Comfortably Retired vs Working Man

I have always been a competitor not a collector. But years ago I had way too many guns. I now keep in control by only keeping guns I am using. As I have moved through disciplines I have always had good equipment that won so I usually did fine as I trimmed what I no longer used to either compete with or hunt with. I always kept gun money apart from house money. I am really enjoying my dive into springers. Most enjoyablr is my wife getting involved in shooting springers in the benchrest game after years of being supportive of my efforts but resisting all attemps to get her involved. Trouble is she has gotten real good real fast. I always knew she had the right tools. Anal personality, perfectionist, and a good memory. She keeps us on our toes. Not every one likes to compete. Some like to tinker, some like to admire the craftsmanship, some like to promote the sport. There is room for all of us, it's a great shooting sport, I'm glad I finally found it. Some day I might even try a dark gun, lol.
 
I retired in 2010 at age 58. Good thing too, because the last two years haven't been any fun at all.
I should have started collecting a long time ago but instead I spent money on boats and Harley-Davidsons.
Now that I stay close to home (and to the cardiologist's office and hospital) I have plenty of time to ponder my next airgun purchase.
 
I retired in 2010 at age 58. Good thing too, because the last two years haven't been any fun at all.
I should have started collecting a long time ago but instead I spent money on boats and Harley-Davidsons.
Now that I stay close to home (and to the cardiologist's office and hospital) I have plenty of time to ponder my next airgun purchase.
Hmmm… boats and Harleys. Can’t see anything wrong there ! The boats are gone, but they were fun. My 2002 divorce present road king freezing in garage . Wife couldn’t get on last year so not many miles added. 3 1970s bikes still there was
reminiscing about bikes of my youth and had a few more . That hobby is over though. Sell this spring
 
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My pesky state with our latest round of firearms laws positively sucks!! I would like to add a .22 magnum pistol to my herd. 30 round mags are all the rage, can't have that. The single shot I like has a threaded barrel, can't have that either. Still making up my mind given my selection has been greatly reduced. I'm sure many lives are saved due to my inability to purchase a rimfire pistol. Grrrr so far settling on the Smith with 10 round mag.
 
Hmmm… boats and Harleys. Can’t see anything wrong there ! The boats are gone, but they were fun. My 2002 divorce present road king freezing in garage . Wife couldn’t get on last year so not many miles added. 3 1970s bikes still there was
reminiscing about bikes of my youth and had a few more . That hobby is over though. Sell this spring
I still have one HD, my restored 1973 Sportster XLCH. I haven't run it for a couple of years because my knees and my back don't like to kick start that old dog.
I've had a couple of offers on it. If I live through the cardiac nerve ablation scheduled for March 18, I think I'm going to let it go. I'd be able to buy more air pistols. Lots more.
I've also had a couple of offers on my real steel early-1945 Remington-Rand M1911A1. I'd hate to see it go though, even if I don't shoot it any more.
 
Hey Gerry I envy the musician in you , I love guitars and have went through dozens buying and selling . Just to try different beauties. This started in my late 50s . The thing is I can’t play for s it . Learned all the basics about 10 years ago but never progressed. Sold most but just bought another Les Paul cause I regret selling the fantastic one I had. Sitting there in it’s case by the Airguns supplies but so far taking a backseat to our hobby.
Mike
undesirable weather = time to play a tune
 
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I still have one HD, my restored 1973 Sportster XLCH. I haven't run it for a couple of years because my knees and my back don't like to kick start that old dog.
I've had a couple of offers on it. If I live through the cardiac nerve ablation scheduled for March 18, I think I'm going to let it go. I'd be able to buy more air pistols. Lots more.
I've also had a couple of offers on my real steel early-1945 Remington-Rand M1911A1. I'd hate to see it go though, even if I don't shoot it any more.
got rid of 31 rifles and 19 pistols ! guess how much Air powered stuff that is ! kept 2 pistols and 1 rifle ,
 
My pesky state with our latest round of firearms laws positively sucks!! I would like to add a .22 magnum pistol to my herd. 30 round mags are all the rage, can't have that. The single shot I like has a threaded barrel, can't have that either. Still making up my mind given my selection has been greatly reduced. I'm sure many lives are saved due to my inability to purchase a rimfire pistol. Grrrr so far settling on the Smith with 10 round mag.
?? what state ?
 
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I still have one HD, my restored 1973 Sportster XLCH. I haven't run it for a couple of years because my knees and my back don't like to kick start that old dog.
I've had a couple of offers on it. If I live through the cardiac nerve ablation scheduled for March 18, I think I'm going to let it go. I'd be able to buy more air pistols. Lots more.
I've also had a couple of offers on my real steel early-1945 Remington-Rand M1911A1. I'd hate to see it go though, even if I don't shoot it any more.
I know I couldn’t kick it now unless a 1 or 2 kick start.
I have a 1975 Yamaha rd350 to get running and sell , Thats kick only , 10 times easier than an old Sportster.
 
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My pesky state with our latest round of firearms laws positively sucks!! I would like to add a .22 magnum pistol to my herd. 30 round mags are all the rage, can't have that. The single shot I like has a threaded barrel, can't have that either. Still making up my mind given my selection has been greatly reduced. I'm sure many lives are saved due to my inability to purchase a rimfire pistol. Grrrr so far settling on the Smith with 10 round mag.
I can’t even risk it . I want a micro 9 sig.
Thats to replace my stolen out of truck S&W scandium .357
i did report to police but I heard ( haven’t researched) with the so called “safe act” in nys stolen out of vehicle lose permit
 
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I'm down to the 3 Gs in retirement - Guns (air), Guitars and Golf! :ROFLMAO:

Doing more now than when I was working because all I did was work! I normally have the clubs and a gun in the back of the truck, but I don't leave a guitar in there... they don't take the driving around as well! The wife wants me to get rid of some amps but I told here the house would look empty without them. Then I said "If I get rid of them, I'll have room for more air guns!" She said "Keep the amps."
 
I'm quite fortunate to have a range nearby with very limited membership 10 minutes from my door. Sa far I can shoot the air guns in the backyard. Got a few things for the .22 Blitz today slugs, more mags and the Hatsan speedloader. Considered the big magazine, I figure it's better to have several 21 rounders and a means to fill them fast. So far I am liking the H+N ammo, and kudos to Pyramyd air for excellent packaging. I may just buy another PCP pistol rather than the Smith .22 Magnum PB. At least I have some freedom of choice left.
 
I know I couldn’t kick it now unless a 1 or 2 kick start.
I have a 1975 Yamaha rd350 to get running and sell , Thats kick only , 10 times easier than an old Sportster.
This Sportster has always been a two-kick bike. It hasn't been run since 2022 so it will need more than two kicks. A friend who owns a couple of WLs and WLAs has offered to kick it for me.
I might play with my Tisas and Remington-Rand 1911s at the indoor range today and maybe play with my KWC 1911 in the basement this evening.
If you haven't guessed, I'm fond of the 1911 design.
That said, I think I'm going to try my hand at making wall-hanging pistol display cases. If they turn out ok I'll buy some other air powered pistols; Glock 17, Beretta 92FS, Browning Hi-Power, a few others that trip my trigger. Maybe a Desert Eagle.
 
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I know I couldn’t kick it now unless a 1 or 2 kick start.
I have a 1975 Yamaha rd350 to get running and sell , Thats kick only , 10 times easier than an old Sportster.
I used to start my RZ350 by hand. Race motor with 30mm Mikuni smoothbores. Expansion chambers. Stripped down without the fairings, a solo tail section, and clip ons. No turn signals or mirrors. Who needs them. Total cafe machine. Was as much or more fun to ride than my bigger road rockets on back roads where I often made the guys on their 4 strokes whiff 2 stroke oil. Giant killer.
Set the single choke, crank the lever by hand and it would come to life. Smoking out the pipes. Strap my helmet on, whack the throttle a few times and take off in first gear. It would burble and smoke until I hammered 2nd gear and wind it out. After that it burned clean
 
I used to start my RZ350 by hand. Race motor with 30mm Mikuni smoothbores. Expansion chambers. Stripped down without the fairings, a solo tail section, and clip ons. No turn signals or mirrors. Who needs them. Total cafe machine. Was as much or more fun to ride than my bigger road rockets on back roads where I often made the guys on their 4 strokes whiff 2 stroke oil. Giant killer.
Set the single choke, crank the lever by hand and it would come to life. Smoking out the pipes. Strap my helmet on, whack the throttle a few times and take off in first gear. It would burble and smoke until I hammered 2nd gear and wind it out. After that it burned clean
Well I always read that giant killer thing about the RD, haven’t got to prove it yet.
But I have shocked a few sport bikers with my built road king.
Started road racing at the age of 49. Just wanted a sport bike before ageing out. Bought
a Ducati 749 . Immediately in trouble with the law. Ended up getting my race license at
New Hampshire Int. Speedway. Built a Suzuki SV to full super bike specs. Eight broken bones
over 7 years but the 3 or four more concussions ended the addiction.
 
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Anyone else remember similar bikes from the era of the mighty Kawasaki triples?

I remember them, but never had one. Did own a Kawasaki 900, inline-four land-rocket (puchased used). While cleaning it up the day after finding its 135 MPH top speed I noticed a flat-spot in the front rim (no doubt from a previous owners curb impact). Had that front tire blown out at 135 :oops:, I wouldn't be telling this tale.

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