How Many Guns Are Enough ?

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I am perfectly content with a semi-auto handgun, a revolver handgun, a semi-auto rimfire handgun, a bolt action rifle, a semi-auto rifle, a rimfire rifle, and a shotgun. So for me the perfect number is 7.
 
"How many guns are enough?"

I once met a man who owned 1200 fine English shotguns along with his father. That number didn't include his grandmother's collection.

I'll tell you one thing, when you buy a boat it'll put a dent in your gun buying for a bit. I bought my first boat this year and it was only a little one. :)
 
My uncle called yesterday. He bought 3 more rifles and wanted some info. He said, "I know I should be letting some go and not buying but..." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

:)

He's 82.
 
How many firearms are enough is totally depandant on how you use firearms. If you never shoot or seldom shoot and only concerned about home defense, one is probably enough. Some would say several for that purpose. I have no argument with that.

I haven't figured out just how many are enough, but I will say that I have all I need, but not all that I want. Needs change as do wants. Who knows what shiny new gun may attract me and have me pulling out my wallet.

I desire a new 22 mag rifle. But I already own a 22 mag rifle. That's a want.
I'd like a DA 22 revolver, but I already own a DA 22 revolver. Another want....
I'd like a new Anshutz 22 rifle, but I already own a bolt action 22 rifle. Another want.... I can keep this up for a long time.
 
If you can explain a reasonable way of interesting a single but very young son to meet me at the range or river to shoot guns on a regular basis, this question will be answered.

He lives twenty min. away, is twenty five years old and seems to like plinking, but has done it only about four times. He started college about the time my interest was sparked, and always stayed with his Mom when he was back in town (we divorced long before that).

A small fraction of the guns I own (all are duplicates, and milsurp rifles) along with some of the ammo, were acquired just in case he develops an interest one day when these could be too expensive for him to afford 'to operate'.
 
Ignition Override said:
If you can explain a reasonable way of interesting a single but very young son to meet me at the range or river to shoot guns on a regular basis, this question will be answered.

He lives twenty min. away, is twenty five years old and seems to like plinking, but has done it only about four times. He started college about the time my interest was sparked, and always stayed with his Mom when he was back in town (we divorced long before that).

A small fraction of the guns I own (all are duplicates, and milsurp rifles) along with some of the ammo, were acquired just in case he develops an interest one day when these could be too expensive for him to afford 'to operate'.
Click to expand...
That kind of sounds like my son ...
I've come to the conclusion that he "likes" it to the extent that it humors me ... He always seems to enjoy himself but at that age he rarely made time for it. Now he has a wife, a house and has blessed us with 2 beautiful grand daughters and now he really has no time ... having "been there, done that, I can understand a little. You make time for what's important to you.
 
After 7 pages , in a thread, about a question that has been asked countless times, it's pretty safe to assume that I agree with someone's answer on here.:p
 
Trent said:
^^ This.

I take a quarterly inventory, and try to give everything a good teardown and cleaning once a year (at least). But it's quite a task.

I *quit* buying guns because I didn't feel like taking on "more work." The way I see it, those 3-4 days a year I spend cleaning guns I haven't shot again in the last year, takes away from 3-4 days I could be out shooting. :)

The last few years I've been "downsizing" my collection. Selling off cheaper/more common firearms I haven't shot in 5+ years to buy "higher class" (rare) stuff. If I'm going to own something to appreciate, and not shoot, I feel it needs to have a certain rarity. That way when I take it out of the safe to clean each year it's not so much of a chore, but a "re-acquaintance with the beauty of the action"....
Click to expand...


Great perspective!
 
Plinking With My Boy

Ignition Override said:
If you can explain a reasonable way of interesting a single but very young son to meet me at the range or river to shoot guns on a regular basis, this question will be answered.

He lives twenty min. away, is twenty five years old and seems to like plinking, but has done it only about four times. He started college about the time my interest was sparked, and always stayed with his Mom when he was back in town (we divorced long before that).

A small fraction of the guns I own (all are duplicates, and milsurp rifles) along with some of the ammo, were acquired just in case he develops an interest one day when these could be too expensive for him to afford 'to operate'.
Click to expand...
I see a father who wants to have a close relationship with his son, but many factors may be interfering with this happening. If we take the time to look back, past history may be a good teacher.

Not knowing any more than is in the posting, I'm not qualified to give further advise, but I wish you both good fortune. (I don't believe in dumb luck).

You were there and know at least some of what happened. Think, remember, and listen to him. What does he want ?

I'd be the first to say, "Let's go plinking". I enjoy it myself, and would want him to do so as well.

Plinking (slow and easy with a .22) is a good start. But, first of all, do something simple as, go for a coffee or soda, or some other place that he likes. And be all ears and "listen to him". Let him know his ideas are valued by you.

Then " y'all go shootin' " ! ><>:)
 
When I was 12 years old I purchased/received the then new 1957 shooters bible. I studied all the firearms in it for several years. I had favorites like the Model 27 S&W, The Model 41 S&W .22lr. Those were some of my first purchases when I received my pistol permit.

That was only the seed. Now and then I still find one I need.
 
I have a handful and I've decided that I have enough for now. If I were to move to Alaska or something I'd probably get a couple more big bore firearms but as long as I'm here in the lower 48 I don't need any more.
 
22-rimfire said:
How many firearms are enough is totally depandant on how you use firearms. If you never shoot or seldom shoot and only concerned about home defense, one is probably enough. Some would say several for that purpose. I have no argument with that.
Click to expand...

I think that's too utilitarian. I know lot of folks that seldom shoot (or even have time to get to the range), but are avid collectors of firearms. How many is enough? don't know.

But too many is when acquiring firearms starts to cut into budgets and other meaningful activities. Balance in all things ...
 
Enough or Too Many ?

wojownik said:
I think that's too utilitarian. I know lot of folks that seldom shoot (or even have time to get to the range), but are avid collectors of firearms. How many is enough? don't know.

But too many is when acquiring firearms starts to cut into budgets and other meaningful activities. Balance in all things ...
Click to expand...
Perhaps, up to, "Excess, within control,........."?:cool:
 
I don't know how many is enough because I am always looking for something new and exciting.
 
I'm set with the semi-auto handguns I have, no interest in any others. But I'm finding you can't have enough revolvers.
 
Look at the cartridges. A 22LR can bag dinner for two to four, on up to something like a 45-70 able to bag a couple hundred plus pounds of meat.

(The thought of that makes me hungry.)

So, consider your long-term grocery list when you plan your arms and ammo hoard. I have enough to out live me and my family. I'm thinking on maybe storing up enough to share as well...

Woody
 
When you can walk into a well-stocked gun store, or view the Bud's gun warehouse website and not see anything you want. That's when you know you have enough.
 
I don't know the answer to that, and that's because it's purely dependent on one's personal desire and finances, certainly not that of a government or law enforcement entity.

But if I could afford it, I would have no less than one of everything x 10, because it's my legal right.

GS
 
I'd say at least 2 for pure, basic self-defense purposes. One primary carry handgun and another back-up or secondary carry gun; just in case the first one gets taken by law enforcement after a situation or it gets lost or something.

For more serious firearms owners and shooters who want the bare essentials of firearms ownership, I guess you could up the number to 5: This would include the 2 previously mentioned handguns, one all around rifle, another all around shotgun and a .22 caliber pistol or rifle.
 
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