Collection or Arsenal?

[Paris]

About a week ago a coworker and fellow gun enthusiast accused me of building an arsenal. I never really thought of it that way, I always thought of it more as a "working" collection. I have never paid over $1,000 for a firearm, doubt I ever will. Not knocking people who do, lord knows if I had the money I would. 100% of my guns are "functional" and by no means rare. I guess you could call it both. Another coworker calls my "collection" a traveling circus since I don't stick to a single brand or even style of gun.

****Shotguns:****
Remington 870 12 G
Mossberg 590A1 12 G
Mossberg 183KB .410
Browning Auto-5 12 G


****Rifles:****
DPMS AR15 .223
Colt AR15 5.56
Remington 700 .30-06
Marlin 336 .444
Browning T-Bolt .22 Mag
Ruger 10-22 .22LR


****Pistols:****
Taurus PT1911 .45ACP
RIA GI 1911 .45ACP
S&W SW1911 .45ACP
S&W Sigma .40 S7W
S&W 686 .357 Mag
Walther P22 .22LR
Sig P238 .380 Auto
Beretta 92 Type-M 9MM
Glock 17 9MM
Glock 20 10MM
Kahr MK40 .40 S&W

 

[SWAT1911]

That all? Lol

 

[icanthitabarn]

Nice arsenal.

 

[GI_Jared]

When I think arsenal I think a bunch of the same kind of weapon and lots of ammo. For example, if you had said "I have 50 Colt M4 rifles and 100,000 of 5.66 ammo buried in a conex in my back yard that has a tunnel linked up to my basement" then I would probably say you were building an arsenal.

Which reminds me.... I need to get back to digging that tunnel ;-)

 

[USAF_Vet]

Hey, according to the liberal media, anything over 2 guns is apparently an arsenal.

My measly collection pales in comparison to many here, but in the right eyes, I've got enough power to overthrow a small country.

 

[Bobson]

When I think arsenal I think a bunch of the same kind of weapon and lots of ammo.

Agreed, and even then, I wouldn't say it's wrong to do it.

 

[Lex Luthier]

To me, an arsenal implies that one maintains a substantial ammo inventory for his weapons, in which to use when and where the occasion arises. A collector may not need an ammo inventory.

 

[hq]

About a week ago a coworker and fellow gun enthusiast accused me of building an arsenal.

ACCUSED? I'd take that as a compliment.

That's a nice collection you could build a real arsenal on, by doubling up everything you have and getting at least a few spares. Nothing that doesn't suffice to fully equip a platoon can't be called an arsenal.

 

[P5 Guy]

I always thought that an arsenal was the place firearms are made and repaired. Ammunition is developed and manufactured.
I did live across the Delaware River from the Frankfort Arsenal before it was closed down. Rock Island, and Springfield in Mass. are some of the others I think of when that term is mentioned.
I would say "thank you for the compliment", too.

 

[BLJimmy]

That's a good start!

 

[Weedy]

Quote:
When I think arsenal I think a bunch of the same kind of weapon and lots of ammo.

Agreed, and even then, I wouldn't say it's wrong to do it.

+1.

 

[Isaac-1]

When I think of people with personal arsenals I think of large numbers of matching or nearly matching guns with plenty of ammo to go with them, variety even in the same calibers make it a collection. I personally don't understand the appeal of large numbers of matching guns, sure I have a number of 12 GA shotguns, but no 2 are identical even if they are of the same model family.

 

[Zach S]

Varies wildly. I own four vehicles, and some people would call that a fleet.

Some would say I have an arsenal. Others would say "Nice starter collection."

 

[def4pos8]

You have a "nice starter collection".

A buddy of mine owns several machine guns: Browning M-1917, M-1919, M-60, M-2 and such as that. He also keeps on hand, in "for real", mil-spec storage "igloos", enough ammunition to run each of his guns for one hour.

THAT is an arsenal.

He is also a close friend of the county sheriff and has regular inspections by his municipal fire inspector for proper storage of flammables. The sheriff knows where he can find extra firepower should the need arise.

 

[GI_Jared]

enough ammunition to run each of his guns for one hour

I hope he has spare barrels and assistant gunners stowed away as well

 

[TJ AK-74]

No AK= No Arsenal "Arsenal",to me, is at least 5-10 military-style semi-auto rifles, and min. of 1K rounds per gun.

I have an AK and a few hundred rounds, a .22 rifle, a 12GA, and a couple handguns. You have a nice collection, with all the bases covered and then some. Makes me want to buy more

 

[rcmodel]

21 guns of different makes, models, and calibers is a collection.

21 identical AK-47's, AR-15's, or 870 shotguns is an arsenal.

rc

 

[chhodge69]

"arsenal" is just another biased and inflammatory term used to cast a negative light on perfectly legal activity. You can own as many guns as you want to own. The word "need" does not even enter the discussion.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Arsenal is in the eye's of the beholder.

 

[Archaic]

See my signature for more details.

 

[J-Bar]

If you really really want to put a fine point on it, an arsenal is a facility where weapons are MANUFACTURED; like, nuclear weapons were made at Rocky Flats Arsenal.

An armory is where weapons are stored.

So you can tell your critics that you do not have an arsenal, just an armory.

Yes, I know you sharpies will look these up in your dictionary and say the terms are interchangeable. They are now. The didn't used to be.

 

[Fishslayer]

Yes, I know you sharpies will look these up in your dictionary and say the terms are interchangeable. They are now. The didn't used to be.

Then there's THIS Arsenal. The English footy club..

 

[The-Reaver]

People call mine an arsenal and I'm 5 behind you.... I think it's a personality thing.
I am considered an extremist by fellow gun owners I know.
Though I am not.

It's the beard Its gotta be.

 

[Snowdog]

Seems to me about an average-size collection and certainly not what I'd consider an arsenal.

Personally, I've been called an ammunition hoarder, occasionally even by other firearm enthusiasts. Most recently by a coworker who appeared appalled when he heard I purchase ammo by the case and in a round-about way accuse of driving up the price of ammunition. Though I find such comments at times amusing, it's a bit chafing overall.

I believe in the 90's, Schumer and company attempted to classify an "arsenal" as 20 or more firearms and/or 1,000 rounds of ammunition owned by any lowly commoner/plebeian, requiring registration and fee. So according to Chuck, you indeed have what should be considered an arsenal.

 

[RX-178]

Well heck, you've got more guns than I do. You also have a much more well-rounded collection (since I currently lack any .22lr plinkers, and also lack a bolt action rifle of any kind... but I do have a bolt action shotgun. Figure that one out...)