In my early Navy days, we had a good hobby and gaming shop outside the back gate at great Mistakes, Ill., heck, sometimes we stayed overnight on weekends, crashing in the basement "play room"! Good days.
I was into AD&D and RuneQuest, with a little Space Opera on the side.
That led into collecting swords & knives, then that into collecting guns.
My Navy Days also influenced my preferences in guns. I carried a Colt 1911A1 .45ACP on guard watch, and we used the M-14 and the Rem. 870 shotgun. Well, I have the .45 and the 870! The M14 remains out of my price range though. I like bigger calibers, though I do have a couple 9mm pistols.