I was just pondering my own collection of guns and wondered, what are the guns that a well rounded collection must have? A Glock? 1911? AR? Lever gun? 10/22? Any specific models? Not really talking about collectors items, more of a "I like to shoot different guns" kind of collection. Of course this is all subjective, but I was curious. What do you folks think?
The well rounded collection
- Thread starter khari
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Arkansas Paul
Member
I think it's too personal for there to really be a correct answer.
You may look at my collection and see glaring holes whereas I think it to be well rounded. That's because both of us would be right. It may be well rounded for my needs and wants, yet at the same time be nothing like what you need and want it to be.
And that's a good thing.
This is especially true if you're looking at the gun collection as a whole.
If you broke it down, I suppose you could have certain things that had to be there.
If you're a collector of 1911s I would think that the collection wouldn't be complete without a Colt or two.
If you're a collector of double action revolvers I would think Smith and Wesson would have to make a few appearances.
But a collection as a whole? Nah. Too subjective.
You may look at my collection and see glaring holes whereas I think it to be well rounded. That's because both of us would be right. It may be well rounded for my needs and wants, yet at the same time be nothing like what you need and want it to be.
And that's a good thing.
This is especially true if you're looking at the gun collection as a whole.
If you broke it down, I suppose you could have certain things that had to be there.
If you're a collector of 1911s I would think that the collection wouldn't be complete without a Colt or two.
If you're a collector of double action revolvers I would think Smith and Wesson would have to make a few appearances.
But a collection as a whole? Nah. Too subjective.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I don't think there is an answer to that question.
It all depends on what you personally like to handle and shoot.
I could tell you that you simply must have such & such gun in .454 Casull.
But if you have no interest in it, and don't enjoy shooting it??
You don't need it to complete your collection.
Rc
It all depends on what you personally like to handle and shoot.
I could tell you that you simply must have such & such gun in .454 Casull.
But if you have no interest in it, and don't enjoy shooting it??
You don't need it to complete your collection.
Rc
huntsman
Member
Something to kill deer with
Something to kill birds with
Something to protect one's self with
Something to kill birds with
Something to protect one's self with
BSA1
member
Well I happen to have a opinion. If limited to one each;
Shotgun. 12 ga. Pump or Semi-Auto. Two barrels. 18" for self-defense. Long barrel for bird hunting and sport shooting.
Rifles;
22 Long Rifle of your choice. Small game and target shooting.
AR .223 since you like them. Personally it doesn't fit a real need for me.
Lever action rifle. 30-30. Classic deer rifle and pretty good for self-defense. Easy to operate and ammo available anywhere. (My personal choice is the 35 Remington Marlin).
Bolt action. .270 - 30.06. Deer and up to Elk. (Personal choice is Ruger M-77 All-Weather .270. To much Jack O'Conner I guess).
Big bore. 45-70, .338, etc. For Moose and game that get really mad when shot. (Personal choice is 45-70. I have shot buffalo and long range (600 yds.) with it).
Handguns;
22 L.R. of course. Your choice.
Medium frame revolver. 4" barrel. 38 or .357. Classic such as S&W Model 10 or 19 or Ruger. I include single action revolver.
Conceal carry. Your choice according to your needs.
Semi-Auto. Centerfire. Too many to choose from. 9mm is my choice. Ammo is commonly available with lots of good choices.
Big bore revolver. 44 Magnum. 45 Colt in a strong revolver. Handgun hunting.
Oops! Forgot about military surplus. Mosin Nagant in 7.62 x 54r.
Shotgun. 12 ga. Pump or Semi-Auto. Two barrels. 18" for self-defense. Long barrel for bird hunting and sport shooting.
Rifles;
22 Long Rifle of your choice. Small game and target shooting.
AR .223 since you like them. Personally it doesn't fit a real need for me.
Lever action rifle. 30-30. Classic deer rifle and pretty good for self-defense. Easy to operate and ammo available anywhere. (My personal choice is the 35 Remington Marlin).
Bolt action. .270 - 30.06. Deer and up to Elk. (Personal choice is Ruger M-77 All-Weather .270. To much Jack O'Conner I guess).
Big bore. 45-70, .338, etc. For Moose and game that get really mad when shot. (Personal choice is 45-70. I have shot buffalo and long range (600 yds.) with it).
Handguns;
22 L.R. of course. Your choice.
Medium frame revolver. 4" barrel. 38 or .357. Classic such as S&W Model 10 or 19 or Ruger. I include single action revolver.
Conceal carry. Your choice according to your needs.
Semi-Auto. Centerfire. Too many to choose from. 9mm is my choice. Ammo is commonly available with lots of good choices.
Big bore revolver. 44 Magnum. 45 Colt in a strong revolver. Handgun hunting.
Oops! Forgot about military surplus. Mosin Nagant in 7.62 x 54r.
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Sunray
Member
"I like to shoot different guns" can mean the actual firearm or the cartridge. Keeping in mind ones budget and the availability and cost of ammo. However, as mentioned, there is no one 'must have'.
A bunch of currently available commercial firearms isn't really a collection though. It's 'your stuff' that will very likely never increase in value. Still cost you more to replace should you become the victim of a crime or tragedy.
A bunch of currently available commercial firearms isn't really a collection though. It's 'your stuff' that will very likely never increase in value. Still cost you more to replace should you become the victim of a crime or tragedy.
GBExpat
Member
I try to acquire whatever appeals to me ... within reason. Actually, I am more of an Accumulator than a Collector.
If I have a desire to own a particular type of (usually milsurp) firearm (and if I own it I shoot it), I try to locate one (or more) at a price that I am willing to pay.
I do not bother with "logical groupings".
I have just about decided that Market Value of the G/K43s has permanently passed (now by a LARGE margin) what I am willing to pay for one ... and I would reeeeally like to have a G/K43. Life.
patmccoy
Member
My JC Higgins 12ga from 1962 takes care of all that. Guess i need to sell 20+ other.
ConstitutionCowboy
member
In my opinion, not less than two guns in each category in every caliber you prefer.
The caliber choices, of course, are yours.
Not less than 1000 rounds in each caliber above 22 rimfire. Not less that 10,000 rounds 22 rimfire or smaller.
I am not fully well rounded yet. Your wishes and needs may vary.
Woody
The caliber choices, of course, are yours.
Not less than 1000 rounds in each caliber above 22 rimfire. Not less that 10,000 rounds 22 rimfire or smaller.
I am not fully well rounded yet. Your wishes and needs may vary.
Woody
BSA1
member
ConstitutionCowboy,
I agree with your idea of two guns in every category & caliber although I feel well served with one each in rifles.
I agree with your idea of two guns in every category & caliber although I feel well served with one each in rifles.
oneounceload
member
Sorry, Jack would have opted for a pre-64 Win 70
Well rounded would mean rifles handguns and shotguns
Bolt, single and semi rifles, revolver and semi handguns, SxS and O/U and semi shotguns; pump if you really think it is worthwhile ( I do not and I own one that sits in a closet)
huntsman
Member
yeah but I bet you can't get that Higgins in your pocket
Lord Teapot
Member
no idea
i just buy things i want
my gun collection is more of a hoard
i just buy things i want
my gun collection is more of a hoard
red rick
Member
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For me : AR15 , bolt action rifle 30.06 , .22 cal. rifle , 12ga. & 20ga. shotguns , 1911 govt. , polymer double stack pistol , slim single stack pistol , .44 mag. , .357 mag. , .22 cal. revolvers , SAA .45 revolver , snub nose hammerless revolver , muzzleloader rifle and cap & ball revolver .
A revolver, a semi auto pistol, a bolt gun, a lever action, a semi auto rifle, a single shot, a .22 LR, a double barrel and a pump. Now that's well rounded.
What variety they are doesn't matter.
I shot a .223 AR, a .45 Colt revolver, and a 12 gauge today. Fairly well rounded.
What variety they are doesn't matter.
lol, I like it.
I shot a .223 AR, a .45 Colt revolver, and a 12 gauge today. Fairly well rounded.
il.bill
Member
You list several good choices. The one obvious addition to an "I like to shoot different guns" collection is a K-frame S&W Revolver - hard to go wrong with a nice Model 10.
Sheepdog1968
Member
This plus something to plink.
JTHunter
Member
Khari - as Arkansas Paul said, "It's a personal thing."
That being said, what I own may give you some insight.
LONG GUNS
Two 12 gauge shotguns, a pump-action and a side-by-side with double triggers (both barrels can be fired at the same time!!).
Three .22 cal rifles - two in LR and one in Magnum. The Magnum and one LR are bolt-action and the other LR is a semi-auto (Ruger 10/22).
An AK in 7.62x39, a .243 bolt-action hunting rifle, and a lever-action in .38 Special/.357 Magnum.
HANDGUNS
A .22 cal. Ruger single action revolver with 2 cylinders - .22 S/L/LR and .22 Magnum.
A Keltec PMR-30 semi-auto pistol in .22 Magnum.
A .25 cal ACP, a .32 cal ACP, a .380 cal ACP, a .357 Magnum revolver and a .32-20 revolver (inherited & not used - hard to find ammo).
As you can see, there are some "cross-overs" where 1 or 2 ammos can be used in multiple guns.
The .22 LR can be used in 2 rifles and one handgun. That same handgun, plus another handgun and one rifle use the .22 Magnum.
One handgun and one rifle can use either .38 Special OR .357 Magnum. This cuts down on the different types of ammo I need to keep on hand.
I also have an elderly relative that has a .22 cal semi-auto rifle and a .38 Special revolver that I may yet inherit, adding to the above "collection".
That being said, what I own may give you some insight.
LONG GUNS
Two 12 gauge shotguns, a pump-action and a side-by-side with double triggers (both barrels can be fired at the same time!!).
Three .22 cal rifles - two in LR and one in Magnum. The Magnum and one LR are bolt-action and the other LR is a semi-auto (Ruger 10/22).
An AK in 7.62x39, a .243 bolt-action hunting rifle, and a lever-action in .38 Special/.357 Magnum.
HANDGUNS
A .22 cal. Ruger single action revolver with 2 cylinders - .22 S/L/LR and .22 Magnum.
A Keltec PMR-30 semi-auto pistol in .22 Magnum.
A .25 cal ACP, a .32 cal ACP, a .380 cal ACP, a .357 Magnum revolver and a .32-20 revolver (inherited & not used - hard to find ammo).
As you can see, there are some "cross-overs" where 1 or 2 ammos can be used in multiple guns.
The .22 LR can be used in 2 rifles and one handgun. That same handgun, plus another handgun and one rifle use the .22 Magnum.
One handgun and one rifle can use either .38 Special OR .357 Magnum. This cuts down on the different types of ammo I need to keep on hand.
I also have an elderly relative that has a .22 cal semi-auto rifle and a .38 Special revolver that I may yet inherit, adding to the above "collection".
1911 guy
Member
In my opinion, collecting guns is so varied that there is no single answer. Do you want a basic utilitarian collection? A shotgun, centerfire rifle, rimfire rifle and a handgun will cover that.
However, there are fr more options. At one time, i owned only guns that were unusual for some reason. Either they were uncommon models or had some feature that made them distinctive. Probably my most unusual was a FP-45 Liberator.
You can collect every variation of a favorite firearm. Just picking the common Remington 700, there are the ADL, BDL, CDL, Safari, SPS, Tactical, R-5 and I'm sure more variations. Start figuring in caliber variations, special editions, wildcats, etc., you could have a very large number of remington 700 rifles, none of them identical.
Others opt for a collection that features a good example of every major action type. Revolver and autoloader for handguns, bolt action, falling block, autoloader, break-top lever action, etc for rifles. Single shot, pump and autoloader for shotguns. There are more types, even.
Other people collect only certain action type from certain manufacturers. I have a friend who collect only Winchester lever actions.
I don't have a "collection" anymore. I have a bunch of guns that fill roles, whether that is defensive or target shooting and a lot of stuff in between. A proper "collection:, though, should have a common theme. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with just having some guns you like or have use for.
However, there are fr more options. At one time, i owned only guns that were unusual for some reason. Either they were uncommon models or had some feature that made them distinctive. Probably my most unusual was a FP-45 Liberator.
You can collect every variation of a favorite firearm. Just picking the common Remington 700, there are the ADL, BDL, CDL, Safari, SPS, Tactical, R-5 and I'm sure more variations. Start figuring in caliber variations, special editions, wildcats, etc., you could have a very large number of remington 700 rifles, none of them identical.
Others opt for a collection that features a good example of every major action type. Revolver and autoloader for handguns, bolt action, falling block, autoloader, break-top lever action, etc for rifles. Single shot, pump and autoloader for shotguns. There are more types, even.
Other people collect only certain action type from certain manufacturers. I have a friend who collect only Winchester lever actions.
I don't have a "collection" anymore. I have a bunch of guns that fill roles, whether that is defensive or target shooting and a lot of stuff in between. A proper "collection:, though, should have a common theme. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with just having some guns you like or have use for.
OptimusPrime
Member
Every time I'm doing a project, I try to buy "the tool" that allows me to finish that job properly and it is easy to convince my wife of that need. Over the years I've built up a nice selection of tools and I can accomplish pretty much anything that comes up. And my wife is happy. If I tried to buy a superfluous tool, my wife would not be happy, so I stick with filling my needs slowly over time and small bites.
Same with guns.
That said, well-rounded to me equals at least 1 handgun for everyone in the house, shotguns for birds, rifles for deer, .22s for varmints/plinking, and something dedicated for home defense. Everything after that is well-earned gravy.
Same with guns.
That said, well-rounded to me equals at least 1 handgun for everyone in the house, shotguns for birds, rifles for deer, .22s for varmints/plinking, and something dedicated for home defense. Everything after that is well-earned gravy.
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bannockburn
Member
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I would start from the premise that a "well rounded" collection would include at least one or more rifle, shotgun, and handgun; in your choice of action, caliber, and/or barrel length. I could see having a .22 rifle, a bolt or lever action rifle, a semi-auto rifle, a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge shotgun, a .22 handgun, a small .38 Special revolver or a .32 or .380 pistol, a .357 revolver, a 9mm semi-auto, and a .45 semi-auto. You could cover a lot of bases with 10 firearms such as these and would have a pretty decent collection.
hamp sandwich
Member
Centerfire Rifles, 1 each: bolt action, semi auto, lever action.
Centerfire pistols, 1 each: revolver, semi auto.
Rimfire rifles, 1 each: bolt action, semi auto.
Rimfire pistols, 1 each: revolver, semi auto.
Shotgun, 1 each: pump, semi auto, double barrel (sxs or o/u.
I would think of that as an average "well rounded" collection, but it's really about individual needs/desires. I'll be perfectly honest, I don't have all of what I listed above, and I don't expect to. I have what fits my needs, and most of my wants.
Centerfire pistols, 1 each: revolver, semi auto.
Rimfire rifles, 1 each: bolt action, semi auto.
Rimfire pistols, 1 each: revolver, semi auto.
Shotgun, 1 each: pump, semi auto, double barrel (sxs or o/u.
I would think of that as an average "well rounded" collection, but it's really about individual needs/desires. I'll be perfectly honest, I don't have all of what I listed above, and I don't expect to. I have what fits my needs, and most of my wants.
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