Balanced gun collection?

[XavierBreath]

I buy what I think I would like to shoot. I don't go out and buy a slightly different model or caliber of the same gun to "round out my collection." I hang on to particular guns because I still like them enough not to trade them off for something else.

Heck, I don't hunt anymore, so the only guns I really need are a shotgun for home defense and a carry pistol for away from home defense. The need for those is even debatable based on past history. It's more like a percieved need I suppose.

Some people would call me a collector because I have more than I "need" or actually more than they think I need. Know what? I have more than one fork in my house too. I have more than one pair of underwear. My house has more than one room, and I can only be in one room at a time. Does that mean that I collect underwear, forks or rooms? No, because I have a "normal" amount of these things.

When you say a person is a gun collector, by default you are saying that there is a "normal" amount of guns a person should own. That sends a shiver down my 2nd ammendment spine. Some people buy books because they think they would like to read them, then hang on to them in case they want to read it again later. What's wrong with doing the same with guns? Nope, I don't collect guns, I just enjoy them the same as some people enjoy books.

 

[davera]

Balanced armory

I don't suppose I am really "collecting" guns, but my wife points out that I have many interests but my true hobby is ACQUISITION.

That said, I do keep a mental list of acquisitions to create my idea of a balanced armory. My definition of a balanced armory is a gun for every purpose and a purpose for every gun.

1. Carry gun - I have a Sig p228 but, a future S&W 642 will fill the sub-niche of lightweight carry.
2. Big handgun - I have a S&W 686 with a 6" barrel but I want an autoloader in this category too, maybe a future Sig P220 in .45, or a CZ-75 in .40 or a 1911 in .45
3. Primary home defense (evil doers in the house) - I'm thinking a Remington 870 in 20 guage with a 20 (or so) inch barrel. I'm also wanting a Marlin 1894 in .357 to address evil doers in the yard or on the block.( I already have a 12 guage Ithaca but the barrel is longish for inside the house HD.)
4. Long range gun - I have a 30.06 Winchester 70
5. Homeland defense - maybe one of those future Bushmaster's in .308
6. Fun and practice I have a Browning Buckmark and a Remington 552, I want a bolt action 22 someday, maybe a CZ? Probably a 22 revolver someday too, like maybe a Ruger single six.

So, I am maybe about halfway to my balanced armory. After that, I won't have to concern myself with "purpose".

 

[genie]

this little genie also doesn't have a rhyme or reason to any sort of "collection". it appears that my main criteria are guns that made me go "ooooh!". think deedee's voice from dexter's laboratory