I just discovered this thread, and haven't read all the replies yet, so if someone else has pretty much covered the ground I'm about to cover, please excuse me.
My "collection" such as it is, consists of two self-defense handguns, one deer rifle, one pump shotgun with a slug barrel and a 30" full-choke barrel, an SKS (in case a revolution breaks out
), and
most importantly, my ancient, time-honored .22 rifle.
Of all my firearms, the .22 rifle sees the most practical use. I keep it loaded, with a Burnham Brothers varmint light attached to the scope, standing behind my bedroom door, ready for the moment I detect some varmint (four-legged kind) raiding my vegetable garden or one of my 20 assorted tropical fruit trees.
If you get right down to it, the .22 rifle actually earns its keep. Sure, from time to time I take out one of the "safe queens" for a deer hunt, range time, or a session of sporting clays, but that doesn't happen often. As far as my "self defense" handguns go, the odds of me being carjacked or home-invaded are about zero. Those pistols are basically gathering dust (thank God!
)
So, I guess the only firearm I really "need" is my .22 rifle. Raccoons, possums, squirrels, rats, armadillos, and crows are about the only enemies I have who need to be engaged with a firearm.
I
love my sleepy country life!