No argument and our paths with slight variations here and there are quite similar. I'd wager a dram of the good stuff that our respective bookshelves are more alike than different. A quick glance at mine shows Ash, Boothroyd and Brister to the left, Wieland, Yardley and Zutz to the right with many stops in between including a well-used copy of The Gun and It's Development by Greener.
As you noted what we view as merely sharing our passion can be regarded by others as snobbery and elitism. The challenge we face is resisting the temptation to promote what we like and to provide practical information to someone who might not be as far along the path. Because we have the passion we are more inclined to not consider as obstacles finding 16 gauge components, loading 28 gauge game loads or special ordering 2-1/2" shells. These are just the price of admission to new levels of the game for us.
The passion can be a cruel mistress. Rarely have I seen it in a man with pockets deep enough to indulge it fully. What I have seen far more often are loathsome men of money who pay less attention to the details of ordering a Purdey than picking the toppings on their hamburger at Harvey's.
For those of us with fewer means the passion needs to be held in check. While in an antiquarian bookstore in London last month I was almost seduced by a first edition of The Gun and Its Development in fine condition. But at £300 I reminded myself that I had better uses for the money such as a new 28 gauge loader.
You're right on all counts, of course. Life is a journey, not a destination. We must constantly remind ourselves that, no matter who we think we are, we were all born naked and we can't take anything with us when we leave.
Especially with fine guns and even more so with those of historic import, I consider myself their temporary custodian - as much a responsibility as a priviledge.
Even those with the deepest pockets of all are constrained by opportunity. Myself, I am not a wealthy man. But, I make up for my lack of means with persistance and tenacity. The time I spend monitoring firearms markets of all kinds results in glorious finds, once in a while. Reading, researching, and remaining open to new ideas all contribute to a better understanding. Although, nothing beats first-hand experience. It's amazing what you can learn by buying a POS.
The most difficult aspect of all, IMO, is the giving and receiving of advice (over the internet, especially). Generally, far too little is known about the person asking the question. Even with perfect information (which only exists in a perfect world), we strike a fine balance between providing too little or too much detail. At the one extreme, we presume to know all the inquisitor's criteria. At the other extreme, we risk overwhelming the question with an excess of information that may confuse as much as enlighten.
My personal philosophy is to answer as directly as possible the original question. Typically an elusive goal, as there would be no question if sufficient was known to pose it clearly. However, even with the simplest of questions, I like to open the door a crack to the potential breadth of the subject. This comes, I suppose, from the realisation of how limited our own experience would have been had we accepted as fact that commercial 2 1/2" shells are unattainable, for example.
I stay away from the "What's the best tactical pump shottie" threads for this very reason. I prefer to discuss the merits of 16 gauge guns with those who are at least curious.
