Not to be nit-picky, but the poll is flawed.
What area of individual armament/development do you feel that you most lack, or rather prioritize the highest?
In this question, you are really asking two questions, rather than restating one. Therefore, it is tracking two variables.
For instance, I may place more value on "X" -- and my "inventory" of "X" may be sufficient. In my overall plan, I still may recognize that something that I don't value as highly-- say "Y"-- is sorely lacking. My focus may well be to get "Y" up to speed even though I value it less.
But understand, I am a very linear thinker in planning. I make a list and start with the one, and work my way down. It's not the best way, but it works for me. Sadly, I don't usually work on the highest priority first, either. I tend to work on the one that is most easily obtainable and/or cost effective. Once those are out of the way, I start working on the more difficult ones. I guess I like to see progress happening represented by little checkmarks on my list.
For the purpose of discussion, I'll make comments as they pertain to me from your list:
Ammunition: Sorely lacking. I just completely switched my caliber and platforms for my primary and secondary firearms. I'll be getting enough for the basics soon, but I need to work on other things before I seriously begin to stockpile again.
Peripherals (Spare parts, magazines, optics)
Lacking more than I'd like to be. Depending on your platform, there are spare parts you need to keep on hand. This is easily and cheaply fixed in most cases.
In terms of magazines, I think I am OK. I could use a few more (who couldn't?) but I can make do with what I have.
Optics are a HIGH priority for me. I need to put higher quality glass on my LR-308 before deer season comes around again. As for my AR-15, I believe I'll sit on Irons for a while. Before the end of the year, I'll be getting a lower-priced NV optic for it IF I can get a return to zero mount. I have coyote problems that this will work nicely for.
Because quality daytime optics for the 308 is my next major purchase, I'd have to identify it as one of my higher priorities.
Firearm variety
This is actually a hinderance to my overall thinking in terms of MY goals. I like the idea of stocking a fewer number of calibers, but have them well set-up. I don't want to have two calibers that essentially do the same thing, or can be used in the same role with roughly the same effectiveness.
I wouldn't mind having one duplicate of my primary SHTF firearms-- mainly because I want one for Jenn. For some reason, she says she doesn't want one. She's happy with her Glock 19 and Remington 870 magnum. Her thinking is basically that she doesn't need all that since she has me out front.
I appreciate her confidence in me, but it really screws up my justifications to buy more firearms.
Training/Practice
My view is that training and practice are seperate things. I'll explain.
I grew up with some sort of firearm in my hands. I'd HATE to know how much practice I've had in my lifetime of shooting. Upon getting a new platform, I can get to the basics of proficiency with it in a few minutes. They really aren't that hard to figure out, and aiming hasn't really changed from what we knew as kids.
I view practice as getting used to the actual firing of the weapon. This entails loading, safety concerns, aiming, learning its recoil and limitations, and cleaning the firearm. This is the basics of that firearms usage.
Training is a whole different ball of wax. Depending on the training, you'll learn to push the limitations of the firearm and of yourself using it. You'll learn methods of handling the firearm in various conditions that you probably haven't considered or had need to consider as of yet. You may learn to shoot distances or courses where you can gain some useful skills.
So, for this topic, I'll say that I have PLENTY of practice, but I could stand to get some training. Because I consider practice as getting basic proficiency, I have that down at an acceptable level-- for now. There are still other things that I consider to be at a less-than-acceptable level that I need to work on before I revist this area.
Eventually, I plan on doing training of some sort on Handgun, Shotgun, Rifle (marksmanship), and Rifle (Carbine). I've been interested in some sort of long-range rifle training for some time. We really just don't have the opportunity due to our terrain here to shoot beyond 500 yards that often.
Firearm type
This kinda becomes a "preference" question. I'm a believer in form-follows-function. Only the user can define function. Some guys are quite happy with an ultra-reliable rifle that does 4-5 MOA at 100 yards and it will meet their function. For my actual uses, I don't want a 4 MOA rifle. So, recently I did a lot of platform changes by going back to a platform where I can expect and have experienced more accuracy. But that's just me.
So to answer the question, type is important to me as I fine-tune my expectations of the firearms by observing my actual uses. I *hope* that my recent revisions will be my last.
Firearm quantity
As mentioned above, I'd love to have at least one duplicate of what I consider my primary SHTF firearm. I'll probably make some attempts towards that. However, I consider dupicates of any planning point as the absolute LAST priority area.
Depending on what you are preparing for, it may not be progress to have 14 AK's, but not have a single generator.
At any rate, that's my take.
-- John
