How do you prioritize your gun purchases?

[Driftertank]

Had a .22 when i was a teenager (think every decently adjusted kid should), but on moving out on my own, i decided i needed something more powerful. Got a Rem 870 Express Magnum Security. Couple years later, wanted something with a bit more range. Got a Mosin M44 carbine for $79. Little later, wanted something with better follow-up ability. Got a Norinco SKS at a local pawn shop. After being randomly assaulted outside a fast-food restaurant, and having wanted a 1911 since i was a kid, i decided it was time to get something to carry. Saved my pennies and used my tax return to buy my Kimber Stainless TLE II. Ultimately decided i wanted a spare-no-expense do-all rifle that could take any game animal in north america, deliver accurate aimed fire out to 800 yds, and have sufficient ammo capacity for a firefight...whether i ever need it or not. So again, saved pennies and tax return, PTR-91F. Then i picked up a "Walther" P22, because 45's are getting expensive to shoot and i wanted a backup/hideaway gun.

 

[Zach S]

Most of mine were impulse buys when I was young, single, had no kids, and plenty of disposable income. If I liked it, and had the money, I bought it. I think I made good choices, as I still own most of them.

Several years later, purchases are more budget oriented, but not cheap as in hi-points and rossis. The last gun I bought was a 9mm 1911, its my preferred platform in a centerfire caliber I can afford to shoot more often. My next gun may be an AR15 in 5.45 for the same reason.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Like many, my family doesn't have the ability to buy for fun very often. But, I was also fortunate enough to have a few guns given to me, from which I could start. I was given, by my Father, a Ruger 10/22 when I turned 18, a Norinco SKS by a friend when I got married, and a Ruger Old Army by the same friend when I turned 21.

Every purchase/trade I make has the primary goal of fulfilling what I deem to be my greatest need. Yes, that is very subjective; it's up to every person to determine. For me, needs are, in order:

1) Something my wife will carry with her everywhere.
2) Something I will carry with me everywhere.
3) A "battle-type rifle"* that my wife can and will use.
4) A "battle-type rifle"* that I can and will use.
5) A primary carry gun for my wife.
6) A primary carry gun for me.
7) A longer-range hunting-type rifle.

*For "battle-type rifle", I refer to a "go-to" gun for anything from plinking to worst-case scenario situations. Anything semi-auto, high capacity, easy reload, etc.

For us, we currently have a Kel-Tec P32 (mine) and a Kahr P380 (wife's) for #s 1 & 2, a Ruger 10/22 (wife's) and a Norinco SKS (mine) for #s 3 & 4, and a Taurus 24/7 (wife's) and a Glock 22 (mine) for #s 5 & 6. Our "longer-range hunting" rifle is presently (far from ideal) a Marlin 1894 .44mag.

Now, for all future purposes, the first consideration that we make is what needs to be upgraded. For example, while I love the 10/22 and the SKS, they are not as good as, say, AR-15s and AK-47s. Eventually, we would like to upgrade these. Additionally, while my Kel-Tec performs reliably, I would welcome an upgrade there. Perhaps the biggest need for upgrade is our long-range option since the Marlin isn't really much good past 200 yards.

Every transaction we make is with a secondary goal of "fun." However, we don't place fun above need. For example, I don't consider a shotgun a need, so while I'd LOVE to have one, it's going to have to wait.

I know this was long, but I just wanted to share my thought process.

 

[Teachu2]

1) Something my wife will carry with her everywhere.
2) Something I will carry with me everywhere.
3) A "battle-type rifle"* that my wife can and will use.
4) A "battle-type rifle"* that I can and will use.
5) A primary carry gun for my wife.
6) A primary carry gun for me.
7) A longer-range hunting-type rifle.

I had the same list - somehow it took 24 guns (so far!) to ALMOST complete the list....

8-9) rimfire varmint rifles
10-12) centerfire varmint rifles
13-14) .22LR target pistols
15-16) 9mm target pistols
17-18) .38/.357 revolvers
19) .22LR revolver (training)
20-21) .45acp 1911s
22) HD 12ga pump
23) 12ga skeet semi
24) 20ga skeet semi

Some categories have multiple guns, some guns cover multiple categories. I have been buying a lot (for me, anyway) of guns in the last year, as I left another hobby behind and returned to shooting. As I sold off the other hobby, I used that cash for guns - thus going much deeper into my list than would have happened if I hadn't had the "extra" cash.

 

[Telekinesis]

I had the unfortunate (or fortunate depending on how you look it it) opportunity to restart my collection a few years ago...

My first collection was focused more on quantity and getting good deals than quality. I started with a desire to get a defensive pistol (which I did get) but then went in all sorts of directions that weren't that useful to me. I had things from Mosins, to hunting rifles, small carry guns to full sized duty guns and reloading gear for it all, but the common denominator was that each weapon was relatively cheap.

My second (and current) collection still has that first defensive pistol, but is very focused around defensive shooting/practical uses - both CCW and more combative shooting. I have a subcompact (which will be going up for sale soon), a "compact" Sig 228 that is my carry gun, and a full sized pistol, a Glock 17 which is currently being sold so I can transition to a Sig 226. Rifle wise I have a good AK which is just about all I need (at least for right now).

Further gun purchases have been put on hold for the time being as I start to get into NFA weapons, namely suppressors for my pistols (all 9mm). I decided now that I have sufficient weaponry to protect myself, I should try and protect my hearing a bit as well.

 

[Warp]

I don't prioritize very well. I don't have the patience. I get to where I have enough to buy a good handgun ($400-$500 or so) and end up just just having to get this or that handgun. So I do. I'm up to 5. Everything else was even less expensive. A 10/22, an 870, and some milsurp rifles.

I don't have the patience to save until I can afford something more expensive than about $550 (for the gun itself).

I need to find a way to save up/wait to buy until I can afford an M1A next time.

 

[Warp]

Priority lists...okay, I see...

1) Every Day Carry for me (doubles as nightstand gun)
2) "Carry" for my wife (only in the vehicle so far)
3) Home Defense pistol for my wife
4) Home Defense shotgun for me
5) .22lr for plinking and introducing new shooters
6) More carry choices for me (full size for OWB/open carry, BUGs, two is one, one is one, different calibers, etc...)
7) Combat capable centerfire rifle for the home/serious travels
8) Home Defense shotgun for my wife
9) Combat capable centerfire rifle as a 'trunk gun'
10) Easy to use, effective defensive firearms for friends/family/neighbors in an emergency


I keep getting stuck on #6, though.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have my needs covered now. My last purchase pretty much filled the last one.

I have a couple of good rifles for hunting, though I guess I only really need one. There's a muzzleloader for BP season. I have a .22 rifle for small game and plinking, a Ruger Blackhawk because I want to handgun hunt, and a pump 20 gauge if a shotty is needed. My last purchase was a Sig 2022 in .40 and between that and the 20 gauge, they take care of my HD needs. The only other I could think of that I really need is maybe a smaller handgun for CC.

My budget allows 1-2 gun purchases a year, so from here on it will be a matter of wants now that the bases are covered. There are plenty of guns that I want. Unfortunately my champagne tastes are accompanied by a Busch Light budget.

 

[Sam1911]

My philosophy:

1) What gun do I need to do the kind of shooting I'm interested in?
2) Range membership and match fees.
3) Ammo and reloading components.
4) Ammo and reloading components.
5) Ammo and reloading components.
6) Ammo and reloading components.
7) Ammo and reloading components.
etc...

Can't really enjoy the benefits of the 2nd Amendment without shooting. A gun you can't shoot well is not of much value. Shooting is a skill that requires development and practice. If you're spending more on guns than ammo, you've got priorities a bit reversed.

So...

8) Ammo and reloading components.
9) Ammo and reloading components.
etc!

 

[Manny]

I've gone through all kinds of guns over the years, buying often on a whim something that struck my fancy or as I wanted to try a different shooting activity. My "collection" was fairly large but truely had little rhyme or reason. I also had little ammo for all those guns and seemed to be shooting less and less as my collection grew.

Finally about 5 years or so ago a poster at a forum I frequented posted a scenario of picking your ultimate battery of 30 guns in 4 catagories, 9 handguns, 9 centerfire rifles, 6 rimfire rifles and 6 shotguns to cover all your shooting needs and interests plus hunting and defensive use and list which gun you'd use for what purpose, which I gleefully did. Then he added a twist, day by day he'd say to eliminate one or two guns from each of the 4 catagories in that "ultimate" collection and then share your thoughts as to what and why. The final number I won't post in case we play the game, but the thought involved in deciding what to keep and what to discard was very valuable to me.

For some reason that excercise really struck my fancy and was the first time I actually gave serious consideration as to what I had, why I had it, and what my true shooting needs and interests were. It was the first time I actually made a list of what I had and looked objectively at how useful it was. The exercise also worked to show me what holes I had in my collection. It really opened my eyes and I remade my "ultimate" list with this new insight. It turned out my collection shrunk noticeably as I got rid of the safe queens and redundant guns. I also reduced the number of calibers I had too, allowing me to stock up on more ammo.

My interests these days are primarily personal & home defense and target shooting, mostly informal but some regular shooting events. I also still have the thought of getting back to a bit of hunting, mainly varmints but deer, pigs and possibly some other game as well. My collection now reflects those defined interests and I'm pretty well equipped. There are a few guns I may upgrade yet and an additional slot or two I may fill someday, but I really have no true deficiencies based on what my needs and interests are at this point. I also find I shoot more, shoot better and enjoy it much more this way. It's also far easier to avoid the temptation of a new gun that really isn't suitable now that I've thought through my needs, interests and shooting opportunities.

 

[Warp]

Manny: Would you be interested in starting a thread just like that here? That sounds like a great exercise. I'm already starting to think of what I would put in the 20, and why...and reading other people's lists and thoughts will only help.

And it's an exercise I need, same as you did, I think. (though I don't probably have near as many in my collection as you did)

 

[Manny]

Manny: Would you be interested in starting a thread just like that here? That sounds like a great exercise. I'm already starting to think of what I would put in the 20, and why...and reading other people's lists and thoughts will only help.

And it's an exercise I need, same as you did, I think. (though I don't probably have near as many in my collection as you did)

Warp,

I mis-remembered some of the details of that excercise, which I corrected in my previous post. The initial number of guns was 30 not 20, in 4 catagories, handgun (9), centerfire rifle (9), rimfire rifle (6) and shotgun(6). I think the initial high number was to let folks imaginations run wild and to stock their dream collections.

I sent a note to the originator to see if he'd be interested or if he'd mind me copying. If he's OK with it, I'd love to see what the folks here would do with the exercise. .

 

[EvilGenius]

I'm still fairly new to all this, but my theory behind it is responsibility/practicality/utility first and pretty/fun second.

I believe that we have a basic responsibilty to be reasonably well armed at least at home if not out in public. First and foremost for our own safety, but also incase of SHTF however unlikely it may be.

So I started with a common 1911 style pistol in common .45acp caliber.

Then I needed a long gun, so I got a shotgun. Proven defensive weapon, has reasonable combat use (as a would be civilian in a SHTF situation, I can't see any reason to engage any target beyond 75-100yds instead of evading retreating) and ofcourse the wide range of sporting/hunting capabilities.

I could use a rifle too, but I don't feel it falls under the "responsibility" aspect for me.

Now it's time to just start shooting and get good, but i also have my eye out for the pretty and life long want guns. First on the list is going to a repro Schofield in .45lc with a nice holster and bandolier belt. *drool*

 

[22-rimfire]

The one thing I really have trouble doing is selling guns. I used to buy and sell a good bit, but I had little attachment to those firearms. I'd buy one this week and sell it a month later after shooting it a couple times. Kind of like trying out a record album in the old days... just because I wanted to hear it or in the case of a gun, shoot it.

I say I will sell just about every gun I own eventually except for a couple guns that are useful to me at that time in my life and my interests. So when people say they upgraded a gun... well I did that too, but unless it was beat up (80% condition or something), I upgraded but kept the guns I had. I just didn't shoot them anymore. Frequently the upgrades were collector grade and they stayed safe queens unfired.

I have settled down now and just buy what catches my fancy as I already own just about everything I will ever need times-2. So I don't really prioritize purchases any more. The new Ruger LCR-22 and SR-22 came out... bought them at the first gunshop I saw them because I wanted to shoot them. No other reason. I certainly didn't need two new 22 handguns. But both are fun.

Added: But this is not how I started out. That's important.

 

[Serenity]

My next gun will be a S&W 357 to trade my son for the 38 special that I REALLY want to keep when he moves on in a couple of years (I bought it for my first gun and it is waiting for him to grow up). Meanwhile I have learned that I LOVE the 38 and don't want to part with it (it's my first gun!).

I also need a carry gun: hopefully I can avoid spiraling down into the carry-gun grail search.

I guess my priority is keeping the guns I have: so I need to get another one to give to my son when he turns 18.

 

[B!ngo]

I shot .22's as a kid, and for years wanted to get back to shooting. I was always fascinated by the quality of the machinery, how a fine gun felt in the hand, and becoming an expert shooter is high on my list of things a guy should have on their list of accomplishments.
I've been at it slowly for 15 years now, but have recently had the time to ramp up my investment and activities. I've surely learned that becoming expert will be a very long road, but well worth my time.
So I've been pretty picky in choosing a next gun. I'd rather go with quality than quality, have less to choose from because I want to cater to my left-hand/left-eye genetics, and like to pick based on function and design.
So, here's my thought process and resulting purchases so far:
1. A high-quality accurate handgun - P7M13 and then a P7M8 (9mm) (ambi)
2. A target-quality 22LR pistol - Benelli M95E Atlanta (ambi)
3. A full-sized do-everything handgun - H&K USP V2 (that left hand thing)
4. An AR - because I thought I should (and now I'm not so sure) - Stag Arms 3GL (.223/5.56) (left hand)
5. A do-everything carbine (which I don't think an AR is) and to satisfy my lust for an H&K MP5 - AT94 9mm (oh well, never saw a LH MP5, eh?)
Now looking for a .308 bolt rifle (anyone have some advice?) in LH
And a home-defense shotgun (perhaps a Browning BPS all-weather) ambi or LH
I'm sure I'll think of more, but that's how I've worked through it. I can't imagine owning more than a dozen, which sounds to me like a very big number. But in THR context, it doesn't seem as large as many other collections.
B

 

[GunnerShotz]

Wow!!! This is why I love The High Road

There are just too many candid, appropriate, and just plain awesome responses to reply to directly.

I'll tell you the reason I started this thread... a coworker and I were talking about the the 2nd amendement and how (like pretty much everything else) it depends on whether or not you can afford the "right". So, if you choose to spend your hard earned money on the right to bare arms and protect yourself (and others), provide for yourself (and others), or just plain have some fun, then "how do You prioritize"?

Sincere and humble thanks to the responses!

 

[GunnerShotz]

I'm thinking distance...

1) Close up and personal defensive engagement.
2) Medium (50-100 yards) defense and game.
3) Long range game and target.

A spreadsheet will definitely be neccessary for all of the options available within just those three categories... but then I guess I'll follow the most common theme of "buy what I have the money for when I find it"

 

[Shoot66]

"When I was young I wanted one of everything. THe older I get the more discerning I am. I look for quality guns that look like they would be fun to own and shoot"

This +1

Generally: First purpose, then quality within the class. Then I listen carefully which one speaks up to me.

 

[larryh1108]

A lot of it has to do with what your needs are versus what your wants are.
A lot of people like to stick with as few cartridge sizes as possible. Others like to have something in each common cartridge available. If you boil it down to must haves versus like to have then it can be easier. A short list can include: a .22LR, a 9mm, a .38 Special or a .357 Mag, something in .45ACP, a 12ga, a 30-30 or .308, etc. That covers plinking, range, hunting, HD and if you get something easy to carry then CC/SD. Toss is a few "want" guns and you have the beginning of a nice, diversified collection. Some are happy with a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun. Whatever works for you is all that counts.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have a decent collection with all my "needs" covered. I have firearms for hunting, varmint control, competition, concealed carry, home defense. So now I look for deals, or particular firearms that catch my attention. I recently bought a couple of Mosins because they were cheap. This week I picked up my first Swedish Mauser, a m96 Gustafs made in 1902. I'm currently looking for a Husqvarna m38. I'm fortunate that my financial situation allows me indulge my whims.

 

[timhernandez]

I am a need before want purchaser. I have a list and work through it as things come and go.

I have said more than once, "its' not on the list" in the face of some decent deals. The current incarnation of the list is below.

flintlock blackpowder rifle .50 cal
1940-1945 manu. M-1 Carbine .30 cal
1911 full size .45 acp
Bond Arms Derringer .38/357
M-1 Garand 30-06
M-1a .308
H&K MP5 A5 .22 .22

 

[Bushpilot]

At this point all of my “needs” and many if not most of my “wants” in terms of guns have been met. So, the guns that I now purchase first are those remaining that I run across that I have either always wanted or always found interesting. Second, are those that I like that are uncommon to find. Third, those that interest me that are a good deal. And lastly, I purchase those guns that all of a sudden catch my eye for some reason or that until now I may have never really paid much attention to or saw in person before. Sometimes that last type of purchase can be the most fun.

 

[Skribs]

My first purchase was a handgun. I figured, I can get a shotgun and leave it at home, or I can buy a handgun for both home and carry. I went with the later.

After that, I got a shotgun. Because long guns are better if you have them.

From there, I got a few handguns trying to see if there was a difference in comfort or concealment, and have been trying to find the right holster.

Recently my shotgun broke, so I bought a second until I can get the first one fixed.

I want a rifle eventually, but I don't really like any of the rifle ranges nearby, so I haven't purchased a rifle yet (why buy what you can't function test or practice with?). For now, I'll be buying to fill out my HD/carry options.

 

[AOK]

For me when it comes to firearms it's more of an as need basis rather than want. Majority of my money goes toward ammo, training, and miscellaneous things like magazines. My budget is a little tighter over the past year for firearms because I got into the H2H side of self defense.