Building a collection ...

[hilega]

Where did your collection start and in general what is your basis for adding to it? Shooting? Historical? ...

i.e.

Started with a .22, then added:

9mm Carry
1911
.357/.38 4" revlolver
Colt SAA or clone
.40 Auto
9mm Service Pistol
Bullseye setup
Classic military side arms
...

I guess this is kind of a wish list thread, but I am just curious ... is there a minimum list (I know, alwasy n+1 = number of guns you should have) of handguns one should own to have a basic coverage of handguns?

I guess my list would be (in no particular order):

Colt 1911
M9
BHP
S&W 19
Glock 19
Sig 225
Ruger MKII
S&W 41
S&W 60
Colt SAA 4 3/4" 45LC
Ruger Vaquero
Uberti 1873 Cattleman 3 1/2" Bird's Head

and the list goes on ...

 

[jordan1948]

Started with a Remington 870 20GA, still got it but have a few more

 

[hilega]

Just found the 5-gun "arsenal" thread ... so I guess this is a bit of thread overlap (searched my title and saw nothing, so I thought I would throw something out there for discussion ... I guess it is too subjective and personal and really vague). Was really looking at handguns explicitly though ...

BTW, I may be getting stationed down at Arnold AFB in Tullahoma this fall ...

 

[BCRider]

My collection is mostly about the unique shooting experience to be had from a variety of firearm types. I slipped a little when I went with no less than 3 S&W's all chambered in .357 but that's the only burp and one I'm tolerant of given my developing love of revolvers.

I've got a;
9mm semi for IPSC shooting
.45 1911 just for the contrast
2-.22 semis with widely varying feel because they are CHEAP to shoot

3- S&W revolvers, a 10, 19 and 28
.22 Hi Standard Double 9 (a weak moment but it's fun to shoot)

.22 bolt action rifle soon to be used for rimfire mettalic silhouette matches
.30-30 lever Marlin because I like lever guns for the experience
Thompson Center break action rifles in .500 S&W (big bang action) and 7mm-08 for center fire mettalic silhouette.

Remington 870 because everyone needs a pump shottie. 18.5" police barrel and 28 inch hunting barrel. The hunting setup shoots clays for now.
Zoli SxS because I really like SxS's. Used for clays as well and customs be damned.

Then there's my cowboy action guns. Rossi/Puma lever in .357, cheap russian Baikal shottie shortened to coach gun length and two cap and ball black powder revolvers.


Other than the three revovlers all in .357 I'm pretty happy that each gun is filling a portion of the spectrum of shooting experiences. Who knows, now that I've seen this list I may sell the 28 once I find an N frame .44Mag......

 

[finfanatic]

Personally, I buy stuff that I like or that strikes my fancy. My "collection" is for me and nobody else.

 

[vow]

Amen to finfanatic's post..

 

[bluetopper]

I started a few years ago getting inexpensive (not cheap) military surplus handguns. I went through a lot of them and still have some wonderful Makarovs.
Since......my tastes have moved up the ladder a bit and I'm really in to bullseye shooting and now it seems all I'm interested now is high end 1911's and pre-lock S&W revolvers.

 

[SaxonPig]

I buy what I like.

Unfortunately I like just about everything.

 

[Walkalong]

Unfortunately I like just about everything.

It's worse than the Bubonic plague.


Yea, I buy stuff I like, or looks cool, etc. Some I don't care for and it gets traded/sold.

 

[WoofersInc]

My collection goes through phases. I will get on a roll with something until something else gets me started. I was on a 1911 run for awhile but lately it has been 22LR. 6 out of my last 7 guns have been 22's. Doing this though has given me a fairly diverse collection.

 

[GRIZ22]

Collection denotes a direction. "I collect 1911s" or "I collect S&Ws". I don't have a collection but an accumulation. Some guns bought for specific need and some because they were a very good deal and I had money burning a hole in my pocket.

 

[juk]

Started with a CZ97b (.45) and later got a CZ PCR(9mm). I will get a CZ75 in .40 and get the cadet kit. Then, I get to start over with the revolvers.

 

[Gideon]

First I don't consider resale value; I'm not doing this as an "investment". As such gun's are a poor asset. I buy guns because they fill a role that "I" think is important for me based on my needs, my size and hand shape etc. I did decide to center my handgun purchases around certain calibers:
9mm, .38/.357, .45, .380, and .22 I don't own any .40's

I've also tried to have at least two handguns for each caliber. And I also set out to have one carbine in .38/.357 and one in 9mm. I've got half that and am now waiting to get a .357 marlin lever action.

I have small hands so all of my autos are single stacks. Just about ever handgun I have can serve as CCW except a few .22 handguns that are fun for hunting, plinking, and training the kids.

I'd really encourage you to get what you want for the reasons you want it and to be careful not to be drawn down other peoples paths.

For example I wanted a .45 1911 and posted a lot on forums. I kept hearing "get a good basic model to see if you like it; you can always upgrade later". It was good advise generally speaking but I regreted following it. I bought a Springfield Mil Spec and loved it but ALWAYS wished I'd gotten a gun with more features. I kind of knew that when I bought it. It's ALWAYS cheaper to buy a 1911 new the way you want it than to buy one and then upgrade it.

So follow what you like. We spend a LOT of money on guns so at the end of the day I don't want buyer's remorse. Personally I can't understand guys who will get 10 J frames or 10 S&W revolvers or end up with 5 or 6 1911's all in .45 but then again if you have the money for it, why not. I guess that's another big part of this, how much money do you really have to devote to a collection?

Personally if I had to do it all over again, I think I'd pick just a few handguns with the same basic platform and limit myself to 3 basic calibers, 9mm, .38/.357 and .22

Having fewer styles of guns and shooting the ones we do more makes us a better shooter.

So go with what you like and can afford. The only other think I consider when thinking about my collection is what/when I'll pass down to my 6 kids. My oldest boy turns 21 next year an he always liked my Bersa in .380 so I'll give that to him.

I have everything I pretty much need/want but if I had a lot of money I'd love to have one high end custom 1911 in .45 and/or a customized Springfield EMP in 9mm.

God Bless
Gideon

 

[jordan1948]

Bubonic plague

Not to hijack or anything but wasn't that back in biblical times where men where bashed in the groin with bubos(golden rats if I remember correctly)? I can't make this stuff up it's in the book somewhere.

 

[10-Ring]

After taking my vow of poverty, my objective was one of each -- but quickly learned how obnoxious that idea was (tho, I do have a friend that is pretty close to 1 of each!) -- what was easier was guns I liked. Over the years, I realize I have more a an accumulation rather than a collection

 

[shiftyer1]

I buy whatever strikes my fancy. But I do lean towards older designs lately.