Are you a specialist or generalist?

[bensdad]

YOU ALL KNOW they make a gun out there for every thing. So why not make sure you have that gun just in case you run into that thing.

SoCal, would you please explain that to my wife?

I'm a specialist. Many, many guns - and in need of more. and more.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Absolutely let me get past my finals tomorrow and I will formulate something for you, by the way you could always use the buddy excuse...such as " well what about if I have a buddy and he needs a gun? And he can't afford it and I am just helping to make sure that he can enjoy what I have"

 

[arflattop]

Being a specialist justifies all the different firearms I "have" to buy to my wife.......

 

[Mac45]

Specialist I suppose, I bought a M92 lever gun last year when Indiana started allowing them for deer.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Absolute quintessential specialist. For example, I have many .22s, and every one has it's special place and purpose. I even have a .22 dedicated to subsonics & shorts, a .22 dedicated to Colibris, and a .22 dedicated to Aguila SSS sniper subsonics. I could go on, but you get the idea.

 

[moooose102]

More Specialist Than A Generalist, But Sometimes, The Same Firearm Does Multi-tasking.

 

[wideym]

Is it possible to be both? Normally I carry my 1911, but sometimes I'll carry an SP101 or G22 as the mood strikes me.

Although I have many rifles most are the same calibers (.223, .308,& 30-06), but in different configurations for different purposes.

Most can be used multitude of purposes rather than just one, but some work better than others.

Just like using hand tools. You could use a cresent wrench to hammer a nail and usually end up dinging your wrench and bending the nail, but it will work..badly.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Generally I'm a specialist but if you get specific,then I'm a generalist.

 

[redneckrepairs]

By your definition i am a specialist as i truly try to have the " right tool for the job at hand " In shooting i am a generalist as i enjoy handguns , rifles , and shotguns ( mostly in that order ) . I am also chea... ermm frugal . My cut down auto5 with invector chokes serves double duty as home defense and upland game . My Savage Scout .308 serves well for deer , antalope , and with light hp rounds the coyotes i run across checking cattle . The 16" upper i have on my rock river ar serves for long range varments as well as game playing and its fast out of the pickup if i have it along when i see a yote . My Kahr will pot a rabbit as well as my 17 S&W .22 and i usually have the Kahr on me . If i am going " rabbit hunting " ill take either one of my 10-22s or my 17 , or the woodsman i have , however if i want a rabbit ( in season of course ) and only have the kahr well it works , and at 15 yards or under i wont waste much meat .

 

[DFW1911]

I'm not too surprised by these answers and the "generalists" are making me think about how many firearms are truly necessary.

I suppose one could make the argument that if we each had -

1 Pistol
1 Revolver
1 Rifle (hunting)
1 SD Rifle
1 Shotgun (w/ interchangeable barrels)

- then we should be able to take care of any scenario we may encounter.

But...where's the fun in that?

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[Bostekrisco]

Never really thought about it before, but...

for shotgunning- a generalist. I shoot quail,pheasant, turkey and clays with my Bennelli M1 Field and one of five different chokes.

For everything else I guess a "specialist."

In rifles I have several in .22,.223,.30,.308 and 30-06.

For pistols .22,.380, 9mm,.44 mag and .45

I'm either a general specialist or a special generalist.

 

[Auburn1992]

I would be more of a specialist if I had some more money, but I would still categorize myself as a specialist. I have a short range deer gun, long range deer gun, dove gun, duck gun, multiple .22's for different uses and soon to be a long range varmint gun.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

I wouldn't say i am a generalist, but my 1911 always goes.

 

[JesseL]

During the week at work I carry a Ruger SR9 concealed.
On weekends I sometimes carry a 1911 clone or the SR9, open carried either way.
If I'm going to be in the woods or sometimes if I just feel like it, I carry a Ruger Blackhawk .41 Magnum.

 

[biggiesmalls]

so you're asking us, are you rich or poor? haha

 

[CrawdaddyJim]

When the only tool you own is a hammer. Every problem looks like a nail.

I on the other hand am a specialist. I specialize in generalities.

 

[akolleth]

I guess I am in the minority, I am a generalist.

Have quite a few rifles and pistols now, and I definately love shooting each and every one from time to time. But push comes to shove and I have my go to guns in the basic calibers for 90% of situations which I shoot in (M1 Garand, Mossberg 500, Tula Toz 78-01)

 

[DFW1911]

so you're asking us, are you rich or poor? haha

I know this was said in jest, it reminded me of someone I know who's richer than Croesus who is also the ultimate generalist.

I am also reminded of the old saying "Beware the man with one gun"

Great expression - I've not heard that before. I have a feeling I'll be using it in the future.

It seems that Akolleth may be the closest to a generalist. I hope we hear from some more as I'm really interested in what firearms they have and why!

 

[jbird714]

As I posted earlier, I enjoy the variety and ability to choose the right weapon for the job. But, growing up my two brothers and I each received a .22 lr rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun. My dad figured we could shoot anything edible that walked or flew in N. Alabama. He was right .

Jay

 

[Moonclip]

Both, I accumulate guns at good prices and have my special likes but I use and buy certain guns for certain uses as I suspect many do.

An example is I may have or plan to get a shotgun like a 10ga or 3 1/2" 12ga for geese hunting but I accumulate other shotguns I have no real need or use for like a 28ga H&R single shot just because I got it cheap or something.