Are you a specialist or generalist?

[DFW1911]

Okay, these may not be the best terms, but here's how I'm defining them for this post.

A specialist chooses his / her firearm for the activity they'll participate in. For example, if camping maybe the 1911 stays home and the GP100 goes; formal occasions the J frame replaces the Glock 22. The 870 in a certain configuration is ideal for home defense, but an over / under is used to take birds out of the air. Rifles, too, depend on the game.

A generalist carries the same firearm for any activity they'll participate in (if appropriate). If camping, the 1911 goes. If it's a formal event, the 1911 goes. If duck hunting, the same 870 that is used for pheasant or dove is now aimed toward ducks. The 30-06 is really the only rifle for game hunting.

I'm sure you get the idea.

Based on these definitions, I'm a specialist. I change my CCW depending on what I'll be doing and the season. I used camping as an example since I change handguns for that as well. Fowl hunting, I use different shotguns depending on what I'm hunting.

I look forward to your replies - I think this may be interesting.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[Blakenzy]

If it weren't for budget constraints, I think most people would be sub-specialists, right down to blued/stainless....

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I have different firearms I keep on hand for a specific purpose. I have a truck gun, a jeep gun, a quad gun. a camp carbine, a lever action, bolt action with scope, bolt action with sniper sights. You get the idea. I keep handguns and carbines in the same caliber for obvious reasons.

What does that make me? A prepared old man.

 

[owlhoot]

Use the best tool for the job. If you have only a couple of tools, you can still get the job done. It just requires more effort.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, Lets See~!

Guess, I'm a specailist; as a 1911 goes with me on a daily basis; and even
on days that I do "informal shoot'in" with the Ruger Single-Six, or Browning
Buckmark~!

 

[MASTEROFMALICE]

Definitely a specialist.

Example. Last summer my in-laws were having a serious copperhead problem in SC. When I went to visit I carried my normal (for the area), outdoor Blackhawk in .357 since they also have cougars, but I also carried my Encore pistol in .410 with a very fine shot.

If I'm going camping into bear territory I'll bring my .454 revolver.

If I'm CCW I'll usually carry my full-size Kimber unless I need to be more discrete in which case a Beretta 9000 or even a P3AT will come with me.

I've yet to see a handgun than can do all things well. I highly doubt they will ever exist as long as we are limited by the rules or physics imposed by explosions and projectiles.

 

[Chipperman]

I guess by those definitions, I'm a specialist.

I don't use my CCW gun for skeet.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I'm not a specialist.
I'm not a generalist.
I'm an accumulator.

 

[pyle]

I think I'm a "specialist want-to-be" and as my collection grows - I'm becoming more of a real "specialist". However, it seems that finances sometimes dictate that I be a "generalist" to some extent.

I would like to have a gun/caliber for darn near every occasion but it's just not practical at this point in my life. Kids shoes vs. over-under.....

 

[OregonJohnny]

I went from a "Generalist" to a "Specialist" rather quickly. For years, I owned 1 pistol (Ruger P95 9mm), 1 shotgun (Remington 870 Express 12 gauge 28"), and 1 rifle (old single-shot bolt-action .22).

That was enough for me at the time. In the past 3 years, I've aquired about 10 more firearms. Now I have a handgun, rifle, and shotgun for just about every occasion. I'm not quite at the financial level to start collecting "just-because" guns yet, although I do have a few.

 

[Pigspitter]

I'm a specialist. For possums and racoons, I tend to use my lever action .22. While I use my Ruger 10/22 for rabbits and squirrels. I use a M700LTR for deer and coyote's while I use my Mosin Nagant M44 for hogs.

 

[loneviking]

Basically, a generalist. Until two months ago, I only owned one handgun which was a Colt 357---and yes, I can shoot skeet with it!

Rifle? 30-06 Springfield for which ammo can be loaded up or down depending on need.

Shotgun? One Zoli, over/under 12 gauge....firing everything up to and including 00 buck when needed.

This is what I've used for the last 22 years or so.....for what it's worth!

 

[BrianB]

I specialize in that I only own one handgun, one shotgun, and one rifle.

 

[Geronimo45]

Generalist. I do tend to drop a few rounds of snakeshot in the .357 when at home, though.
Considering selling off my AR to contribute to this generalism. Have found that the 12 or 20 gauge shotgun can perform most tasks around here, and do so cheaper. General purpose stuff is nice to have. Simplifies logistics, too. You want to be able to take down the ubiquitous flying purple people eater, chupacabra, and a flock of pigeons? Bring a .45/70, a .223, and a shotgun. Or just a shotgun with slugs, buck, and birdshot. I don't do enough shooting of critters to justify much specialist hardware. I'm not a hunter.

 

[gp911]

Specialist, though I think owlhoot nailed it. I'm working toward being more of a generalist, narrowing my caliber selection (except in shotgun, thanks to NEF) so I only have to buy a few types of ammo in bulk. I can only shoot so much in a session anyway.


gp911

 

[MachIVshooter]

Definitely a Specialist

Winter carry: Witness Compact 10mm

Summer carry: PF-9

Summer carry, shirt tucked: P3at

Formal carry: 84FS Inox/wood, Stainless Target II 10mm, S&W M37

Woods carry: S&W 1006

Small game: Marlin 39, Marlin 81G, Remington 552

Varmints: 700 LVSF .17 Rem, M77MK II .220 Swift, Armalite M-15

Antelope: M77 6mm, 700 BDL .25-06

Deer: 700 BDL .25-06

Elk: 700 BDL .25-06, 700 BDL SS .375 RUM

Anything bigger: 700 BDL .375 RUM

 

[.cheese.]

Specialist for the most part. Although my SHTF collection is meant to be general usage.

 

[jbird714]

Specialist,
Glock 23 in .40 cal for CCW, soon to be replaced by Glock 30 in .45.
Glock 21 for home/vehicle (full size .45 ACP)
These two cover most around town/home needs.
However, camping or other wilderness activities a Glock 20, 10mm, more effective for black bear and cougar than .45 ACP. Also it is built on the same frame as my 21, so no familiarity issues.
Accurized 10/22 for CMP sporter
another accurized 10/22 for local silhouette matches (scoped class)
CZ 452 Trainer for local silhouette ( iron sights)
Browning BL-22 for basic plinking out in the wilds, pretty handy for snake duty.
.223 M77MKII for larger varmints
.17HMR Marlin 917 for smaller/medium varmints
.17HM2 452 American for small game
.308 Rem 700 for medium game

My goal is to have a gun selection like a set of golf clubs, choose the right rifle/pistol for the shot. Just haven't found a caddy that can carry all these .

Jay

 

[graybeard321]

Specialist, unlike gp911 i am attempting ro purchase guns in as many different calibers as I can.
5 22's for plinking
1 25 cal (pocket gun)
1 32
1 38 sp
1 357
45 colt taurus judge - home defense gun keep first 2 chambers loaded with 410 shotgun shells
45 acp
3 9 MM
1 40 cal
41 Mag
44 Mag

hope to pickup 10 mm and 327 mag soon

 

[Ethics]

i like guns...forum gay..need beer

 

[JohnMcD348]

I'm a general Specialist. When I purchase a firearm, I pretty much have always looked for certain types and calibers that would fill a mulititude of rolls that I may want to place them into. I know the Jack of All Trades rule and I am comfortable with that. I'm actually more of the .357/.45, 12ga, .30-06 kinda person.

I'm a simple man with simple tastes. I know I can do just fine with what I have.

 

[Factfind]

Guns and specialization

While I agree that the right tool for the job is a useful concept, I am also reminded of the old saying "Beware the man with one gun"

 

[doc2rn]

One primary FNP 9mm
One back up LCP .380
One do all rifle Rem 700 SPS in .223
One do all shotgun Moss 500

The others are for punching paper.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Judging by the size that my collection is growing and the generally LAX budget constraints that I do have, I would consider myself a specialst, YOU ALL KNOW they make a gun out there for every thing. So why not make sure you have that gun just in case you run into that thing.

 

[The Tourist]

I'm a specialist, no doubt about it. But for their results.

Ballistically, I am of the of the old school. The bullets I use (even in .401) can easily be defined as "the slow speed brick."

As for knives, I will always choose the alloy and design that offers the thinnest, finest, and best polished edge the components can provide.