How diverse is your collection?

Every gun own is of a different brand. I have 14 firearms.

Only three are chambered in the same round : .22LR. ; so I have 11 different chamberings.


I have firearms produced in 9 different countries.

I like variation, too. Keeps things interesting in my eyes.

That’s why I don’t call mine a collection- to me that implies a theme. I prefer to call it an accumulation.

I've always thought.. it's nice to have a rimfire, a handgun, a shotgun and a rifle. With a blackpowder to boot.

Then I think....For the rimfire... Well you need to have a 22lr in a bolt action, (Remington 512 for me). Also, you need a revolver chambered in one (Single Six for me). Then you can't leave out a Marlin 60 for the autoloader (some may say Ruger 10/22), plus a lever action Henry and a pump action Model 12. And an autoloading handgun by way of Ruger MK.

For the centerfire handgun, autoloader I like a Glock to carry and not worry about scratches, getting uglier etc but the 1911 is my all time favorite, in all sections of firearm. Revolver, 686 S&W tops my list with the Super Blackhawk being my favorite magnum.

For a shotgun, I say all you need is a pump action 870 Wingmaster. Then, my favorite shotgun is the Browning Light-Twelve, so you need that to cover the autoloaders. But what about the double barrel. For that, I like the American SxS's, a Fox Model B or if you have the coin, a Winchester 21. O/U, maybe there's your chance to buy across the pond and cover your "foriegn" section. Single shots shouldn't be forgotten either, my first gun was a 410 H&R break action. An old Mossberg 183 to cover the bolt action.

Rifle wise gets difficult for me so I'll be simple. Have to have a lever action, 30-30 is ideal but 45-70 from an 1886 is my lever choice. Bolt action is hard, tie between a pre 64 model 70, and the action that birthed it, a Mauser 98k. Break action rifles, I have no skin in the game along with pumps.

Blackpowder, I had to have a "Hawken style" .50 cal rifle after seeing Jeremiah Johnson as a kid. Along with an 1847 Walker after seeing, yes, Josey Wales. But then I needed an 1860 Army, just because.

As you can see, I've convinced myself of many reasons for firearms purchases. I'm still missing many.

Edit: I forgot the military section. Many reasons or ideas of what a collection could or should be, it's all in ones head.

My long guns are a direct representation of my wants and needs as it pertains to the different game I hunt and where I hunt them….with an AR or two thrown in. 450 BM, 20 ga slug/turkey gun, muzzleloader, and AR.

My rimfire handguns are a personal preference of my own likes and wants. S&W 17 and Ruger MKII.

My centerfire handguns are no BS simplistic defense tools that I am very familiar with, work well for me, and have similar manual of arms. Glocks and revolvers. I’d like to find a hunting handgun but haven’t found one I like yet.

I had never given that much thought but a count just came up with 31 different manufacturers.

Not very diverse and I'm working to narrow it down even more. My current categories are:
WWI infantry rifles,
.32 ACP pistols prior to WW2,
.25 ACP pistols prior to WW2,
Self-defense handguns,
Hunting rifles for various categories.
I have the vestiges of a few categories. I used to collect S&W revolvers and still have a few, but they have become far too expensive to acquire more.
I was going to collect 'police handguns' and still have a 1926 or so Colt Police Positive (.38 Special) and a Colt Detective Special (.38 Special) that is so badly out of time I can't fire it. It's one endearing quality is it is so ugly as to be memorable.
Was quite interested in European hunting rifles and I have several. I somewhat lost interest as they all chamber 'odd' ammunition - most of which I could find - but they don't seem as systematic as others and don't go anywhere in my head.

The bottom line is I do know a fair amount about firearms in general. But I know more about WW1 infantry rifles than contemporary long range rifles. 'Firearms in general' is too big a field to be universally knowledgeable.

I have no knowledge of any firearms and if I had I would not be at liberty to discuss such topic.

Diverse enough that no one would be able to figure which type(s) I favor.

The most-represented manufacturer makes up maybe fifteen percent of my inventory; the second-most right about ten percent. Handguns outnumber long guns by nearly three to one. Among those long guns, rifles outnumber shotguns also by about three to one. Among those handguns, autoloaders outnumber revolvers by only a slight margin, and there is one derringer in the pot.

Black-powder guns make up about three percent of the pile.

The most-represented caliber is (not surprisingly) .22LR, followed by .38 Special. I have no handguns in 10mm, .40 S&W, or .45LC.

Rifle calibers other than .22LR include 5.56 NATO, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54mm, and .30-30 Winchester. Shotgun sizes are in both 12 and 20 gauge.

I'm not even sure what I favor anymore. I see something intriguing, I buy it.

Diversity of calibers:
Handgun calibers I could carry for SD: 9mm/357Sig/40/10mm/45acp/45GAP (Glocks and 1911's)
Handgun calibers I have but don't carry: 22/38/357mag

I have accumulated and sold several collections.

My first collection was Committee of Safety Muskets. I was able to acquire 17 of them. Several other collectors wanted some of them and I was leaning another way so that collection was sold.

Next was American Civil War Cartridge Carbines. I was able to get all of the common ones and most of the uncommon ones. After nearly a decade, other collectors were able to get some good pieces. I did keep a Burnside out of that bunch.

Baker shotguns were a favorite for nearly twenty years. I was able to get many unusual ones and a few great ones.

Colt cap and ball revolvers caught my eye for a little while. Not long enough to get more than a dozen. This was followed by a keen interest in S&W N frames. I had many. Eventually, my vision narrowed to the N frame 45 ACP revolver and that is where I still am. Currently looking for a Model 1955 to add to the theme.

I have also had accumulations over the years. Pieces that were bought as a package deal, good deals, etc. Some of those stayed, most were sold.

So, yes, I have had accumulations and collections. The collecting has brought much enjoyment to me.

Kevin

I do not have a 'collection', rather a 60 plus year accumulation...........from flint to full auto....guess that fits the label diverse.

The core of my collection is U.S. military weapons. However, one of my requirements is that everything must be shootable, so therefore some of the older models are reproductions. Condition is very important.

I have on occasion strayed from this, if a gun seems to be particularly interesting.

2 in each: Winchester,Browning,Colt
4 Ruger
4 S&W
1 Beretta
1 Glock

I have 8 different chamberings. 9 different makers. 5 different makers in 22s. 2 made outside USA. All others made in The USA by the classic gun makers Remington , Winchester and the others. I've owned one gun for 58 years. Others up to 35+years. Single shot, Bolt action, Double barrel, Pump, Revolver, Lever Action, Muzzle loader, Semi Auto.
I can't tell you exactly why I have guns. I'm not a collector. I don't buy and sell for profit. Up untill about 10 years ago I never bought a gun for any reason other than just "enjoyment" except the taking of wild game. Most guns I own have never been hunting. Sadly to say, About 10 years ago I felt the need to buy a gun for self defense/home protection. Then, last year I bought another for the same reason. Untill that time it never was in my mind that any gun I owned would ever be needed for that purpose.

I don't have a collection either, to me a "collection" implies a theme. I like others have an "accumulation":

36 Calibers
5 Gauges
32 different makes

My "collection" is almost entirely US mil property marked firearms. There are also a few civilian gems like a series 70 gold cup, a python, a 1963 super 38, and an all- matching numbers 1943 Steyr Mauser. Everything else is just "stuff" that I actually use for things like SD, hunting, or training.

4 manufacturers Glock, S&W, CZ, Ruger.
4 different calibers .22, .223, 9mm, .40 S&W

One of my collections is based around the weapons that were issued and carried by U.S. soldiers since the U.S. Civil War.
This wound up including weapons from or intended for seven other nations so far.

I also have a collection of common U.S. sporting rifles and pistols of the last 150 years.

I have other collections, as well.

Hi...
Never really have specialized in my accumulation of firearms to any great extent.
I do have an affinity for Dan Wesson revolvers...I own several as well as Sako rifles, only have two of them unfortunately.
I have a relatively large number of Ruger BlackHawks in various calibers but I do not own any Ruger double action revolvers.


I own three 1911pattern handguns...one Springfield Armory full size and a nickle Colt Combat Commander(these are my carry guns) and a Rock Island full size...all in .45ACP.

I have quite a few Uberti revolvers in various configurations of SAA clones as well as Schofield and Remington 1875 style. Most are in .45Colt but I have one each in .44Spl and .38Spl.

Have a couple of Colt Troopers, a Taurus stainless .44Spl, a couple of Virginian Dragoons in .44Mag and a few others that I may be forgetting at the moment, including a German Luger.

Several different rifles in various calibers and configurations and three or four 12ga shotguns.

I am primarily a handgun shooter but I use rifles and shotguns for hunting.

Not so much a "collection" as more like "variations on a theme". Basically I buy guns that I'm interested in, that suit a specific purpose, that are very ergonomic (as well as reliable, durable, and accurate) or are simply guns that I want to have.

The breakdown is as follows: I have guns made in 10 different countries, by 22 different manufacturers, in 10 different calibers, and 2 gauges. Of my handguns 76% are pistols and 24% are revolvers. In long guns 55% are rifles and 45% are shotguns. For blackpowder guns 80% are revolvers while 20% are rifles.

I have a fairly diverse collection. While I have some mostly pre VN military rifles I mostly focus on old school pistols. Brand wise I tend to favor Walther and Colt pistols but also collect pocket pistols and police/military surplus from all makers. While I will always pick up a bargain I've been predominately buying vest pockets these days.

As diverse as I might like--maybe not. More diverse than others--perhaps.

I have guns made from 22 different manufacturers, if I’ve counted correctly. I still have my first shotgun, my first .22 rifle, and my first centerfire rifle. I normally have to dislike a gun before I get rid of it.

I’m a Ruger man.

I like classic American arms from Ruger, Winchester, marlin, Remington, savage, smith and Wesson.