Do you like to buy duplicates/backups or do you like to diversify?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

breakingcontact

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
Messages
1,237
Location
Austin, TX
Been considering getting another AR15.

But at the same time, been thinking of getting a Mini-14 instead, to have something different.

You?
 
breakingcontact said:
Been considering getting another AR15.

But at the same time, been thinking of getting a Mini-14 instead, to have something different.

You?
Click to expand...

Of course, if you have a bunch of money to spend you can do both. But most people don't seem to have that much money to spend.

When it comes to the "go-to" firearms for important/serious use I think depth is important.

If, however, you are just buying the gun(s) in question for fun, enjoyment, hobby, plinking, etc...variety is the spice of life.
 
duplicates only. i sold off all my diversified stuff.
 
Depends on why you are thinking about getting another AR. I mainly go for diversity, but I do have a few exact duplicates For my defensive guns, concealed carry in my case, I like to have a duplicate as a range gun. I stay proficient with the range gun and just shoot the carry gun when it's time to replace the ammo.

Duplicates are also good for competition guns. If one breaks you have a backup to shoot until it gets repaired. On mine I have slightly different parts to get a better idea what works the best for me. Still the same platform though so changing between them is easy.

As far as just collecting goes the closest I get is different versions of the same gun. Like a shorty AR with collapsible stock and a full size AR with a fixed stock.
 
I don't need two of each gun... but two for each use is good, eg a 38 snub and a ruger 380. Very different guns, but both good for CC.

An AR and a Mini fill the same role ... in the same caliber even. I'd consider one a good backup for the other.

ETA: if my guns were for competition or professional use, no doubt I'd have exact copies of the critical ones... but for me? Not necessary.
 
Last edited:
I like duplicates in diferent forms. Things that share internal parts, and magazines, and calibers, but fill diferent roles. Like a standard 10/22, and a 10/22 takedown, shared mags, and internals. And identical pistols in diferent barrel lengths. Magazines alone can be a substantial investment, why not share when you can?
 
I prefer diversity. I have a few that are almost duplicates but not exactly. E.g., M1 Garand SA in service grade and a M1 Garand by HRA in correct grade.
 
I like duplicates in diferent forms. Things that share internal parts, and magazines, and calibers, but fill diferent roles. Like a standard 10/22, and a 10/22 takedown, shared mags, and internals. And identical pistols in diferent barrel lengths. Magazines alone can be a substantial investment, why not share when you can?
Click to expand...

Excellent point. Them mags can add up. Also I like the idea of duplicate firearms but in different configurations.
 
Same here. That is why I have a Glock 26 and a Glock 19 (compact and sub compact 9x19). The Glock 19 magazines work in both. Same ammo. Some of the holsters work for both. A lot of the internal parts of the same.

I have 1 AR15. Some day I will get another. It will be set up differently, and will probably be by another manufacturer (and ditto any/every one I get after that), but there will be a LOT of stuff that works on all of them.
 
Years ago I bought several Marlin M-60's for parts. A few months back I bought a Marlin Papoose 22 takedown. While cleaning it, I kinked the recoil spring. Turns out the M60 takes the same spring. It made a lightbulb go off, and I have been re-arranging my collection ever since. Living out here in the sticks, parts can be hard to find, or take ages to arrive.
 
For fun, range use, or the simple pleasure of owning firearms, buy what you like and as many as you can.

For purposeful use, such as home defense or concealed carry, I like redundancy. For example, I own 2 Ar-15's, so in some unlikely event my wife and I needed them, we could use the same guns, mags and ammo. Also, I have 2 Glock 22s. If I ever used one for self-defense and it was seized by the police, I would have an identical spare that I was familiar with to carry.
 
Really wanted diversity - then found myself with several AKs of different origins...
Then a few ARs of different origins, then several Garands.

Can't bear to part with any, although I have been trying for a FTF trade of one of my AKs - SAIGA - for a Mini-14. No luck yet.
 
With ARs, duplicates. I built a Daniel Defense 16" LW midlength and liked it so much I did the same build again except with a BCM upper. They're almost twins. And a PSA build that's not that much different.
 
I have both duplicates with minor differences in details (for example, an early 603 and late 603, early 604 and late 604 M-16 clones) where differences are as subtle as flash suppressors and bolt carrier groups. Break a firing pin, no problem since one will work with the other as well as having spares around in the parts bin as well.
Then again, I also like diversity like AKs, FALs, M-14s, lever actions, black powder (still got to get a rock lock on the front sutffer side of the house though) and mil surps. While it's great to have that standardized weapon system for easier logistics, it's also great to have a diversified background.
For example, I took my M-44 Mosin Nagant to work one day for "team building day" at the range and one of our guys that is an M4 guru had no idea that you have to cycle the bolt for each round.:rolleyes: Now imagine the idea of having to borrow a gun and given a "loaner" that you have no idea how it works. There are certain types of firearms I do better with but thanks to the diversity of my collection, there are damn few rifles I could pick up and not know how to use them either.
 
Back-up's and duplicates are always good. This has been ingrained in me coming from a Computer engineering background, and it also applies well to firearms.

I've heard someone say you should ideally have 2 handguns minimum, in case one breaks or you need one as a backup. 2 rifles would be nice too...

If you already have an AR15, I'd suggest trying the Mini14. At least you'll be in the same caliber if your AR is 223Rem.
 
The tinkerer in me loves diversity. I enjoy analyzing how various manufacturers come up with different engineering solutions to produce the same result: sending a projectile through the air to hit a target as accurately as possible, and then rechambering another round. I think it's interesting that some manufacturers do this more economically than others, sometimes with fewer moving parts; and that guns have different ergonomics and handling characteristics. Some are purely functional, some are artful. I like 'em all!
 
I like to keep at least two reliable weapons on hand for each caliber that I stock in quantity.

They don't have to be the same make or model, that's why I keep spare parts on hand.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
How many magazines are enough?
2 3
Replies
55
Views
3K
dbarile
D
H
  • Locked
AR15? Should I buy one?
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
PeteyPete
P
B
  • Locked
Muddy Mini-14
2 3
Replies
64
Views
3K
W.E.G.
W.E.G.
stchman
  • Locked
Why do aftermarket Mini-14 mags SUCK??!!!
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
JWF III
J
G
  • Locked
EBR Collection: Where Do I go Now?
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
MTMilitiaman
MTMilitiaman
Back
Top