Collection "essentials"

[5ontarget]

What guns do you guys consider to be an essential part of a gun collection?


For me:
1. .22lr handgun and rifle for cheap and fun plinking/practice Ruger seems to be a popular choice for both.

2. Revolver of .357mag or bigger because everyone needs a revolver.

3. 1911 because it is a classic & nearly infinite modifications can be made to it.

4. Hunting rifle - as local rules regulate - not all that fun if you can't use it. Pick your favorite model and caliber...too many for me to choose from.

5. Shotgun for home defence, and hunting, clays (if you're into that)

On the honorable mentions/nearly essential

well the list here could go on for pages...

1. some mid power rifle for plinking - cause its fun - depending on the hunting rifle - that may fill this too. But why should one gun fill 2 spots?

2. something for ccw - although some of the above could be used. Again, why should we allow one gun to fill two spots on a list?

3. if you have room, a long range target rifle - might also be a hunting rifle - see above statements...

4. race guns/custom/high end target pistols.

Looks like I "need" to go buy more guns to fill out my essential list. Come on Christmas!

[TA]

You covered it pretty well! I also like something from the US Military WWI or WWII era. One of my prized posessions is an authentic USGI M1 Garand. I like the stuff from the commies too.

[Callahan]

I have personal concerns about carrying pistols for self-defense that have a different manual of arms...

[MLB]

I like 5ontarget's list, but I'd think that it goes a bit beyond "essential", and into the realm of "desirable". ;D

I'd think a .22 rifle, shotgun, and carry handgun would be bare-bones essential. These will cover the three main "targets": paper/tin, game, and human.

Beyond these, it seems like you're getting into more and more target specific arms.

For pure collector value, I'd think everyone would be different.

[TMan]

callahan said:

I have personal concerns about carrying pistols for self-defense that have a different manual of arms...

Good thing it never bothers me showing ignorance: I have no idea what you mean by this. Please educate the moron.

I think everyone should have at least one Piece Of Crap (POC). In my case it is the Tanfoglio GT32, which is worse than the Jennings J-22. Having a POC makes you appreciate the other members of your collection. I don't own one, but if I did have a Hi-Point, I would probably think it was really good compared to my POC.

I have two Uberti branded revolvers. One is a .357 Magnum, and the other is a .22LR. The latter is a POC, and it makes me appreciate the .357 even though it has a creepy trigger and had I not owned the .22LR version, I would have thought it was a POC.

So, if you don't yet own a POC, you need to look for the cheapest, most poorly constructed POC, and compared to it, you will love the rest of your collection.

[5ontarget]

I like the US Mil-Surp stuff too, but the commie stuff is much more affordable.
I really should get on getting me a Garrand, the prices aren't going to get any lower. So many guns, so little time and/or money ;D

["DoubleAction"]

I like shooting various handguns but usually choose one particular pistol for carry. As Callahan mentioned, Each Defensive handgun has it's own manuel of arms. Since most of my pistols are designed for defensive purposes, with a few for target shooting, I stay within the relm of two different designs and usually carry a representation of each when going to the range.
It is possible to build an entire collection of pistols based on one design to fit with various applications. This can be done to fill the needs of various calibers, barrel lengths, magazine capacities, frame variations, and cosmetics without changing the design of the lockwork, incorporated safety features, and functional mechanics.
Revolvers offer a simple approach to chambering the brute force of the magnum catridges. The S&W N frame is probably my favorite because it chambers various calibers, available in various finshes, various barrel lengths, grip confiqurations, and custom options. However; Depending on the N Frame for everything in revolvers, would be like eating from the same menu.
To mention handguns without mentioning the .22LR, would be an oversight. Who don't make a version of this caliber ?.
Rifles seem to have played more roles than their sidearm companions; a good rifle means food on the table to some. The rifle also remains the primary weapon of the infantryman, as it has since this nation was forged.
Shotguns can provide alot of recreation with trap and skeet, not to mention hunting. Many have a shotgun just to have one, like me.
I think a a good .357 magnum revolver and a .45 acp semi auto should be high on the list, unless your needing a gun to put food on the table.

[MLB]

tman said:

I think everyone should have at least one Piece Of Crap (POC).

Gets my vote for the best post to this thread.

[Callahan]

The manual of arms for a firearm is the military terminology for the drill you go through in handling it. The manual of arms for bringing a 1911 to bear would be to draw, disengage the safety and fire.

For a DAO semi-auto (and most Sigs) or revolver, for example, it would be draw and fire. No safety.

My concern, and I should have explained it better, would be to find myself in a frantic situation and be fumbling for a safety that was not there or forgetting there was a safety on the pistol I had decided to carry that particular day and lose a precious second or two before realizing I had to disengage it.

It just depends on the person. I think cops stick mostly to one format of pistol action.

[TA]

That is a very legitimate concern. It is best to carry one gun or one design and practice with it often. During high stress situations, we will do what we were trained to do and it will be automatic.

In aviation we repeatedly train in certain drills to make recovery from some situations automatic. You will do it without even thinking about it.

That said, I do carry a few different guns. I think if you train to a 1911, (draw, swipe off safety, shoot) you should be fine with a DA pistol.

[5ontarget]

I remember an officer in a ccw course I took told a story of police officers using their revolvers at the range. They were instructed to put the ejected brass in their pocket, then reload. This saved on cleanup at the range. Turns out they were finding some shot officers with spent brass in their pockets on the streets. Now they teach the officers to just eject the brass and let it fall. (for the few that still use revolvers)

[MitchHankSauer]

Recently I have been asked this question by several guys who have been bitten by the bug or gotten the interest to get into the hobby. They've always asked me what would I like to see in my cabinet, I just smile and think of all the steel candy I would love to have.

...but seriously I have always told them I always felt that you get your favorite cailber plus a .22 caliber at the very minimum. The caliber you like for Home D, and the other for plinking, you will never be bored.

Back to dreaming of the essentials, my utlimate cabinet will have representative of each caliber (at least the top 5 most popular calibers) blued and stainless. Now that would be the essential collection for me....


MHS