Air guns : An addiction or an expensive hobby

I am only about $6,000 in this hobby so far and its only been a few months. My other hobbies Fishing and Billiards makes the PCP Air gun hobby look like child's play. The hardest part about an addictive hobby is staying within your means and building up the savings. Right now, my new Maverick and my M3 will satisfy the itch for a month or 2 then I will find a new itch to scratch.

I still have 2 PCPs on my list to by:
the FX M4 when they get the bugs worked out and the new FX Leopard.

rc4fun said:

Expensive hobby? Try golf or fishing or RC Planes or a lot of others. If you spend more than you should that's on you.

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My parents were pragmatic people who were born during world War I. They raised 5 children, i was born in 1951 and probably the one that learned the least from them to some degree.
To me it certainly is an expensive hobby and not my only one. I fish, own a somewhat modest boat, was a avid archer with a small collection of decent longbows. I also dabble in astronomy with a couple small telescopes as well as a few pair of binoculars.
I've never been able to justify buying the very best of things (finally a little rub-off from my parents) but I always bought the best in quality that I could.

I do have begin to focus on downsizing. I already have with the archery. Next is the fishing.

I don't consider my airgun hobby an addiction or an expensive hobby. My boat cost more than I'll ever spend on airguns (including accessories) and gets used a lot less. But it would be a closer if I bought FXs, Daystates, etc. Instead of SPAs, Benjamin, Air Venturi, and an occasional Air Maks. My savings are going up, not down, and I'm having fun so I don't see an issue.

Putricio said:

I think it depends on what you’re going to use your airgun for.
I’d love a $2700 dollar FX, but I’m a plinker and not a hunter, so I can’t justify the expense.
I enjoy shooting targets, but my backyard is only 25 yards wide. I can’t justify the expense of buying an $3000 target air rifle. My sweet spot is the lower $400-$500 air rifles. I can have fun with them and dispatch a small unwelcome critter if it wanders into my backyard.

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Hear what you are saying and agree, you don't need an expensive airgun to have fun.

...but then I bought a Feinwerkbau P8x 10 meter target pistol for shooting grasshoppers so don't pay any attention to me

Cheers!

Trunion said:

My parents were pragmatic people who were born during world War I. They raised 5 children, i was born in 1951 and probably the one that learned the least from them to some degree.
To me it certainly is an expensive hobby and not my only one. I fish, own a somewhat modest boat, was a avid archer with a small collection of decent longbows. I also dabble in astronomy with a couple small telescopes as well as a few pair of binoculars.
I've never been able to justify buying the very best of things (finally a little rub-off from my parents) but I always bought the best in quality that I could.

I do have begin to focus on downsizing. I already have with the archery. Next is the fishing.

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If you would substitute "photography" for "astronomy" we would have a very similar background... right down to the year of birth.

I have MTB's and an expensive E-MTB
Rafts for white water
Kayaks
Inflatable pontoons for fishing.
Fly rods and gear
Spinning rods from trout to surf
A freaking school bus making it a camper.
Pistols and rifles

And 4 air guns - needing more!

Lucky my wife does all the hobbies except fly fishing with me so understanding if costs alot.
I got lots of the gear when I owned a bike and outdoor shop.
Now sort of retired.
Wishing I didn't get the E-bike so I could buy any airgun out there!

I'm addicted to enjoying life- Life time of buying quality gear
We couldn't have kids. No drinking or addictions.
And we got lucky with an affordable house.

If I just had my health.

honeysuckle said:

I have MTB's and an expensive E-MTB
Rafts for white water
Kayaks
Inflatable pontoons for fishing.
Fly rods and gear
Spinning rods from trout to surf
A freaking school bus making it a camper.
Pistols and rifles

And 4 air guns - needing more!

Lucky my wife does all the hobbies except fly fishing with me so understanding if costs alot.
I got lots of the gear when I owned a bike and outdoor shop.
Now sort of retired.
Wishing I didn't get the E-bike so I could buy any airgun out there!

I'm addicted to enjoying life- Life time of buying quality gear
We couldn't have kids. No drinking or addictions.
And we got lucky with an affordable house.

If I just had my health.

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Last year’s hobby .. buying Takahashi telescopes. Sky s haven’t cooperated .
This year all Air . Love drinking…psycho problems also. It’s entertaining for now.

Vana2 said:

If you would substitute "photography" for "astronomy" we would have a very similar background... right down to the year of birth.

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Wow... my month and day is 12/15

Well, I've always said I'm too strong willed to have an addiction and my wife wouldn't like me calling my relationship with air guns a love affair, so I guess I'd say air guns are a hobby I have a very, VERY strong affinity for, lol. I could leave 'em, but I don't want to.

I used to ski 30+ days a year and chase powder up to Northern Vermont on last minute notice. But I saw that as unsustainable and moved on, plus Covid came around and most people went nuts and killed the vibe anyway. Good exit excuse.

Before that I used to chase certain bands on tour... one band I think I went to 120+ concerts. But I saw that as foolish and moved on.

My airguns have mostly been sitting in the safe for the last year, as where I've moved is a virtual wind tunnel location. They are zeroed in, aired up, and at the ready. I will shoot occasionally if it's perfect weather and I feel like it, which now is rare.

I tend to go through seasons and phases in life. Got pretty big into airguns for a while. Now I just have them and I'm glad I have them. Everything from .177 pistols to .457 rifles. I'm good.

Not exactly sure why my next "addiction" / hobby will be, but you let God lead the way and adapt, it will come.

Used to be an addiction but now just a hobby. Don't have enough time to be addicted lol. Barely have time to consider it a hobby. Not near as expensive as it used to be for me. Also pretty cheap compared to other people's I know hobbies.

Trunion said:

Wow... my month and day is 12/15

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Close.... 9/23

For me its a hobby, I love the brief escape provided… And that’s what keeps me coming back for more… My airguns represent and instill in me the feelings I had as very young boy shooting my own first Daisy BB rifle… Super sweet times in retrospect…

Moto GP ( motorcycle racing ) started up last weekend which is the only sport I can relate to.
So at least I have something else.
im thinking about that Red panda. That would be extreme for me.
I’ll ask in another post if you think I’m crazy cause I don’t have anywhere to compete with it.
I am addicted at this time and don’t mind the feeling at all !

I have gone through many PCPs, a few pumpers, Co2, and a number of springers. I'm down to 3 PCPs a springer and a couple handgun size pellet slingers. Satisfied with what I own and don't see anything currently on the market making me reach for my wallet. It's been a long expensive road getting here but I think I've beat the addiction. Now I enjoy watching others getting their new toys and get inspired to shoot mine.

Been thinking about this thread for a couple of days...

I love the outdoors and all of the things in it. My many interests, hobbies and activities reflects that.

"Shooting" involves all things that launch projectiles (arrows, stones, pellets, bullets etc.) and the various projectiles (boomerangs/rabbit sticks, spears) themselves.

Ditto for "fishing". Besides multi-species, multi-method angling there's fly-tying, lure carving, boat/canoe/kayak building and more support activities.

I'd best not forget the cost of cameras, film and darkroom stuff to record all these things. Thank heaven for digital photography!

Guess that since the 1960s when I plunked down that $10 bill for my first real gun (a Slavia 618 I still shoot) and my latest RAW HM1000x, I've spent a small fortune on guns of all types.

AND, I've easily spent several times that money on ammunition.

So are airguns an addiction or an expensive hobby?

From my perspective they are just part of my investment into "life".

IMHO, you should do what makes you happy while you are here!

Cheers!

Both for sure. I have a triple threat. PCP’s, pocket knives and watches. Always need a knife when you go out with your air rifle and need to know what time it is when you don’t take your phone.
I knew I had a good reason

Addiction

Vana2 said:

Been thinking about this thread for a couple of days...

I love the outdoors and all of the things in it. My many interests, hobbies and activities reflects that.

"Shooting" involves all things that launch projectiles (arrows, stones, pellets, bullets etc.) and the various projectiles (boomerangs/rabbit sticks, spears) themselves.

Ditto for "fishing". Besides multi-species, multi-method angling there's fly-tying, lure carving, boat/canoe/kayak building and more support activities.

I'd best not forget the cost of cameras, film and darkroom stuff to record all these things. Thank heaven for digital photography!

Guess that since the 1960s when I plunked down that $10 bill for my first real gun (a Slavia 618 I still shoot) and my latest RAW HM1000x, I've spent a small fortune on guns of all types.

AND, I've easily spent several times that money on ammunition.

So are airguns an addiction or an expensive hobby?

From my perspective they are just part of my investment into "life".

IMHO, you should do what makes you happy while you are here!

Cheers!

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Well said...