what if you had to buy them over

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Sheepdog1968

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I have a friend whose home burnt down in 2001. He had to start over. What would you do differently? I'm not setting limits or anything like that. I'm sure we all have learned a thing or two about what we like, dislike, etc. I certainly bet, we'd be happy to get rid of that big box of gear we bought and didn't like.

As for me, probably less pistols as I don't enjoy shooting them as much as I do my rifles or shotguns. I'd also harmonize on one caliber (for me it's the 45 ACP) just so I don't have to keep as many calibers in stock. I'd also probably get three of the same pistols as whatever my main back-up to long arm/CCW pistol would be. In fact, those three pistols might be all I'd want/need.

As for the rifles, I'd own more lever actions than I do now as I find them very fun. I'd cut back to one bolt action focused on hunting. Surprisingly, I'd also cut back on the semi-autos. I enjoy them but not as much as my lever actions. I'd get two semi-autos in 223 that are identical and that would be it. The hunting rifle would be a 30-06, which has oomph.

The shotguns I would want lots of as I really like them. Pumps, semi's, side by sides. The vast majority would be in 12 gauge but I'd like to get a pump and side by side in 20 gauge as well.

Also, suprisingly, I wouldn't get a 22 LR pistol or rifle. They are definately a lot of fun to shoot and inexpensive. I find that my life is busy enough where my biggest limitation is finding time to get to the range and not the cost of ammo.

I'm not planning on selling anything (well, maybe except the stuff in box of accessories I tried out and just didn't care for). I'm just daydreaming.

How about you?
 
A while back someone had a thread called What would your spartan collection be?


A top 10 if you will ... it really made me think, of if I had to start all over what I'd want.

I wouldn't change anything about how I got to where I am though ... if I hadn't had a lot of the guns I've had I'd still be curious about them.

Here's mine again ... a little of everything.
my_spartan10.jpg
 
I didn't start shooting until later in my 20's a few decades ago - and then it was rifles for hunting. If I was starting over now, it would be 1 rifle for basic big game, 1 for plinking/teaching grandkids, a few handguns for carry/plinking/HD, with most of the focus on the shotguns - 2-3 12's for targets including pigeons/clays/doves/helice and 2-3 20 for walk-up hunting of quail/pheasant/chukar

and enough money to not have to reload!
 
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I'm with oneounceload.

Model 70 in .30-06. No milsurps or other random crap.
Handguns for defense, trail and match shooting (a fancy .22).
Various shotguns in 12 and 20 for Sporting Clays, Skeet and all the different birds and terrain we have around here. If I had money in return for the milsurps and random crap, I'd think more about Basque doubles.
 
If I lost everything, guns would not be the first thing on my mind to replace. But, in the interest of the thread, I would tend to go with an approach similar to oneounceload.

First the basics are covered: For me that would include a medium priced 22 rifle, a 270 rifle for hunting, a 12 ga pump shotgun, a quality 22 revolver, and a quality 357/38 for home defense and personal protection.

Next: several quality 22 rifles, a couple 22 pistols (things like Ruger Mark II/III and Smith Model 41) and probably a high end 22 revolver, a 357 revolver, 41 mag revolver, and a couple 40 S&W pistols (probably Glocks).

If I need a mid range rifle caliber for varmint hunting or a rifle for much larger game, I'd buy it when I need it. Same would apply to additional shotguns for hunting or sport.

Frankly, I would do it similar to the way I did it already. But I'm still working on building the pile. :)
 
I'm pretty minimalist right now. I'd do the same but with different optics on the AR. I think my eyes are bad enough to really need a scope instead of a red dot.
 
I know one thing for sure - I'd save hundreds of dollars on holsters, since I could skip all the trial and error and go straight to what works or me.

R
 
Assuming I had funds available, and considering what I have shot well over the years:

Handguns:
Glock 17.
CZ75 SP01 Shadow & Kadet Unit.

Rifles:
CZ452 in .22 magnum.
Remington bolt in .223
Marlin 336 stainless in 30-30.

The above list would fill my needs for competition pistol shooting and hunting. Anything else would be gravy. Based on past experience I would buy more toys and enjoy them, but the above list would really fullfill all my requirements at this point in time.
 
I can say it happened to me after the Big D

Much happier with my choices now second time around
1. Colt Python
2. Colt Diamondback
3. Ruger 77/22 Mk II in .22 WMR
4. S&W mod 41
5. Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06
6. FNP-9
7. Mossberg 500
8. Marlin 1894c .38/.357
9. AR I built myself
10. The Ruger Standard dad went halves with me on my 11 B-day (the one she didnt get)!
 
I'd buy the following firearms in this order:

1. Glock 19
2. Arsenal SLR107
3. FAL with 18" barrel and folding stock.
4. Glock 26.
5. Marlin 60
6. Ruger MKIII
7. Keltec Sub 2000

Plus ammo, magazines, holsters, slings, sights, etc.
 
I'd buy the same thing I have now.

I'd eliminate a few shotguns in lieu of another bolt action or lever action, though. I own a couple of 870's, Remington 1100's and browning bottom eject pumps that are duplicates from back when I did a bunch of bird hunting.
 
Here Is My List Of Replacements (If Needed)-

01. West German SIG-SAUER P220A .45 caliber
02. West German SIG-SAUER P228 9mm caliber
03. Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special .45 auto
04. Smith & Wesson model 39-2 9mm caliber
05. High Standard "The Victor" model .22LR
06. Colt 2nd Series (1947-1972) Dick Special .38 Spl
07. Smith & Wesson 4" [fn*] 19-3 .357 magnum
08. Smith & Wesson 3.5" model 27-2 .357 magnum
09. Smith & Wesson 4" [fn*] model 10-5 .38 Special
10. Rock River Arms Operator LAR-15 in 5.56mm

*FootNote: the use of the letters [fn] as
used above, indicate "factory nickel"~!
 
If I lost everything, guns would not be the first thing on my mind to replace. But, in the interest of the thread, I would tend to go with an approach similar to oneounceload ....
It wasn't his either. Talk about a sad story. He had the home rebuilt in about 10 months. It happened New Year's day and they were back in for Thanksgiving. I actually didn't know him at the time it burnt down but saw the story on the news. It was vividly played as it was a slow time. I remember feeling quite sorry for that family.
 
I know one thing for sure - I'd save hundreds of dollars on holsters, since I could skip all the trial and error and go straight to what works or me.

R
I can relate to this. I've got two big boxes full of stuff. One of these days, I'm going to get around to selling stuff. Most of it was gently used a few times and for whatever reason, I didn't care for it. Interestingly, a lot of it is shotgun stuff (Mossberg). For example, I didn't like the length of pull (14.5 or 14.75") so I bought a Bantan stock (LOP 12 "). I put it one and realized it was too short. I finally found someone willing to cut down my plastic stock & install a limbsaver pad so I now have a 13.5" or so LOP with has significantly less recoil. I've also got quite a few Blackhawk stocks (standard rifle stock w recoil reduction) and recoil reduction ones w pistol grip & adjustable stock (solved recoil & LOP but I didn't like the pistol grip).
 
I like everything that I have so I would want it all over again. My first trip to the gun store would be a target AR15, a target 45, and a target 22 pistol. That would get me started and give me something to shoot, while I was looking for new stuff.

Thanx, Russ
 
Once I got around to guns, the first one I would buy would be a hunting rifle. Right now my main one is a Weatherby Vangaurd in .30-06, and while it may not be the exact rifle, I'd definately stick with the caliber. I may buy the same rifle too, but under the circumstances, I'd be shopping used so I could pinch pennies I imagine.
Next would come a 12 gauge that could double for hunting and HD.
After that a good .22 rifle.
That's my three main have to haves. After that, I'd start having fun again.
 
Strangely enough, my house DID burn down and the only significant items to be recovered or salvageable were my guns. Furniture, clothes, computer, and books were burnt, scorched, smoked, or steamed beyond use. But the guns in the old uninsulated steel Treadlock were fine and the ones in the rack are salvageable; I am running them through the gunsmith for refinishing a couple at a time.

But had it gone the other way, I would have bought pistols for IDPA and defense first, probably a set of S&W Plastic M&Ps; Pro, Standard, and Compact. Followed by a BPCR; Browning .40-65 by choice, if not a Meacham Highwall. Of course good .22s, pistol and rifle. I might retool in F class but I haven't shot trap or skeet or CAS in so long that shotguns and single actions would be way down the shopping list.
 
STI Shadow .45acp Officer 1911
STI Ranger .45acp Commander 1911
STI Lawman .45acp Government 1911
Colt Combat Elite .45acp Goverment 1911
STI 1911 .22LR conversion kit
Kahr PM9 9mm subcompact
Sig P226 Combat 9mm
Sig P238 .380 subcompact
S&W Model 60-15 .357mag

Howa 1500 .308 customized long range precision rifle
Marlin .270win hunting rifle
LaRue OBR 7.62mm
LaRue OBR 5.56mm
S&W M&P15 MOE model 5.56mm
Savage Mark II TR .22LR

That would cut things down quite a bit but I wouldn't feel like I was missing much. I only have one shotgun now, but I don't think i'd feel the need to have one in the new collection.

Edit... forgot to add a pair of Ruger Single Sixes.
 
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I'd buy a S&W 442 or 642 first. Then a S&W 5904 or 6904, then a S&W 3913 or 908 or two. Then a S&W M64. Then a game-suitable shotgun like an 870, 1300, or SX1. Then a Mossberg 500 model 50577, and right after that an AK47 folder or two, Then a few Marlin 336s, then a .22 bolt, then a varmint rifle, probably in .223

Then I'd go about replacing classic pride-pieces like a BHP, 92FS, and a 1911.

I'd probably not replace my SKSs and have fewer .40s, I suppose.

Les
 
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