How Many Guns Are Enough ?
- Thread starter Gun Master
- Start date
- Status
Officers'Wife
Member
Hi dcloco,
Trouble is, I consider firearms more a business asset than either a hobby or an investment. The only reason I don't include them on our taxes is I don't want another item I have to calculate depreciation.
When I retire in a couple of years the big ticket buying will be done. But I have enough. More than enough, but I like what I have. I found that some of my purchases were driven by my desire to reload a new and different caliber. Now that I am reloading 25 calibers, that doesn't happen very often.
USAF_Vet
Member
For the most part, guns are a break even at best investment.
On the rare occasion I find a nice gun at a good deal, its usually something I decide never to sell.
Most of the time, its value only increases based on inflation, or maybe slightly higher. I'll never own a Purdey shotgun, or a Holland & Holland double rifle, so that isn't even worth bringing up. Yes, they are likely to be better investments, but its also a niche market.
I've been seeing a lot of 'like new, less than XX rounds through it' guns on the online gun classifieds. Most of them are still asking new retail, or even higher. A S&W M&P sport, with two mags brand new in the box retails today for under $700, so why would I buy a used one, taking the sellers word that its only had 60 rounds through it, for his asking price of $750?
Most guns I've sold, I've done so at a loss, or at best, broke even.
On the rare occasion I find a nice gun at a good deal, its usually something I decide never to sell.
Most of the time, its value only increases based on inflation, or maybe slightly higher. I'll never own a Purdey shotgun, or a Holland & Holland double rifle, so that isn't even worth bringing up. Yes, they are likely to be better investments, but its also a niche market.
I've been seeing a lot of 'like new, less than XX rounds through it' guns on the online gun classifieds. Most of them are still asking new retail, or even higher. A S&W M&P sport, with two mags brand new in the box retails today for under $700, so why would I buy a used one, taking the sellers word that its only had 60 rounds through it, for his asking price of $750?
Most guns I've sold, I've done so at a loss, or at best, broke even.
wacki
Member
Somewhere in the triple digits.....
99 is definitely not enough. I'm actually being serious here as I shoot everything from .22 to big bore. From ultra modern to the days of Columbus. That's a HUGE spread.
99 is definitely not enough. I'm actually being serious here as I shoot everything from .22 to big bore. From ultra modern to the days of Columbus. That's a HUGE spread.
CopperFouling
Member
Not really. They don't pay dividends. They don't split. They aren't available in diversified funds. For a few lucky people, they might beat inflation in the long run, but there are few ways to predict that (e.g. one does not have the slightest clue what models might be "rare" in 50 years). They're fun, but they're really not good "investments."
You could trim down on the basis of the jobs you need done.
Let's say the jobs are marksmanship, varmints, big game, competition.
Marksmanship: First off you need at least 1 or two 22LR rifles: Say a 10-22 and a quality bolt repeater.
Varmints: That's 2 or 3 rifles right there, so one cools down while the other is being used. One a high velocity .17 rimfire, the other a mid-range centerfire (.223 or .204), the third for longer ranges (22-250, Swift, .243).
Deer or other big game: Several rifles. A 94 lever in 30-30 for walking about in thick cover, or a Marlin lever if you need a scope. A lightweight bolt action in 243 or 25-06 for stalking in more open areas or the mountains. A std. weight bolt in 7-08 or 308 if you expect to see hogs or maybe elk, or to shoot big game at longer ranges.
Biggest/longer range game in continental US: A bolt in 7mmRM or 300WSM, with a backup rifle in 30-06 or 270WSM if you are on a guided hunt. edit: Nope, scratch the magnums and use a 30-06 for all those hunts, with a back up in same caliber if travelling far.
Competition: Whatever is called for to play your game of choice. One for fun. A back up if you are serious and compete at State levels or higher.
That's 10 rifles in all.
Last edited:
gulogulo1970
Member
For me about 20 guns covers all the practical bases. If I was out to collect everything I was interested in the number would be closer to 80. Trust me, I've made my ultimate wish list a few times.
At least collecting guns is less expensive than collecting cars.
At least collecting guns is less expensive than collecting cars.
ConstitutionCowboy
member
Guns as an investment? Maybe not, but they can hold value. The price of an ounce of gold back in the 1800's was about the same as that for a good rifle. It's about the same today.
Woody
Woody
Sauer Grapes
Member
I whittled down my collection in the past few years. I want one more quality O\U 12GA.
Other than that, my collection is pretty much set. Like you, I'm getting older and really don't see the need for any more than I have.
Other than that, my collection is pretty much set. Like you, I'm getting older and really don't see the need for any more than I have.
tacxted
Member
4. 1 fullsize pistol, 1 small CC pistol, 1 shotgun, 1 rifle
WestKentucky
Member
That's be REALLY hard to say. Some are so nice I have duplicates, some are so crappy I don't want to even see them again. My best guess on this question is 3 of each.
BigFatKen
Member
Star Trek's Defiant ship was over powered and over gunned. In other words, it was just right for most of us. Unless you thing your vehicle can be over powered.
theotherwaldo
Member
You have enough guns when you run out of interest, money, or room for another safe. I'm considering safe number six... .
IMHO no one actually needs more than 130 guns that are used on a regular basis. That is plenty for targets, plinking, hunting and matches. This does NOT, however, include guns for a collection (whatever one's definition of "collection" happens to be) in which the sky is the limit. I'm not a collector though I have a few pieces that see almost no use. Of course no government has the right to limit the number of arms one may possess.
kimberkid
Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2010
- Messages
- 1,654
This is what I'm thinking.
Bullsnot ... If eight or three is enough for you, good for you, but that has nothing to do with me.
This isn't a "How many do you need" or "How few can you get by with".
The question is how many is enough ...
That's a personal question.
I tend to build "families" ... My SiG family is almost complete, I just picked up an original 551 to go with my 552, 553, 556 1st generation, 556R, 522, SSG 3000, 1911-22, 1911 TacOps & 230SL ... Of course SiG makes many more models but when I get an original 550, that will be enough for that family ... enough for me.
This is my Bushmaster family which also now includes the Armpistol but not included in this picture ... Bushmaster also makes many more models, but this enough for me, for this family. I need to take a new pic.
Last edited:
Gun Master
Member
Mauser lover
Member
personally, I only have one more on my "to buy" list...
today.
today.
kimberkid
Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2010
- Messages
- 1,654
Maybe that's all you need ... Maybe that's enough to get by with ... but that wasn't the question.
If'n y'all want more, well then that ain't enough ... is it?
People that see firearms as tools will see "enough" differently than someone who sees them as historical achievements, or as art, or as investments, or as ... toys!
Everyone has their own "enough"
GBExpat
Member
I can shoot two at a time.
- Status