Must have guns

[CNYCacher]

I think you have a perfect collection

one each of low, medium, and high-powered rifles
a shotgun
a handgun

I think there are only want-to-haves after this, you got the must-haves covered.

Just MHO

 

[ScotZ]

Remington 700 30-06
Remington 870 12ga
Marlin 39A 22 cal.
Ruger Single Six
Sig 229 40 cal
Colt 1911 45
Colt AR-15

Yep that about covers it

 

[bear71]

Hey kfranz,

Sorry for being a jerk, been a bad week, when most are pretty good. It was not very High Road of me to single out that one part of your response. Won't happen again.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

Must haves...

Bare minimum of one(preferably two) of each action type in a caliber you like, excluding .22. I have nothing against .22, but the overlap between rifles and pistols, combined with it's small size and ubiquitous nature, would mean it will most likely never be in danger of being banned or severely restricted.

I am working towards atleast two each of .40 and .45 pistols, a bolt action .308, two semi-auto .308's, a semi-auto and pump action shotgun, and then, enough AR-15's, AK's and mil-surps to arm a small town !!! When that is done, I will start working towards revolvers and the really out there stuff that you would probably have to reload for...

Still 2 Many Choices!?

 

[Zen21Tao]

I would say:

- .45acp (1911, HK or Sig)

- .223 (AR15)

- .308 (M1a, Cetme, HK 91/G3 clone, FAL)

 

[g5reality]

I'm building my "perfect collection"

It currently includes:
Remington 870 Express 12 gage
Glock 19 9mm
S&W 686+ 4" .357 magnum
Kimber Raptor II .45 ACP
Springfield M1A .308
Ruger Mini-14 .223
Ruger 10/22 .22LR

I'll be complementing it with:
S&W 442 or 637 .38+p
Glock 26 9mm
Kimber Aegis 9mm
Kimber Ultra Carry II and/or RCP II .45 ACP
Remington 700 CDL 30-06, &
Winchester 70 7mm
Springfield TRP Pro .45 ACP

I'm not sure I'd ever need another gun or rifle.

I would take a M1a over a AK any day of the week. also would choose a Mini-14 over a AR-15. Same calibers but more accurate and dependable

 

[FireArmFan]

If there is an AR that you want but don't have the money yet, I suggest you save this money you have now and put a little away each week until you have the money for the AR you want.

 

[waterhouse]

a .22
a lever action 30-30
a 12 ga. shotgun

 

[Onmilo]

I think Hank Williams Jr. said it best.
'A shotgun, a rifle, a four wheel drive, and a .45.

Doesn't matter who made it, what kind of action it sports, or what color it is.
Those four items are must haves.

 

[kludge]

Extreme Bare Bones Budget Basics:
A .22LR rifle
An home defense handgun (4" .357Mag, 9mm, .40S&W, or .45ACP)
A single shot 12GA

If you must have a compact CCW, and cannot afford two, then trade the 4" for a snub .38+P/.357Mag or compact 9mm.

Bare Bones Basics
As above, but trade up to a 12GA pump (that has interchangeable barrels)

add the following as desired

Plinker Handgun
.22LR auto, or revolver

Only One Hunting Rifle
A .243 Win -or- .244 Rem. aka 6mm Rem, IIRC (from varmints to deer)

Two hunting rifles
A .223 and a .30-06

Homeland Security/SHTF Rifle
Your pick: 5.56NATO, 7.62x39, 7.62NATO, Garand (.30-06)

Shotgun Barrels
A slug barrel (for deer hunting in shotgun states)
A barrel w/adj choke

For Revolver Guys/Gals
A .45 Colt
A companion lever action in .45 Colt


I'd better stop before I get carried away...

 

[DMK]

I sort of agree with Hfranz. There are no absolute "must haves" for everyone. A gun is a tool. You might use them differently than I.

If you only use your guns to deer hunt and have no right to concealed carry in your state, my J-frame isn't going to do you much good, but for me, it's a "must have". If I need a CCW to go downtown to eat, your 30-06 isn't going to do me much good. What are your needs?

 

[jlbraun]

Might I suggest the excellent Saiga-12 autoloading shotgun.

5rd detachable box magazine, reliable AK action, cheap, takes 2.75" and 3" 12ga shells, lots of aftermarket support.

 

[Uenoparker]

There are quite a few guns that would be fun to have, fun to look at, fun to shoot, fun to brag about, ...

But what I've learned as I've added to my collection is that after a while you start to get more out of having accessories -- mags, holsters, scopes, slings... -- than more guns. Guns are great to have, but having the right accessories makes them all the more enjoyable.

 

[bigman9828]

weird how no one has said this a win 30-30 anymodel its been a stander sence the wild west

 

[Legionnaire]

I like Eskimo Jim's list, especially since he listed types/calibers rather than specific models. I don't really think there are any specific models that are "must haves," but think all collections should include the following:

.22LR handgun (if only one, a revolver)
.22LR rifle (my preference would be a bolt action)
.357 Mag revolver
.9mm/.40S&W/.45ACP semi-auto (my pref would be .40S&W)
.308/.30-06 bolt action rifle (nod to the .308)
12 gauge pump action shotgun

That would be my "minimum" or "must have" list

 

[PaladinX13]

No such thing as a "Must Have", IMHO, except for a person who needs a defensive arm.

But as far as collecting... one of the issues about getting caught up in that attitude is that it's really easy to end up with a soulless cookie-cutter gun that everyone has. Granted, there's a reason everyone has one, right? Consensus is a powerful indicator of quality or satisfaction. But sometimes it's best march to the beat of your own drum (when speaking collection/shooting, not function based purchasing, of course). Of course, if you're buying based on function your "Must Have" is what you "Must Do" (defend, hunt, compete, etc).

For me, I have more handguns than I'll ever need but I certainly wanted each and every one of them. My long guns are completely informed by what I "Must Do"... and sadly, in my state, what I "Can Do" (otherwise, I'd have suppressed arms- completely illegal in this state).

 

[Hk91 Fan]

Hard question.

A Seecamp is definitely on that list, though...