rhubarb
Member
You'll get over that soon enough. Soon you'll think of a small collection of firearms as a dozen...then you'll start thinking about which ones you can part with so that you only have a dozen or so...
One of each--basic all-around collection...
- Thread starter CalamityJane
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You'll get over that soon enough. Soon you'll think of a small collection of firearms as a dozen...then you'll start thinking about which ones you can part with so that you only have a dozen or so...
ken B
Member
my choices
down to 5..my wife would love that!
something along these lines, but i'd give up one pistol and go with two rifles and have a deuce of all:
long arms:
Ruger 10/22
Either Savage or Weatherby Vanguard 30/06
( can hunt anything on this continent and most any continent with that,and the Vanguard if you are looking at cost, i have 4 Vanguards of various vintages so I'm biased)
Mossberg 835 (with a wallet of different chokes just in case, unless they choke they Remmie 870 then you have that choice) up to 3.5 shells, pump reliablity, etc
S&W 686 4 in (either 6 shot or 7 shot)
Ruger 22/45 OR S&W 617 10 shot
I tend to stick with revolvers since magazines limit you on auto loaders as far as feeding, reliability, etc
don't burn me at the stake, I have a couple of Glocks, a sahweet 1911 my wife bought me when we first got married etc, i was just saying if I HAD to weed it down to 5
down to 5..my wife would love that!
something along these lines, but i'd give up one pistol and go with two rifles and have a deuce of all:
long arms:
Ruger 10/22
Either Savage or Weatherby Vanguard 30/06
( can hunt anything on this continent and most any continent with that,and the Vanguard if you are looking at cost, i have 4 Vanguards of various vintages so I'm biased)
Mossberg 835 (with a wallet of different chokes just in case, unless they choke they Remmie 870 then you have that choice) up to 3.5 shells, pump reliablity, etc
S&W 686 4 in (either 6 shot or 7 shot)
Ruger 22/45 OR S&W 617 10 shot
I tend to stick with revolvers since magazines limit you on auto loaders as far as feeding, reliability, etc
don't burn me at the stake, I have a couple of Glocks, a sahweet 1911 my wife bought me when we first got married etc, i was just saying if I HAD to weed it down to 5
If I could only keep four of my guns they would be my
870, its a twenty gauge express magnum, anything from rabbits on up to deer with a slug
Winchester M70, its a .30-06, anything from deer up to moose and black bear
Browning BL-22, mainly for sentimental reasons and also its frequently the only gun I can hit anything consistantly with
Glock 27, I can conceal it on my person, or just keep it in the sock drawer next to the bed.
870, its a twenty gauge express magnum, anything from rabbits on up to deer with a slug
Winchester M70, its a .30-06, anything from deer up to moose and black bear
Browning BL-22, mainly for sentimental reasons and also its frequently the only gun I can hit anything consistantly with
Glock 27, I can conceal it on my person, or just keep it in the sock drawer next to the bed.
Rem700SD
Member
If I had to limit my collection, it would be down to these five firearms. virtually all farms in my area(East TX) had this "arsenal" or similar armament:
2 pistols, one small calibre, one large
2 rifles, one small, one large calibre
one general purpose shotgun.
The variation depends on your purpose. On the farm, we hunted. Since yours is HD/SD, it will vary, but the same theme remains.
Pistols: Ruger mark 2/3, and a Glock 22(.40s&w) ruger to practice, Glock to carry.
Rifles: Ruger 10/22 and a Military-type rifle, capable of decent accuracy, SKS perhaps, or FN-FAL or other depending on budget.
Shotgun: ubiquitous Remington 700, w/ a short 18-20" bbl
If you want a more traditional theme, you might consider a substitution w/ a pistol/carbine combination in .357/38spl calibre. A marlin/winchester lever action in .357 or .44 mag is an old-west assault rifle, and still very handy!
2 pistols, one small calibre, one large
2 rifles, one small, one large calibre
one general purpose shotgun.
The variation depends on your purpose. On the farm, we hunted. Since yours is HD/SD, it will vary, but the same theme remains.
Pistols: Ruger mark 2/3, and a Glock 22(.40s&w) ruger to practice, Glock to carry.
Rifles: Ruger 10/22 and a Military-type rifle, capable of decent accuracy, SKS perhaps, or FN-FAL or other depending on budget.
Shotgun: ubiquitous Remington 700, w/ a short 18-20" bbl
If you want a more traditional theme, you might consider a substitution w/ a pistol/carbine combination in .357/38spl calibre. A marlin/winchester lever action in .357 or .44 mag is an old-west assault rifle, and still very handy!
one45auto
Member
I'm traditional, so mine would be as follows:
Rifle: Winchester Model 94 Trapper .357 Magnum
Shotgun: Anything double-barreled, side-by-side, and 12 gauge.
Pistols:
Ruger Vaquero .357 Magnum
Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special
Ruger Police Service-Six .357 Magnum
Glock 19 9mm (okay, so this one isn't traditional....
)
Rifle: Winchester Model 94 Trapper .357 Magnum
Shotgun: Anything double-barreled, side-by-side, and 12 gauge.
Pistols:
Ruger Vaquero .357 Magnum
Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special
Ruger Police Service-Six .357 Magnum
Glock 19 9mm (okay, so this one isn't traditional....
)I too am working on this very quest. With a .22 rifle I think that I will be covered.
The Browning with a rifled slug can hit great at considerable distances.
The .22 pistol and rifle can be fired all day.
Ruger has been great to shoot with and the 336ss, well that is just a classic.
The Browning with a rifled slug can hit great at considerable distances.
The .22 pistol and rifle can be fired all day.
Ruger has been great to shoot with and the 336ss, well that is just a classic.
Attachments
Beetle Bailey
Member
Practical uses aside, I must have both a .22lr rifle and a .22lr handgun (or a .22lr conversion kit for a handgun). I really enjoy shooting and try to get to the range once a week. .22lr allows me to get a good amount of quality shooting in.
1st: .22lr ammo is very inexpensive, and match-grade ammo is inexpensive relative to match-grade centerfire ammo.
2nd: .22lr has very little recoil and is relatively quiet (but you still have to wear hearing protection
). 3rd: .22lr guns tend to be very accurate, if you compare them to similiarly priced centerfire guns.
This means owning guns in .22lr makes great sense because shooting .22lr is both very accessible and very rewarding. Every gun owner I know has several .22lr guns and they shoot them regularly. So I'll cheat and pick six guns for my minimalist collection
..22lr rifle CZ 452 Lux in .22lr. Great little rifle that I shoot all the time.
Centerfire rifle M1 Garand in 30-06 or .308 win. In a pinch, I can use this for a variety of purposes and sometimes .22lr just 'aint enough.
Shotgun Well, I'd have to say Remington 870 in 12 gauge, but that's partly because the only shotgun I've ever fired was a Remington 870
. It's considered a classic, by the way.Handguns 1911 in .45 ACP gussed up by a master 1911 gunsmith.
Browning HiPower in 9mm Luger.
S&W 686 in .357 magnum.
And I'd get a Marvel .22lr kit for the 1911, too! BTW, CCW is not possible where I live
.Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
My Limit Of Five
Colt M-4 .223
Remignton 12 ga pump 870 Marine Magnum
6" Smith & Wesson 686-5 .357 magnum
SIG-SAUER .45ACP P220A
Smith & Wesson 642 .38 Special
Colt M-4 .223
Remignton 12 ga pump 870 Marine Magnum
6" Smith & Wesson 686-5 .357 magnum
SIG-SAUER .45ACP P220A
Smith & Wesson 642 .38 Special
Rock45
Member
I'm gonna deviate from the norm a little, while maintaining pretty much the same mindset as most...
From current inventory, as I feel most of my purchases have been well thought out and planned...
.22lr rifle...........Ruger 10/22 stainless synthetic with a 4x scope
Centerfire rifle....Olympic AR-15 HBAR
Shotgun............Benelli Nova Tactical 12 gauge pump
.22lr pistol.........Walther P22 with short and long barrels
CCW Pistol.........Walther P99 9mm
Sunday-go-to-meetin' Pistol...Colt 1911 45ACP
( though I admit I have my eye on
somthing really shiny to replace it with )
Gonna have to give honorable mention to my Ruger GP100 in .357 magnum and the Smith & Wesson 637 in .38 special cause I think you should have a revolver around for backup purposes, and a good .380 that fits in a pocket (pick your favorite flavor, I'll go with the Kel-tec P3AT) doesn't really count as an EXTRA gun, now does it?
Bryan
From current inventory, as I feel most of my purchases have been well thought out and planned...
.22lr rifle...........Ruger 10/22 stainless synthetic with a 4x scope
Centerfire rifle....Olympic AR-15 HBAR
Shotgun............Benelli Nova Tactical 12 gauge pump
.22lr pistol.........Walther P22 with short and long barrels
CCW Pistol.........Walther P99 9mm
Sunday-go-to-meetin' Pistol...Colt 1911 45ACP
( though I admit I have my eye on
somthing really shiny to replace it with )
Gonna have to give honorable mention to my Ruger GP100 in .357 magnum and the Smith & Wesson 637 in .38 special cause I think you should have a revolver around for backup purposes, and a good .380 that fits in a pocket (pick your favorite flavor, I'll go with the Kel-tec P3AT) doesn't really count as an EXTRA gun, now does it?
Bryan
sacp81170a
Member
Five? Yeah, I've got 5, each, of:
Semiauto handguns (centerfire and rimfire)
Revolvers (centerfire and rimfire)
Semiauto rifles, (centerfire and rimfire)
Bolt action rifles, (centerfire and rimfire)
Pump shotguns, 12 and 20ga
Dang, I don't have *any* semiauto shotguns, single shot pistols, and I only have two lever action rifles. Thanks for pointing out the holes in my collection!
Anything else I missed? (Except for NFA and AOW's)
Semiauto handguns (centerfire and rimfire)
Revolvers (centerfire and rimfire)
Semiauto rifles, (centerfire and rimfire)
Bolt action rifles, (centerfire and rimfire)
Pump shotguns, 12 and 20ga
Dang, I don't have *any* semiauto shotguns, single shot pistols, and I only have two lever action rifles. Thanks for pointing out the holes in my collection!
Anything else I missed? (Except for NFA and AOW's)
epijunkie67
Member
As has been said here before, I'd pick a different set of criteria than you started off with. More rifle and less pistol. I always tell people that before they buy a gun or guns you need to ask yourself what role you want this weapon to perform. Buying a full sized 1911 is going to be a bad idea as a concealed carry gun for most people and using a snub nosed 38 to hunt with would be equally as bad.
If you are trying to cover the widest range of uses with the fewest number of guns then that's different than if you are trying to fill specific functions. As a general rule I think most people can accept something like this;
1 shotgun-12 or 20 gauge
1 small caliber rifle-.22 or .22 mag though some might argue for .17
1 large caliber rifle-Here is where you will get the most disagreement. I'll discuss a bit later.
Optional-1 medium caliber rifle or a second large caliber rifle
1 or more handguns- If your only going to have one I'd say make it in a self defense caliber. My personal opinion is it should also be concealable. If you're going to have more than one then you can do a small carry piece and a larger fun gun. If you can get a .22 in there somewhere then mores the better.
As for the large caliber rifle, depends on your expected shooting needs. If you want it to be able to fill a self defense role then most people would recommend making it a semiauto instead of a bolt action. If you are going to hunt then you may want a medium or larger caliber. If you want it to do both then you are looking at something in 7.62X39 or .308.
All that aside, if I had to stick to your original request for only a single rifle I'd have to go with a lever action in .357. With FMJ .38s I could hunt stuff as small as rabbit and with soft point .357s I could hunt stuff as large as deer. Light, manuverable, easy to find ammo, easy to shoot. It doesn't have the range or fire rate of something like a magazine fed .308 but you can't hunt rabbit with a .308.
If you are trying to cover the widest range of uses with the fewest number of guns then that's different than if you are trying to fill specific functions. As a general rule I think most people can accept something like this;
1 shotgun-12 or 20 gauge
1 small caliber rifle-.22 or .22 mag though some might argue for .17
1 large caliber rifle-Here is where you will get the most disagreement. I'll discuss a bit later.
Optional-1 medium caliber rifle or a second large caliber rifle
1 or more handguns- If your only going to have one I'd say make it in a self defense caliber. My personal opinion is it should also be concealable. If you're going to have more than one then you can do a small carry piece and a larger fun gun. If you can get a .22 in there somewhere then mores the better.
As for the large caliber rifle, depends on your expected shooting needs. If you want it to be able to fill a self defense role then most people would recommend making it a semiauto instead of a bolt action. If you are going to hunt then you may want a medium or larger caliber. If you want it to do both then you are looking at something in 7.62X39 or .308.
All that aside, if I had to stick to your original request for only a single rifle I'd have to go with a lever action in .357. With FMJ .38s I could hunt stuff as small as rabbit and with soft point .357s I could hunt stuff as large as deer. Light, manuverable, easy to find ammo, easy to shoot. It doesn't have the range or fire rate of something like a magazine fed .308 but you can't hunt rabbit with a .308.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Just 5
Rifles
22 rimfire to plink, practice and take small game
Centerfire rifle for larger game
Handguns
22 rimfire to plink, practice and take small game
Centerfire for SD/HD, maybe hunting
Shotgun
most anything will cover the basics
This is more traditional than most
Marlin 39A
Marlin 336 or Win 94 in 30-30 or 32spec
S&W 34 or 35
S&W 19 or 13 4"
Win, Rem, Ithaca, or Mossy pump
Rifles
22 rimfire to plink, practice and take small game
Centerfire rifle for larger game
Handguns
22 rimfire to plink, practice and take small game
Centerfire for SD/HD, maybe hunting
Shotgun
most anything will cover the basics
This is more traditional than most
Marlin 39A
Marlin 336 or Win 94 in 30-30 or 32spec
S&W 34 or 35
S&W 19 or 13 4"
Win, Rem, Ithaca, or Mossy pump
22-rimfire
Member
Guns for the Budget Minded:
22 Rifle: Probably Ruger 10/22 Rifle
22 Pistol: Probably Ruger Marks III Hunter
Home Defense: 4" Ruger GP100 357 Mag
Hunting: Savage 114 American Classic 30-06
Shotgun: Remington Model 870 12 ga with 20" barrel
+1=Carry Gun: S&W 442/642 38spl +P Revolver
+2=Varmint Rifle: Remington Model 700 BDL 223 or 243
+3=Auto Pistol: 1911 Style Pistol in 45 ACP
+4=Auto Pistol: Glock 23 40 S&W
+5=Big Bore Revolver: S&W Model 57/657 41 Mag, or 29/629 44 Mag
+6=AR Rifle: Bushmaster 223, or Ruger Mini 14/30
+7=Shotgun: Remington or Mossberg Police Shotgun 12 ga
+8=Shotgun: Remington Model 870 20 ga
+9=Revolver: 500 S&W Revolver
+10=Auto Sig 223 or Another Glock
22 Rifle: Probably Ruger 10/22 Rifle
22 Pistol: Probably Ruger Marks III Hunter
Home Defense: 4" Ruger GP100 357 Mag
Hunting: Savage 114 American Classic 30-06
Shotgun: Remington Model 870 12 ga with 20" barrel
+1=Carry Gun: S&W 442/642 38spl +P Revolver
+2=Varmint Rifle: Remington Model 700 BDL 223 or 243
+3=Auto Pistol: 1911 Style Pistol in 45 ACP
+4=Auto Pistol: Glock 23 40 S&W
+5=Big Bore Revolver: S&W Model 57/657 41 Mag, or 29/629 44 Mag
+6=AR Rifle: Bushmaster 223, or Ruger Mini 14/30
+7=Shotgun: Remington or Mossberg Police Shotgun 12 ga
+8=Shotgun: Remington Model 870 20 ga
+9=Revolver: 500 S&W Revolver
+10=Auto Sig 223 or Another Glock
LOL CJ
IMO, you will find that you are already way far gone. You want a "collection, just a small one". That means you have crossed a line,and probably recognize the fun in shooting. I predict that you will join most of us here in having more than 5. When you have an interest in firearms as you seem to, the lure is irrestible. You will likely find a particular type of shooting that pleases you and then you will need "just the right gun" for that need. That is a collection in itself. Then of course, the .22s will be so much fun, such great practice, and so cheap, that you will want to make sure that your .22 arsenal is sufficient to cover the various types of needs. It is never ending, but it sure is fun. I do suggest that you make sure that the arsenal contains an accurate .22 rifle with scope, and a good .22 semi auto, since those will enable you to do a lot of target practice. Nothing better for practice and fun shooting. Sounds like you live in an environment with shooting immediately available. How wonderful to have a hobby where you can go out and have a good time anytime you choose, practice a useful skill while doing it, and feel proud inside at your sense of self reliance. The lure is inescapable.
IMO, you will find that you are already way far gone. You want a "collection, just a small one". That means you have crossed a line,and probably recognize the fun in shooting. I predict that you will join most of us here in having more than 5. When you have an interest in firearms as you seem to, the lure is irrestible. You will likely find a particular type of shooting that pleases you and then you will need "just the right gun" for that need. That is a collection in itself. Then of course, the .22s will be so much fun, such great practice, and so cheap, that you will want to make sure that your .22 arsenal is sufficient to cover the various types of needs. It is never ending, but it sure is fun. I do suggest that you make sure that the arsenal contains an accurate .22 rifle with scope, and a good .22 semi auto, since those will enable you to do a lot of target practice. Nothing better for practice and fun shooting. Sounds like you live in an environment with shooting immediately available. How wonderful to have a hobby where you can go out and have a good time anytime you choose, practice a useful skill while doing it, and feel proud inside at your sense of self reliance. The lure is inescapable.
What might make it simpler is kind of limit the differents types of ammo you'd have to buy,but I'll try to answer the question.
Shotgun-Mossberg 500 buy a combo with vent rib barrel and interchangeable chokes and a short barrel for defense work. Best bang for the buck available.
.22 rifle- Ruger 10/22- Very customizable should your needs change.
centerfire rifle-Very dependant on the area and types of critters you may run into. My choice- Ak47- very reliable, ammo and mags reasonably cheap,you can add optics with a sidemount. The gun is more accurate than people will give it credit for,ballistically similar to a .30-30. And frankly if I am going to put a hole in something a bigger hole is a better hole.
Centerfire hangun- Most versatile is a .357 magnum- I vote for the Ruger gp100,built like a tank,accurate can be disassembled with little to no tools. Versatile range of power from light .38's to heavy .357 .Adaptable to a good number of different grips and sights. The one gun that can handle a lot of everything.
.22 handgun- Well,if you are going for the Gp100, buy a .22 double action to practice with. My choice,however, is the Ruger MKII auto, very accurate,very reliable, customizable,many aftermarket parts available. I own three wouldn't part with one.
I'd also snag something for pure self-defense- My choice is a Ruger sp101 in 357mag .There may be a better choices out there,I don't know. I just think that simple tools are the most reliable..
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
TWBryan
Shotgun-Mossberg 500 buy a combo with vent rib barrel and interchangeable chokes and a short barrel for defense work. Best bang for the buck available.
.22 rifle- Ruger 10/22- Very customizable should your needs change.
centerfire rifle-Very dependant on the area and types of critters you may run into. My choice- Ak47- very reliable, ammo and mags reasonably cheap,you can add optics with a sidemount. The gun is more accurate than people will give it credit for,ballistically similar to a .30-30. And frankly if I am going to put a hole in something a bigger hole is a better hole.
Centerfire hangun- Most versatile is a .357 magnum- I vote for the Ruger gp100,built like a tank,accurate can be disassembled with little to no tools. Versatile range of power from light .38's to heavy .357 .Adaptable to a good number of different grips and sights. The one gun that can handle a lot of everything.
.22 handgun- Well,if you are going for the Gp100, buy a .22 double action to practice with. My choice,however, is the Ruger MKII auto, very accurate,very reliable, customizable,many aftermarket parts available. I own three wouldn't part with one.
I'd also snag something for pure self-defense- My choice is a Ruger sp101 in 357mag .There may be a better choices out there,I don't know. I just think that simple tools are the most reliable..
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
TWBryan
Chairman Meow
Member
This collection should kill just about anything...
Wingmaster, 2 choked barrels: 26 in. light contour + 20 in. with rifle sights
Browning A-bolt 30-06, Leupold 3-9x50
Galil, select-fire, 7.62x39, folding stock, ACOG
Para full-size high-cap .45 ACP
S+W Airweight .38 Special +P
Wingmaster, 2 choked barrels: 26 in. light contour + 20 in. with rifle sights
Browning A-bolt 30-06, Leupold 3-9x50
Galil, select-fire, 7.62x39, folding stock, ACOG
Para full-size high-cap .45 ACP
S+W Airweight .38 Special +P
cslinger
Member
As always Dan and I are close to being on the same page. If I had to choose only five.
Bushmaster M4gery A3 (Lots of other options such as .22 uppers etc.)
SIG P220ST .45 ACP
Remington 870 Marine Maggie
Smith and Wesson 638 .38 Special (CCW etc.)
SIG SSG300 Bolt Gun http://www.sigarms.com/products/sauer-ssg3000.asp
I realize the bolt gun suggestion is a little over the top but I would want a good bolty in my group and I want it to be able to take a .22 long rifle conversion as well. The SIG meets both those requirements, abeit at a hefty price. But if I were to tone down to five I think an SSG would be one.
I am all about versatility. My list includes an all the time carry/basic defense gun. A full size dead nuts reliable .45 caliber house gun, a spectacular shotgun, a Bolt gun that can be set up in two calibers for fun or actual hunting use and an EBR that is accurate, cheap to shoot, has every accessory in the world and can also be set up in .22, as well as other calibers if I want.
There you have it my perfect five I guess.
Bushmaster M4gery A3 (Lots of other options such as .22 uppers etc.)
SIG P220ST .45 ACP
Remington 870 Marine Maggie
Smith and Wesson 638 .38 Special (CCW etc.)
SIG SSG300 Bolt Gun http://www.sigarms.com/products/sauer-ssg3000.asp
I realize the bolt gun suggestion is a little over the top but I would want a good bolty in my group and I want it to be able to take a .22 long rifle conversion as well. The SIG meets both those requirements, abeit at a hefty price. But if I were to tone down to five I think an SSG would be one.
I am all about versatility. My list includes an all the time carry/basic defense gun. A full size dead nuts reliable .45 caliber house gun, a spectacular shotgun, a Bolt gun that can be set up in two calibers for fun or actual hunting use and an EBR that is accurate, cheap to shoot, has every accessory in the world and can also be set up in .22, as well as other calibers if I want.
There you have it my perfect five I guess.
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