What are the “must haves” in a handgun collection?

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don't know that any of mine are must haves, and i'm not nearly as knowledgeable as most on here, but i have -

taurus 1911 (actually a very good gun, for those who don't like taurus)
taurus .357 snubbie (sometimes carry gun)
colt python 357
ruger single six
ruger SA 44mag (i really like SA revolvers; use these when hiking in the mountains)
ruger SA 45 colt
smith and wesson - shield and shield plus in 9mm (used as carry guns)

sw ar15
wwII era 30 carbine
rossi 44mag lever action ( don't know about long time quality, but it's been fine, and i really like it)
ruger scout rifle in 308

these were collected over my lifetime. and i'm older than some people.
not all, but some.
i don't consider myself a collector, but i like guns. i think i have a gun to cover various situations that might arise.
except maybe a shotgun. i'm just not a fan, and i think what i have will cover most if not all situations.
 
A good .22 either revolver or semi-automatic.
A common centerfire caliber revolver or semi-automatic that is comfortable to carry concealed and can be used as a home defense gun. That's it.
 
I think "must haves" are dependent on handgun interests. I mean if there is no interest to focus your collection, the obvious answer is one of each. But you've probably got an interest, historical significance, military, self-defense, training and target shooting, tactical, long-distance... You've got an interest, you need to be honest as to your focus. For instance, if you're into military, and history, you're more likely to "must have" a Luger, Makarov and a SAA, than if you're into tactical and training.

I think you'd want a 1911, and a K Frame Smith, and a quality shooter .22 for sure. After that, if you're into revolvers, a single-action, a .357, a .44, and then let your interests decide whether you want to go heavy into cowboy, cop, snubby concealed, or hunting guns.

If you're into automatics, someone else can guide you better, but I guess, a sack full of 1911's, Glocks and CZ's, maybe some HK's if you're an elitist, perhaps a Beretta 92/96 if you want to poke the 1911 and Glock disciples, and a Walther if you're a non-conformist?

If you're hoping for $ appreciation, learn the market, buy used, and know that they're all golden investments (and even if they aren't, don't tell my wife otherwise).
 
Like others, I don’t collect a certain brand, style or caliber…and I shoot everything I buy so I’m not an investor/collector.

I do have most of the Glock 9mm models, but not amassed by generation just by model.

I have several S&W K-frame .38’s and .357’s… but not one of every model number.

I say go out and find a gun you would like to have and buy it. If you fall in love with it you’ll want to start branching out with variants… that’s how it happened to me.

Stay safe.
 
bannockburn said:
Basic Necessities:

1) A 1911. Your choice of caliber, configuration, and manufacturer.
2) A SAA. Your choice of caliber, configuration, and manufacturer.
3) A Double Action Revolver. Preferably in .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Your choice of configuration and manufacturer.
4) A Full Size 9mm Semi-Auto. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.
5) A Compact/Subcompact 9mm. Semi-Auto. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.
6) A Subcompact Semi-Auto.32 or .380. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.
7) A Subcompact Double Action Revolver .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Your choice of configuration and manufacturer.
8) A Semi-Auto .22. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.
9) A Revolver .22. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.
10) A Full Size Revolver whose cartridge begins with a "4" (i.e. .41, .44, .45, .454, etc.) Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.

Optional:
1) A Black Powder Single Shot Pistol or Revolver. Your choice of action, caliber, and manufacturer.
Click to expand...


Best advice I’ve read.
 
jpricewood said:
This thread will help me decide what else I need to buy lol.
Click to expand...
IMO, a "must have" is one of anything you like. Some people like snub nose revolvers and search for them; others like 1911's and go for those.

I wanted as part of my collection, one of each model of S&W K and N frame revolver in a magnum caliber, made between 1960 and 1982. That makes them all pinned and recessed, 3-screw guns. I decided that barrel length didn't matter (makes some models easier to find), and while I preferred a blued gun, I wouldn't pass on a nice nickel plated one. And there were a few non-magnums I wanted, too. Still working on finishing the collection, but I have the major ones; I now have a blued 4" M19-3, a nickel 4" M25-5, a blued 6" M27-2, a blued 6" M28-2, a 6" nickel M29-2, a blue 6" M48-4, a blue 6" M57 "S", a blue 4" M58 "S", and a stainless 2-1/2" M66-1. Still looking for a nice M65, M13 and the Holy Grail, a M520.

Another desire for my collection is a 1911 in each caliber it is offered. Now I have one each in 9mm, 10mm, .38 Super and .45.
And there are a few others like a 1903 Colt and BHP that I've found and there will be more, maybe. Just not any plastic ones.
 
Minimum standards to qualify to enter EV's fictitious OPDC. (Old Pistol Dudes Club)



Mix and match as you see fit but must have a .357 revolver and a 1911.45!

Brands...3 out of 5 (Waiver considered for outstanding candidates owning Kimber, Dan Wesson, HK, and other mid-majors)
Colt, Ruger, S&W, Sig, Glock

Platforms.....1 each
Revolver, combat plastic, 1911

Caliber....1 each
.22lr, .357, 9mm, .45acp
 
The speciffic makes and model will always vary based on personal oppinion, the must haves are multi caliber collections.
 
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For me: whatever I happen to like. I don’t care about someone else’s definition.
In practice, that means, among other things,
- One of everything Ruger makes. SA, DA, Single shot, Red Label , etc
- My ‘collection’ doesn’t include a 1911 of any kind.Not even an SR1911
 
ev780 said:
Minimum standards to qualify to enter EV's fictitious OPDC. (Old Pistol Dudes Club)



Mix and match as you see fit but must have a .357 revolver and a 1911.45!

Brands...3 out of 5 (Waiver considered for outstanding candidates owning Kimber, Dan Wesson, HK, and other mid-majors)
Colt, Ruger, S&W, Sig, Glock

Platforms.....1 each
Revolver, combat plastic, 1911

Caliber....1 each
.22lr, .357, 9mm, .45acp
Click to expand...


I'm out and most likely never in

Brands
I have 2, though a S&W may be in my future. (If I don't get a GP100, instead)

Platforms
I have no need for a plastic gun.

Caliber
I have never owned a 9mm and have little intention to. IF I came across a Ruger Blackhawk dual cylinder .357/9mm, is about the only way I will have a 9mm.

But, I will live
 
Basic Necessities:
What I have so far:
1) A 1911. Your choice of caliber, configuration, and manufacturer.-SIG,Kimber,Dan Wesson x2, Ed Brown
2) A SAA. Your choice of caliber, configuration, and manufacturer.-45 New Vaquero
3) A Double Action Revolver. Preferably in .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Your choice of configuration and manufacturer. -DW 15-2
4) A Full Size 9mm Semi-Auto. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.-CZ TSO, BHP, G5 Glock 19
5) A Compact/Subcompact 9mm. Semi-Auto. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.- P365 & P938
6) A Subcompact Semi-Auto.32 or .380. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.-P238 & Colt Mustang
7) A Subcompact Double Action Revolver .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Your choice of configuration and manufacturer.-Kimber K6
8) A Semi-Auto .22. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.-Ruger Mk II & IV, Woodsman, Browning Blk Label 1911
9) A Revolver .22. Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer. Heritage RR & NAA Mini
10) A Full Size Revolver whose cartridge begins with a "4" (i.e. .41, .44, .45, .454, etc.) Your choice of action, configuration, and manufacturer.-Ruger Super Redhawk 454 Casull/45 Colt

Optional:
1) A Black Powder Single Shot Pistol or Revolver. Your choice of action, caliber, and manufacturer.-Ruger Old Army, .54 Lyman Plains pistol.
I got the basics covered, now working on the non-essential list-looking at a IMI Desert Eagle
 
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Must haves in my humble opinion.
I'll be specific:
Trail/fun gun....ruger super single six. Both cylinders....22lr and 22mag.
Single action Blackhawk, vaquero, or SAA clone.... .45colt
Kframe s&w .357mag.
1911 .45acp
Compact double stack 9mm striker ccw.
Jframe. Sp101, or Taurus 85 in 38spl
44magnum double action
Last but not least....
And I'm dead serious about not omitting a cap and ball revolver. Either a '51 or a '60 or a Remington 58.


.
 
I don't think you should even start making a list of "must-haves" until you define what it is you're collecting. Revolvers? Colts? Berettas? 9mm semi-autos? Duty pistols? Mouse guns? Target guns? Historical signficance? Country of origin? FOCUS is the name of the collecting game, else you just end up with a whole bunch of guns. Which isn't a bad goal in itself, but it isn't a "collection".
 
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