Protection is a great side effect from collecting. But if you ban guns, you are automatically prohibited from collecting. Some of the older antique models are absolutely useless as far as actual use goes anymore, but they still fall under the label of "firearm" and are therefore subject to gun laws. My argument isn't weak, you're just not wanting to see it.
Not all useless!
My absolute favorites are muzzle loaders, and my favorite muzzle loader is an 1863 zouave replica. It is flippin' accurate, and a .58 cal to boot.
The best part is, if I oil it extra good when putting it away, next time I fire a round the first shot is like a flame thrower. Buahahhahaha!
Seriously though, I got it from a guy that used to to hunt during muzzle loader season and he bagged a deer with it every year. It's a great little gun.
Useless for home defense because they take a minute to load. Well, I guess I could fix the bayonet and use that if things got real bad. I do keep a paper cartridge and a percussion cap next to it so I can make the raccoons crap themselves when they are on the porch. The neighbors are too close for me to be shooting live rounds at them. They have only come on our porch once so far. :rofl1:
If I could afford it I would have a giant black powder collection and 1 of every Nagant ever made (don't know why, but I love those things).
Boxer, if you get this far reading I will say that I love shooting. It takes an incredible amount of self mastery to be able to actually hit something consistently. You need to be very in tune with your body, from your breathing, muscles in your fingers, hands, arms, shoulder, trunk, legs, eyelids, everything needs to be totally relaxed.
You have to be aware of your breathing, your heart beat even, and the microscopic figure eights the end of the barrel makes no matter how still you think you're holding it. Then you have to time the pulling of the trigger to the exact moment all those factors are in perfect harmony, so you can put the bullet in the bullseye every time.
Me, I love explosions, and I love peace, quiet, and meditation. Shooting is a paradox, because to be successful you need both. And I love paradoxes.