If you could only have 20 guns, lifetime, what would they be?

[Warp]

^Title. You only get 20. Lifetime. You must purchase them yourself. There is no forced timeline, you might buy them all tomorrow or you might not get the last one for another 40 years. But the 20 you list is all you get. I know it's counter intuitive, but we'll pretend, for the sake of discussion, that nothing new is released in the future (or you can add to the list every so many years) so you don't need to leave empty spaces for things that do not yet exist.

Feel free to think about this for a little bit before posting. It's a good, and fun, mental exercise.

If you could, please break the list down into categories: Handgun, Centerfire Rifle, Shotgun, Rimfire.

Don't be afraid to be very generic with descriptions where you may not have a particular model, or even manufacturer, picked out yet.


I started mine but it needs work to post. I'm really not sure what to put on it.


Edited to put my beta list of 20 into the first post:

Okay, now that I get down to it 20 isn't very many at all. This is actually pretty damn difficult.

Pistol (8)
Glock 26
Glock 26 (Olive Drab)
Glock 19
Glock 19 (Desert tan)
Glock 21SF
Upper mid-tier 1911 (Dan Wesson?)
HK USP .45 Compact, DAO, no safety
Reserved for a compact single stack 9mm(Kahr?)

Revolver (3)
Smith and Wesson 642
Ruger GP100, 4" .357
Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull

Rifle (5)
DS Arms FAL (CQB)
Springfield Armory M1A (scout sniper)
M1 Garand
Colt AR15 (CQB)
Lever action .357

Rimfire (2)
Ruger 10/22 (LTR)
Bolt-action .22lr (scoped)

Shotgun (2)
Remington 870, 12 gauge (HD)
Benelli, 12 gauge semi-auto


Yes, this list is probably pretty boring and redundant to a lot of you.


Reasoning:

Pistols
The concealed carry pistol is by far my most important category and I like Glocks for this. I have a 26, 19 and 21SF, am very happy with them and intend to keep them indefinitely. I'd like another 26 as it just seems so perfect, for ME, as a conceal carry gun. The Glock 19 is a do-it-all. Two is one, one is none, and magazine/ammo/holster/etc interchangeability is nice. The 1911 because everybody needs at least one, and it'll be a beauty, unlike the Glocks. Also...an AA .22lr conversion kit for at least one Glock.

Wheelguns
I want a pocket gun (642) but don't trust those tiny semi autos or .380 (BTDT, sold it), a full size .357 mag (GP100) is a fun must-have, I backpack out West (Ruger Alaskan)and I plan to go to Alaska plus my brother is moving out West and I will visit and do outdoors stuff.

Rifles
The M1 is totally badass and a legend. Just got mine...love it. The FAL and M1A are modern battle worthy semi autos in a full size cartridge, which I prefer. The AR is there because every gun guy needs at least one, right? A lever gun in .38/.357 sounds pretty fun and awesome, semi affordable to shoot, and like a great trunk gun.

Rimfire
Most everybody needs a 10/22. Great for plinking, inexpensive training (Appleseed LTR anyone?), and introducing new shooters. The bolt gun for inexpensively scratching the accuracy/"sniping" bug.

 

[TheCol.U.S.M.C.]

Only 20? sounds like a nightmare

 

[Warp]

lol. Perhaps so. But the idea is few enough that you need to prioritize, but plentiful enough that you can easily cover all genuine needs and have room for pure wants.


The nightmare would be at about 10.

 

[qwert65]

I like the question but only because I decided that more than 20 would be too many(course now I am interested in black powder so so much for that plan)

Rimfires

Browning BLR-22
Ruger single six
Centerfire handgun

Ruger Blackhawk.45
Springfield GI
Ruger LCP
SW642
A top of the line 1911(prob an Ed brown still saving up)

Shotguns
Mossberg 500
Rem 1100

Centerfire rifles
Ar-15(will get sometime)
Win 94
Marlin 336
Browning BLR .308

Black powder

1851 navy
1858 remmy
1860 army(in the future)
Springfield musket(ditto)
Hawken rifle(hopefully soon)
Muzzleloading pistol(same)

 

[Warp]

20 is quite a few, really.

I realize that the guys with 7+ 10/22s alone will disagree with that.

 

[qwert65]

Forgot my 20th SW model 10

 

[smalls]

If I could only own 20 guns, I'd own 19 hi-point 9mm hand guns with a hi-point 9mm carbine.

 

[Skribs]

(Insert Fry meme) can't tell if exaggerating to make fun of other "if you only had X guns", or serious post.

Anyway, if I could only have 20...

1-3, revolvers
Ruger SP101 .357, 3.06" barrel
Ruger LCR .357
Ruger GP100 .357, 4.2" barrel

4-7, pocket pistols
Ruger LCP
Springfield XDS 9mm (not out yet, but in the works)
S&W M&P 9C
S&W M&P 40C

8-13, duty pistols
Springfield XDm 9C, 40C, and 45C
The above, with red dot and light attached

14-16, shotguns
Benelli Supernova, comfortech stock, magazine extension, red dot, flashlight, side saddle
Mossberg 930 SPX, red dot with cowitness BUIS, flashlight, side saddle
SAIGA 12, telescoping stock, flashlight, quad rail with red dot and AFG

17-20, rifles
XCR pistol in 6.8mm, red dot and flashlight attached
S&W M&P15 Sport, quad rail added, AFG, flashlight, and red dot
AR 10, 16" AFG, flashlight, and red dot
AR 10, 20", bipod, ACOG

 

[henrifirstman]

rimfire

1.Ruger 10/22
2.s&w da revolver of some sort
3.Beretta 96
4.S&w 1006
5.Colt Delta Elite
6.Desert Eagle 50 lol
7.
8.Pair of Double action 44 mag revolvers
9.
10. A couple of Mosin Nagants
11.PSL 54c
12.AR 15
13.Remington 870 Wingmaster
14.WW AK 54r
15.Colt 1911 series 70
16.Lever action 45-70
17.BAR- the cool one lol
18. Svt-40
19. M14
20. Three jobs and no sleep so I can pay for this stuff.

 

[Warp]

(Insert Fry meme) can't tell if exaggerating to make fun of other "if you only had X guns", or serious post.

Totally serious post, with a much different premise than the "5 guns" thread. The 5 guns thread asked what 5 guns we thought EVERYBODY should have. It did not ask what X guns YOU personally would choose.

Unless there is another "only x guns" thread I am unaware of...

 

[doc2rn]

My list is not all inclusive, but I could get by just fine with just the shooters I normally use.
Rimfires:
Pistol
1)S&W 651 in .22 WMR
2)Colt Cadet in .22lr
Rifle
3)Ruger 77/22 MK II in .22 WMR

Centerfire:
Pistol
4)S&W mod 10 3"
5)FNP-9
6)Colt Python
7)Ruger H&R .32 Mag
Rifle
8)Marlin Camp 9
9)M4
10)Weatherby MK V in 30-06
11)Winchester 30-30

Shotgun:
12)Ruger SxS 20g

The remaining 7 that I cant live without are yet to be made. There is a strong possibility of a .17hmr in my future, but as long as the .22 Mag is working for me I may be ok without it. Same goes for the .45, maybe another Kimber Raptor in my future, but I dont have a pressing need.

 

[Warp]

Okay, now that I get down to it 20 isn't very many at all. This is actually pretty damn difficult.

Pistol (8)
Glock 26
Glock 26 (Olive Drab)
Glock 19
Glock 19 (Desert tan)
Glock 21SF
Upper mid-tier 1911 (Dan Wesson?)
HK USP .45 Compact, DAO, no safety
Reserved for a compact single stack 9mm(Kahr?)

Revolver (3)
Smith and Wesson 642
Ruger GP100, 4" .357
Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull

Rifle (5)
DS Arms FAL (CQB)
Springfield Armory M1A (scout sniper)
M1 Garand
Colt AR15 (CQB)
Lever action .357

Rimfire (2)
Ruger 10/22 (LTR)
Bolt-action .22lr (scoped)

Shotgun (2)
Remington 870, 12 gauge (HD)
Benelli, 12 gauge semi-auto


Yes, this list is probably pretty boring and redundant to a lot of you.


Reasoning:

Pistols
The concealed carry pistol is by far my most important category and I like Glocks for this. I have a 26, 19 and 21SF, am very happy with them and intend to keep them indefinitely. I'd like another 26 as it just seems so perfect, for ME, as a conceal carry gun. The Glock 19 is a do-it-all. Two is one, one is none, and magazine/ammo/holster/etc interchangeability is nice. The 1911 because everybody needs at least one, and it'll be a beauty, unlike the Glocks. Also...an AA .22lr conversion kit for at least one Glock.

Wheelguns
I want a pocket gun (642) but don't trust those tiny semi autos or .380 (BTDT, sold it), a full size .357 mag (GP100) is a fun must-have, I backpack out West (Ruger Alaskan)and I plan to go to Alaska plus my brother is moving out West and I will visit and do outdoors stuff.

Rifles
The M1 is totally badass and a legend. Just got mine...love it. The FAL and M1A are modern battle worthy semi autos in a full size cartridge, which I prefer. The AR is there because every gun guy needs at least one, right? A lever gun in .38/.357 sounds pretty fun and awesome, semi affordable to shoot, and like a great trunk gun.

Rimfire
Most everybody needs a 10/22. Great for plinking, inexpensive training (Appleseed LTR anyone?), and introducing new shooters. The bolt gun for inexpensively scratching the accuracy/"sniping" bug.

 

[Rail Driver]

I need more than 20, honestly... but here's the bare bones "bucket list".
I already own several of these, or have owned (and will again). The ones I don't have anymore, haven't gotten around to yet will come in time.

Rimfire

bolt action .22LR pistol
Marlin Model 60 .22LR rifle
Bolt action .22 Rifle
Ruger 10/22

Centerfire Pistol

Colt 1911 .45ACP
Colt Gov't .380
Glock 19 (chopped to G26 grip length) 9mm
S&W Mod. 36 .38spl
3" - 4" Colt "snake gun" in .357mag
S&W .45ACP snubnose

Centerfire Rifle

AR-15 (multiple caliber uppers including .45ACP, 9mm, 5.56x45, 7.62x39, FN5.7, .22LR)
Remington 700 bolt action .308
Barrett M82A3 .50BMG
AK type rifle 7.62x39
Mosin/Nagant M44 7.62x54r
Hawken "plains rifle" .45/70

Shotgun

Saiga 12ga (converted)
Mossberg 500 (20" barrel, 8rd tube, adjustable stock)
exposed hammer side by side 12ga (18" barrels)
O/U 12ga (18" barrels)

 

[Owen Sparks]

I would be willing to bet that most people on this forum don't own 20 firearms and probably never will, at least at the same time. That being said, unless you have owned 100 or more, you really are not qualified to have an opinion on which 20 are the best. That rules me out.

 

[Warp]

I would be willing to bet that most people on this forum don't own 20 firearms and probably never will, at least at the same time. That being said, unless you have owned 100 or so, you really are not qualified to have an opinion on which 20 are the best. That rules me out.

Whoa there, nobody said anything about declaring what guns were the "best", or anything of the sort. Nobody even used the word best until you did.

The premise was for you to select your 20.

So, what are yours? If you don't intend to ever own 20 guns at once, feel free to have a shorter and more concise list.

 

[TennJed]

I would be willing to bet that most people on this forum don't own 20 firearms and probably never will, at least at the same time. That being said, unless you have owned 100 or more, you really are not qualified to have an opinion on which 20 are the best. That rules me out.

I did not take it as a ranking of guns at all. I see it as a list of the 20 guns I would own. If a poster does not have 20 guns yet (or even if never) doesn't matter. just a list of the 20 handguns you would own if you could.

I have to give mine a little more thought.

 

[brnmuenchow]

1) Colt "Python".
2) Colt 1873 SAA.
3) STI "Lawman".
4) TT-33 / M57.
5) Nagant 1895.
6) S&W Model 29.
7) Sig Sauer P226.
8) H&K Mk. 25.
9) Colt (copy) "Walker".
10) Benelli M4.
11) Remington 870.
12) Marlin 1895. (.45-70 Gov't.)
13) Winchester Model 70. (.308 Win.)
14) Winchester Model 70. (.375 H&H Mag.)
15) Mosin Nagant M91/30.
16) LaRue Tactical AR.
17) Colt AR.
18) Knights Armament SR-25.
19) AK-47.
20) Winchester Model 94.
Some I have and some I don't, but all would be welcome in my collection.

 

[Kiln]

I already have about 25 and am still looking for the next one on the list. I can't list just 20 because there are so many firearms that I love and even more that I'd love to get my hands on.

 

[WNC Seabee]

From my current collection...

Rimfire Pistols
1- Ruger MK II Gov't Target model
2- Ruger SP101 4" .22
3- S&W Model 17-1

Centerfire Handguns
4 - S&W 625 5" .45ACP (revolver)
5 - S&W 66-2 2.5" .357
6 - S&W 629-4 5" .44 Mag
7 - S&W 4566 .45ACP (pistol)
8 - Springfield Black Stainless Loaded 1911 .45 ACP
9 - Ruger SP101 3" .357
10 - S&W 438-2 .38spcl


Rimfire Rifle
11- Savage BTVLSS (bolt)
12 - S&W M&P 15-122
13 - Marlin 39a

Centerfire Rifle
14 - AR-15 .223
15 - Browning BLR .308
16 - Remington 760 in .300 Savage (grandpa's rifle)
17 - Marlin 1894 .44 Mag

Shotgun
18 - Mossberg 500
19 - ~1941 Ithaca Model 37 (grandpa's shotgun)

Blackpowder
20 - handcrafted .54 Pennsylvania rifle

 

[Inebriated]

Oh wow... Ok...

Handguns (8)
- Glock 26 (9mm, Gen 4)
- Glock 21 (.45 ACP, Gen 4)
- Sig P220 Elite Stainless (.45 ACP)
- Genuine WWII-issue 1911 (A reproduction can take its place, but obviously it is not preferred)
- Sig 1911 TacOps
- Smith & Wesson Model 686 (.357 Magnum, 4")
- Smith & Wesson Model 629 (.44 Magnum, 5")
- Smith & Wesson 617 (.22LR)

Rifles (9)
- Arsenal SGL-21 (7.62x39, AK for those who don't know)
- DSA RPD (7.62x39)
- Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine (.308 bolt-action)
- Stag Arms Model 4 (AR15)
- Marlin 795 (.22LR)
- Ruger 10/22
- FN SCAR 17S
- Barrett 82A1 (.50 BMG)
- Marlin 1895 (.45-70)

Shotguns (4, all 12 gauge)
- Remington 870 Police
- Remington 870 Wingmaster
- Benelli M4
- Saiga 12

 

[GojuBrian]

Handguns:

Browning Buckmark
CZ SP-01 Shadow .40S&W
Dan Wesson Valor .45acp
Dan Wesson CBOB .45acp
Ruger LCR
S&W M&P40c
PMR 30
S&W Governor
S&W model 60 .357mag
S&W model 629 .44mag
S&W 617 10 shot .22lr

Long guns:

Ruger 10/22 carbine
Ruger 10/22 rifle
Spikes AR-15 .223/5.56
Rem 870 tactical 12guage
Remington 700 sps tactical in .308
Marlin .44 lever
Kel Tec KSG12guage
Norinco Paratrooper SKS 7.62x39
Savage .17HMR


OOOHHHH....I'd be a gun happy man!!!

 

[Manny]

Glad to see you moved forward with the concept.

My 20:

Handgun:
-Glock 17L 9mm x2 For General use, the long barrel really helps with sighting.
-Glock 30SF .45acp x2 For CCW, packs a lot of punch in a smallish size
-Ruger LCR .38 w/ Crimson Trace x2 For CCW, best gun around for it IMHO.

I want duplicates of all these as they're my primary defensive pieces and should you ever need to use one it will be taken for evidence.

-Freedom Arms M83 .454 6" barrel & Trijicon RDS sight for handgun hunting. Also spare .45ACP cylinder.
-Freedom Arms M97 .22 lr, 7.5" w/ scope, for small game & general fun.
-Ruger LCR .22lr w/ CT grip for cheap practice & fun.

Rifles:
-Custom 10/22 w/ Eotech sight & lots of bx25 mags, hunting & fun.
-Custom 10/22 w/ scope, same as above
-AR15 carbine 5.56 of good quality, irons & Eotech + light, defensive use.
-AR15 5.56 rifle set up to SDMR specs, for precision use and varminting.
-AR15 5.56 rifle for CMP shooting, great practice.
-Light scoped carbine in.308 for all around use
-Top quality tactical target gun w/ good scope in .308 for targets etc..
-LMT MW .308 AR, scoped, a little more punch in my chosen defensive rifle.

Shotguns: (all 12ga)
-FN SLP 18.5" w/ ghost rings & chokes, x2, handy all around weapon & bigdog backup for the handguns for defensive use. Want a spare JIC.
-Browning Cynergy O/U for clays shooting

Should have a lot of fun with the above and be well equipped for most things.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Ok, I'll play...

Rimfires
- Winchester Model 52
- Winchester Model 63
- S&W Model 34
- S&W Model 41
- Colt Target Woodsman

Centerfire Revolvers
- S&W Model 29
- S&W model 19
- Colt Python
- Colt SSA

Centerfire Pistols
- 1911
- Artillery Luger

Shotguns
- Arrizabalaga
- Winchester Model 12

Centerfire Rifles
- a custom Commercial Mauser
- Holland & Holland Express Rifle
- Wichester Model 65

NFA Items
- 1919a4
- Ithaca Auto & Burglar
- Thompson
- BAR

I don't have reasoning - only wants. I don't approach shooting sports from a "needs" driven standpoint. Guns don't have dedicated roles to play for me, nor do I place function over form. Its as much about history and nostalgia as it is about shooting enjoyment.

Also, this list is subject to major revisions at any moment.

 

[DAP90]

Shotguns:
1. 12ga field gun
2. 20ga field gun
3. 12ga HD/3-gun shotgun
4. 12ga Sporting Clays
5. 12ga Trap
6. 12ga Skeet

Rifles:
7. 22lr suitable for silhouette
8. 22lr for plinking/small game hunting
9. Bolt action big game rifle
10. Lever action big game rifle
11. Bolt action varmint/benchrest rifle
12. AR
13. Service class High Power Rifle (m14 maybe)
14. Black Powder Rifle

Handguns:
15. 22lr Bullseye pistol
16. IPDA/USPSA/3 gun handgun
17. Backup IPDA/USPSA/3 gun handgun
18. Carry gun
19. Backup carry gun
20. Hunting revolver

Arguably more shotguns than I need but it’s my favorite shooting discipline so I indulged a bit. I’d try to get a gun for every type of shooting I might want to do be it competition, hunting, plinking or training.

I know, it’s boring without specifics on makes and models but at this point I’d need to do a bunch of research before I could pinpoint what I’d want.

 

[Sgt_R]

I don't own 20. I may never own 20. but just for fun...

Pistol
Glock 17 (9mm)
Glock 17 (9mm)
Glock 34 (9mm)
Glock 26 (9mm)
Kahr PM9 (9mm)
Kahr P380 (.380)

Rifle
Noveske 14.5" Carbine w/ Switchblock (5.56x45)
Noveske 14.5" Carbine w/ Switchblock (5.56x45)
KAC SR-25 EM Carbine (.308)
KAC M110 (.308)
Accuracy International AW Magnum (.338 lapua)

NFA
H&K MP5K-PDW (9mm)
AAC Honey Badger PDW (.300 BLK)
AAC Honey Badger PDW (.300 BLK)
Arsenal SLR-107UR SBR (7.62x39)
Arsenal SLR-107UR SBR (7.62x39)

Rimfire
Ruger MkIII 22/45 (.22lr)
Savage MkII FVSR (.22lr)
S&W M&P 15-22 MOE (.22lr)

Shotgun
Mossberg 590 18.5" Mariner (12ga)

Yeah, some duplicates. Some things are worth having a spare.

R