With only two NFA items, each the "best-at-that-time", I don't have much regret there. Except maybe I would advise new folks to purchase first for the host that they shoot the most. In my case, I should've probably purchased a rimfire suppressor before a 9mm... but then again, once I was accustomed to the 9mm, the 22 seemed truly,
truly quiet.
In firearms, I've rectified the three major errors, but a bolt-gun in 204 Ruger... fast, fun-to-shoot, very low recoil... and only shot about 20-25 rounds before being sold at a loss.
Marlin, 44 Mag, Stainless steel... beautiful. I kinda' always wanted one, but it was always further down on the 'to-buy' list of guns. One day I go to check online for it and find out that Marlin quit making them. Suddenly, I
wanted it. It was at that critical point where no new ones were being made, but some stores still had it in stock, so I bought it at just under $700... loved on it for a while... then sold it recently for $1,100. I don't regret selling it... I don't regret buying it... but that could've been a very, very different scenario if I had sold it at a loss.
Final bought-and-sold error: a
beautiful Beretta 84 Nickel in 380. It had dimensions that were just slightly larger than a GLOCK 19, but chambered in a slightly more anemic round that actually cost more to shoot. Gun was beautiful and shot well, but
would not conceal. I bought it without trying hard enough to determine it's external dimensions. I had planned on it being a CC piece, but I bought with my eyes instead of my head. I got out of it clean... minus cost of shipping. I got some enjoyment out of it, so in a way, it's like I rented it for a very long time for $25.
Final regret
s: I bought some loading equipment without running the numbers... for my light-weight shooting schedule, it was a terrible idea. I've sold most all of the equipment at a loss.
I bought a Rock Island Armory 22 TCM / 9mm combo. It's fun to shoot... low recoil, massive blast, seems unusually accurate. It's also completely impractical, and a little difficult to feed. That said, the Cabela's right next to me carries 22 TCM on-the-shelf, so that's nice. Now if it were a little less expensive I wouldn't feel so bad about shooting an outrageous and pointless gun. Part of that is my own fault, because when it comes to shooting paper, this round is an enormous waste of power. 2,060 fps at the muzzle with a 22 caliber spritzer does the exact same thing as a 22 LR, except it manages to be insanely more expensive. If I were shooting it at a target that mattered, an animal, a can, a milk-jug, then perhaps it would be worthwhile.... but I'm not. I plan to sell this one sooner than later.
I also have a 17 HMR that I can't tell if I like or not. It's fantastic. But I haven't shot it in
years. It can do things that a 22 LR can't do, but since I never take advantage of those capabilities, it's all downside. I think I'll regret selling it, but I won't know for sure until I do it.
Advice for buyers? Research your planned purchase endlessly
first. To have access to the online information of today and not use it is beyond foolish. 2: know
why you're buying it. If it's just for fun, then great... but go into it with a proper understanding of costs-to-shoot, where you can/will shoot it, and what you intend to shoot at. For silencers, try to buy the best, and focus on the well-rounded product. A silencer that is half-a-decibel quieter but a massive PITA to clean isn't the better overall. Focus on longevity of the product -- a sealed rimfire in this day-and-age is a blight.
Mostly, don't make impulse buys. Don't beat yourself up just because you buy an item and fall out of love with it later.