When I was thinning the herd about 10 years ago, it is sometimes hard to decide what must go. A TOP 10 list wets your whistle, Then a BOTTOM 10 list tells the first 10 to go. I went from 225 down to 183 in about 6 months using this method. I've picked 8 to 10 since then (and am always looking for more). Like I said in the OP, tomorrow's list might be different.

I'm thinking tomorrow's list category will be 10 Guns I'm sorry I sold, and the day after's list will be TOP 10 I'm glad I sold! (open to suggestions)

This sure beats watching soap operas!

Ivan

I think the next one should be
How I accumulated 225 guns and stayed married.

Are you kidding? I'm over the limit with just High Standard target .22s.

FN FAL in .308
AR15 in .223
Browning .22 auto rifle
S&W M28 4"
S&W M29-6"
Rem 870 Police 12 ga
O/U 12 ga
Sig P229 .357/40
S&W K22 6"
S&W 442 2"

Ruger MKII
SW 17-3
SW 66-5
Beretta 92 Centurion
CZ 75 w/Kadet upper
Mossberg 590
AR w/scope
HK91
Ruger 77 SS .308
Ruger 10-22 w/ scope.

I ain't posting all those pix Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Model 28
Remington 870
Super Blackhawk
Single Six
Sig M11
10/22
AR 15 (mine's an Aero)
Rossi .44 92
Sig 716i
Chaippa '86 .45/70

These are my most practical. There are others I like more but this selection would serve me well.

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Even older, even crankier....

Day three list is about the "Ones that got away", top 10 you wish you never sold. Regular Top 10 lists are still welcome.

1. S&W Model 25-5 6"
2. Weatherby Mark V Safari Grade 375 H&H
3. Weatherby Vanguard VGX 22-250
4. Ruger No 1 Tropical 375 H&H
5. Anshutz 54 Prone Rifle 22 LR
6. Kimber Clackamas Government Model 22LR
7. Walther PPK 1942 Police 32 ACP
8. Walther PPKs W. German 380 ACP
9. S&W Model 39-2 9mm
10. Savage 219 22 Hornet

The question was asked, "How I accumulated 225 guns and stayed married?" She grew up in it! Her Dad is the only non-dealer I know with more guns than me. (Our 4 kids combined have not quite 200) So it's a family tradition.

Ivan

Since my list was "most practical" to me, I wa going to suggest "most attractive," which might be 10 completely different ones. I didn't want to start a new thread though, considering you're doing a running set of lists.

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Because of the metric system?

Smith mod. 64 3" enhanced by Wilson
Smith mod. 631
Browning HP enhanced by Nighthawk
Remington 870 .20 ga. 3inch extended mag.
Inland M1 carbine
Smith K 22
Smith mod.649 enhanced by C&S
Remington mod 7615
Glock 19
Smith mod 10 3" enhanced by HS custom

Selected by a lifetime of carrying, studying, shooting , reading, listening and trying things out.
Might not work for another soul but they do for my use.

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LEX ET ORDO

Stupid Sales on My Part:

Nickel 4" 29-2
'32 5" Heavy Duty
'32 Colt 1911
Old Model Vaquero 3" .45 Colt
NIB 6.5" 29-2
5" 99% 27-2
2.5" 19
4" 19 (could knock the dust off a fly at 25 yards with that one)
Birth Year Highway Patrolman
57 no dash with Cokes

And a bonus One That Got Away:
Freedom Arms 97 4" in .45 Colt...still regret not getting that one!

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Even older, even crankier....

Day 3 List. Guns I have owned but no longer.

1. Reminton 660 6mm Rem.
2. Savage (Valmet) 333 O/U w/ 12 & 20ga barrel sets
3. Valmet 76 legally converted to select fire .223
4. S&W M19 4" nickel .357 mag.
5. S&W M34 4" nickel .22LR
6. Custom Mauser 98 (Oberndorf) .25-06
7. Marlin 39-A .22LR (okay, cheating: I owned 1, sold it, bought another)
8. H&K MP5A3 SD 9mm (yes, I really had one)
9. S&W M39-2 nickel 9mm
10. Ruger 77/44 .44 Mag

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Ain't This Fun Though?

These exercises are kinda silly, yet I play every time!
Ten? I don’t think I’ve done that number. Let’s try.

In no particular order:
-Browning HiPower, custom with better sights etc.
-Steyr AUG
-FNH SCAR 17
-Benelli M1, M2, or M4
-S&W 65 3”
-Winchester 52B Sporter
-M-1 Garand. Probably in .308
-S&W 642UC
-High Standard Citation or Trophy
-Accuracy International AX 6.5CM

Browning BAR .243 (inherited from father in law)
Browning Auto 5 12 mag (inherited from uncle)
Browning Citori 12 (inherited from father)
Bernadelli sxs 12 2 barrel set (inherited from father)
Smith model 46 .22lr
Smith model 48 .22 wmr
Colt 1911a1
Colt 1st gen Saa .32 wcf
Winchester model 70 .270 pre 64
Browning BLR .308

Do you mean keeping 10 guns in one spot??? Bob

1. Winchester Model 71 Deluxe .348
2. Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 .300 H&H
3. Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 .375 H&H
4. 1923 AH Fox 12 ga SxS
5. Chas Daly 20 gauge O/U
6. Smith Model 29 6 1/2”
7. Smith Model 66 2 1/2”
8. Smith K-22
9. 1st Issue Colt Woodsman 4 1/2” .22
10. Ruger #1 .45-70

If only 10:

Springfield Armory Custom Shop 1911 CCO chambered in 9x23 Winchester
Model 66-4 with 3” barrel
M&P 340
Springfield Armory M1A Scout
AR-15 built to be light and compact
*edit* Beretta 686S Silver Pigeon 28 ga.
Sako A III carbine in .270 Winchester
Colt New Service Target 44
.357 Combat Magnum
Winchester Model 64 Deluxe Deer Rifle (.30-30)

My head hurts now… only 1 lever action made the list WHAaaaaaa!!!
Edit to change 308 AR to Beretta… I had forgotten shotguns!

This was way more difficult than I thought. Here goes.


S&W 686 pro 5" .357Mag

S&W SD40(PC not sigma)(3 barrels: .40, .356TSW, 9MM)

S&W PPC 5906 9MM

Beretta 96 Steel-1(maybe wrong name, but the all steel 96) .40S&W

Beretta M9A4 9MM

Henry Golden Boy .45-70Govt.

Belgian FAL 7.62X51

Browning A5 12ga

Ohio Ordinance HCAR .30-06Rem

Ruger lc carbine .45ACP


Keep in mind when looking at my list, I have only been shooting for a few years and I find a new gun to pine after at least weekly. The top 5 will never change, but the bottom 5 will probably change by tomorrow.

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Please no more EZs...

Mmmmm, how about we start with 10 cartridges…

12ga, 410(or20ga), 308, 223, 22lr, 32h&r, 357, 9mm, 40, 10mm, 41mag 45acp, 45colt, 44mag, & 454….

Nope, sorry can’t even do that. I could do fifteen cartridges.

Can't do it. Mission declined.

this is hard to answer but here we go......

1. Dan Wesson Bruin 6 inch 10mm
2. Nighthawk Chairmen 6 inch 10mm
3. Smith and Wesson 627 Performance Center 8 shot
4. P-220 SSE SAO 10MM
5. P-229 SSE 357 SIG
6. HK USP 45 COMPACT TACTICAL
7. BENELLI M3
8. LTT BERETTA 9MM
9. DANIEL DEFENSE 308
10. 338 LAPUA

Day Four: The "No Smiths" list

1. T/C Compass 6.5 Cr (Most accurate rifle I've ever owned)
2. Ruger PC9 9mm carbine
3. Dan Wesson Specialist 9mm
4. Marlin 1894 "JM" .44 Magnum
5. Rossi M92 SRC .357 Mag.
6. Cimarron El Malo II .357 Mag
7. Ruger American .22LR
8. Kahr P45 .45 ACP
9. Winchester SX3 12ga
10. Remington 1100 LT 20ga

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Ain't This Fun Though?

Day Four, a list of the 10 you could not sell fast enough!

1. I tried to like a Mini-14, all 5 would not hit a barn if shot from inside.
2. M-4 type AR, assembled by someone to use every part that didn't work
3. poorly sporterized K98
4. Jennings
5. Browning UTI 12-gauge Sporting Clays with misaligned barrels
6. Bersa 380
7. RG 21, 22 Short
8. Ruger 77 300 Win Mag, a solid 5 MOA gun!
9. Ruger Blackhawk 30 Carbine, sold to save my hearing (OK otherwise.)
10. Early Rugar Blackhawk 357, spit more lead sideways than down. range!

Of the several hundred guns I bought and sold since 1974, it was hard to come up with these 10. Even great gunmakers let a lemon get out once in a while.

Ivan

Most Americans did not have a Gun Collection until after WWII.

A better question is who has more than one Gun Safe?

That’s a tough one:

1) I’d need a very reliable compact sized self defense handgun - my CZ 75D Compact PCR.

2) I’d need a decent medium long range rifle, for both longer ranged hunting (500-600 yards) and steel plates out to 800 yards - I have three options but the most flexible of them in a Rem 700 in .308 that I’ve built and modified to my tastes.

3) I’m a big lever gun fan for brush hunting and I also like .38-55. It would be a really tough choice, and an offense to my various pre 64 Winchester Model 94 rifles and carbines but I’d probably keep my Model 94 20” Trails end takedown rifle in .38-55.

4) I used to shoot a lot of Service rifle competition with an M1A super match before I switched to a an AR-15. But I still have an AR-15 and it’s a very versatile rifle. However I also have a BM-59, and would be a toss up between them. The M1A is more accurate and has more applicability to service rifle type competitions. But the BM-59 would be a better battle rifle in the mythical EOTWAWKI scenario. But M1A.

5) Everyone should have a high end .22 LR sporter capable of at least 1.5 MOA accuracy at 100 yards. I have three Model 52 Sporters and I’d keep one of my Model 52B reissue sporters, the one that won the wood lottery.

6) My best general home defense firearm is a suppressed MP5 In the A2 configuration, binary trigger and suppressor.

7) I still like to shoot small bore three position, and I have a customs stocked Anschutz 64 Match that shoots far better than it has a right to shoot. But I also have a very nice Winchester Model 52 unmarked A. I’d give up points but it’s a classic that I’d just refuse to sell.

8) I’d have to choose between several 1911s but I’d probably keep my Kimber Gold Match II in .45 ACP for bullseye purposes.

9) Along similar lines I’d keep the oldest of my two High Standard 107 Victor .22LR pistols for bullseye shooting.

10) I’d keep one of my AR-15s. Probably my M16A1 clone, a M16A1 upper half purchased as department surplus and assembled on a NDS 602 lower. It’s accurate, reliable, light weight, handles well, and has some sentimental appeal given I was issued the M16A1 way back in the day.

Now…of course I’d cheat here on the 10 gun limit and keep:
- the upper half from my 20” SP1;
- the upper half from my 16” pencil barrel AR-15 carbine;
- the upper half from my XM177E2 clone;
- the upper half and match trigger from my AR-15 match rifle;
- the upper half from my 20” bull barrel Varmint AR;
- the upper half from my dedicated .22LR AR-15;
- the upper halves for my Colt 6430, and a 8.3” and 16” 9mm AR-15s; and
- probably the upper half of an M4gry just because I can.

Thanks for playing! I have enjoyed all the viewpoints of limited gun collecting.

I am glad we can own as many of what we want (in the most free parts of the country) and are not constrained like many people around the world!

Some of the guns I had opportunity to buy but didn't were:
First and Foremost, will always be the H&H like New 4 Bore Double Rifle! It was $70,000, and I had just bought our first house for $32,000.

1983 I bought a 9mm MAC-10 Full Auto w/suppressor, but also didn't get a M1A1 Thompson for the same price!

1986 I could have bought an M-60 for $3000 but didn't.

1996 I could have bought a wonder German army HK sniper rifle w/Scope for $4000 but didn't.

This is only 5 guns but, by not buying these I bought all the others and stayed married! Feel free to make all the lists you wish, I'll be checking in now and then.

Ivan

I actually had this planned out at age 6. I had my trusty Marlin 1897 and Stevens 94-12g already. I felt that I needed a Winchester m70- in 30/06 with a scope. In handguns it was a Colt Woodsman and a 1911. My grand plan only called for 5 firearms. Wanted to keep wait and bulk down because of plans for extensive trips to Africa and such. A life that would require you to have all your worldly belongings with you.
I also had my outline for a complete selection of fishing lures. A Dardevil ,
Jitterbug, Pikie Minnow and a spinner. I already had a Jitterbug one of my Dads buddy’s gave me.
Well the outline was off a bit but what do you expect out of a 6yr old in 1956? I wasn’t smart enough to know all the stuff a guy needs to make it through this world.

I'll go with the conventional thinking, but these flights of fancy always boil down to personal preferences/biases. If you think that those who list a single receiver with multiple barrels is 'cheating' , , , technically, legally, the receiver is the "gun" so I'll hide behind the lawyers on that one . Those who don't agree wouldn't look kindly if the 'rules' suddenly specified they could only have one type of ammunition for each gun like, say . . . 9mm hardball for their wonder 9's, only double-aught for their shotguns, and restrained to only 100 rounds for each gun.

12 gauge pump
Tavor X95 5.56
S&W model 29 44mag
1894 Marlin 44mag
Ruger 10/22
S&W model 28 357mag
Rossi stainless model 92 357mag
Colt 70 series Combat Commander 45ACP
Remington 700 HB .308
H&R Handi-rifle with multiple barrels
(.223, 30-30, 7.62 x39, .243)

Since the question was, I believe, 'which ten would you keep ?' I presume we're supposed to choose from what we already have and not what we'd buy (EDIT - re-read the original post and stand corrected) . . . there again, it's just a flight of fancy and we don't need a one hundred page rule book.

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Qui plantavit curabit

Frankly I am amazed at the number of lists that don't include a single version of the "American Sporting Rifle" (aka, the gun-grabber's evil "assault rifle")...!

So I'll start there...

An AR-15 rifle in 5.56: one of mine built with an Aero Precision upper

A 9mm (standard capacity!) pistol: CZ75

A 12 Gauge shotgun: Mossberg 500 would work

A 9mm compact pistol: M&P 40C with 9mm & 357 SIG conversion barrels

A large caliber pistol appropriate for hunting: SuperBlackhawk Hunter (just in case I run into Griz somewhere?)

A scoped rifle sufficient for big game (well, in the "lower 48", anyway): Ruger M77 Ultralight in 270 Win

A 1911 in 45acp: Remington R1 Enhanced

A 22lr pistol: Ruger MkII Target SS

A 22lr scoped rifle: toss-up between a SS 10-22 and my Winchester Model 61 (which can shoot 22 shorts, longs & long rifles interchangeably)

A S&W revolver: terrible toss-up between the Model of 1955 and Model 66-1

The number of these I would need to acquire: 0

Cheers!

P.S. If the list was stretched to 11 I would add the oldest firearm I have, a Remington RollingBlock in 9mm Mauser (just for old time's sake!)...

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

NO CAN DO!!

Not hard. Being the realist that I am.

Rather than invent a theoretical and broad list of diverse firearms crafted to meet every need (needs I don't actually have), I offer up a list of what I have actually been using lo these many years. Some of these are replacements for similar guns that came before them. I've worn out a few.

1. S&W Model 66 6"
2. S&W Model 14 6"
3. S&W Model 657 6"
4. Ruger New Model Blackhawk Stainless Convertible .357/9mm 6 1/2"
5. Springfield Stainless Loaded Target 9mm 5"
6. Kimber Gold Match II .45 ACP 5"
7. S&W 22a-1 7" .22lr
8. High Standard 10-X 5 1/2" .22

Really, eight is about all I can shoot frequently, and actually want.

Number 9 is going to be the only long gun I own. A short barrel Remington 870 that's for emergencies. I live in a hurricane zone.

The only thing I'm missing is a Model 17. I need one of those. Make that #10 and that's all I need. Second choice, a Single Six.

Marlin Mod 57-M .22 WMR
S&W Mod 48 (?) .22 WMR
Rugar Mod10/22 INT. (with lots of mags)
Rugar MK-1 .22LR (with lots of mags)
Marlin 1894 in .41 Rem Mag
S&W Mod 57 (no dash) .41 Rem. Mag.
Browning A5 12G
Win. M-1 .30-06
S&W Mod 19-2
Kimber Mod Micro 9

I hate to leave out an easy to carry .38 spl but the 19 will do the job.
And I do hate to leave behind my SP1 but if I include it then I also have to include my .22LR conversion unit. But the Ruger shoots better.

Except for the heirlooms tell us why those guns. In my case:

.22 mags because sometimes .22LR isn't enough
.22lr because sometimes .22 mag is too much
.41 mag because sometimes .357 isn't enough
.357 because sometimes .41 mag is too much
M1 because the ammo is readily available nearly everywhere
A5 because sometimes ya just need a shoddy gun
Micro 9 because you don't always want everyone to know you're pack'n.

Llance

I did an inventory of my safe and have only 10 firearms

single shot pistol
semi auto center fire pistol
semi auto rim fire pistol
center fire revolver
rim fire revolver
single shot shotgun
double barrel shotgun
semi auto shotgun
bolt action center fire rifle
bolt action rim fire rifle

Just 10 firearms. Now I may or may not have multiples of each.

Out of my collection, it would be...

1. Ruger Mark IV
2. Kidd 10/22
3. 14.5" AR w/ Low Power Variable Scope
4. Glock 17 MOS
5. Accuracy International AT 308 Winchester
6. Ruger No.1 45-70
7. S&W 15-3 4"
8. S&W 27-2 6"
9. S&W 29-2 6"
10. Remington 870 Wingmaster

Tried to go for mixture of fun & practicality. Was hard putting a shotgun on there, as I don't use it much, but what collection is complete without a 12 gauge?

Kirby

Kirby: but what collection is complete without a 12 gauge
Mine with a 16g or a 20g. I never did like 12's. I included one in my list because it's a semi, and they function faster than my arm these days.

Llance

Down to 10?? Sorry but this just doesn't compute.....

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.............SmithNut

Again, when I first joined here I was told there would be no math.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I shoot 4 gun Skeet competitions. Take note of that 4 gun bit. What it means is that you have to shoot 410, 28, 20, and 12 gauge events.

Next is Rifles. Here I would consider the Essential to be at least 1 22LR rifle, preferably a bolt action single shot. Then at least one AR in 5.56 or 6.8mm. Of course you'll need an 1894 in 30/30 for Deer. Then I would consider a Bolt action in 30 caliber to be essential, say a 1903 Springfield or a 1917 Enfield simply because the sights are so darned perfect. I also consider the M1 Garand or M14 to be nearly essential.

Then there are the essential revolvers, which are 22LR, 38 Special, and of course one magnum. You just can't have an acceptable Revolver selection without at least one Magnum.

Finally we have to finish up with Semi Automatic pistols. First off some type of 9mm Pocket pistol is an absolute must have. Then there is the High capacity 9mm for those occasions when Home Invaders are coming at you in numbers. I have two, an original XDm in 40 caliber with it's 16 round magazines and then my TZ75 which is a bit of a race gun with it's 16 round magazine capacity. Finally there is the 1911 which is a national Icon that every self respecting American should own at least on of.

So this list of your is impossible to satisfy. In fact that requirement not only infringes on the 2nd Amendment but it also violates the Rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. And yes, I do get warm and happy feelings when I look at the lines of a 1911 and feel how good it is to grasp.

There are Browning shotgun 4 gauges on one receiver. Current is the Citori 725 series! Available in Skeet or sporting.

This whole exercise has allowed multiple barrel sets and uppers.

Ivan

I haven't seen many 4 barrel sets at tournaments lately, mostly tube sets. The price of a good quality barrel set (K80) is in the 5 figure range. One retired lawyer I squad with on a regular basis shoots a high grade K20 3 barrel set that cost into mid 5 figures. Peasants like me have to make do with an auto loader for doubles and 12 gauge and a tubed O/U for the sub-gauges.