The essentials are pretty much the same as most of us have mentioned. Some don't need some of the guns needed in more rural areas. But your list is very similar to what I have listed only I went a different direction on some things. I have the .22 and a shotgun and the semi-auto centerfire (but mine is a SKS instead of a .223 which mean an AR of course or something similar anyway), I have a 30.06 instead of a .308 and I have a .45 for HD but I did switch to a .40 because of it's ability to penetrate steel in car doors etc.. Things like gun needs never really change. I have added backups to my collection and I've made a difference between a .308 for larger game and a bolt action .223 for smaller game and varmints. But my list would match up with this list especially when I first got started with my list.
Is your "functional" collection complete?
- Thread starter Collector0311
- Start date
- Status
The essentials are pretty much the same as most of us have mentioned. Some don't need some of the guns needed in more rural areas. But your list is very similar to what I have listed only I went a different direction on some things. I have the .22 and a shotgun and the semi-auto centerfire (but mine is a SKS instead of a .223 which mean an AR of course or something similar anyway), I have a 30.06 instead of a .308 and I have a .45 for HD but I did switch to a .40 because of it's ability to penetrate steel in car doors etc.. Things like gun needs never really change. I have added backups to my collection and I've made a difference between a .308 for larger game and a bolt action .223 for smaller game and varmints. But my list would match up with this list especially when I first got started with my list.
I play this game with myself all the time and my answer depends on what day of the week it is.
Growing up with ranchers in the family in a rural state, I always thought one hunting rifle, one .22 rifle, a shotgun of some sort and maybe one cowboy six shooter was all I ever needed. I have never thought quantity was all that important, but quality is, so my few guns are of the highest quality I could afford at the time.
I don't really buy into the survivalist thing or zombies so AR's, Ak's and the like are not really for me. A Mini-14 Ranch rifle fits right in however. I do believe in having a back-up, so I certainly try to do that and with times being meaner than they used to be I have added CCW guns to the battery. My few guns are all functional and purposeful, well taken care of and accurate. I have no need to supply an army or even a squad, but I do believe in the old saying. . ."beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it. . . "
By the way, I've never bought a rifle for hunting because it can shoot 800 yds. I learned to hunt better so I don't have to shoot that far.
Growing up with ranchers in the family in a rural state, I always thought one hunting rifle, one .22 rifle, a shotgun of some sort and maybe one cowboy six shooter was all I ever needed. I have never thought quantity was all that important, but quality is, so my few guns are of the highest quality I could afford at the time.
I don't really buy into the survivalist thing or zombies so AR's, Ak's and the like are not really for me. A Mini-14 Ranch rifle fits right in however. I do believe in having a back-up, so I certainly try to do that and with times being meaner than they used to be I have added CCW guns to the battery. My few guns are all functional and purposeful, well taken care of and accurate. I have no need to supply an army or even a squad, but I do believe in the old saying. . ."beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it. . . "
By the way, I've never bought a rifle for hunting because it can shoot 800 yds. I learned to hunt better so I don't have to shoot that far.
Old Dog
Member
Eh ...
in long guns, a Model 70 bolt-action .30-06,
an 870 in 12 gauge with three barrels (28", 24" rifled slug, 18.5" HD),
a 10-22
and a Marlin 336 in .30-30 ...
in handguns, a 4" Model 19 .357,
a Colt Gov't Model .45
and a SIG P-226 9mm
all that covers the functional stuff (which I regard as the minimum that I'd haul out of the palace if we had to bug out in a SHTF scenario).
All the other firearms are all just stuff that seemed cool at the time I bought 'em ...
So yeah, it's complete ...
in long guns, a Model 70 bolt-action .30-06,
an 870 in 12 gauge with three barrels (28", 24" rifled slug, 18.5" HD),
a 10-22
and a Marlin 336 in .30-30 ...
in handguns, a 4" Model 19 .357,
a Colt Gov't Model .45
and a SIG P-226 9mm
all that covers the functional stuff (which I regard as the minimum that I'd haul out of the palace if we had to bug out in a SHTF scenario).
All the other firearms are all just stuff that seemed cool at the time I bought 'em ...
So yeah, it's complete ...
huntsman
Member
+1
I grew up with Colt and Winchester so it's still Colt and Winchester plus Browning
I don't need a lot guns wise but I need to know the guns I have are quality pieces.hariph creek
Member
Minimum?
For me at least.
Rifle in .22lr.
Shotgun.
SD handgun.
Pick your favorite flavor.
For me at least.
Rifle in .22lr.
Shotgun.
SD handgun.
Pick your favorite flavor.
I think most of us end up with quantity just because we want to more than need to. I do believe in backups though. Every gun that fulfills a certain function in my life has a backup in my safe somewhere and some have more than one backup. If my carry pistol breaks down and I need to send it off for repairs I don't want to be without one until I get my primary SD gun back. So I keep a backup. Same goes for my HD shotgun and my varmint busting .22 and my semi-auto battle carbine. BTW I'm not buying supplies for the coming apocalypse either but I do know that sometimes things get out of hand in this world. It happens more often than some think. I tend to think more in terms of the LA riots, Katrina and Sandy. But in my area things like tornadoes and huge snowstorms and ice storms can leave a person isolated and subject to a severe situation. For example I lived on a road for 25 years with a gang of drug dealers living just up the hill. They had wild parties with loud rock bands and the whole nine yards. I never complained about them but they knew who I was. I'm a retired party animal myself but I have gone completely straight for decades. So they don't trust me. Not only that but they don't like it that I shot in my yard a LOT because I like to shoot. They harassed me for years leaving dead deer at the foot of my hill, sneaking up behind my house not more than 20 yards from my house and firing a shotgun several times, screaming obscene things at me from the top of the hill, etc. etc.. There are about a dozen guys living up on that hill all of them related and all part of the family business. And one thing about dope heads is they are paranoid. Then there was the ice storm. Dozens of trees down along my road and if a cop would have tried to come they would have had to walk for miles to get there or take the local cop helicopter except there is no local cop helicopter. So basically I was totally on my own with a bunch of paranoid dope heads less than a quarter of a mile away and all with a hateful grudge against me. Now tell me I didn't have a reason to own a semi-auto battle carbine. Actually I have two. One is a backup.
If the world ever does fall apart (possible I guess) most people will have a lot more to worry about than roving gangs of thieves. Those gangs will figure out it doesn't do much good to steal stuff they can't sell anyway and all the food will be gone soon too. But I do own a farm which is isolated and productive. I have the means to farm it too. For that I would need a long range rifle though. I have two. One is a backup. But I'm not planning for that to happen even though we actually came very close to a complete economic collapse in 2008. It could happen any time. I figure the lack of insulin will do me in long before a lack of food does though.
If the world ever does fall apart (possible I guess) most people will have a lot more to worry about than roving gangs of thieves. Those gangs will figure out it doesn't do much good to steal stuff they can't sell anyway and all the food will be gone soon too. But I do own a farm which is isolated and productive. I have the means to farm it too. For that I would need a long range rifle though. I have two. One is a backup. But I'm not planning for that to happen even though we actually came very close to a complete economic collapse in 2008. It could happen any time. I figure the lack of insulin will do me in long before a lack of food does though.
smalls
Member
Kinda. I have one carry gun and one 12 gauge. They both work well for defense, and I can definitely hunt with the 12 gauge (I don't hunt, but if I needed to), but things like a .308 bolt action, a pocketable carry gun, and a .22 plinker would be nice and fun. I don't need anything else immediately, but that certainly doesn't mean I'm done buying them!
ozarkhillbilly
Member
I realized I am not covered, I do not have a .380acp for those things I need to shoot with a .380. I also realize I don't have a 16g for those birds that are to small for a 12g but yet to big for a 20g.
I need to buy more guns!
I need to buy more guns!
Elkins45
Member
Have we reached a consensus on what the functional categories are? I don't know if I've filled all the slots until I know if there's a slot I might have overlooked.
If anyone cares I recently bought a left-handed bolt gun in 375 Ruger, so I can confidently say I have the "truck full of escaped zoo animals roaming the streets" category covered
If anyone cares I recently bought a left-handed bolt gun in 375 Ruger, so I can confidently say I have the "truck full of escaped zoo animals roaming the streets" category covered
Living in northern KY I'm guessing you know about the escaped lions, tigers and bears in Zanesville, Ohio. It can happen. That's probably just a couple of hours up the interstate from you. The guy turned loose 48 African lions, brown bears, black bears, tigers, cheetahs, wolves and who knows what all else. So yeah a person just might need a .375 Ruger. If your wife wants to know tell her to check out this story. That should help you justify "needing" a new rifle.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...Lions-tigers-and-bears-let-loose-in-Ohio.html
Where I lived a guy had African lions that got loose several times. They would let people buy anything in Ohio up until that nut turned all his critters loose before killing himself. I saw a photo of a python about 10 foot long they found near my old house just a couple of days ago. It probably wouldn't have survived the winter but that actually wasn't the biggest snake they have found in that area and we're talking Ohio here. You know. Land of ice and snow and snake eating bears. The wild boar are probably a bigger problem though.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...Lions-tigers-and-bears-let-loose-in-Ohio.html
Where I lived a guy had African lions that got loose several times. They would let people buy anything in Ohio up until that nut turned all his critters loose before killing himself. I saw a photo of a python about 10 foot long they found near my old house just a couple of days ago. It probably wouldn't have survived the winter but that actually wasn't the biggest snake they have found in that area and we're talking Ohio here. You know. Land of ice and snow and snake eating bears. The wild boar are probably a bigger problem though.
Almost Completed: Rifle, shotgun and handgun. Seems simple, but when you add up all the variants and calibers in those categories it’s a little more complex and a lot more voluminous. The only thing missing is something silenced for those special occasions.
If I'm tied down to the homestead I am completely covered for any situation. I am in the process of figuring out what will be going with me if I'm forced to leave the fortress. When you can't just go to the safe and get something more appropriate for the task at hand, the choices become much more difficult.
If I'm tied down to the homestead I am completely covered for any situation. I am in the process of figuring out what will be going with me if I'm forced to leave the fortress. When you can't just go to the safe and get something more appropriate for the task at hand, the choices become much more difficult.
huntsman
Member
LOL that was going to be my excuse for a Ruger #1 tropical in .375 H&H but that dream has wilted so I'm left with my 12 gauge SXS and Brenneke slugs for my lions and tigers and bears choice.
Did you get one of Bud's closeouts?
Elkins45
Member
No, I got it through Davidson's when they had a sale. It was right around Christmas and they were on sale. It's stainless with the green laminated stock and express sights and I got it for around $600.
huntershooter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 1,058
My observation is that we are ALWAYS "one weapon shy of feeling satisfied".
huntsman
Member
oohh now I'm really envious
StorminNormin
Member
Not sure what I should get next
Sure my collection is not complete but not sure what to get next...
Won't part with:
Beretta Px4 (9mm) - fits my hand like glove.
Springfield 1911 (.45, stainless) - gift, love it.
Savage .308 w/Leupold VX-1 - insanely accurate
CZ 455 (.22lr) - also insanely accurate, and pretty
Could part with:
Marlin 60 (.22, wood) - ok, pretty accurate
Remington 870 Express (20g, wood) - fun to shoot
Sure my collection is not complete but not sure what to get next...
Won't part with:
Beretta Px4 (9mm) - fits my hand like glove.
Springfield 1911 (.45, stainless) - gift, love it.
Savage .308 w/Leupold VX-1 - insanely accurate
CZ 455 (.22lr) - also insanely accurate, and pretty
Could part with:
Marlin 60 (.22, wood) - ok, pretty accurate
Remington 870 Express (20g, wood) - fun to shoot
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
I'm sorry, I don't understand. What's tripping me up is the words "gun" "collection" and
"complete" all appearing in the same sentence.
"complete" all appearing in the same sentence.
WaywardAce
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2009
- Messages
- 67
Mine is complete
2 - AKs
2 - Glock 19s
2 - .22 rifles
2 - .22 pistols
2 - Shotguns
I feel like all of my bases are covered. Every gun in addition to these is more for fun than anything else.
2 - AKs
2 - Glock 19s
2 - .22 rifles
2 - .22 pistols
2 - Shotguns
I feel like all of my bases are covered. Every gun in addition to these is more for fun than anything else.
Nope, I can always find a new function.
Magnuumpwr
Member
Using criteria from others here. I can cover most any proposed situation. Handguns: 22LR, 22 mag, 5.7, 25, 32 ACP and H&R mag, 380, 9mm, 38 spl, 357 sig, 357 mag, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and long Colt, 410, 44 mag, 50 AE, and 500 S&W mag.
Rifles: 177 & 22 pellet rifles, 22lr, 22 mag, 5.7, 222, 223, 5.56, 30 carbine, 300 blk out, 308, 30.06, 300 win mag, 338 Lapua mag, 44 mag, 500 S&W mag, and 50 BMG. Still need to buy a 20mm or something of similar size, just in case something serious is needed!
Shotguns: 20, 16, and 12.
Rifles: 177 & 22 pellet rifles, 22lr, 22 mag, 5.7, 222, 223, 5.56, 30 carbine, 300 blk out, 308, 30.06, 300 win mag, 338 Lapua mag, 44 mag, 500 S&W mag, and 50 BMG. Still need to buy a 20mm or something of similar size, just in case something serious is needed!
Shotguns: 20, 16, and 12.
Njal Thorgeirsson
Member
Functionally, yes it is for now.
BUT, I always find myself adding new functions. At first, I just wanted a rifle, a pistol, a shotgun and a revolver. But then I found myself adding functions like 'good for plinking,' 'better for long ranges,' 'more customizable/modular,' 'cheaper ammo,' 'better for handloading' etc etc etc etc etc.....
...and so it goes.
But I don't think I've ever bought a firearm without a specific and unique purpose in mind.
BUT, I always find myself adding new functions. At first, I just wanted a rifle, a pistol, a shotgun and a revolver. But then I found myself adding functions like 'good for plinking,' 'better for long ranges,' 'more customizable/modular,' 'cheaper ammo,' 'better for handloading' etc etc etc etc etc.....
...and so it goes.
But I don't think I've ever bought a firearm without a specific and unique purpose in mind.
So another how many is X.
For myself the number is gonna be high because I like gun games and games have rules that require different guns.
Luckily the guns required to play games fulfill SD/HD and any hunting needs.
For sure I'd need
22 pistol and rifle
2 shotguns ( CAS riot gun and sporting gun)
Pair of SA revolvers
A lever rifles in same cal
A long range cowboy rifle
a DA revolver set up for moon clips
Pistol for IDPA/IPSC
An AR and a long range bolt gun
That would be a minimum now it'd be nice to add a pocket gun and I'd prefer 2 DA revolvers. I'd also like to have a few different pistols for the different classes of IDPA/IPSC.
For myself the number is gonna be high because I like gun games and games have rules that require different guns.
Luckily the guns required to play games fulfill SD/HD and any hunting needs.
For sure I'd need
22 pistol and rifle
2 shotguns ( CAS riot gun and sporting gun)
Pair of SA revolvers
A lever rifles in same cal
A long range cowboy rifle
a DA revolver set up for moon clips
Pistol for IDPA/IPSC
An AR and a long range bolt gun
That would be a minimum now it'd be nice to add a pocket gun and I'd prefer 2 DA revolvers. I'd also like to have a few different pistols for the different classes of IDPA/IPSC.
Stevie-Ray
Member
My functional collection would be my HD weapons. My EDC, my Colt 6721, and my Mossberg 930 SPX. I'm satisfied with it as complete. The rest of my guns are just icing on the cake, but could be put to work.
- Status