Ideal Minimum Collection for New Gun Owner

[BigBL87]

I got into a discussion with a friend the other day who is considering getting into gun ownership (which here in Illinois is no small task). He asked me what he should buy first, and what I thought a minimum collection should include if he could only buy 3, 4, 5, etc.. After my spiel about use determining what to buy, here's what I came up with in order (not surprisingly it mirrors my small collection, although I bought the 22 and centerfire handgun in opposite order) :

1. Shotgun - First because of its versatility, low cost, and near constant availability of ammo. Also, here in Illinois if you eventually want to hunt deer, this or a muzzleloader are your only options as far as firearms go. I got a combo with an 18.5" barrel and a 28" adjustable choke barrel so it can pull double duty.

2. 22 rifle/pistol - I went with a rifle myself because I prefer long guns but either way this is for cheap practice and cheap fun. Even with high prices on 22 right now, it's still less than half the price of 9mm to shoot.

3. Centerfire handgun - Revolver or semi, it's personal preference. Arguably the best for home defense in some ways, but that's debatable. If you want to concealed carry, this is also pretty much your only option for that.

4 Centerfire rifle - I went with an AR15, mainly because you can't deer hunt (with a rifle) in Illinois so I didn't see the use in a larger caliber for me. I'd like to add a bolt action .308 if money were no object, but alas I am not made out of money and it would just be for fun shooting.

What would your guys' list be? I felt like my list covered most of the bases, particularly with the hunting restrictions in Illinois.

 

[rskent]

Just buy what you like to shoot.
Personally I would start with what I can shoot the most and have the most use for, a good handgun. Then I would see where it went from there.
One question. You can't hunt deer in Illinois.

 

[bannockburn]

Way back when I started with a .22 rifle, a Ruger 10/22. I liked it mainly for its easy to load 10 round magazine and that it was very accurate right out of the box. First shotgun was a Remington Model 870 12 gauge with a 28" barrel and later I bought a slug barrel for deer hunting. My first centerfire rifle was an AR-15. Have had a lot of handguns (first .357 was a Colt Trooper MK. III), over the years but if I were recommending something for someone starting out I would go with either a S&W or a Ruger .357 revolver with a 4" barrel.

 

[BigBL87]

Rskent, meant to say you can't hunt deer with a rifle, sorry about that. It's shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery only. But, you can hunt coyote with pretty much whatever you want. Makes sense, right?

 

[Mike J]

My list was originally hunting related. It consisted of a centerfire bolt action rifle, a pump action shotgun & a .22 rifle. Then I got interested in handguns. I bought & sold/traded off a couple before I picked up a revolver that has stayed. Then came an semi-auto pistol, then another. My list changes every time my interests change. The only difference between now & back then is now I don't think so much instead of but more in addition to.

 

[Warp]

It totally and COMPLETELY depends on the intended use(s).

As a huge generic catch-all:

1) Centerfire handgun, either semi auto or double action revolver, large enough to shoot decently well yet small enough to conceal if you really wanted/needed to. Home defense, car defense, open carry, concealed carry, plinking at the range, whatever, this will do it.

2) .22lr firearm. Handgun or rifle dependent upon the individual and intended use(s) for all firearms. Even during this current .22lr debacle, it is still less expensive to shoot .22lr than centerfire. You can get a lot more plinking, practice, training, etc, in with the inexpensive ammo, light recoil, light gun, etc. Great for instructing novice shooters, youth, non-gun people, etc, as well.

3) Centerfire rifle. Something worthy of defending Liberty, this one is likely best at fulfilling the intention of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I would recommend semi automatic, removable magazine fed, in a common cartridge (5.56, 7.62x39, .308)

4) 12 gauge shotgun. Many animals can be hunted with this and ammunition is perhaps the most widely available of anything. I hesitate to actually list this though...lots of myths and lore surround this choice. People think a pump shotgun is more reliable than the first three and thus great for home defense...I don't think that's true...reports of people who should know indicate that short stroking a pump under stress is fairly common even in experienced and trained users, let alone your typical citizen who never trains and rarely shoots. As an example. But the versatility and ammunition availability is too much to pass up.

 

[C.R.]

well when I was a young lad I started out with a pump action shotgun,because of the versitality a 12 gauge can be used to hunt game both big and small,then,I got a .30/30 lever action mostly for deer hunting,next was a 10-22 for small game,and pest controll, I decided to get the most versitile gun first,then get into the more specialised hardware .

 

[Reloadron]

Really depends on where someone's interest lies I guess. During the years I owned a gun shop I bought and sold I don't know how many shotguns but as of today I don't even own a shotgun. Friends get me out for some clay birds every now and then but guess I am just not a shotgun type.

I would guess a 22 rifle is a nice to have and a revolver for starters. Maybe .357 revolver. As to a center fire rifle? Maybe a bolt gun unless someone happens to like an AR type rifle. I would opt for a 308 bolt gun but that being just me and my taste in guns. From there pretty much wherever someone's interest lies. I just see everyone as different with different taste and needs.

Ron

 

[cat_IT_guy]

1: Shotgun (the combo with short + field barrel is a great idea). Cant be beat for the cost, utility, and versatility. It'll cover just about everything, small game, big game, 2 legged predators, clay games.... Is it the best at all of those in all situations? no, but tradeoffs must be made.

2: .22 rifle. Teaches the fundamentals of marksmanship without encouraging flinch. Also suitable for small game and general plinking. Did I mention fun? [In normal times] You can run to the nearest LGS and pick up enough ammo to shoot all afternoon for the cost of a movie and popcorn.

3+: from here I like the approach of buying based on intended use. If you like hunting and live in a state with rifle hunting, I'd go centerfire rifle. If you are defense minded, its probably time for a handgun. If you just like blasting at the range, get what you want - AR or AK are good entry centerfires with relatively cheap, available ammo that will shoot easily as far as most of us have ranges available. .22 handgun is great fun as well.

 

[pharmer]

Ruger MKII .22 auto.
S&W .357 mag 4".
9mm auto (concealable, alloy frame).
.45acp 1911.
10-22.
12 ga 870.
AR-15.
.308 bolt action.
I could get by for the rest of my life with these. Joe

 

[Willie Sutton]

The classic "Farmers Trio" will always get you thru thick and thin, allow you to take any game animal in North America, and will keep the two legged critters away from the back fence any day of the week.

Classic Farmers Trio would be:

12 Guage shotgun

.30-06 rifle (today it "might" be a .308, but... a .30-06 is the standard to compare to)

.22 rifle


All else become fillers in between the tiny cracks left over after you build this solid foundation.


When becomes a bit more prosperous and wants to add to the mix a few luxuries:

If your Farmer is an enthusiastic member of the Militia, he might add a more suitable militia rifle to the mix. There's only one of those. "A chicken in every pot, and an AR-15 behind every front door" I say!

LASTLY, if your Farmer wants to protect himself when heading to town, a medium sized centerfire handgun to carry when needed.



Willie

.

 

[clance]

What hand does your buddy use? Are they Left-handed or Right cause that could make the difference in choices. If money isn't a large problem but versatility is:

1.) Rifle/Rimfire: Browning SA22 - 22LR
2.) Pistol/Rimfire: Ruger SR22 - 22LR
3.) Pistol/Centerfire: HK VP9 - 9mm or HK45 - 45acp
4.) Revolver: Uberti/Taylors Schofield - 45LC
5.) Shotgun: Ithaca M37 - 12ga
6.) Rifle/Centerfire: Kel-Tec RFB - 7.62x51

If money is a problem and they're willing to deal with using a firearm not designed for a Lefthander.

1.) Rifle/Rimfire: Ruger 10/22 - 22LR
2.) Pistol/Rimfire: Ruger MkIII
3.) Pistol/Centerfire: CZ 75 BD - 9mm or CZ 97 BD - 45acp
4.) Revolver: Taurus Model 66 - 38/357
5.) Shotgun: Remington 870 - 12ga.
6.) SKS Yugo 59/66 - 7.62x39

My $.02 worth!

 

[Warp]

All else become fillers in between the tiny cracks left over after you build this solid foundation.

Most people would still end up unarmed pretty much anytime they left their house/apartment/etc.

I don't think that's a "tiny crack" left over.

 

[Elvis1]

I think this lists suggestions will repeat itself. I believe in cover your bases is what we are all saying.
1: ruger 10\22
2: autoloader pistol (9, 40 or 45) common brand and type of his choice
3: revolver in .357 (flexibility of using .38spl)
4: 12g shotgun (action type of his choice)
5: autoloading rifle of intermediate calibre (AR/SKS/AK or a variant)
6: bolt action in major calibre for hunting (in other states than IL) & target (.270, .308, 30-06 or 300 win)

Then if he continues to fill his collection everything he buys will be more specialized or for specific purposes like ccw or wing shooting. Stay with common calibres, I've had no trouble finding .38/357 .40 30-06 or 12/20 gauge ever (even living in IL). .380, 9, 45, 5.56, 7.62, 308, and of course .22 has sometimes been impossible. Also I don't put a lot of stock in 7.62x54r for the mosin nagant being readily available at ultra low surplus prices forever.

 

[denton]

Get what you enjoy shooting.

Probably 99.9% of the shooting I do is at the range. I do have firearms appropriate for hunting jackrabbits and elk, but I like going to the range.

A 30-06 is an outstandingly useful firearm if you hunt big game. But, after about a dozen rounds, it's not much fun to shoot anymore. So mine doesn't get a lot of range time.

So does the buyer enjoy shooting clay pigeons? Get a shotgun. Does he enjoy plinking tin cans? Get a 22. I'd suggest that he try a few different activities and find out what he likes.

At the moment, what I'm enjoying most is shooting handguns at the range. Those have the added value of being handy for self and home defense. So for me, today, my first purchase might be a full size 9mm.

BTW, there is a lot more to hunting than having an appropriate firearm and being able to shoot.

 

[Jason_W]

I'm going through a similar exercise myself. After liquidating most of what I had in order to afford life for a bit, I'm only left with my guns from childhood, which I see more as nostalgia pieces than as utility guns.

I've decided that my new collection will consist of a 12 ga pump, a centerfire rifle, a centerfire handgun, and a rifle/handgun pair in one of the .22 rimfires.

I've pretty much decided on a shotgun, but I keep going back and forth on the rifle and the handgun.

 

[Willie Sutton]

Most people would still end up unarmed pretty much anytime they left their house/apartment/etc.


Most gunowners don't carry guns.... really.... they don't.


The point I was making, and will make again, is that the "Farmers Trio" is a selection that fits just about every need, including home defense as well as every sort of hunting you can do. Add whatever specialized thing you like to it, and you can't go wrong.




Willie

.

 

[Pofficer]

As mentioned above, so much depends on individual circumstances, location, laws and hunting regulations, interests and perceived needs, finances, etc.

FOR ME, I have/would choose:

1. Medium size center fire handgun in .38/.357, 9mm, .40 or .45 suitable for personal/home defense and carry.

2. .22LR rifle or handgun (I prefer rifle) for practice, fun, small game, pest control, etc. Probably the most versatile choice. Ammo is relatively inexpensive, if not always easy to find (recently).

3. AR. I trained with and carried an AR for many years as a patrol rifle, and would choose this next for defense, target shooting at moderate cost, and varmint hunting (in a pinch it could be used for larger -deer sized- game as well.)

4. 12 ga. Shotgun, probably a pump, w/ 18.5 and 24-28 inch barrels. Very versatile for defense, upland game and waterfowl hunting, larger game w/ slugs, sport/clay shooting, etc. Ammo is easy to find and relatively affordable.

5. Scoped, bolt action rifle in .308, .30-06, .270, or another common caliber.

I could get along quite well with the above. As interest and finances allowed, I would add the following (mostly for variety):

Revolver, if my first choice above was a semi-auto, or vice versa
Lever action rifle
1911
Single action revolver
.22 handgun

But that is just my personal preference, YM (as always) MV.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

The two I would go for no matter what are

12 gauge pump shotgun. Can be used to shoot clays, hunt birds, take small/medium game, and defend your home. This takes no more than choosing the right ammo, and maybe changing a barrel. The gun is cheap, ammo is cheap (and was available even through the banic), and it is nearly Anti-proof.

22 semi-auto rifle. Must have for plinking and target practice. Even though right now is the worst of times for 22 ammo, it still costs half as much as any centerfire catridge. Cheap, easy, and fun to shoot.


After that, it's a matter of your intended use and preference. A hunting rifle might be on that list, or a handgun, or an AR, or whatever. But those two are ones that no gun owner should be without.

 

[Pofficer]

---

 

[JohnBiltz]

Depends on where you live to an extent. Shotguns are fairly useless out west. But essential in the mid-west and south. A 30.06 is too much gun for anything in the South but highly useful in the west.

I think telling people right now they need a .22 is not doing them a favor. Its just too hard to get ammo right now and that is not going to change anytime soon unless someone builds more infrastructure. So far everyone seems reluctant to do that.

I've started over with guns twice. The first time in 1982 I bought a S&W model 66 .357 and a Mossberg pump shotgun with a spare barrel. The second time I bought a Mossberg pump shotgun and a Glock 17. Both times I was back east and bought the pair within weeks of each other.

I live in Arizona now and it would be a Glock 26 and an AR. There is no way I'm going without a carry and have not shot a shotgun in years.

 

[Elkins45]

Willie's term "Farmer's Trio" is a new one to me, but it perfectly describes what just about everybody I know owns as a minimum. I would add a J frame to the mix as what I would consider my bare essentials. It's not my preferred defensive handgun but it's the one gun I can conceal even in the heat of summer.

So my list is:

1) Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60
2) Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 in 12 gauge, Browning BPS if you're a lefty.
3) Some sort of bolt gun in 30/06 or 270
4) J frame S&W in 38 or 357

 

[JohnBiltz]

Just realized I only answered what I would get first and not minimal collection.

Western Collection
Very minimal-cowboy/outdoorsman
.357 or up
30-30

minimal outdoorsman
.357 or up
EDC
AR
rifle with scope in a caliber good for at least elk

minimal city boy
EDC
HD service sized pistol high capacity
AR or AK

I’d happily add a .22 to each of those if the ammo ever becomes available again.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^^ Elkins45:

Made it up on the spot, thinking about what Grand-Pop had on the farm.

When the term is famous thirty years from now you can say you heard it here first.


I wrote what I wrote before reading the earlier replies, and it's gratifying that the vast majority come to just about the same set of conclusions. You can't go wrong here in the states with the basic three long-gun arsenal of 12 Guage, .22 rifle, and .30-06.


Willie

.

 

[Doc7]

My list was similar to your list (and Ayoobs "backwoods battery" list).

Nowadays I am adding a 22 pistol and revolver to the list (one for training one for introducing new shooters) and a 22 semi and bolt rifle, as well as a muzzleloader.

I have all but the muzzleloader, and a 22 semi to back up my Glock 19 and 22 revolver.

I chose 20 ga for shotgun, also a combo with rifled barrel and smooth bore and I picked up an 18" barrel on eBay along with a shell holder from Walmart.

After I get a 22 pistol and muzzleloader and my bolt action 7mm-08 I am sure It will be a matter of weeks, not months, till I realize another vitally important missing piece that any collection must have.