Some collect specific types of firearms, such as Belgian pinfire revolvers or Lee Enfield rifles. Many like to collect, display and shoot their firearms. Black powder rifles are often collected by enthusiasts who shoot single-shot breech loading rifles, lever actions or muzzleloaders that are originals from the mid to late 19th century. Collectors are often interested in both the history and the operation of firearms. It might be the particular role that the firearm played in military history or it might be a local history.
Some collectors seek to accumulate everything they can find relating to a gun's owner or maker.
It is difficult to imagine collectors who don't want to fire their guns at least once, although, of course, many older ones are simply too fragile. Others may lack suitable ammunition. Yet others are kept new because to fire them would lower their value. Some collections include the guns, ammunition, reloading equipment, holsters and cleaning gear, even old packets, books, licences, manuals and paperwork relating to the subject. Restoration of these items often creates agonising dilemmas.