How Many Guns Are Enough ?

How high is up?

P5 Guy said:

Three gun competitors only need three, but what fun would that be, only having three guns?

Click to expand...

Given the number of people who seem to equate the pursuit of gun ownership with their pursuit of happiness, three guns must be about as fun as hundreds of guns - not fun at all, because material possessions have nothin whatsoever to do with happiness.

It's a hobby, need has nothing to do with how many guns you own.

I'll know I've got enough guns when I can smell the color nine.

At always seems to be one or two more than I have right now.

Gun Master said:

How long is a piece of string ?

Click to expand...

And the answer to all three questions is, "It depends."

I'll know I've got enough guns when I can smell the color nine.

Click to expand...

I can count to potato, so I am all set...

NEED Has nothing TO DO WITH IT!!!
All that matters is do I want another! The answer to that will Always be - YES!!!
I currently have somewhere around 250 firearms of all types, mostly military. I know for example that there are at least 20 P.38 variations that I do not have. There are 2 more MP 40s that I want and 2 or 3 more of the MP 43/44 family. There are "at least" 10 - 15 More K98k rifles that I want. I'm still looking for a couple of Garands and another M1 Carbine or 2.
Sarge

I think that one sheriff had 700 so gotta catch up.

As a minimum, approx. four rifles plus a handgun.
If one has not First stored a Very large heap of ammo, the question of how many (more) can be irrelevant for some of us.

The collection grew to sixteen. But more guns usually equates to less than "adequate" long-term ammo reserves, as a hedge against future import tariffs or possible bans.

Obviously 7.3

The answer for fellow hitchhikers is obviously......




.


42.

Back when I was shooting multiple matches per month (3 gun, USPSA, Steel Challenge, Tactical Rifle) I found that I really only shot about six of the guns I own with any kind of regularity.

Add to that the need for guns tailored for consistent but not constant use (hunting, home defense) and I'd have a need for fewer than ten guns.

Frankly, the average person probably doesn't need more than maybe four guns total.

But it's not about need.

I've got 15 G or K 43 rifles. I've hunted with one or the other since I got my first one in 1958 - retired my bring back K98k at that time.
I've also got a mismatched k 43 that I rebarreled to 7.62 Nato to hunt with.
Here are some of them.
Sarge

Everyone requires 1 gun for survival. Anything more is for a specialized form of either sport or for killing things at distance, the more things you are intent on hunting down, the more varied weapons you require. Also the type and size of the game you are hunting, dictates the type of weapon needed.
This can be endless.
Also there is the collecting aspect. Just like anything mechanical and beautiful, there is an intrinsic value just for the collector of fine guns, Cars, Watches, etc. So there is no real answer to this question. It is what ever you choose it to be.
But in a non perfect world, at least 1 gun, is a good idea to have.

Gun Master said:

Being an older guy, I am now evaluating my stash. I find it somewhat stressful providing proper maintenance and accountability for my collection.

Click to expand...

^^ This.

I take a quarterly inventory, and try to give everything a good teardown and cleaning once a year (at least). But it's quite a task.

I *quit* buying guns because I didn't feel like taking on "more work." The way I see it, those 3-4 days a year I spend cleaning guns I haven't shot again in the last year, takes away from 3-4 days I could be out shooting.

The last few years I've been "downsizing" my collection. Selling off cheaper/more common firearms I haven't shot in 5+ years to buy "higher class" (rare) stuff. If I'm going to own something to appreciate, and not shoot, I feel it needs to have a certain rarity. That way when I take it out of the safe to clean each year it's not so much of a chore, but a "re-acquaintance with the beauty of the action"....

I'm at that stage as well.

Got plenty of guns. Do I want more? Can I afford them? -Sure, but I'm also realistic enough to understand that I don't want to spend the time to take care of so many guns regularly. It used to be fun to go out with friends and bring lots of guns in several calibers - but I got tired of cleaning all of them afterwards. Now I have firearms that I haven't fired in 5 years or more. But I also have favorite guns & SD/HD guns which get regular workouts.

I'll still buy a gun or two on occasion, either something rare that pops up, or more likely, a custom M1911.

As I get older, I've started a divestment plan to sell firearms to friends who need them more than I do. I hasn't been for the money (haven't sold one at full value), but just to make sure that they go to good homes.

CWL said:

As I get older, I've started a divestment plan to sell firearms to friends who need them more than I do. I hasn't been for the money (I haven't sold one at full value), but just to make sure that they go to good homes.

Click to expand...

I've been doing that too. Gifting in some cases. Gave my oldest boy an AR-15 S&W performance center gun when he turned 17. I bought it a few years ago, cleaned it, and never shot it.

Gave a buddy of mine a Smith & Wesson M&P 45 for Christmas. I had two left from when I closed down my gun store in 2009 and never shot them. Figured I didn't need two. He only had one handgun, an older, used model, and figured he'd make more use of it than I would.

Gave three of my closest friends AR-15 lower receivers once. Had extras of those too from when I closed down the shop.

Traded off a rifle and shotgun for tree removal service.

Some of the guns I own are just "things" which I have no attachment to whatsoever, and I'll barter/trade/gift accordingly.

Others you'll pry from my cold, dead hands.

How many guns are enough? Not knowing what the future holds, no one can rightly answer that.

Woody

I oftentimes ask myself the question "how many of the same gun do I need?". I also see that a lot on here, someone who has 3 or 8 or 15 of the same make and model. I can see having/wanting a WWII 1911 but how many does one need? Now, from a pure collecting side the answer is as many as one wants but how about mainstream, non-collectibles? Some have 2 G17s, 1 for carry and one in case the carry goes in for repair. How many have duplicates of every gun they have? Is it for the same reason or just because? Collecting is different than owning. If your guns are your tools then how many is too many?

If your guns are your tools then how many is too many?

Click to expand...

IMHO more than the one you carry and a backup. I break them up into two category uses; CC(pocket and belt) and Sidearm(SD and hunting) I have two for each category and a cheapie house pistol.

Sarge13 said:

I've got 15 G or K 43 rifles.

Click to expand...

Sweeeeeet! A couple of years ago I remember looking over my 7 SVT40s one day after completing an "SVT40 Group Maintenance Day" and realizing the what I really wanted was one nice G/K43. And, yes, I know that I am very lucky to have the SVT40s ... probably just a hint of Grass Is Always Greener, dontchaknow ...

Trouble is that I got interested in the G/K43s too late, when they were commanding much more money than I was willing to pay for them.