Collector or Accumulator? What made you go down the rabbit hole?

[t.hinckley]

I have a modest accumulation of firearms. Prior to 6 years ago, I had 5. During Covid, two things happened. First I won an RMEF raffle that contained three guns, a Mossberg 30-06 plastic nightmare that went down the road within weeks of shooting it, a SCCY 9mm that I still own, but only because the price I would get for it is not enough to put the energy into selling it, and a Ruger American Rimfire in .17HMR (second Ruger and first intro into .17HMR). Then a relative passed and I inherited (bought from the estate) a 1964 OM SBH that I have posted about, and a 2002 10/22 that was still in the box (son got that for Christmas that year), and a 181 series Mini, there were a few more, but those are the only ones important to this thread.

I still do not know why that OM SBH ticked my boxes, but it did. It ticked them hard enough I decided I needed one in every caliber, and a couple different variations along the way (flat tops, a flat gate):

But... I stopped there (other than the occasional search for a 10" and the constant search for a sequential or duplicate serial). Then I discovered the NM Hunters (plow handle, I still don't like Bisleys):

I don't have the .17 convertible, just the .17hmr. Again, small set, but a good representation.

Then I learned about the No. 1's.... I had to have one in my hunting caliber, 30-06. Thanks to a member on rf.com, I was able to pick up a beauty, who thanks to USPS ineptitude, and a mistake in not sending an MO with tracking, I "paid" for twice. Both MO's arrived on the same day and since he had a pristine .357 Flattop with gorgeous wood that he was selling for the same price... well that's how I picked up my first flattop. Thanks to a member on rf.net, I learned they also made the No. 1 in stainless and laminate.... I don't know why that salt and pepper laminate calls to me, but it does.. a few months later:

Along the way I had picked up a few other Rugers, mostly on whims, some as part of a dedicated search. Some of those "one-offs" turned into another rabbit hole... hence the 1911's.

I do still have some Ruger "one-offs"; a US marked Ruger Mk 1 (I have a Mark IV target, but those are the only two in that product line), a 96/22Mag that I just lucked into,

an SR556 (which was my first AR after I got out of the army, now I own 7 in 7 different calibers), I'm up to 7 10/22 ranging in DOB from '69-'24 all mostly unique, and partially due to the Hunters, I own as many NM as I do OM.

Now I find that my "stash" consists of 69% Ruger, said percentage is likely to increase in the coming days.

So, for the TL/DR crowd, and everyone who managed to get through my lengthy post, 1) Why Ruger, and why that particular line? 2) Which came first, the maker or the gun? 3) How "laser-focused" are you? To use what I know about, similar to the OM vs NM debate, would a similar gun, that is a different model, satisfy that "itch"

[gunman42782]

Very nice collection! My first handgun was a Ruger MK2 I bought from my Dad. That little .22 had had the crap shot out of it when I got it, and I proceeded to shoot the crap out of it some more. It just kept shooting and shooting and shooting. Seldom jammed, always pretty accurate. It hooked me on Ruger's forever. Then when I bought my first centerfire Blackhawk and later a Security Six, I was all in on Ruger. Nothing else was as good in that price range. And you and I are in the minority, but I don't like the Bisley grip either!

[Coogs]

Got my first Ruger in 1978.....Super.......started with single actions......1984 got into Maxi's......'nuff said.......

[RoninPA]

I got my first handgun ever when I turned 21 in 1974. It was a Security Six, 6", .357 Magnum. I was in the USAF stationed at Kincheloe AFB, in the Upper Peninsula of MI (about 20 miles south of Sault Ste Marie). Cost me $97.50 out the door (a pretty good amount for a AIC with 2 years of service). It was a low back model. I used it and borrowed a friends High Standard Supermatic Citation to shoot NRA 3 gun Bullseye matches. I liked the ruggedness of the Ruger and over many years got a few more, but being in the USAF, with a family and moving every few years I had to watch my pennies. Near the end of my career, while stationed at Dover AFB I started getting back into competition both in the USAF and outside. I did ok, I won USAF shooting medals for both the M16 and the M9 and at one time was the #4 shooter in the DE Governors 20 Shooting competition.

I really started "collecting" Rugers a few years after I retired and found the RCA, the Ruger Forum.com and formed a lot of friendships with "Rugerites" I concentrated on the double actions because I really liked them.

After a few years, I had a fair collection and was contemplating if I should display them. We (wife and I) were at the East Coast Gathering and Tyrone took me aside and told me, "Ron, just do it" and explained how the other displayers would help, answer my questions, advice and such. Well, I did it. Then the ROCS idea came along and I was/am one of the founding members and now, with a lot of mentoring over the years, I am the head Judge for ROCS.

I still concentrate on the Ruger DA's but I have a nice collection of Ruger SA's also. In fact six of them (2 flat top, 2 OM and 2 NM .357 Blackhawks) will be featured along with 2 each DA model .357's (Six series 1st Gen (low backs), 2nd Gen (high backs) and GP100's) at the 2026 OGCA show in August. My dispaly will be Rugers first .357 Magnums (SA and DA).

Oh, and I do have my fair share of 10/22's, Mark series, and other Ruger handguns and rifles. And I got my wife into displaying her small (but growing) collection of Rugers.

[contender]

Well, for me,, I handled & shot a few Rugers back in the early 1970's. I liked them a lot. That included a Hawkeye in .256 Win. Tweaked & peaked my interests.
Then,, as for the collecting thing,, well, I blame Bill Hamm.
In the early 1980's,, I went to a gun show & Bill had a display. I REALLY liked the concept AND how he'd designed it.
I was "hooked" so to speak.

I wasn't able to buy much in those days,, (Dern it,, and I wish I had been able to!) But I started. I joined RCA,, and slowly became educated a bit. Then,, I got invited by Bob Nelson to do a display in Nashville long ago. The rabbit hole got hit by an excavator.
And when the concept of ROCS was discussed & all, I too became a Founding member.

But the whole collecting thing,, I can trace it easily to Bill Hamm my good friend!

[twriggen]

I recently wrote an article for the ROCS Digest about my first Ruger. It was a Bisley in 41 mag. I do prefer the Bisley but not stuck with it as I have way more 41 mags that are not Bisleys. There are lots of things that pointed me to Ruger as the brand but price was probably the one that stands out the most. I horded anything for the longest time and if I liked it and I had the funds I bought it. My wife convinced me to focus on something and that something was Rugers. My mom's youngest brother was closer to my age than hers, so he was an important role model growing up. For the longest time he carried around a Ruger Single-Six as his trapping and hunting side arm. At some point he purchased a Mark II Target and swapped out the Single-Six. I cannot count the number of rounds I put through those two guns as a young impressionable kid.

I have done pretty guns and have kept my obsession confined to handguns. A very important fact when you are trying to find room for another gun safe in the house.

[radicalrod]

I got hooked in the early 90's I went to my first OGCA show as a guest and the rest is history....
I fell in love with the serial numbers game....quite an addiction
I have Red Eagles Bearcats, and 44 Flattops plus Supers and singles sixes and lightweights I might have went a slightly crazy but have enjoyed the trip....
Did I mention 10/22's and 44 carbines too

[T.A. Workman]

Radical,
Only a man with your Grit, Tenacity and Mental Instability, could bear the weight of your Chain!
I admire that! Hope you add a lot more Links !!
Terry

[T.A. Workman]

Great choices there for sure!
Anyone would be proud to own that herd!!
Terry

[JAYDAWG]

For the last 5 years my therapist thought I was a rockhound.....
and into geology, because I kept saying how much $$$ ROCS had cost me..