999) and 614ce (2000)

As you can see, with the exception of the Baby Taylor, the least expensive guitar cost more than the most expensive firearm, so far.

LarryH wrote:Gibson ES-345TD (sunburst, 1966) and Nighthawk Custom (fireburst, 1996)

Taylor 615 (1994), 422R (1997), Baby (1999) and 614ce (2000)

As you can see, with the exception of the Baby Taylor, the least expensive guitar cost more than the most expensive firearm, so far.

Nice collection.

HHHMMM<
Yesterday, my wife decided that we need to pay off our bills faster so she says..."No more guns!"

So Larry, I propose this, Since I can no longer buy any, how about the next time you feel the urge to buy one, you buy me a 1911, and we can call it even. That way, you have satisfied your urge to buy, and I have gotten a new gun without making my wife angry.

WIN WIN!

tboesche wrote:So Larry, I propose this, Since I can no longer buy any, how about the next time you feel the urge to buy one, you buy me a 1911, and we can call it even. That way, you have satisfied your urge to buy, and I have gotten a new gun without making my wife angry.

WIN WIN!

Sure, like I'm gonna fall for that one.

Hey,
It's like my Daddy always taught me......If you don't ask, The answer is NO! "course, sometimes when you do ask, teh answer is still no!