You're not a true American if you don't own a xxx

[Old Dog]

... a collection of Barry Manilow's greatest hits, a collection of the most popular Broadway show tunes, a wine cellar featuring a great selection of California reds, particularly Merlots and Cabernets, and a closet full of spandex yoga pants and Birkenstock sandals.

Seriously, what one owns has nothing to do with being a "true American."

(of course, I personally do own a Chevy truck, a lever-action .30-30, an AR-15 or two and a 1911, not to mention I have some big dogs and enjoy drinking Samuel Adams Boston Lager ...)

 

[Shooter973]

Not an American if you don't own a pick up Truck.

You need a lever action 30-30, a good 357 handgun, a 1911 in 45acp, and a good 22 cal rifle or handgun. That's the Code of the West, but a pick up truck just clinches the deal. Throw in a good pump 12 ga. shotgun and you'll be set for any occasion. These should be the requirments to get a "man card," and to vote.

 

[chicharrones]

That's the Code of the West, but a pick up truck just clinches the deal.

I owned pickups when single cabs were the norm, 4 single cabs and 1 extended cab (still 2 doors). They were affordable and were useful to me.

I've never been able to justify paying for a 4 door modern pickup with all the bells and whistles. Even if I could, the beds are just too short. Most modern day 4 door trucks I see are pulling a trailer for a load that used to fit in an old school long bed.

But back on point. Yes, I usually kept a 12 gauge shotgun in those trucks.

 

[Officers'Wife]

You need a lever action 30-30, a good 357 handgun, a 1911 in 45acp, and a good 22 cal rifle or handgun. That's the Code of the West, but a pick up truck just clinches the deal. Throw in a good pump 12 ga. shotgun and you'll be set for any occasion. These should be the requirments to get a "man card," and to vote.

Careful, when I get out of the "82" 3/4 ton with my little 32-20 lever action most "man card" carriers forget how to work the lever on those 30-30's. The rest are looking at my husband.

And just for the record, from what I hear the code of the west is "if it works- use it."

 

[Ed N.]

You guys all forgot the horse. If you're gonna have the 30-30 and the 6-shooter, and emulate great 'muricans like John Wayne and Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger, you gotta have a horse.

Preferably an American Quarterhorse.

 

[ColonelKorn]

A .22 a .45-70, a Jeep or some 4wd, and a dawg.

 

[Vonderek]

A S&W Model 10, a Buck 110, and an 8-track of Saturday Night Fever.

i am just kidding. I have none of the above and consider myself an American...my ancestors emigrated in the 1700's.

 

[Dale Gribble]

AR

 

[polarisgold]

A true American must own an AR-15 because the government hates them!

 

[Elkins45]

Giant belly, overdue credit card, video game console system.

 

[LocoGringo]

The rifle I rely on mostly is a Norwegian Krag carbine in 6.5 X 55 mm with a Williams aperture sight.

So what does that make me?

A Marksman.

I'd say, to be politically correct, a Marksman-American, heh heh heh.

 

[HoploDad]

Optional but mandatory.

You don't need one to be an American but you are a happier American if you have a Ruger Single Six with .22 & .22 mag cylinders. That and maybe a nice little leather holster for it to ride around in as you walk the property.

Since I love Americans I wish God would bless every one with this (Single Six) jewel. I had to buy mine.

 

[Elkins45]

You don't need one to be an American but you are a happier American if you have a Ruger Single Six with .22 & .22 mag cylinders. That and maybe a nice little leather holster for it to ride around in as you walk the property.

Since I love Americans I wish God would bless every one with this (Single Six) jewel. I had to buy mine.

Individually ejecting every spent case isn't something that makes me happier.

 

[chicharrones]

Individually ejecting every spent case isn't something that makes me happier.

Hey now, it sure beats loading and cleaning a cap and ball revolver!

 

[meff]

years ago it was common knowledge that if a man didnt own a 1911 there was a good chance to find a communist flag on his garage wall.

 

[HoploDad]

Individually ejecting every spent case isn't something that makes me happier.

That being the case you won't like this choice either: a Marlin lever in .22 s,l,lr - or in a pinch one made by Henry.

 

[Furncliff]

Tomahawk

 

[Elkins45]

That being the case you won't like this choice either: a Marlin lever in .22 s,l,lr - or in a pinch one made by Henry.

Flicking that lever isn't nearly the same as lining up each 22 caliber hole with the ejection rod.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

You're not a true American if you don't have the freedom to argue the merits of "1911 vs Glock" or "9mm vs .45" through personal ownership and experience.

 

[vince-m]

Weatherby, Remington, Ruger, Marlin.......

 

[sappyg]

So far post #5 sums things up for me. Simply owning xyz firearm is a good enough start. Owning a firearm is as Murican as much as a duty, not a just privilege. Regular practice with and keeping a good amount of ammo available is a necessity.

chapstick is always nice to have too. It comes in handy when you kiss your freedoms goodbye.

 

[kayak-man]

30-06. We were founded As a nation of rifleman, and to me, there's just something distinctly american about a 30-06.

I think the AR and 1911 are also good choices. The AR fits in with the nation of riflemen idea, and the 1911 is also distinctly american.

In keeping with Teddy Roosevelt's quote "a vote is like a rifle, it's usefulness depends on the character of its user" I think that the key is a sense of freedom and adventure

On a more serious note:
Really though, I think to be a true American, it means be willing to stand up for what you believe in, what you think is right, even if it isn't popular or everyone says something wrong is ok.

 

[alexander45]

A major boating accident

 

[alexander45]

Individually ejecting every spent case isn't something that makes me happier.

Man would you hate my old iver Johnson

 

[anothernewb]

Odd how things parallel sometimes. This same conversation came up (at a bar of course) the other night. It went back and forth, until everyone was on the warpath. Of course, not wanting to be left out... i finally spoke up and said you're not a real American if you don't own a flag.

Instantly the conversation derailed as the second person (not wanting to be outdone) said a birth certificate...
The rest went about as well as you could expect..