Black Adder LXX
Member
For me it's the journey, not the destination...
I've Reached Zen Balance In My Arsenal
- Thread starter Cosmoline
- Start date
- Status
Cosmoline
Member
I must admit for the right iron I will demonstrate my Open Wallet Technique.
wheelgunslinger
Member
I never have thought about it, but that's a pretty apt way to describe where I'm at right now with firearms.
What my Dan Wesson 357 can't do, my shogun can. What the shotgun can't do, the BAR can. The only thing I might need is a precision rifle, but I can't imagine why.
I seem to have settled on three and don't really care to have more unless they'll replace one of the three by being better in all respects.
It would be nice to have a pocket full of money to buy guns with, but I just don't have any money to waste on stuff to just sit around so I can show it off and brag about it.
I have what I need, and nothing more. And, it's kinda nice.
What my Dan Wesson 357 can't do, my shogun can. What the shotgun can't do, the BAR can. The only thing I might need is a precision rifle, but I can't imagine why.
I seem to have settled on three and don't really care to have more unless they'll replace one of the three by being better in all respects.
It would be nice to have a pocket full of money to buy guns with, but I just don't have any money to waste on stuff to just sit around so I can show it off and brag about it.
I have what I need, and nothing more. And, it's kinda nice.
ASM826
Member
Learn the Mantra, young padawan
"Just one more...just one more...just one more..."
Every collection is both complete and needing just one more. This is the contradiction.
For example, I have a few rifles, a few pistols and one shotgun. Everything I need to go to the range, shoot 3 gun, and go hunting. But I don't have a 20 gauge shotgun, and was looking recently at Remington 1100 with an extension tube as a better gun for 3 gun. If I buy one, I will have a few rifles, a few pistols and two shotguns. Everything I need to go to the range, shoot 3 gun, and go hunting. Thus will the cycle continue.
"Just one more...just one more...just one more..."
Every collection is both complete and needing just one more. This is the contradiction.
For example, I have a few rifles, a few pistols and one shotgun. Everything I need to go to the range, shoot 3 gun, and go hunting. But I don't have a 20 gauge shotgun, and was looking recently at Remington 1100 with an extension tube as a better gun for 3 gun. If I buy one, I will have a few rifles, a few pistols and two shotguns. Everything I need to go to the range, shoot 3 gun, and go hunting. Thus will the cycle continue.
rampage841512
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2007
- Messages
- 22
I'm getting there. A 1911, an AR, a Remington 700, and Winchester Model 1300 would be just about right for me.
xd9fan
Member
its not the destination....its the journey
Guns_and_Labs
Member
As I contemplate the gun safes, I do find that there is a core. Those that don't seem to rotate through the consignment counter. Maybe this core is the beginning of balance and enlightenment:
S&W 41 in .22LR (you can't get more zen than a rimfire pistol at 50 yards)
1911 in .45acp (currently a Valtro), though 10mm works, too
S&W 629 in .44Mag
Volquartsen in .17HMR (finally retiring the Marlin 880SQ in .22LR)
Remington 700, in .223 and .280AI
Blaser R93 with barrels for .223 and .30-06
Sako TRG-S in 7mm Firebird (Lazzeroni)
Mossberg 590 in 12 ga (home defense trim)
Benelli M2 in 12 ga (pheasant and quail trim)
Everything else is just temporarily in my care.
S&W 41 in .22LR (you can't get more zen than a rimfire pistol at 50 yards)
1911 in .45acp (currently a Valtro), though 10mm works, too
S&W 629 in .44Mag
Volquartsen in .17HMR (finally retiring the Marlin 880SQ in .22LR)
Remington 700, in .223 and .280AI
Blaser R93 with barrels for .223 and .30-06
Sako TRG-S in 7mm Firebird (Lazzeroni)
Mossberg 590 in 12 ga (home defense trim)
Benelli M2 in 12 ga (pheasant and quail trim)
Everything else is just temporarily in my care.
I thought my uncle had a lot of guns , bieng treasurer, rangemaster, VP, 'of the Glen Cove gun club,all at different times, he has altziemers, now, and no more guns, he wouldn't know what they were, "that is one fliped out disease", any how, when I moved here to Fl in 94, I was awestruck, when I went to a Gun show, with a buddy who had moved here from L.I., and got bit by the gun bug, "this is the same guy who 20 years earlier, used to bust my chops about carrying my piece" thought it was stupid to carry a gun in NY. His friend who you would never think to look at the guy, "he looked like a nice little old man, "he was", but I never saw as many guns as he had,in one place, if I said he had over 300, I would be on the low end. He also is a skilled gunsmith who started pulling one after the other out to show me the engraving and checkering on his weapons. Most which he had done, his entire home was a display case. Of course he was single, never married, and wealthy. But knew every fact about every gun I ever heard of. He had two of the first Seacamps, Numbered, like 001, 002, or 3. I never saw anyone like that , before or after. I found out that any time I mentioned his name to a dealer, or a rep, at a gun show, they all had nice things to say about him. I would never mention his name or even where he lived, as this is a public venue, but the guy was passionate about guns, that's for sure. Me, I cut down to 5, my 2 Glocks, 23,30, my P-14, Taurus Titanium, and the Seacamp. I hardly get the oppertunity to shoot them like I used to. And ammo is just crazy nowadays.
Cosmoline wrote:
That Can be a problem, but keep looking. My ROMAK III fits me very well, as does my M1-A. The Garand might, if I shot it more. The Isreali heavy barrel FAL, that I had to have, is, as you might expect, very nose heavy. The best shooters, to the surprise of many, of my battle rifles, would be the Swedish Ljungman AG-42, and a 308 converted MAS 49/56. Combined with a muzzle brake and the 6.5 x 55 caliber, it is an elegant shooter, just forget what it often does to the brass. I have heard they are preferential as to bullet weight, but that hasn't been a problem for me as I got a good supply of 139 grain FMJ, and the rifle handles it just fine. The MAS 49/56 is also a great shooter. If I had never heard about the unreliabilty of converted MAS's, I would have never known. It also has a Muzzle brake of a sort, and a standard rubber recoil pad, intended to tame the rifle for shooting rifle grenades, but the combination works well, at least in this individual case. It is more handy than the Ljungman, being a true carbine. It seems somewhat "ugly" but a functional ugly, and not nearly as bad as a MAS 36.
So continue your journey my friend and you should find contentment in a semiauto battle rifle. But if you don't, ther is something magical about a Saiga 12 with ten round magazines that surpasses the usual pump shotgun...
That Can be a problem, but keep looking. My ROMAK III fits me very well, as does my M1-A. The Garand might, if I shot it more. The Isreali heavy barrel FAL, that I had to have, is, as you might expect, very nose heavy. The best shooters, to the surprise of many, of my battle rifles, would be the Swedish Ljungman AG-42, and a 308 converted MAS 49/56. Combined with a muzzle brake and the 6.5 x 55 caliber, it is an elegant shooter, just forget what it often does to the brass. I have heard they are preferential as to bullet weight, but that hasn't been a problem for me as I got a good supply of 139 grain FMJ, and the rifle handles it just fine. The MAS 49/56 is also a great shooter. If I had never heard about the unreliabilty of converted MAS's, I would have never known. It also has a Muzzle brake of a sort, and a standard rubber recoil pad, intended to tame the rifle for shooting rifle grenades, but the combination works well, at least in this individual case. It is more handy than the Ljungman, being a true carbine. It seems somewhat "ugly" but a functional ugly, and not nearly as bad as a MAS 36.
So continue your journey my friend and you should find contentment in a semiauto battle rifle. But if you don't, ther is something magical about a Saiga 12 with ten round magazines that surpasses the usual pump shotgun...
hexidismal
Member
Honestly I think the most major factor in my inability to achieve any kind of gun Zen comes from living in New York. While I do appreciate the guns I have, sometimes I feel like I'm taking a slap in the face when I look at my NY neutered firearms and mag caps. I can never really feel at peace with that.
10-Ring
Member
No, I haven't found that happy place yet
Regolith
Member
My collection reaches Zen Balance when my bank account reaches Zero Balance.
An influx into my bank account immediately causes my Zen to be disturbed, at which point I have to correct the situation by buying another gun.
An influx into my bank account immediately causes my Zen to be disturbed, at which point I have to correct the situation by buying another gun.
rocinante
Member
Karma huh? Not exactly sure how it would apply to my gun lust but I believe it will be achieved when I feel well equipped for all purposes. Problem is too many cool guns. I am on the way to satisfaction. If I could not have another gun I would be reasonably satisfied.
Current
=======
S&W 915, 9mm 15 round magazines. Good night stand gun. Feels good in hand, shoots anything reliable. Plus karma because it has a slight reputation used by gang bangers. Wish it had better sights. Workhorse gun.
Saiga 12 converted. Extremely high karma. Somewhat unusual, high macho factor, high mall ninja factor, excellent HD tool. High resell value too.
The Smith is loaded and magazines for the shotgun are in a keypad box in the closet with the shotgun bolt open. High karma for home readiness between the two.
Walther P1. Very high karma. Love the history and look of this pistol. Had it hard chromed and custom grips installed. My pimp gun. I ALWAYS wanted a P38 and after getting my lust primed by the S&W
Yugo 59/66 SKS. after got a pistol and shotgun said hey need a rifle. Still thinking cheap at the time. Hadn't fully embraced guns as "THE" hobby. Mustang was still competing for the cash. LOW karma. Spent too much money on tricking it out.
Saiga 7.62x39 converted. medium Karma. excellent SHTF. Love its mystique. Karma will rise if I can beat AR15 snobs at 3 gun.
Bersa 380CC. Medium karma. Decent small on the go pistol. Stays in glove box for now. A little bit rodney dangerfield (no respect) cuz of maker and caliber but I have faith in it.
=======
The above cover my basic zen needs to be well equipped for defense and most sports. I can 3 gun with the smith, S12, and rifle, target shoot with all.
Part of the gun hobby is getting out of the house and making friends. I decided to get involved in cowboy shooting. I was raised country and use to rodeo so the marlboro man shtick is a genuine thing for me. You need two revolvers, a pistol caliber rifle, and a shotgun that is somewhat 1900 or older period correct.
Ruger New Vaquero 357 5.5 inch stainless with faux pearl grips. High karma. Has the old west revolver karma, visually pleasing, powerful, safe.
Marlin 1894C lever rifle. High karma. Pretty to look at. Not too scary to antis. Dream to shoot with 38 special, no recoil. Plus has action job and other upgrades. Good money deal too.
So I have eight guns at the present. Three more will be acquired next quarter to reach the next level of zen.
another matching Ruger Vaquero. Need two for the cowboy shooting. Besides it is bad ass to wear a double holster.
Double Barrel 12 guage 26 inch - double team for cowboy and skeet
22 target pistol. probably browning buckmark. 9mm and 7.62x39 is not too bad to shoot money wise but I need a 22 to get some serious practice in. I SUCK at pistol shooting.
============
High impulse I want and will justify with purpose is a 40 S&W carry gun
The final gun for adequate karma would be a long range bolt rifle ALTHOUGH places I can shoot it are hard to come by. Probably an american make like Remington 700.
The following is a list of want that I will take my sweet time acquiring. I do not have unlimited blow money and I want to actually shoot my guns. Sometimes it is a choice between buy or shoot, not both.
another AK47 - have the notion for SHTF it would be practical to have two weapons with same magazines.
another S&W in the same family to share magazines.
38 special derringer. cool, old west, inexpensive.
M4/AR15 - balking at high cost of rifle and ammo. Good karma because American and "all the other kids have one".
1911 45 - must have. a legend. not hung up on most expensive.
1887 lever 12 guage - terminator coolness.
FAL - would be nice. not hung up on it.
black powder 1851 colt
some guns are just cool and not necessary to actually fire. I would be happy with replicas for some things just to look and feel.
Luger
Nambo
LeMat
Some guns are just over the top cool but unobtainium or ridiculously impractical.
Desert Eagle 44 magnum. Unparalled dick swing there.
Steyr Stg.77 AUG assault rifle. FUNKY.
If I wasn't constrained I would have all these plus whatever caught my fancy. My karma does not allow such foolishness but it does allow a slow pace of increasing satisfaction. I get attached to each in a different way.
Current
=======
S&W 915, 9mm 15 round magazines. Good night stand gun. Feels good in hand, shoots anything reliable. Plus karma because it has a slight reputation used by gang bangers. Wish it had better sights. Workhorse gun.
Saiga 12 converted. Extremely high karma. Somewhat unusual, high macho factor, high mall ninja factor, excellent HD tool. High resell value too.
The Smith is loaded and magazines for the shotgun are in a keypad box in the closet with the shotgun bolt open. High karma for home readiness between the two.
Walther P1. Very high karma. Love the history and look of this pistol. Had it hard chromed and custom grips installed. My pimp gun. I ALWAYS wanted a P38 and after getting my lust primed by the S&W
Yugo 59/66 SKS. after got a pistol and shotgun said hey need a rifle. Still thinking cheap at the time. Hadn't fully embraced guns as "THE" hobby. Mustang was still competing for the cash. LOW karma. Spent too much money on tricking it out.
Saiga 7.62x39 converted. medium Karma. excellent SHTF. Love its mystique. Karma will rise if I can beat AR15 snobs at 3 gun.
Bersa 380CC. Medium karma. Decent small on the go pistol. Stays in glove box for now. A little bit rodney dangerfield (no respect) cuz of maker and caliber but I have faith in it.
=======
The above cover my basic zen needs to be well equipped for defense and most sports. I can 3 gun with the smith, S12, and rifle, target shoot with all.
Part of the gun hobby is getting out of the house and making friends. I decided to get involved in cowboy shooting. I was raised country and use to rodeo so the marlboro man shtick is a genuine thing for me. You need two revolvers, a pistol caliber rifle, and a shotgun that is somewhat 1900 or older period correct.
Ruger New Vaquero 357 5.5 inch stainless with faux pearl grips. High karma. Has the old west revolver karma, visually pleasing, powerful, safe.
Marlin 1894C lever rifle. High karma. Pretty to look at. Not too scary to antis. Dream to shoot with 38 special, no recoil. Plus has action job and other upgrades. Good money deal too.
So I have eight guns at the present. Three more will be acquired next quarter to reach the next level of zen.
another matching Ruger Vaquero. Need two for the cowboy shooting. Besides it is bad ass to wear a double holster.
Double Barrel 12 guage 26 inch - double team for cowboy and skeet
22 target pistol. probably browning buckmark. 9mm and 7.62x39 is not too bad to shoot money wise but I need a 22 to get some serious practice in. I SUCK at pistol shooting.
============
High impulse I want and will justify with purpose is a 40 S&W carry gun
The final gun for adequate karma would be a long range bolt rifle ALTHOUGH places I can shoot it are hard to come by. Probably an american make like Remington 700.
The following is a list of want that I will take my sweet time acquiring. I do not have unlimited blow money and I want to actually shoot my guns. Sometimes it is a choice between buy or shoot, not both.
another AK47 - have the notion for SHTF it would be practical to have two weapons with same magazines.
another S&W in the same family to share magazines.
38 special derringer. cool, old west, inexpensive.
M4/AR15 - balking at high cost of rifle and ammo. Good karma because American and "all the other kids have one".
1911 45 - must have. a legend. not hung up on most expensive.
1887 lever 12 guage - terminator coolness.
FAL - would be nice. not hung up on it.
black powder 1851 colt
some guns are just cool and not necessary to actually fire. I would be happy with replicas for some things just to look and feel.
Luger
Nambo
LeMat
Some guns are just over the top cool but unobtainium or ridiculously impractical.
Desert Eagle 44 magnum. Unparalled dick swing there.
Steyr Stg.77 AUG assault rifle. FUNKY.
If I wasn't constrained I would have all these plus whatever caught my fancy. My karma does not allow such foolishness but it does allow a slow pace of increasing satisfaction. I get attached to each in a different way.
DMK
Member
I think this is the key to it right there. The more experience you have with a wider variety of firearms, the better understanding you have of what works best for you. That understanding allows you to focus on those traits more and more, and at the same time focus your skills, leveraging that "good fit", until it all comes together at a fine point.
So I guess what I'm saying is the best way to consolidate your collection down to a few guns that fit and work best... is to buy more guns!
10X
Member
Oh phooey - If a lot are good, too many are just right.
Really to your point, I have to find something that interests me before I will buy it. I sold the ones I didn't use and kept the ones I like best and shoot best. Nevertheless, there is always a temptation out there.
Really to your point, I have to find something that interests me before I will buy it. I sold the ones I didn't use and kept the ones I like best and shoot best. Nevertheless, there is always a temptation out there.
Hokkmike
Member
I am close. I want a GOOD QUALITY Ak and decent .22 and I am good to go. I have a great rifle, shotgun, handgun, AR, and need the others.
Cosmoline
Member
That's the Flying Franklin technique.
Growing up very poor I have always strived for simple utility.
A good centerfire rifle ( like a sporterized .303, I love the 10 rd. detachable mag.)
A good revolver ( maybe a .357 S&W since I left bear country a while ago.)
A 12 ga. pump (ooh, ooh a winchester model 12)
an accurate .22 rifle ( can I interest you in a nice remington Model 514?)
I agree Cosmoline, more guns = more guns to clean = less time to shoot each one and I like to get to know my gun intimately.
I am currently struggling with which gun to keep in the rotation ( I too acquire guns and sell them) an old sported .303 or an old sported model of 1917 enfield that just happens to be tack driver. Oh the horror, the horror.
A good centerfire rifle ( like a sporterized .303, I love the 10 rd. detachable mag.)
A good revolver ( maybe a .357 S&W since I left bear country a while ago.)
A 12 ga. pump (ooh, ooh a winchester model 12)
an accurate .22 rifle ( can I interest you in a nice remington Model 514?)
I agree Cosmoline, more guns = more guns to clean = less time to shoot each one and I like to get to know my gun intimately.
I am currently struggling with which gun to keep in the rotation ( I too acquire guns and sell them) an old sported .303 or an old sported model of 1917 enfield that just happens to be tack driver. Oh the horror, the horror.
paintballdude902
Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 2,872
my fatehr says i ahve too many guns......hes wrong though but i ahev to wait till next september when i turn 18 to add to it
- remington spartan spr220 12guage sxs
-marlin 30aw in 30-30
-ishy 2a enfield in 7.62nato
-ruger single six .22lr/wmr
-and a browning take down .22lr that i found in my dads closet never been fired and made in belgium so i dont plan on shooting it
-
- remington spartan spr220 12guage sxs
-marlin 30aw in 30-30
-ishy 2a enfield in 7.62nato
-ruger single six .22lr/wmr
-and a browning take down .22lr that i found in my dads closet never been fired and made in belgium so i dont plan on shooting it
-
MarshallDodge
Member
I don't think I even want to start a list nor do I think I will ever be satisfied. 
I have quite a few guns and enjoy shooting all of them. What I have is based on 25 years of collecting and is still changing. The changes have come slower now that I am older and wiser. I have .22 handguns and rifles for plinking, target pistols and rifles for competition, shotguns for defense, hunting, and clay pigeons, and then a whole collection of stuff for Cowboy Action and 3-Gun.
My two boys have a collection of their own that is growing. I think I will have to get them their own safe pretty soon.
Out of all of them my favorites are:
Kimber Custom Target*
CAR-15*
DPMS LR308
HK Benelli M1 S90*
Browning Citori
Ruger 10/22
* For Zen sake, If I had to keep one handgun, rifle, and shotgun these would be it.
I have quite a few guns and enjoy shooting all of them. What I have is based on 25 years of collecting and is still changing. The changes have come slower now that I am older and wiser. I have .22 handguns and rifles for plinking, target pistols and rifles for competition, shotguns for defense, hunting, and clay pigeons, and then a whole collection of stuff for Cowboy Action and 3-Gun.
My two boys have a collection of their own that is growing. I think I will have to get them their own safe pretty soon.
Out of all of them my favorites are:
Kimber Custom Target*
CAR-15*
DPMS LR308
HK Benelli M1 S90*
Browning Citori
Ruger 10/22
* For Zen sake, If I had to keep one handgun, rifle, and shotgun these would be it.
- Status
