Minimize the arsenal. Maximize the budget.

[Guitarmike]

My 4 guns would be:

Ruger American 9mm
Just right 9mm carbine
Ruger ar 15
Remington 40xb in 308
3 common calibers, covers any need I may have for a weapon.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

So, I'm curious about these PPC carbines. Someone here mentioned the Beretta version. I saw a young guy at the range last week with 9 mm AR15 shooting at a 7 yrd target.

I don't get this. A Beretta 92 will hit a man-sized target out to 50 yrds. I get that you'll see a bump in velocity out of a carbine barrel, but why in the world would you carry a gun nearly the same weight and size of a rifle that really won't do much more than a pistol of the same caliber? Why would you even consider a PPC at 7 yards?

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Pistol caliber carbines can offer better accuracy than a handgun in the same caliber. And in some places, in order to hunt whitetail or other similar game, a full on rifle cartridge isn’t necessarily needed.

I get that you could go to 50 yds (or more) with a handgun but why?? When other options are available.

Also, I mentioned earlier the idea of a pistol and carbine sharing the same caliber for purposes of ammunition efficiency. Keeping 2 firearms fed with the same ammunition can help cut down on cost (maybe) and can make it easier on the user, only needing to keep up with one caliber instead of two.

 

[chicharrones]

So, I'm curious about these PPC carbines. Someone here mentioned the Beretta version. I saw a young guy at the range last week with 9 mm AR15 shooting at a 7 yrd target.

I don't get this. A Beretta 92 will hit a man-sized target out to 50 yrds. I get that you'll see a bump in velocity out of a carbine barrel, but why in the world would you carry a gun nearly the same weight and size of a rifle that really won't do much more than a pistol of the same caliber? Why would you even consider a PPC at 7 yards?

If my earlier response would have been centered on a shooter living in the suburbs or an urban location, a 9mm pistol caliber carbine makes a lot more sense than it would to an outdoorsman.

I finally got off the stump and jumped into a Beretta CX4 myself as I couldn't keep denying the fact I'm no longer an outdoorsman or even an outdoorsman wannabe.

So, 100 yards or less. Mostly range shooting or home defense. Less muzzle blast than a rifle cartridge rifle. Cheap centerfire practice in a long gun. Plus, it's indoor range friendly for people that can't or won't go to outdoor ranges.

And speaking of weight, both of these have 16" barrels.

View attachment 778794

 

[Manny]

If I had to minimize I'd cut back to arms I have significant ammo stocked up for. In my case that means .22lr, .38spl, 9mm, .556/.223, .308 and 12ga.

My arms choices in these rounds are:
-.22LR, Ruger 10/22 TD
-.38spl, I choose two here, Ruger KLCR for CCW and a Ruger GP100 6" as it's legal for deer hunting in Ohio
-9mm, Here I go with 2, my newest 9mm, A Glock G19 Vickers & G17 Vickers backup, main defensive arms
-.556, Tavor X95 as it's so compact, maximum performance carbine with minimum footprint
-.308, Ruger Precision Rifle, Big Daddy
-12ga, Browning Cynergy, 30" barrels, synthetic stock and full camo, super versatile shotgun

6 chamberings, 8 weapons.

None of these arms are budget pieces, they are all very good quality leaning towards higher end IMHO. But I already have them all and feel they are the most versatile and effective for my uses & needs. I figure what I get rid of will enable keeping these.

 

[huntsman]

As to your budget I’d buy as much quality as I could afford, to the extent of buying fewer but more expensive guns.

For a semiauto shotgun I go with a Benelli M2 field.

I decided to own fewer guns but quality guns instead a lot of bargin brands.

I’ve been operating on limited funds so it’s taken time and it may not be for everybody but it’s worked for me.