A "If you could only have 9 guns" thread, need well rounded collection

[mosttoyswins]

After attending the local gun show today I came to the realization that I tend to be a little too spontaneous with my gun purchases and need to start buying guns to fill "niches" in my arsenal instead of just emotionally buying guns because they are "a good deal" or "cool" or "I have always wanted one of those!".

Sooooo...I decided to step back, look at what I have and adjust what I am going to sell as well as buy in the future in order to have a small but well rounded collection of firearms that I will use on a regular basis.

Right now I have...

1. Glock G26 9mm
2. CZ 2075 Rami 9mm
3. S&W Model 60 .38sp.
4. Ruger GP100 .357
5. Sig P226 9mm
6. Para P10.40 (SOLD)

I sold the Para today at the show and I want to limit my semi-auto calibers to 9mm and .45 and revolver caliber to .357 for personal preference.

Here is where I want some opinions...

I want my future aresenal to have the following...(Guns I own in parenthesis)

1. subcompact 9mm semi-auto for carry (keep the G26 or CZ RAMI)
2. fullsize .45
3. fullsize 9mm (Sig P226)
4. Snub nose revolver for carry (S&W Model 60 .38sp)
5. fullsize revolver for small game hunting, HD (Ruger GP100)
6. Shotgun for HD, dove, quail hunting
7. AR15
8. .22 semi-auto for cheap practice and plinking
9. Lever action rifle for HD, deer hunting, plinking

I already have some of my needs filled so I need advice on what I don't have and what I should trade or sell.

If you think any of the current guns I have should be traded for something else in the same category, please give your suggestions!

Have fun with this and help me out in the process!

 

[Marshall]

Keep the Glock 26 and pitch (trade) the Rami.

Might consider a BAR instead of an AR? Not saying you should, I can see positives both ways, just a thought.

The rest sounds well thought out.

 

[hillbilly]

You can "get it done" for fewer than 9 even.

I'd say that you'd "need" the following:

1. Small pistol for carry.

2. Bigger pistol for use in the home or as a "car gun."

3. A shotgun like a Rem 870 (you can swap barrels in about 30 seconds. Long barrel for hunting. Short barrel for home defense use).

4. A rifle.

If you want to get down to brass tacks with the rifle, I'd say get one semi-auto, magazine-fed rifle for up close, and a bolt-action, scoped rifle for waaaaay out there.

That's only five.

hillbilly

 

[10-Ring]

Collections are personal...you may prefer all steel guns made in America, or prefer Cowyboy guns, or Mil Surp guns...up to you. That said, I like this thread because you're not limited to just one favorite in an attempt to have a "well rounded collection".
That said, take a look at the 1911 in 45 acp. Start w/ a GI gun and evolve from there. Then maybe a poly gun to represent the apparent wave of the future. For long guns - a nice bolt action in 300 win mag, M1A & or a M1 Garand and maybe an AR of some flavor.
But, like I said, your collection should represent what you like & what you will shoot on a regular basis.
Good luck on your quest!

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Easy.

Everyone needs:

1. A no-frills, reliable pistol in a common caliber. G17, M92, 1911, take your pick.
2. A compact, easily concealable pistol for carry.
3. Number three is always the shotgun. Didn't you play Doom?
4. An intermediate, "assault" sort of rifle such as an AK, AR, FAL, take your pick (again).
5. A pistol caliber SMG.
6. A rifle caliber select fire.
7. A revlover, preferably in a manly cartridge like .44 mag, .454, .480 Ruger, whatever floats your boat.
8. A .22. Lever action, semi, or bolt, it doesn't matter.
9. A long range rifle, preferably in a suitably long-range-riflish caliber (e.g. not what one of your intermediate rifles takes). 7mm mag, .30-06, .50, choice is yours.

Pressing zero, of course, calls up the chain saw.

 

[DRMMR02]

I intend on purchasing at least

Walther P99 9mm(already have)
Walther P22 .22(already have)
Remington 870 12ga tacticool(already have)
SIG P228 in 40SW
Beretta 92fs 9mm
Ruger P345 .45
AR-15 carbine .223
a 1911 of some sort .45
Some snubbie .38

I would say that rounds out my tastes and needs pretty well. I'm not a big fan of revolvers and I don't hunt, so I don't need a big wood-stock hunting rifle. The AR and 870 fulfill my long gun needs and desires well. The P99, the Ruger, and the SIG will be carry weapons. The Beretta is because I'm gonna be using it in the military so I figure I should own one as well. The snubbie is for backup or really-concealed carry and the P22 is for plinking. And of course every American over 18 years of age should own a 1911.

And if it was legal I would swap either the SIG or the Beretta for an HK MP5.

 

[jamz]

No BFG?

 

[CSA 357]

glock 18

 

[DRMMR02]

Nah. I live in the city and wouldn't have either the time, location, or money to buy and operate one. I'll stick to mostly handguns and a couple long guns.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Me?

1. S&W 629 Classic 5" .44 Magnum
2. S&W 629 Trail Boss 3" .44 Magnum
3. Detonics Scoremaster Tactical .45
4. Detonics Combat Master .45
5. Custom M14-type carbine on JAE stock .308
6. Remington 870 Shotgun 18" 12 gauge
7. Marlin 1895 Guide Gun Stainless .5-70
8. Browning Buckmark .22LR
9. Fulton Armory M1 Garand .308

I'd have suppressors in .308, .22LR, and .45.

This list is subject to significant change depending on my mood and the time of day.

 

[carterbeauford]

I could survive with only:

SIG 556
Springfield M1
Remington 870 in 18.5"
Remington 870 in 26"
SIG P220ST

 

[Will Learn]

No FAL Nightcrawler?

 

[Nightcrawler]

No FAL Nightcrawler?

I'm not speaking to my FAL right now. It embarrassed me at the big shoot by being non-operational.

Current theory is that the new carbine barrel doesn't have the gas port drilled out properly to ensure functioning. Working on rectifying this, but until it's reliable again, my carbine is offa da list.

You cannot imagine my frustration at having a rifle that was as close to 100% reliable as any rifle I've ever owned to having a rifle that can't get through a magazine without a stovepipe. Before the new barrel, I'd never had a failure to eject/stovepipe/whatever. EVER. The only stoppages I'd ever experienced were due to magazines that needed breaking in and when switching ammunition (needing to adjust the gas system). Right now my FAL is so unreliable that I consider it non-functional.

If this situation is ameliorated, the FAL will be back on the list.

 

['Card]

One of my best purchases (and something I think everyone should have in their collection) is a good .22 pistol of some sort.

I bought a Ruger 22/45, and I don't shoot it much - but it's seen a ton of use because it's the best thing in the world for training a new pistol shooter.

 

[Farnham]

1. Ruger 22/45
2. Ruger 10/22
3. Glock 26 (carry)
4. Glock 17 (competition)
5. Kimber Custom II (competition)
6. Remington 870
7. RRA CAR-15
8. Springfield Armory M1A
9. Savage 10FP .308

I could live with those nine. I prefer to live with those nine and another nine and another...but I could live with those nine. Probably could live with four of them, but WHY?

S/F

Farnham

 

[FrogClan]

What? No single-action (cowboy style) revolver on the list?

6. Shotgun for HD, dove, quail hunting --- a Remington 870 with a 26" remchoke barrel for hunting and an 18" fixed choke barrel (imp cyl or mod) and extended mag tube for HD

8. .22 semi-auto --- Ruger 10/22

9. Lever action rifle for HD, deer hunting, plinking --- go with the 30-30 of your choice and work on getting short range shots on the deer... I like Marlin or Winchester

 

[Plumber576]

1. subcompact 9mm semi-auto for carry HK P7
2. fullsize .45 I would say Hk USP or a nice 1911, possibly a Yost Modded springfied
3. fullsize 9mm A sig 226, which you have, is a great 9mm, my personal favorite.
4. Snub nose revolver for carry (S&W Model 60 .38sp) Sounds good to me
5. fullsize revolver for small game hunting, HD (Ruger GP100) Even less of an idea
6. Shotgun for HD, dove, quail hunting I would say 870, all around great, or possibly a Benelli M2
7. AR15 Go with a standard A2 style AR, so you have it for all around, but could I possibly suggest something like a Springer M1?
8. .22 semi-auto for cheap practice and plinking Ruger 10/22 hands down
9. Lever action rifle for HD, deer hunting, plinking No clue

 

[W Turner]

Depends on your purpose for the collection....but I tend to prefer versatile calibers in mostly mainstream guns....

My "ideal" 9 would be....

1. 1911 in .45acp with a Marvel .22 conversion unit (yeah, I know it's kind of cheating)
2. sub-compact 9mm of some sort (Glock 26, Kel-Tec P11, CZ RAMI)
3. alloy j-frame in .38spl.
4. 4" barreled .357 revolver, probably the Ruger GP-100 I already own
5. Glock 20 in 10mm (IMO, the most versatile handgun out there due to capacity over the .357)
6. .22LR rifle of some sort. Make mine a CZ 452 trainer
7. Sig 552
8. S/A Loaded M1A
9. 12ga. pumpgun with a rifle-sighted smooth bore barrel of about 20" and threaded for choke tubes.

You can do anything you need to with this array of arms and still leave room for some specialization.

Sad thing is that I only own 4 out of the 9 right now...

W

 

[mrsig]

If it had to be nine, I would likely do the following:

.22 Rifle (Ruger 10-22)
.22 Pistol (Walther P22)
Battle Carbine (AR-15)
.223 Bolt Rifle
Battle Rifle (M1A)
.308 Bolt Rifle
Large Frame .45 (Sig P-220)
Small Frame .45
Shotgun (Remington 870)

It covers all of the bases, but 10 or 11 or ... would be more fun.

- Sig

 

[Radagast]

I'll play:

S&W 60 for pocket carry. I know the 640 is easier to draw & shoot, but I
enjoyed the 60 more.

S&W model 66, four inch barrel. What can I say, it's what a gun should be. Usefull for hunting, self defence, ICORE & even silhouette. yes I can hit the 100 metre targets, better han 50% of the time.

STI Legacy in .45 acp. Every man should own a .45 1911, the legacy is the one that creates lust in me. A Marvel 22 conversion unit for accurate no recoil practise.

Beretta 92FS fitted with factory D spring for a better trigger and a factory .22 conversion unit for practise. I've got this one. Good for self defence of IPSC production division.

Glock 17. I don't use it that much anymore, but I'm not giving it up! Heinie sights, reduced power connector.

Benelli M1. Ideal for IPSC shotgun or for when the zombies come. Can be used for casual clays or hunting as well.

CZ452 in 22 magnum. Light varmint gun. As accurate as I can shoot, never fails to go bang. When I was down to one gun, this was it. A 3-9 power scope to bring out it's best.

Howa stainless in .243. Cheap, accurate, reliable, smooth action and a synthetic stock. A gun I wouldn't worry about bashing around in scrub or the back of a truck. Suitable for any game I'm likely to run into.

Rock River arms AR 15 .223, 20 inch barrel, Eo-tech sights. IPSC rifle, service rifle, and for when Martians attack.

I'd also like:

A six inch S&W 686 seen shooter with moonclips.

Alexander arms AR15 in 6.5mm grendel.

Stainless Marlin 336 n 30-30.

CZ542 in 22LR.

 

[12GA00buck]

1. .22 mossberg plinkster rifle for small game, target practice
2. 12 GA Mossberg pump, 18.5in barrel for HD/bear defense, 28inch for everything else.
3. 30-06 savage 110, synthetic stock, bolt action, 3 by 9 decent quality scope.
4. .357 Taurus 7 shot snub nose revolver, 28oz steel frame, not the ultra light aluminum ones, as the recoil of the .357 makes them unpleasant to shoot.

That about covers all my needs, but if I got to choose 9, I could certainly fill some niches.

5. .454 casull, 6inch barrel, heavy steel frame, big game hunting, and when I don’t feel like carrying a 12GA for bear defense

6. 45/70 marlin lever action, brush hunting

7. .45XD, I just plain want one

8. .35 Whelen, 8 pound laminate stock, bolt action, brown bear/moose in open terrain

9. AR platform rifle, chambered for 6.5 Swede (I really don’t care for the .223), Light mountain rifle, varmints

 

[AStone]

I'm pretty much in agreement with Hillbilly (post #3), as long as I can have multiple barrels for my 870 (shorter one for HD, longer for bird hunting).

The only place I differ is that I would prefer two rifles (for a total of 6 firearms): one .22LR (for me, it's a CZ 452, for small game), and one centerfire (for me, it will be a Marlin levergun for general utility rifle (deer, longer defense, etc).

Add those to my two handguns (one small for carry, one larger for home), and I'm happy.

If I lived in an area where there was a mixture of dense forest and open plains (e.g., near the crest of the Cascades or Sierras: on the west is dense forest, on the east is desert), I might consider adding a second centerfire rifle (like .308 or 7mm08) for longer shots. That'd give me a total of 7.

But even with six, I'd feel like I'm covered nicely.

 

[PythonFan]

My 9:
1) 9mm Bottom Feeder (CZ75 w/ .22 Kadet Kit so you get 2 for 1)
2) .357 Revolver 4" (Colt Python, Ruger GP100, SW 66/586/686/19)
3) .44 Mag Revolver 6"(SW 29/629)
4) 10 mm Auto (Glock 20 or 29)
5) .357 Snubbie (Ruger SP101)
6) Rem 870 with long and short barrels
7) AR15 .223
8) Pistol Caliber Carbine (either mag fed 9mm or lever action .357/.44 mag)
9) 30.06 or .308 high power bolt action rifle

 

[Run&Shoot]

I think I would put a little more emphasis on the rifles and cut back on the handguns.

Handguns
* pocket revolver (S&W 60 .38)
* Full size auto (P226 9mm) - mainly home and heavy duty HD
* Second auto (maybe a compact like a P229/P245 or G19/23/30, or count your G26 here)

Shotgun
* Rem 870 (or similar) with multiple barrels

Rifles
* AR15
* Bolt action, scoped hunting rilfe (Rem 700, Ruger 77, Savage 110, etc.) in .308 or .30-06
* Either a second AR, M1A/FAL, or the lever action you mention

.22 firearm
* Any decent rifle or handgun such as the Ruger 10/22 or Mk III, or Marlin 60, Buckmark, etc.

That's eight firearms. If you really want another to make nine then you can have the GP100, or a .45 such as a 1911, a second .22 (a rifle if you already have a pistol, or vice cersa), or a fourth rifle from the list mentioned in the third rifle options.

My list would probably be something like:
* S&W 642 .38
* G23 with extra 9mm barrel
* 1911 .45 with .22 conversion
* Rem 870 Marine Magnum with extra 26" barrel
* M1 Garand
* Rem 700 stainless .30-06
* AR15 x 2
* Marlin 60 .22

 

[evan price]

1. Big DA revolver, .44 mag or .357 mag minimum, stainless
2. SIG 9mm semi, compact (P239 to be exact) for CCW
3. Glock .45 or XD .45
4. .22 pistol for plinking
5. Mossberg 12-ga shotgun with long & short barrels, and pistol grip/standard buttstocks. Can be 4 different guns at any time!
6. HK UMP submachine gun in .45acp
7. PARA FAL rifle
8. .22LR bolt rifle with a good scope
9. Nice old milsurp bolt rifle, very accurate, like a Swedish 6.5x55 mauser. Or a Swiss K31, or a Garand, or something like that. Accurate to LOOONG ranges and built to last forever with nice wood and blued steel... beautiful to look at, and to shoot.