A Well Rounded Arsenal...What Should It Include?

I intend to get a .22 rifle for plinking and teaching the kids how to shoot. If I were to focus primarily on getting one rifle, what caliber would be most well rounded in the sense of versatility

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Ruger 10/22 and bricks of ammo or an AK-47/74 get dirt cheap ammo for 74 1080rd/$160

you've gone too far

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Heresy!

Once you've reached the point where you've gone too far, just label yourself a "collector" and continue on. Just avoid the mall ninja route and the tactical toilet tank mounted 870.

BillyBobJoe83 said:

If I were to focus primarily on getting one rifle, what caliber would be most well rounded in the sense of versatility?

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I've heard that .30-06 is about as flexible as you can get. From 150gr. for coyote-sized varmints, to 220gr. for the largest meanest critters North America has to offer. You'd pretty much be restricted to a bolt gun or a Garand, though, - not that there's anything wrong with either - and commercial ammo can be pricey.

I'd recommend, however, assessing your needs/wants, prioritizing them, then filling them with two or three rifles as the situation and finances allow.

A "well rounded" Arsenal should include: A Belt-Fed Browning 1919a4........IMO.

I'd say this depends on the individual, the property to be defended, the likelihood of need, etc. For some, a single handgun may be plenty. For others, a selection of long and short guns might be prudent. But my comment on this thread is to point out that a solid home arsenal should include weapons of various types - guns, knives, swords, etc. These should be located around the home and if needed, there should always be a strong weapon at hand. Of course, the user needs to be trained and expert in the use of defensive tools.

What we seem to be discussing here, if I read the Op correctly, is analogous to stocking a toolbox with tools.
The first step is determining what problems will be encountered, then selecting the tool or tools that best solve them (need to pound nails? get a claw hammer. Need to cut a board to length? a crosscut saw may be your choice).
Here in PA, if picking a rifle for hunting and self-defense, I would probably choose two, one a semi-auto high-cap military-style, and the second a good bolt action (for the simple reason that PA does not permit semi-auto rifles for hunting and I want to practice in the field as well as at the range...and I love a good venison roast). If you don't anticipate a need for a high volume of rapid fire, the manual action may suffice for both purposes.
An accurate .22 rifle is good for practice as well as vermin elimination.
When doing work that requires both hands, a handgun will be out of the way while still much handier than the rifle you leaned against that stump fifteen feet away.
For those crows eating in your garden, you might pick a shotgun, and for home defense you could get a second gun, or maybe just a spare barrel for the one you already have.
If you carry a concealed gun on a regular basis, need I say more?
That's what I'd call a basic battery (group of guns). The fun comes when you add to it for special purposes (such as a target grade rifle for long range).
And after you have all those guns, you get to accessorize!

Here is my list of a well rouned arsneal:

.22 caliber semi-auto for plinking and target work
.22 caliber revolver, possibly a S&W 4" barrel "Kit Gun" for a woods/boat gun
.38 caliber snub nose, S&W 36, 642, Colt Dick Special for a CCW piece
.357 magnum 6" barrel for long range target work, hunting, etc.
.45 ACP 1911A1 [barrel length of your choice] for duty weapon

AR (your choice of manufactuer) in 5.56/.223 for SHTF scenario
.22-250 for varmints, over long range (bolt action, only)
.308 bolt action for most deer sized game
.300 Weatherby magnum for extremely long range/dangerous game hunts

12 gague riot pump shotgun (again, your choice) for home defense
12 gague SBE 26" barrel for birds, ducks, etc.

Lots of ammo for all of the above~!

This would be my minimum list:

Shotgun
12 gauge pump-action shotgun with a 26-inch vent rib barrel with removable chokes and an 18.5-inch fixed choke cylinder barrel.

Rifles
.22LR bolt action rifle with AO scope
.30 caliber bolt action (.308 or .30-06) with good 4.5-14X scope
.223 semiauto carbine (AR-15)

Handguns
.22LR revolver or semiauto
.357 mag stainless 4-inch revolver
Glock 23 (.40S&W) with a 9mm conversion barrel and magazines for each caliber

So I think seven could cover all the bases in a pinch. Beyond the minimum, I'd quickly add:

Savage 24 .22mag/20 gauge combo
5.5-inch .44 mag Ruger Redhawk

Well my "Arsenal" is

2x 9mm pistols
22lr conversions for those pistols
2x 5.56 AR 15s
22lr conversions for those ARs
2x remington 870 wingmasters 1x tactical w/collapsible stock 1x sporting
2x 10/22 1x target style, 1x open sights m1 carbine style.


thats it. works for me.

don't forget, a "well-rounded" arsenal must have at least one spare of each.

As far an arsenal for "social work." I would organize it around the following lines:

Semi-auto Rifle in Intermediate Cartridge (.223 or 7.62X39)
Semi-Auto Rifle in 7.62NATO or similar cartridge
12ga Riot Gun
Semi-auto service handgun or revolver in .38Spl/9mm or bigger
Pocket Pistol-Revolver/CCW handgun .32acp or above
Bolt-action Designated marksman's Rifle in .308 or above

I can't see anyone having an absolute need for anything else, although its a lot of fun owning multiple guns within these categories.

Nobody ever mentions a 22mag--I love the caliber.

Space.

Lot's and lot's of space to put the weapons in.
Lot's of weapons.
And ammo.
And some Kevlar.

OK, seriously...
As stated several times here and elsewhere:
A cheap .22 rifle to practice with.
A handgun you are comfortable carrying around all day.
A scoped rifle you can really reach out and tag something with.
A high-capacity or quick-to-reload semi-automatic rifle. In case TSHTF
A shotgun for the times when almost will count.

Truly, a well-rounded arsenal would have an example of each significant type of action and caliber...
And while I'm dreaming, I'd like a DL-44 blaster, a Browncoat Pistol, a phased plasma rifle in 40 milliwatt range, a man-portable Vulcan mini-gun, a 20 mm Lahti, a bazooka, a few stingers, and at least one crate of grenades...

"...assault rifle..." Rangers are just highly trained PBI troopies. Your buddy is confused too. There have been exactly 2 assault rifles, ever made. The AK47(not a semi-auto clone) and the StG44. Anything and everything else, since, is a battle rifle. There's nothing that a battle rifle will do that a scoped .30 cal hunting rifle won't.
In any case, a good .22 LR and a shotgun will put food on your table more often than a battle rifle or scoped .30 cal hunting rifle. So will a good air rifle.

An arsenal should include, but is not limited to:
A bolt action .22, .223, or other similar caliber for teaching inexperienced people to shoot.

A Kalashnikov pattern auto-loader, or two.

A mauser based bolt action in .308 or better.

A large frame, Browning action based handgun in a readily available caliber of your choice.

A pump action 12 gauge shotgun.

A Subcompact auto-loading handgun, for concealed carry in all weather.

And anything else that you see others having fun shooting.

Marlin is good but a little more difficult to break down for cleaning well than a Ruger 10/22.
check out PA-63 9mm Makarov pistols for a good reliable low-buck SD handgun option. or step up to a Makarov or even better a CZ-82.
IMO every gun 'collection' should have a good .22LR rifle and a 12 or 20 ga shotty even a break-open single shot will do. of course a SXS or repeater is better.

Officers'Wife said:

Well, since the proper use of the word 'Arsenal' is a place where weapons are stored and repaired. A number of locking cabinets, preferably inside a vault. A horizontal milling machine and some sort of lathe as well as a heat treating furnace complete with fume hood. Finally to be truly complete a brick magazine fully stocked with ammunition should be within a short walking distance.

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You beat me to it.

For your arsenal to be "well rounded", I recommend using round walls. Actually, it's a good idea. Nothing can become lost or forgotten in the corner.

Woody

I don't have an arsenal. I own some firearms and I use them for sporting purposes.

What firearms you choose depends on what you want to do with them as you know.

I started out buying strictly for hunting purposes and then it evolved into dedicated self defense firearms, hunting, target, and so forth. But, there is a commonality of purpose which many seem to have when they make their choices. They include:

A 22 rifle; A shotgun; A handgun for self defense; and a center fire rifle for hunting, target shooting, or self defense. More than likely all of these purposes are combined into each choice and the use will vary as your interests change over time. I personally like to have more than a couple 22 rifles and handguns as I like some variety and I enjoy both semi-auto pistols and revolvers in that caliber. The same goes with 22 rifles. But, in my opinion, you start with A single 22 rifle and go from there as your interests build or change as you enjoy the sport or hobby.

If your interests center around hunting, then more than likely you will have a dedicated "deer rifle" and a "varmint rifle". If you hunt dangerous game or are exposed to dangerous game, then you likely will choose something with a bit more power than a rifle or handgun just capable of taking a deer. There is certainly a great deal of overlap between firearm use as you can buy a 375 H&H mag rife and hunt any game in North America with it. But it might be a bit more powerful than is needed or wanted for deer, black bear, or antelope.

So, I agree with your thinking as to what choices to make to build up a number of firearms that are useful for various sporting uses and self defense.

and am unable to get an assault rifle anytime soon

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It really bothers me when we adopt the misleading, emotionally charged rhetoric of the anti-gunners.

Please don't call them "assault rifles" or "assault weapons", or you're just feeding into the negative public perception of guns that look a certain way.

I think what your friend said in the OP will likely be enough for almost any situation you are likely to face. Since you are an individual, your tactics will be different than a squad of men. I strongly suggest you Google and read up on Coopers Scout Rifle concept. There is lots of good thoughts by a guru in the field.

As for caliber in for hunting rifles. I'd suggest either 30-30 (lever actions are very fun), 308, 30-06. Should meet the vast majority of your needs. Of them, I'd say the .308 (or ideally a hunting rifle chamber specifically designed for 7.62x51 would be the best choice only becuase of surplus ammo if things ever got bad.

As for CA, I'm sorry for you. I also happen to live here. There are few choices for what you can get that is legal. I think the best two choices for CA are either the mini-14 or M1A. If I assume you will have a hunting rifle (long range and powerfull), I'd opt for a mini-14 with a 16 to 18" barrel as it's lighter and plenty accurate for defensive situations. Also, if you like accuracy the hunting rifle is likely going to fill that role.

If you have tight budget, I think the four firearms in the OP from your friend is more than adequate.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're a recreational shooter with interest in self defense, but no plans to fight any wars. I'm in the same category.

I went with:

• Ruger 10/22. The classic semi-auto .22 rifle. A joy to shoot, and a great platform for learning basic marksmanship.
• Remington 870. This is the classic 12 gauge shotgun. I keep it in the bedroom closet.
• Springfield XD-M in 9mm. Accurate, rugged, reliable, high-capacity. Mount a light on it, and make it your nightstand gun.
• Sig Mosquito. Scaled-down Sig 226, in .22. Great for inexpensive pistol training. Some models have threaded barrels suitable for a suppresor, if you're into that.
• Ruger Laramie. A cowboy-style revolver in .38 special. Just for fun.
• GSG-5. A semiauto MP5 clone in .22 LR. 20-round banana magazines + red dot sight + rapid-fire accuracy = lots of fun at the range. In 3-5 seconds you can put 20 bullet holes wherever you like, grouped within one coffee-cup diameter. I recall taking this gun to the range and shooting at a "nazi zombie" target. 50 feet, 5 seconds, one zombie with a serious case of bullet acne.

What I'm missing is a large caliber rifle. Since rifle ammunition is expensive, and I'm not interested in hunting, I'm thinking of getting a Marlin lever rifle in either 45 long colt or 38 special/357. I'll pair that purchase with another cowboy-style revolver in the same caliber.

So: you've already got the "tactical"/self defense pistol in a major caliber. I recommend, then, that you get a rifle, a shotgun, and a .22 pistol. In that order. Skip the assault rifle for now. It's illegal for you to own one in CA, they don't suit your needs better than a target/hunting rifle, they're expensive to operate, and they can be unpleasant to shoot. You'll get more enjoyment out of a 10/22.

In live in Ca as well, and a well rounded arsenal does not have to include an assault rifle for my purposes(self defense, range shooting). At HD ranges, a good shotgun is all I need since I live in an apartment. I plink with my 22 rifle but never expect to need that kind of range for SD. If I am out of shotgun range of a bad guy, I need to run away, not scope him in on a high powered rifle.

This makes me wonder, does anyone know the longest range somebody has justifiably killed someone in defense of their life? It seems to me that it would be hard to justify a shot past 30 yards or so.

ryan