Personally speaking, guns that don't have a challenge associated with them tend to get evicted.
For me, the challenge may be to fill a specific role, to be used in a challenging event, or the challenge of coolness.
I also tend to find competitive events based on what I own or am interested in, which keeps the challenge alive.
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For me, I need to have fun with my guns. Obviously some are more fun than others. Occasionally, training needs to take a back seat.
There are few things more fun than a .22 rifle. A lever action 30-30 is another rifle I’ve had a ton of fun with over the years. I’m on the fence about buying one of the little CZ carbides in .7.62 or .223.
Yeah for me buying an AK rekindled my love for shooting rifles again. Funny you mentioned finding competitive events based on what you're interested in. I learned about the Red Oktober competition put on by Rifle Dynamics and am trying real hard to free up some schedule to go to Utah next Oktober and shoot it. Watching the youtube videos of it and it seems it's fairly laid back with fun stages.
I got the GSG 9mm MP-40 replica solely as a S&G gun. After all, the accuracy is terrible, and I doubt it would still run after 2000 rounds- but it is a blast to shoot.
"You win 100% of the fights you avoid. If you're not there when it happens, you don't lose." - William Aprill
"I've owned a guitar for 31 years and that sure hasn't made me a musician, let alone an expert. It's made me a guy who owns a guitar."- BBI
Set aside around $800 and just wander in and out of pawn shops and old sporting goods style gun shops.
I'm sure you'll find something that speaks to you.
Personally, I'd recommend a classic S&W revolver, an interesting AK variant, or fun bolt gun. See also the 'scout rifle' thread.
So this is fun- my stepson dropped an AK off, with a thousand rounds. Apparently, California frowns on this type of thing.
This country needs an enema- Blues approved sig line