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

[tomrkba]

This thread will help me decide what else I need to buy lol.

Handguns:

1) S&W Model 17 (22 Long Rifle)
2) Any revolver in 357 Magnum. S&W Model 19 or 66 are iconic.
3) Any revolver in 44 Magnum. The S&W Model 29 6" with barrel is iconic.
4) Glock 17
5) Glock 19
6) 1911 made by Colt
7) Browning High Power or clone
8) Beretta M9A1 or similar
9) SIG M17
10) SIG M18
11) One of the HK pistols used by US or Euro military
12) Colt Single Action Army

Shotgun
1) Remington 870 Police
2) Any nicely made double barrel shotgun
3) Any nice trap/skeet gun

Rifle
1) AR-15
2) AK-47
3) M1A or M14 of you can swing it
4) Some lever action rifle in 30-30 or whatever you like. I like Henry rifles
5) Some bolt action rifle, possibly in 30-06
6) Ruger 10/22

 

[gnappi]

Even though I have little real use for 9mm's other than plinking with my GF or student, the Browning Hi Power and Beretta 92 are exceptions for me to have and keep. Both are a joy to shoot.

I do not load 9's and unless 9mm ammo gets reasonable they may not see use again unless / until then :-(

 

[Rexster]

I do not grasp the concept of “collecting.” I have done a considerable amount of accumulating, but I have generally only accumulated firearms that I plan to use. I need a carry gun, and a hideout gun, plus, at least one spare, of each.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

Handguns:

Nice list. Here's what I have.
1) S&W Model 17 (22 Long Rifle) Have a Heritage 22 Revolver and Ruger Mark pistol
2) Any revolver in 357 Magnum. S&W Model 19 or 66 are iconic. On the hunt for a 19.
3) Any revolver in 44 Magnum. The S&W Model 29 6" with barrel is iconic. Have a 460xvr, which is pretty close caliber-wise.
4) Glock 17 Too close to the 19 to buy
5) Glock 19 Have it
6) 1911 made by Colt Have a 1911, but not a Colt.
7) Browning High Power or clone CZ 75, which is close enough for me.
8) Beretta M9A1 or similar Have it
9) SIG M17 Have a 365 and 365xl, which is close enough for me, given the other 9s I have.
10) SIG M18
11) One of the HK pistols used by US or Euro military Not sure this one is iconic, because I don't know it.
12) Colt Single Action Army Have a Vaquero.
Add in a J-frame and black powder revolver, plus a pocket pistol and derringer.

Shotgun
1) Remington 870 Police Several Mossy 500s
2) Any nicely made double barrel shotgun Have some break actions but not a double barrel. Not sure what I'd use it for.
3) Any nice trap/skeet gun Use a semi 12

Rifle
1) AR-15 Yes
2) AK-47 Yes
3) M1A or M14 of you can swing it Agree, but probably not going to drop the money since I don't have a real desire to own milsurp guns, at least not for the current prices.
4) Some lever action rifle in 30-30 or whatever you like. I like Henry rifles Yep
5) Some bolt action rifle, possibly in 30-06 Yep
6) Ruger 10/22 Yep

 

[starling]

If you are actually going to shoot then a decent variety of 22lr pistols are pretty much a necessity. Even stuff like low cost Heritage Rough Riders or Semi auto of choice is pretty much a must have. Pocket autos....Target guns....plinkers etc. Almost any of them are going to pay for themselves if you plan on shooting a lot.

Now if you just want something to have... thats whatever floats your boat.

For protection... 357/38 4" revolver can do just about anything well in a practical sense. Even as a CCW its fine with a decent holster.

I would say if you live in an urban area a decent midsize wondernine for fab 40 would be a better option than any revolver for protection.

 

[film495]

must have? just for a collection? A Colt or Smith and Wesson revolver and also a semi-auto with both a steel frame and a steel slide.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

I think it all depends on what you like. What appeals to me, may not even be something you care for. I have a pretty large collection of firearms, of all types. My collection has no theme of any firearms. I own revolvers, both single action and double actions, semi-auto pistols, of all types, bolt action rifle, lever action, pump action and single shot, shotguns of all types. Military rifles and handguns. I have always bought, what I liked. Asking someone else what the must have firearms, they need in their collection, is like asking a woman, what color her panties are. You should not buy what others say, you should buy. If you buy and collect what appeals to you and you like to shoot, you will be just fine, and always be happy, with what you own. Firearm collecting is not a one size fits all.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

I think it all depends on what you like. What appeals to me, may not even be something you care for. I have a pretty large collection of firearms, of all types. My collection has no theme of any firearms. I own revolvers, both single action and double actions, semi-auto pistols, of all types, bolt action rifle, lever action, pump action and single shot, shotguns of all types. Military rifles and handguns. I have always bought, what I liked. Asking someone else what the must have firearms, they need in their collection, is like asking a woman, what color her panties are. You should not buy what others say, you should buy. If you buy and collect what appeals to you and you like to shoot, you will be just fine, and always be happy, with what you own. Firearm collecting is not a one size fits all.

This thread is just for fun. At the end of the day, I buy what I like or need. And my wife has a pretty impressive underwear collection as well…every color.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

This thread is just for fun. At the end of the day, I buy what I like or need. And my wife has a pretty impressive underwear collection as well…every color.

Good for you. Glad for you.

 

[PzGren]

Must have handguns are a rimfire and a centerfire gun. From there on it is wants, not needs.

 

[gnappi]

I do not grasp the concept of “collecting.” I have done a considerable amount of accumulating, but I have generally only accumulated firearms that I plan to use. I need a carry gun, and a hideout gun, plus, at least one spare, of each.

Agreed! But bear in mind, there's a serious investment aspect to those with a sharp eye... For example...

Collector value on a Kimber or Glock? Unlikely, Colt? For sure.

If finances allow for some investment opportunity I say go fer it!! Firearms are a Faarrrr better investment than diamonds! Unless you sell gemstones... then their useless appraisal will prove me wrong.

 

[DTL]

For me and how I live:
A quality Full size 1911 in .45ACP Home defense and 9mm Range pleasure practice
9mm compact and subcompact edc depending on clothing
4" .357 Home and trail
A quality .22 for sheer enjoyment
Anything beyond those are "wants" not "must haves".

 

[bdickens]

What you like.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

a .22 be it an autoloader or revolver
a .357 revolver
a .44 revolver
a 1911 in .45
a plastic frame striker fired 9mm
a Beretta 92

That would be a good starter collection and no I don't own them all----maybe I need to start looking at 92's

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

The MUST HAVES are the ones you like.........No one else's opinion matters.

 

[hdbiker]

I worked my entire life raising a family, building a home, and a year before I retired, I finally sprung for the one handgun I always wanted, A Springfield Loaded Target 1911 in .45 acp. Now I cry about all I missed over those years

 

[Bob Meyer]

Luger, Walter P-38, Broom handle Mauser, Colt 1911 45ACP, Browning Hi Power, Colt Woodsman, Colt SAA (actually I have a Gen 1 Bisley, but you get the idea).

 

[d'zaster]

I think it would be good to add a CZ75 or similar.