Ohio Gun Guy
June 22, 2009, 12:24 AM
Over the last 2-3 years I have changed the way I look at my measly collection of guns. In the below outline, I tried to document my though processes on what I am buying and why. My ideas come mainly from this THR website, although in scattered bits and pieces. I tried to combine things that resonated with me and put them into a logical process that evaluates my current collection and future purchases with the goal of having an organized, interesting, useful, and complete collection. Please review and discuss if this is of any help or interest to any of you.
How do I organize and categorize my guns?
1) Range / Distance (Yards: 0-50, 0-100, 100-300, 200-400, 300-600)
2) Primary Uses (See Reasons)
3) Secondary Uses (See Reasons)
4) Function (Bolt, Semi-automatic, & Pump / lever)
5) Caliber (Redundancy, Availability, Common caliber)
What are the main “REASONS” I own guns?
1) Home defense & Emergency Events (Protect family, Community, & Country)
2) Hobby (Develop Skills, Entertainment, Heirloom, History, & Collecting)
3) Practice / training
4) Hunting (Heritage, Wildlife Preservation / Management, Supplement food, & Survival)
What tools do I need to have available to myself and others for these purposes?
1) Myself (Primary)
2) Family (Back-up)
3) Community (Spare)
In practice and in thinking through the above process, I have come up with what works for me. Without outlining my complete collection and writing a book to explain it; this is my thought process for how I got started (Below is an example).
First, I looked into what I had in my collection. I had available several World War Two surplus rifles. These fit into my organization above by in the 200-400 yard range and satisfied available surplus ammunition. They could be used for Community and National defense if it got that bad, and could also be used as a hunting firearm. They were originally acquired to satisfy a more entertainment / history function. What this process made me realize is, these WW2 rifles did not satisfy my number one concern, protection of my family. While better than nothing, a bolt action long gun in a massive caliber is not an ideal home protection firearm and they are not ideal in comparison to newer designs for the other non collecting purposes either. I needed a shotgun or handgun or BOTH. I also needed to address the rest of my needs. As I have worked this plan, the way I look at guns when I’m in the gun shop or gun show has changed. I have found that typically if something is a wise choice for me it can satisfy 2-3 of the different needs. Re-thinking my strategy has also re-kindled my interest in acquiring guns and I believe I have a logical purpose in doing so. I know it is a lot of information, I hope this makes sense to someone else…… What do you think? :scrutiny:
Change the specifics / details to suite you own preferences and see what you come up with. :D
P.S. I'm more interested in the improving the model / process than arguments about my conclusions. :D I'm okay with being wrong, my wife can tell you that!
How do I organize and categorize my guns?
1) Range / Distance (Yards: 0-50, 0-100, 100-300, 200-400, 300-600)
2) Primary Uses (See Reasons)
3) Secondary Uses (See Reasons)
4) Function (Bolt, Semi-automatic, & Pump / lever)
5) Caliber (Redundancy, Availability, Common caliber)
What are the main “REASONS” I own guns?
1) Home defense & Emergency Events (Protect family, Community, & Country)
2) Hobby (Develop Skills, Entertainment, Heirloom, History, & Collecting)
3) Practice / training
4) Hunting (Heritage, Wildlife Preservation / Management, Supplement food, & Survival)
What tools do I need to have available to myself and others for these purposes?
1) Myself (Primary)
2) Family (Back-up)
3) Community (Spare)
In practice and in thinking through the above process, I have come up with what works for me. Without outlining my complete collection and writing a book to explain it; this is my thought process for how I got started (Below is an example).
First, I looked into what I had in my collection. I had available several World War Two surplus rifles. These fit into my organization above by in the 200-400 yard range and satisfied available surplus ammunition. They could be used for Community and National defense if it got that bad, and could also be used as a hunting firearm. They were originally acquired to satisfy a more entertainment / history function. What this process made me realize is, these WW2 rifles did not satisfy my number one concern, protection of my family. While better than nothing, a bolt action long gun in a massive caliber is not an ideal home protection firearm and they are not ideal in comparison to newer designs for the other non collecting purposes either. I needed a shotgun or handgun or BOTH. I also needed to address the rest of my needs. As I have worked this plan, the way I look at guns when I’m in the gun shop or gun show has changed. I have found that typically if something is a wise choice for me it can satisfy 2-3 of the different needs. Re-thinking my strategy has also re-kindled my interest in acquiring guns and I believe I have a logical purpose in doing so. I know it is a lot of information, I hope this makes sense to someone else…… What do you think? :scrutiny:
Change the specifics / details to suite you own preferences and see what you come up with. :D
P.S. I'm more interested in the improving the model / process than arguments about my conclusions. :D I'm okay with being wrong, my wife can tell you that!
