Guns & Outdoors Forum

If you were starting your gun collection today, knowing already what you've learned over the years from shooting and collecting, what would you buy and why? I'm breaking my post into categories that fit my personal uses of late, but obviously present categories however you see fit.

Hunting Rifle - I would do a semi-custom .30-06 similar to Alamo Precision Rifle's "Maverick" offering. Topped with a higher end Leupold VX-5 or Nightforce NXS 2-10. Threaded for suppressor.

2nd Hunting Rifle - If I found myself pursuing game that a .30-06 didn't quite cut it for, I would step up to a .375 H&H, likely going full "dangerous game" in my set up and using some sort of CRF action, QD 1-6 or 1-8 optic, etc. Still in SS and fiberglass/synthetic though.

.22 Rifle - A quality "adult sized" bolt action .22 with after market support and quality optic. Likely a Tikka T1x or CZ 457 with appropriate optic.

12 Gauge Shotgun - The Benelli M2 or similar semi auto does it for me. My main use for shotguns is 3-gun with the occasional wingshooting

HD/Match Handgun - Glock 19 MOS w/ RMR or ACRO P-2

.22 Pistol - Ruger MK Series

AR Type Rifle - 16" carbine with 1-6 or 1-8 optic, collapsible stock, MLOK free floated forend. Suppressor ready muzzle device.

If I were starting today I would do it different.
For hunting big game, a quality single shot, probably 45-70 and make it about the pursuit rather than the kill.

for small game, similar premise. Quality single shot in something between .22LR and 32-20

Shotguns I'd probably have two. 12ga O/U and a 20ga SxS

HD I would probably simplify as well. A good quality 3" revolver in a suitable defensive caliber. Bonus if it is a configuration suitable for CCW as well.

.22 pistol, I'd keep my current favorite Sig/Hammerli Trailside. barring that, can't argue with your choice of Ruger. Something out of the current Mk IV series would do.
AR type rifle, similar to your choice in a military caliber to make feeding it a bit easier in SHTF scenario.

I'd hate to start today.
Prices are just crazy high now.
I collected quite a few S&W revolvers throughout my journey. I could never afford to do it now just like your model 48 those days are gone forever.

I’ve enjoyed the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from playing with so many different guns and cartridges. I’ve had aspirations and goals. Realizing now that most won’t be met. I’ve still had fun in the process.
There was a point in my young adult life that all I had was a .22-250 Remington, a .308 Win, a 7mm Rem Mag, a 12ga, a .22lr, and a .40 S&W.

Ah, the simple times. I could probably make it with just that again.

Maybe I should work my way back to that.

Zee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:47 pm Maybe I should work my way back to that.

Is that you Enzo ?

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:21 pm

Zee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:47 pm Maybe I should work my way back to that.

Is that you Enzo ?

Collecting is losing its luster. Practicality is taking over. I’ve sciences about all I can science.

Honestly, if I was to start over knowing what I do now, there would be a few less handguns in the safe. Most of the rifles would be the same, except my next purchase would have already been made.

Zee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:41 pm

JunkCollector wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:21 pm

Zee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:47 pm Maybe I should work my way back to that.

Is that you Enzo ?

Collecting is losing its luster. Practicality is taking over. I’ve sciences about all I can science.

Who is this person using Zee's account?

Zee wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 11:41 pm Collecting is losing its luster. Practicality is taking over. I’ve sciences about all I can science.

This is an understandable sentiment. Though I've enjoyed accumulating the various guns over the years, I'm much more interested in improving what I've got and practicing with them. My current collection meets my needs for the foreseeable future, especially since my primary use these days is shooting USPSA and big game hunting. I'd have to venture into grizzly or African dangerous game to need a hunting rifle more stout than my 7mm RM.

Kinda like Zee, if I was starting now, there would be a lot more purely practical going on. At the moment, I'm more thinking about letting go of a few.

I don’t think I’d change much about what I’ve done…

I know I’ve put up with a lot of abuse about my “downsizing” but like Zee I’ve enjoyed the journey and learned a whole lot about guns and myself in the process. Owned a lot of jewels and a lot of things that just didn’t take, or like some girlfriends were great for only 3 dates and had to get move on.

I’m about to book a table at a major gun show at my new address to clean out a whole lot of stuff in December as my priorities have changed A LOT. Or, my wife is actually encouraging me to open a small gun store and spend time smiling behind the counter as my “retirement” career. I’m only keeping special guns that have meaning to me and funding a small number of future acquisitions now that I know better. Projects and trading stock have to leave the nest.

I'd go for practicality and purpose. In reality I'd probably be covered with a 30-06 rifle, 5.56 rifle, 20 gauge shotgun (because that's what I have) and a 9mm handgun. Of course a 22lr bolt gun and pistol for small game and fun. I have alot of stuff that just sits in the safe.

I couldnt do today what I did.
I was broke and surplus was the ONLY way I could go aside form the one rifle that my father still had, a 22lr. Then the bug hit and with Black Ops funding I have just about 1 representative sample of US mil cartridge rifles. There are a couple I am missing, some unicorns, some just cant find the fit and interest vs expense now.
That and what I do with them has changed.
I was about getting a deer hunting rifle first, branched out into varmints, shooting in vintage comps, getting the US mil collection, accumulating for the kids to learn and hunt on, moving into flintlocks, then getting the service rifle bug, I own shotgunS now, for turkey and pheasant, and am planning the next phase of mid and long range.
I have thinned the herd some already. The kids that are established have their rifles and the surplus I got for them and a plan on who gets what if I get hit by a bus this year.

A lot of different thoughts modes and reasons on this for sure.
I know mine go a million different directions.

The end goal for me was my kids.
The writing has been on the wall a long time.
Get the the guns.
Get the ammo.
Get the components.
Teach a fondness and respect for what we have because there not going to be able to afford to enjoy shooting like we have.

Yes afford.....that is huge now.

SS3, great to see you again! Hope you’re doing well.

I’d probably start the same way I did over 40 years ago - a .22, a .357, and a pistol, only this time I’d likely go straight to the 9mm v. A .45. Then a 12 gauge and a center fire rifle, maybe a Scout bolt in .308.

I probably would not change much.
My first 22 revolver was a Colt Frontier Scout and first 22 pistol was my Colt Match Target. First 22 rifle was my Browning take down.
First rifle Winchester model 94 in 30-30, first bolt action 22-250 Remington model 700 ADL and next was also 700 ADL in 30-06.
First large caliber revolver Virginia Dragoon in 44 mag.
First shotgun Remington 870 in 12 gauge.
I still have them and am still happy with them, collection has grown a bit from there.