Greetings, all:

I imagine we've all heard the expression, "Every gun person should have a [fill in the blank]." Typically the must-have item is a classic or exemplar, or just a good though common gun, something like a pre-'64 Model 70, a Model 10, Browning A-5, etc. In other words, things that a "gun guy" would normally be expected to have, or at least to have owned at one time or another.

A lot of guns have passed through my hands, and I've owned a fair variety of the good ones. However, there are some glaring omissions from my list. For just a few examples, I've never owned a Luger, Colt SAA, or a Smith Model 10 (or M&P). There are others, too, but the point is that these are fairly significant gaps in my experience, common touchstones that I've somehow missed.

What are some of the "touchstone" guns that you've missed so far?

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

A good gun safe!

A fine double barrel scattergun like a Fox or a Parker. I also want a Bowen custom 45 Colt off an old 'Smith. There have been several on the forum, I just didn't have the wiggle room to pull it off. I did once, and a situation forced me to chicken out. Dash-nabbit anywho.....

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Go big or stay home

I would love a Luger and an Enfield No.4 Mk1 T complete with transport case and goodies.

Thinking...for a while now... About getting a Browning SA22...have read nothing but raves about it and I want a good .22 rifle that you can break down.

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pax

I've never owned an 03 Springfield. I've owned an 1842 Springfield, 1863 Springfield, a Spencer, 1873 Springfield Carbine, 1884 Springfield, Krag, 1917 Remington, M1 Carbine, Garand, was issued a M14 and 161A1, but somehow never owned a 03. That seems odd now that I think about it.

A 12 ga. pump.



A single shot 22.



And a 22 revolver.



I just did the math. There's less than $400.00 in the three.

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John 3:16 .

I pretty much have all the must have guns. Browning Belgium A-5 (most shooters under 50 do not know the lure of that gun) 1911 handguns, Chief Specials, the Model 66's, and the list goes on.

What has eluded me has been the popular Colt snake line up.

Now I have to ask, do you think that 2-40 yrs from now that people will be asking such a question about Glocks? After all, one Glock is the same as another.

Hmmm... there is a gun in that picture you say?
Can't se any thing but trees

Everyone should have a good .22LR auto and/or revolver and rifle of some flavor.

Some familiar names mentioned already -- Luger, Colt SAA, Springfield 03, Garand, M1 Carbine. I'd add any late 19th century Winchester lever action (a big-bore 1895 would be great) and any of the Browning semi-autos that so resemble the contemporaneous Colts -- .25, .32, .380.

I'd like to have a Volcanic some day, but I'd have to sell about 20 other guns in order to afford it, and I'm not sure I'm ready to take that step.

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David Wilson

No Luger here, or C*** SAA. In fact, although I have owned several Rugers and still have a 4.375" SBH, I'm not a big SA fan. I'm not much on longarms. I have an A-5, but no 1100. I have a few rifles, but no Model 70, no Model 700 (if you don't count my 40-XB). Of course, I have a 10-22. EVERYBODY has a 10-22.

Long about 1995 Guns & Ammo put out one of their special publications with the above title. it profiled around 30 firearms that they considered classics. It included rifles, shotguns and handguns. S&Ws represented in the magazine, M&P, Chief's Special, and the Model 29.

Often thought I would like to have one of each.....so many guns, so little gun $.

Have been fortunate to find some examples of classics that I am proud to be the temporary caretaker of. Pray that future generations will treasure them as we do.

A long list here. The luger, Winchesters 73, 76, 86, 92, 94, 97, 12, 42, and 71. A Triple-lock. Colt pocket models, A fine English sidelock double rifle in at least .450. preferably black powder. A BAR, not the sporting type, either. Those would do me for a month or so.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

How about common sense.

I know you have heard it before..."if it was common, everyone would have it".

My vote is for a 2 Bore, really some reloading equipment, supplies and general cleaning/care knowledge of the guns you already own so that you can maintain them in great operating condition.

t

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Blessed, not lucky

Good reloading equipment and a good stockpile of reloading components.

A Luger.

I was in one of my haunts the other day and a Luger came in on consignment. It was a 9mm that had been nickeled, had replacement stocks, and a Mec-Gar magazine.

At last, thought I, an affordable Luger! I don't even mind the nickel too much.

It turns out the owner wanted $1400 for it. I figured I'd wait a while and after the cobwebs grew I'd make a more reasonable offer.

Shows what I know about Lugers. It was gone the next day, at full price.

Still looking...............

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

1. 22 Rifle: pump, lever or semi-auto
2. 22 Pistol: revolver & semi-auto
3. Shotgun
4. 1911 or Steel Framed S&W semi-auto and UPLULA
5. S&W Revolver
6. Rifle: any action, but caliber large enough for hunting.
7. Reloading equipment

1. SAA
2. Winchester mdl 12
3. Browning Superposed

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

+1 with what Novalty said, to wit,

1. 2 remington semiautos and a remington pump
2. MK I and Super Single six
3. 2 1100s(12&20) and an Ithaca M37 16 ga
4. Colt 1911 series 70, Smith 39-2 & a 3913, Browning '69 HP
5. Mod 10-5 snubbie and a 586 6.5 inch
6. 2 savage '99s, 303 savage and .243, 2 Marlin levers, a '93 ans a 1947 336 (thuty-thuty)
6. A few more, 2 45 long colt revolver, 41 mag revolvers, yada, yada, yada, and the necessary equipment to reload all of them

Boox

I've always thought an "American gun guy" should have this. Now, there's lots of neat stuff out there. I'd like to have a triple-lock, just 'cause. But that's not something every gun guy would have in his stash.

But it seemed to me that if you didn't have this, then you weren't a "gun guy", but were just a guy that owns a couple of guns.

Winchester 94. Now, I know there are folks out there that don't like 'em, so I'll grudgingly accept a Marlin 336, but it really needs to be a 94.

A Smith M&P. Not just a Smith and Wesson revolver. Not a J frame or a Model 29. An M&P. That is the quintessential revolver in the world. Everyone should own at least one.

A 1911. I don't say it has to be Colt. Don't care whether it's full size or Commander or Officer's. But you should have a 1911.

A 12 gauge pump. Side by sides are more graceful, automatics are easier on the shoulder, but there is just something so American about a pump.

A 22 rifle.

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I always take precautions

Every gun owner should have...


... a 1911 in .45ACP and a .357 wheelgun.

This is a Universal Truth.

Amen Brother MD, Amen!

How about a pleasant place to shoot first off. On guns, everyone should have a neat useable arm that was passed down. So--quit buying junk and have something to pass down to your kid or nephew or niece or what have you.

BTW I was at a gun show last month and I guy was carring a side by side savage 311 and some ok .22 like a model 510, or better--- that he wanted to sell---his dad and given them to him at one time---(and his dad was with him standing right there). What an a__.

"Someday" I will get an S&W Model 10/Military and Police, 4" of course.
And a K-22 and K-38. A blued Colt Official Police. "Someday".

I want a Thompson Model 1921 made by Colt. Everyone should have one.

I'm as happy as a redneck with a gooseneck with what I have.
4" .357
1 7/8" M37 .38 special for concealment.
Mossberg 12ga. pump shotgun with the screw in chokes.
.22 Sears and Roebuck Ranger 6 shot clip I got for Christmas in 1959.
I just flat out don't need nothin' else, but I always kinda wanted one of those Thompson machine guns that have the big drum magazine. When I was a kid our banker kept one of those leaned in the corner of his office.Wonder where it is now?
Peace,
Gordon

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better have that checked

I have absolutely ZERO use for a Merkel 140-2 in .470 Nitro Express, But OMG........What a fine piece of working art. I can't even get over looking down the bore of the derned thing (breech end, of course) when it is opened up. Like looking out the tube of a Howitzer. A new one can be had for about 8K!! Then there is the ammo at $200.00 for 20 of the "cheap" stuff. Well, there you go.....Seems I have lost it. I totally think it is worth it......

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Go big or stay home

Browning Hi Power
Colt Detective Special
30-30 Lever Action
Model 36 Chiefs Special

94 or 336

Your Uncle's old beat up Marlin Glenfield .22 you inherited

12ga Rem 870 28" barrel or Ithica m37 featherlight with an adjustable choke from the same uncle

Rem 700 in .243

Crossman BB gun & Buck lockblade you got for Christmas when you were 12 years old.

A steel frame in your handgun collection..

..

A Glock.

A lot of people think you should have one, that they are great guns that everyone should have at least one of.

I do not and never will, being perfectly happy with my 3rd Gen S&Ws and HKs.

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" I said, good DAY! "