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

[ev780]

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

Don't mean we can't have a beer though!

 

[Bazoo]

A single six, a Blackhawk, a 1911, a double action 357 magnum.

 

[Autodidactic]

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

Hmm I'd say:

A good quality .38 or .357 revolver, Smith, Colt, Ruger, etc
Quality 9mm or other service caliber semi-auto
.22 semi-auto
Pocket pistol in .380 or .32 acp for discreet carry
Something totally impractical but you always wanted

 

[sequins]

I went for the army pistols (Colt SAA, Colt 1911, Beretta M9, Sig M11), one of each Glock full size except GAP (17, 20, 21, 22, 31) and the ruger revolver lineup except the vaquero (LCR, SP101, GP100, Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk)

That covers my handgun needs

 

[Guns and Guitars]

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".

I don’t think I’m that serious about having a true collection. I just like having the most iconic models, calibers, styles, types, etc. I’m the same with acoustic guitars. I have one of every iconic size and shape, brand and model, wood combo, etc. I think I have more guitars than guns. Going to need more space before long.

 

[eddiememphis]

Everything... and one more

 

[Meeks36]

4+ in 41 mag preferably a Ruger.

 

[Seedy Character]

Don't mean we can't have a beer though!

Now you're talking

 

[C.R.]

How about this , A 1911 of some kind . A .22 semi auto of whatever flavor you choose. A .22revolver or preferably two, a single action and a double action. A centerfire revolver in .357,41,or.44 magnum and a tacticool polymer 9MM with the option of hanging all kinds of cool accessories off it and having a custom built Swiss Army Pistol if you are into that sort of thing.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The essential battery for general use is four guns - a .22 double action revolver, a .22 automatic, a centerfire service revolver (preferably .38 or .357), and a centerfire service automatic (preferably 9mm or .45 ACP.)

When it comes to collecting, there are two basic theories - broad or deep. A broad collection has one of everything - a 1911, BHP, SIG, Glock, Beretta, etc etc etc. A deep collection is focused on a specific type - maybe you take an interest in the SIG P-series or S&W K-frames and concentrate on acquiring different variants of those. If you stay in the hobby long enough you'll probably end up with a collection that's both broad and deep - one of everything and a bunch of something.

 

[JohnKSa]

• A nightstand gun. A full-sized handgun in a common self-defense caliber. You'll want a backup for this gun to practice with and in case there's some kind of an issue with your primary.
  
• A carry gun. A compact handgun in a common self-defense/carry caliber. It's nice if this gun works more or less the same way your nightstand gun does in terms of manual of arms. You'll want a backup for this gun for the same reasons as above.
  
• A .22LR pistol of some sort. I like revolvers here since it makes ammo selection much less critical.
• I think every one should have at least one "range toy" centerfire handgun. Something that's fun to shoot at the range and perhaps serves no actual useful purpose.

 

[stanley_white]

A 45 Colt revolver of some variety.

-Stan

 

[Obturation]

No collection is complete without a 22 pistol and a 357 mag revolver.

I used to think everyone needed a 1911 but I've been without one for almost a decade and don't miss them at all. Not even a little.

 

[md7]

Here’s the md7 “must have” list

Beretta 92 series
Glock 17 or 19
1911.. Government size in 45ACP
Semi auto 22 (buckmark or Ruger, etc)
Dedicated ccw (mines a Glock 26)
4” 357 magnum (S&W or Ruger)

Some “nice to haves”

Commander sized 1911 in 45ACP
3” 357 magnum revolver (Ruger or S&W)
Single action in 45 Colt (Ruger or maybe a decent SAA repro)
Sig P series
CZ75

 

[KenW.]

There are some guns that every American should own. A 1911, Glock 19, snubbie .38, 4” .357, pump shotgun, AR-15, .22 LR rifle, and a bolt deer rifle. Everything else is just a plus.

 

[lsudave]

I tend to have similar tastes as Tallball, I guess we're the same generation

Here are some things I have, that I figure should be a "must have" if you are collecting...
9mm:
CZ 75 pre B
Beretta 92FS
High Power (I have a FEG clone)
Sig P226 (have an old WG).
S&W M39

a 1911 in 45acp, in USGI configuration (I have several, "bargain brand".) A Colt or Remington Rand surplus would be ideal, especially if unmodified.

A High Standard 22lr (I have a Sport King), a Ruger Mk series (I have a Mk II).

There are others I don't have (a S&W police issue revolver in 38 Special, etc). Depending on the direction you veer off, others become must-haves; I have an EG Makarov and other guns in that caliber from the Cold War, as well as a Tokarev.
I like metal-frame duty 9mms, so I also have a Star 30M, Daewoo DP 51, Star BM, Star Modelo Super etc. Would love to hunt down a Luger, an HK P7, some others.

 

[JumboJVT]

I'm short both a Colt and a 1911,so the answer seems simple. Just having a hard time swallowing the price/quality of a Colt 1911 vs. an SA. Must be a sign I need an SA and an SAA.

 

[huntsman]

There are some guns that every American should own. A 1911, Glock 19, snubbie .38, 4” .357, pump shotgun, AR-15, .22 LR rifle, and a bolt deer rifle. Everything else is just a plus.

Why?

1911 isn’t lefty friendly
.357 mag too much concussion
Snubbie is harder to master than micro pistol

I drive a new Wrangler but never had the urge to own a Willys, never owned a model A either does that make me less of a driver?

 

[Tallball]

I tend to have similar tastes as Tallball, I guess we're the same generation

Here are some things I have, that I figure should be a "must have" if you are collecting...
9mm:
CZ 75 pre B
Beretta 92FS
High Power (I have a FEG clone)
Sig P226 (have an old WG).
S&W M39

a 1911 in 45acp, in USGI configuration (I have several, "bargain brand".) A Colt or Remington Rand surplus would be ideal, especially if unmodified.

A High Standard 22lr (I have a Sport King), a Ruger Mk series (I have a Mk II).

There are others I don't have (a S&W police issue revolver in 38 Special, etc). Depending on the direction you veer off, others become must-haves; I have an EG Makarov and other guns in that caliber from the Cold War, as well as a Tokarev.
I like metal-frame duty 9mms, so I also have a Star 30M, Daewoo DP 51, Star BM, Star Modelo Super etc. Would love to hunt down a Luger, an HK P7, some others.

Wow. We must be of a similar generation indeed! I have almost every handgun on your list (no Hi-Standard, SW39, or Daewoo). My High Power is even an FEG clone. I'm 56.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

What about a derringer?

 

[Reinz]

What about a derringer?

‘Funny, as I was catching up on this thread I was thinking, wow if we composed a list of all of these posts we’d have almost everything offered except for derringers, Hi Points, and Saturday night specials. Then I ended up on your derringer post.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

If you discover steel shooting you'll need a .22 pistol. I suggest a Ruger Mark IV in your favorite guise. I would also suggest a 1911, but then they're not for everybody. Handle one and if it fits you perfectly, you need one. If not a revolver guy, with all the .357 suggestions, check out the 10mm. Pocket pistol of your choice, personally mine's a .32.

 

[KenW.]

Why?

1911 isn’t lefty friendly
.357 mag too much concussion
Snubbie is harder to master than micro pistol

I drive a new Wrangler but never had the urge to own a Willys, never owned a model A either does that make me less of a driver?

You asked why. There are plenty of wrong-handed people who have used a 1911. Ones in the military for example. Mine has as the ambi safety… The .357 is often considered the rock-bottom of handgun hunting calibers for deer-sized game. Snubbies because of concealability and the challenge of shooting one well.
I’ve owned jeeps most of my adult life. Started with a Willies Overland truck. The classics make you appreciate the modern ones more. I own micro pistols, but once I became proficient with the snubbie I but them in the back of the safe. To each his own. There are no wrong answers.

 

[JoeHenry]

This might be a good start.

 

[Lo-Profile]

2 of everything .....