Nothing wrong with collecting and not using if the collection is of premium goods unused and collected as an investment which would take a hit in value if used.

To collect and squirrel away out of unadultered pure greed is another matter entirely.

To collect and use items is no problem whatsoever if not premium unused old stuff so long as the items don't possess the owner and not the other way around.

Always keep in mind we are stewards, though, and the attitude of "it is MINE and I can screw it up anyway I want to, and nobody can tell me different!", especially with nice old stuff made the way no longer made, is closely allied to point 2 above as to be indistinguishable in wrongness.

Look at the test pics below your picture posting query and you will see two users and one investment, the investment a duplicate of another.

Over the years I had managed to gather a modest pile of "investment" guns that I had little intention of ever shooting. They were a rainy-day fund that was much more fun to look at and coonfinger than some form of paper. Such guns must be selected wisely, and bought the same way. Sure enough, when I moved and lost my FFL, it came a gusher. I hated parting with a few of them, but it was, after all, raining, and they are what carried me through until I could get back up and running. They all made money too. Instant liquidity, and a good return.

JLF

I don't think they are necessarily mutually exclusive, either. Of course, I don't consider myself a "collector", more of an "accumulator". Some may call this a semantic distinction, and I'll not argue that. My point is, I have more than a couple of Olde Rugers that have somehow taken up residence in my safe, and I never even considered the "investment" aspect of their purchase. I just like 'em, and they get shot and fondled on a semi-regular basis. These days, probably more fondling than shooting simply because ammo is a little dear. Yes, I reload, but components are a little dear, as well. At any rate, I suffer no "safe queens". I exercise appropriate care in the handling and feeding requirements and perform whatever maintenance is required, but no white-glove pampering.

I'd hate to part with most of them, as each is a little different in one way or another, and I appreciate the distinctions. My wife sees them as inventory for a future sale, and that's OK with me. We are, as mentioned, merely curators of a very short-lived museum.

I'll not begrudge those who actually strive for the very best and keep them pristine and unfired. These examples will serve the future curators with excellent examples for show-and-tell as well as a personal satisfaction in the owning. They might even make the temporary "owners" a few bucks. It's all good.

I do hate to see the old stuff get chopped, but to each his own. It was not my money, after all, and each one chopped makes mine just that much more scarce.

For me, it's just a great hobby.

JMHO

I have owned some very cool pieces, and passed them on in pursuit of my next "gotta-have". The latest golden ring is a S&W Model of 1950 .45ACP, made in 1950, with a Jinks letter. Yep, I'm going to shoot it if I happen to scrape up the money before it gets sold to someone else.

I'm on the same path. I took over 140 books to half priced books a couple weeks ago, got rid of my last 45 Colt (because I don't shoot it) and I'm working on getting rid of moulds and other stuff that went with the caliber. I have been wanting a 12 gauge but my wife and I have an 1100 LT 20 and I just can't see needing anything else. My goal is to get all my personal items into my reloading/gun room/man cave and have it neat and organized and eliminate stuff I don't need or use. The further I get into this process the more I like it.

Given enough time and a passion for several different hobbyies.

One finally looks around to discover they no longer own 'stuff', seemingly it now owns them.

Murphy