The 1 Rifle, 1 Handgun Experiment. Ever try it?

[DAP90]

Kinda hard to shoot trap and skeet with a handgun or rifle. .22 LR ain't all that great for self defense (better than harsh language, I guess). .30-06 gets expensive to shoot all the time.

This is the problem with the one rifle/pistol/shotgun threads. I could do it if I could also add a 22lr handgun and rifle.

To answer the question, no I’ve never been down to only 3 guns except for when I was still building my collection. As I said above, I could do it but really, why bother?

 

[Cosmoline]

During a rough spot a few years back I was down to one Nagant revolver and 91/30 Mosin. But it didn't last long ;-)

It's rare someone (a shooter) sells a gun and doesn't regret it, unless it's been a problem gun.

I've sold hundreds over the years and regret only a few. But then again I sell and I buy, so I always have a mix. I simply couldn't afford to buy and horde.

 

[MD_Willington]

I'm of limited means, so for the longest time all I did have was 1 rifle and 1 handgun...

A Saiga 223 and a trade-in S&W 5906, as a result I "bought cheap and stacked deep" a lot of 9mm and .223/5.56, remember when WWWB 9mm * 100 rounds was $8.99? how about $3.99 for Remington 55gr .223? yeah I cleaned out a few center isle displays at Wally world...

At one point I was down to ZERO firearms, but still was able to purchase ammo and parts, and I did so.

 

[Justin Holder]

I feel outside of a extreme/unusual situation, in today's world, the idea is largely academic.

I don't know of any hunters/shooters that only own one of each. Even a lot of "non gun" people have several of one type or another.

 

[bannockburn]

I wouldn't have the slightest inclination in regards to the One Rifle, One Handgun Experiment. I'm having way too much fun with everything in my collection to ever do something like that.

 

[Catshooter]

I'll be the first one able to answer your question yes.

Yes, twice in my life. Both times due to family finances/stupid moves on mostly my part.

The first time I stuck with a Charter Bulldog .44 special as my only weapon.

The second time I held onto a Colt 1911 in .45 ACP as my one and only.

It wasn't fun, but since I didn't hunt at all and really only 'needed' a personal weapon, they served. I'd rather not go back to just one again.

If I had to though it would be a Smith Shorty .45 as to me the most important function, the one I would really resist losing would be concealed carry so that would do for me.

If I was able to hold onto one rifle, well, that'd be a tough one. I'd probably want a .30-30, either a Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336.


Cat

 

[Old krow]

Technically my answer would be a "no" because it was while I was building my collection. However, I had only 2 guns in my collection for probably twelve years. It probably qualifies in time though. I owned an 870 and a G19. I only had the 870 for probably 7 of those years.

What I did learn was after the fact, but still applies. I knew those 2 guns very well. Now that my collection has gotten larger I do not know my guns as well because my shooting is spread out over more guns these days. I think that owning the guns that I like to shoot is more important than the number of guns that I own. That being said, I also learned that I want more than 2 guns.

While I could certainly live with a bare bones collection, I would consider my minimum to be slightly higher than 1 rifle and 1 handgun. If I have a say in it, 4 would be my minimum. 2 rifles, 1 shotgun, 1 handgun.

My collection builds slow even now. I enjoy shooting what I own enough that I can wait for what I really want.

 

[qwert65]

I. Tried starting out figured I'd only need three a 22 rifle( I consider essential on a farm), and a 12 ga. I was in NJ so no ccw and no rifle hunting. I survived but always wanted a pistol. Then I moved to KS and started rifle hunting. Also got a 1911 for home defense then moved to Virginia got ccw so wound up with a j frame. Then I became a vet got some money and have added quite a few my point is this

You can get by nowadays with no gun or 1 or 2 etc it just changes your options. Kinda like I can close any wound with one type of suture but it works out better if I can match the right one for the job.
If I was going off into the woods to build a cabin and homestead I could very comfortably get by with 4 and easily my original two. But to do everything I want to do the BEST that I can and living in the world of ccw I need 6 or 7

 

[exavid]

I did worse than that. About thirty years ago or a bit more during the purchase of a new house I sold the 27 guns I owned due to a cash shortage. Got down to a Mossberg 12ga. which I hung on to. It hurts to remember some of those guns I sold and it hurts to know that I could get more than 15 times what I got then for them now. I only have seven guns now which is probably okay since I no longer hunt but I do miss a couple rifles I once had. The pistols and revolvers not so much since I have five good ones now.

 

[wkumatt]

I'm in the same boat as several others never reduced to that level but everyone began somewhere. Only rifle I owned was a Model 55 Winchester for 7 years (age 8-15), only one shotgun 870 for 3 years (15-18 yrs) and one pistol a High Point 9mm when I was 20 (don't laugh I got another one pretty quick)

Like everyone else it would be really extreme for me to go back to those levels now that I'm beyond them.

 

[tbutera2112]

i sold off a few guns i wish i had back

38 smith
p22
old school sxs

 

[JFrame]

i sold off a few guns i wish i had back

38 smith
p22
old school sxs

Mine would be a beautiful Colt Model 70 .45...


.

 

[Jenrick]

G34 and a AR 15. I did own other rifles and pistols, but I carried those two on and off duty exclusively. I'd occasionally take my S&W model 15 to the range, or go plink with my Remington 514, but if I took a training class it was with one of those two guns. I carried my G34 with an attached TLR-1 both at work and at home exclusively.

I think that's going to be about as close to the experiment I'm ever going to get. We're going to a mandated pistol that I can't stand, so as soon as the uniform comes off my Glock will be back on my hip.

-Jenrick

 

[Tallinar]

I was down to a New Vaquero in .45 Colt and a Rossi 92 in .45 Colt at one point. I was pretty content.

 

[Catshooter]

Jenrick & Tallinar, good combos, at least in my opinion.


Cat

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I'm only allowed 3 guns since I'm still living at home (18)

I have a Savage 111 in 30-06 which I haven't shot in months, a Remington 1100 with both a 21" RS barrel and a 26"? Trap barrel, and an XD-40. I do have a second handgun, a FM90 Hi Power, but I'm selling it because I have to but I wish I could keep it.

Both funds and rules are keeping me from getting more so I'm for the most part living it.

It's rare someone (a shooter) sells a gun and doesn't regret it, unless it's been a problem gun. I can't imagine folks selling off everything just for the heck of it. You'll pay more for their replacements usually.

I sold a Mosin Nagant to my brother because I didn't particularly care for it and I traded an 870 to get my 1100. I somewhat miss the 870 because it was nice looking at it was fun to work the pump but I'm much, much happier with my 1100 so it was a good trade.

 

[tonytor58]

I had an escort shotgun and a usp 45c for over a year. Then bought a fnp9, and sold my HK for an AR. Now I have a rifle, shotgun, and a pistol but had just a pistol and a pump shotgun for a year.

 

[kozak6]

The "1 Rifle 1 Handgun" thing is a horrifying scenario because it means such tremendous limitations and compromise.

One of the big problems is that I like shotguns (did you deliberately leave them out?) and I like .22's.

Since I like .22's, that means I need to choose a platform with a conversion kit/barrel available, and because I like shotguns, that limits me to a single shot break action platform.

It's almost as bad with only choosing 1 handgun. I like .22's. But I also like inexpensive centerfire cartridges like the 9mm. Except I would also like to purchase a magnum handgun someday.

So that means I'm limited to another single shot platform, or something like an EAA Witness and an expensive box of slides and barrels.

And then, single shots are still ...less than ideal for self defense purposes.

And chances are, I wouldn't have bought any of those things outside of such a scenario.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

The first time I moved from Ohio to Colorado (did that twice, got laid off the second time, and moved back to Ohio), all I had was a .22 Ruger Target pistol, .308 Ruger M77 heavy barrel w/scope, and...........a MAC -10 SMG (more of a fun thing that practical armament; it was still stored in Ohio). I had thinned down my armaments due to economic demands. So, I guess I was making do with "one pistol, one rifle". Shortly after landing a job in CO, I encountered a serious threat at the place where I worked ( a repossession agency). I had been a cop for 5 years prior to that job, and I could tell the guy was dangerous (and threatenening to return). I went home that night, got the Ruger, went to a nearby gunshop, and traded up for a Colt Series 70 .45 Government. I felt better about my situation after that. Two months later, I got a cop job in Colorado, and the .45 became my duty gun.

 

[ChopperKen]

I was down to a mossy 500 and a Dan Wesson 357 for about
12 years after I got out of the army.
Deer hunting was done with the 357.
Also rabbit with headshots.
I have many more guns available now
but I still pull out the Dan when something needs shooting.

 

[E-Rock]

Timely topic - I'm trying this experiment now. Not that I had a big collection to start, but I sold my two pistols today and my shotgun is on its way out the door this weekend. Took some of the pistol funds and bought a used Ruger Security Six .357M to back up my AK. And those two are all I have. Can't think of anything they can't do. Well, probably not so good for clay games.

The move is mostly a result of economic priorities. There will be more guns in the future but they will be luxury items. An AK and a .357M are two things I'd rather not live without and will probably satisfy my gun needs for the foreseeable future. Some people go their whole lives never seeing or touching a gun. Weirdos. The only thing that concerns me about this situation is if things get worse before they get better then which goes first, the AK or the Ruger?

 

[olafhardtB]

1 rifle etc

I think your question is too narrow. I think a minimum arsenal would be 1 22 handgun, 1 center fire handgun, one steel shot capable shotgun, 1 22 rifle and one centerfire rifle. I lived for years with a win model 12 12ga, rem 700 243, s&w 34 22 and a marlin 39 22 and I was adequately equipped. To tell the truth I would feel fine with my savage 24 22-20 ga and my s&w 317 22.I have learned through life experiences:

1) the savage rifle barrel hits close enough to the center of an ounce of fives that I only need to aim at a squirrels feet and touch off the shotgun barrel.
2) A 22 revolver is a perfectly adequate defender.
3) 22's are a great source of cheap thrills
All that being so, there are more guns on the way in trade for something I got tired of that I got in a trade for something I thought I wanted but did not. I am at the stage that I find something I drooled over, I get it, fool with it, if I like it fine, if I don't it's gone. But I usually take my time.

 

[possom813]

I was down to 3 guns for a long time right after I got married. Sold off most of them for extra cash to put down on our house.

I kept

J.C. Higgins Model 101.7 that belonged to my mother and she gave to me on my 14th birthday

Remington Model 740 .30-06 that I inherited when she passed on

Ruger Security Six SS .357 6" Barrel that my dad gave to me for a wedding gift actually. It was my baby for the longest time, until 2004, when someone stole it out of my truck. I had a nice little hidden compartment under the seat that only 4 people on this planet knew about and that's where it was locked up. I went to get it, and it was gone, with the front of the compartment pried open. I'm pretty sure I know who did it, but never could prove it. I replaced it in 2006 with a Ruger GP100 4" barrel in SS.

 

[scramasax]

My father is a gun guy, I'm a gun guy and my mother has tolerated that for over 50 years. She gave my father a 1928 Thmpson for thier 50th. Every time I think about getting rid of a gun I get hives. Every time I sell a gun I have a panic attack. When I trade I always have regrets. I have been trying to consolidate my firearms and knives for the last two years. I cann't hunt or shoot much anymore due to disabilities and finances.
But I am such an addict I no twelve step program will help. As to the two gun concept I have at least a dozen paired sets to choose from.

hello, My name is .... I'm a gunalholic.

Cheers,

ts

 

[Warp]

Why the hell would I want to sell off almost all of my guns?

I can answer the question just fine without selling anything.

I want my Glock 26. That's really all that matters. One rifle? Well, I don't have crap for rifles I'd rather keep my 870. If it had to be a "rifle" I'd keep my SKS or, if for some stupid reason I sold all my other guns except the Glock 26 I'd buy a Colt LE6920 to be my only rifle.