Scaling back ...

[mc5aw]

In my ongoing effort to unclutter my life, I have gradually been scaling my firearms collection back to a more manageable level. There is still a way to go before I reach my goal, but I keep wondering if I could reduce everything down to two ... a do-it-all handgun and rifle pairing. For my purposes, usage would be primarily for CCW, home/self defense, range work, and hunting if necessary ... in that order. If pressed, I think I could be comfortable with a 629-something 4" and a quality lever action rifle, preferably in Trapper or Guide Gun barrel length. It would be extremely difficult to purge my beloved J-frames, as I have several in regular CCW rotation, but anything is possible, and going exclusively to the .44 caliber wouldn't be impractical. Ironically, at present I have neither a 4" 629 or quality lever gun, though my 629-1 8-3/8" is on the schedule to get rebarreled at some point. Another concern is ammo, reloading supplies, etc. The last US lead smelter is closing, so it shant be too long before modest-to-significant pricing increases hit the ammo market. I don't expect .44 bullets, brass, and primers to get any cheaper.

Decisions, decisions ...

Could you get down to only two? If yes, which two?

 

[chuckster57]

That would be like asking a mechanic to keep only two sets of wrenches

I don't have near the assortment of firearms it sounds like you have, but I have wrenches and wrenches and... you get the point.

On another note it would be like asking me to only keep one or two loaf pans... yes I said it, yes I bake and have different types for different breads.

KEEP 'EM ALL!!!

 

[pharmer]

Could you get down to only two? If yes, which two?

In a word, no.
Need:
1 Semi battle rifle .308
1 bolt rifle .308
1 10-22
1 12 ga pump
1 6906
1 CZ 75 9mm w .22 Kadet top
1 Ruger KMK 512
1 4" 27-2
1 Model 18-3
1 640 .38 spl

2 pistol calibers, 1 rifle, .22's and 12 ga. Best I can do. Joe

 

[Gunslinger808]

Reduce in haste, repent at leasure.
IF (big if) I had to I could, but really why?
I've spent decades buying what I want to please myself, and can think of no real reason to "scale back" or "unclutter".

I'm with pharmer and chuckster57 on this, a tool for every job.

The last US lead smelter is closing, so it shant be too long before modest-to-significant pricing increases hit the ammo market. I don't expect .44 bullets, brass, and primers to get any cheaper.

Pfff, so you shoot less, that's still better than selling off your favorite toys.
And really I doubt the price increases will be that dramatic on lead.
We'll buy cheap (and already do) from overseas and our Southern neighbors, there might be a fluctuation at first but prices will settle to about where they are now.
Heck, I really doubt ONE Lead smelter made all that much difference.

 

[mc5aw]

One thing to add ... my decision to scale back is not based on economics, but rather pragmatism. I had an epiphany two years ago when the flood waters rose ... we missed the evacuation, and were left watching and praying. We were fortunate not to lose our home, but seven feet of water in the basement left a painful memory, as did pulling my wife across the yard in a canoe to high ground. I realized then that if the house floated away, everything in it was going too ... including the gun safe and contents. As we prepared to bug out, it was a few handguns, some ammo, and a rifle ... no room for more. Once the flood waters subsided, and our community began rebuilding and getting back to normal, my attitude about having "stuff" changed dramatically. Living on a river bank has certain concerns, no different that residing in Tornado Alley, etc., but living as a prisoner of fear isn't what I do. I merely admitted to myself that all my "stuff" isn't coming along for the ride, by choice or necessity, should the situation require, and began paring back accordingly.

I don't know if two firearms is realistic today ... possible, yes. Before our culture became engorged in materialism, every gun owner lived more meagerly than we currently do in terms of how many, and how much. A couple generations ago, folks did pretty well with one sidearm and one long gun (if they even had both).

Maybe two handguns and two rifles would be a more tangible goal to work toward.

 

[SweetMK]

The guns are not "multi-taskers", that is why we have more than one.

Two fun-practice guns;

One small game pistol;

(It is GOOD at what it does! )

The right 10/22;

Centerfire rifle; for me a Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special, .243.

That is my minimum.

 

[Bat Guano]

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can do without."

I too have more than I need, but the ones that actually get used come down to your 2+2. I think you are on the right track.

 

[SweetMK]

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can do without."

I respectfully disagree with this in having watched those in my family that grew old while doing without.

My FIL passed with hundreds of thousands in the bank, he did not own a decent hand tool.

He was an engineer with a degree from Lehigh. He LOVED to fix things, but, did without common tools..

WHY!!!?? We were not allowed to give him tools as gifts.

Oh, well, I prefer not to live like that.

If firearms are a financial burden, then they should be avoided.

If not a burden, enjoy, life is short.

JMHO.

 

[arjay]

A 45 acp government or 45 colt,single or double action and a 308 bolt action would work for me

 

[Cyrano]

"Reduce in haste, repent at leisure". Love it!!

 

[Gunslinger808]

Well darn, I can give it a go based on what you're asking...
One .22 sidearm, and One .22 rifle for plinking, and small game.
One rifle of a common caliber for hunting, something like a 308.
One sidearm for defense/general shooting of no less than 9mm.
And if you're willing to go with Five firearms, I'd suggest a shotgun in 12 gauge for GP, home defense, and all other game taking possibilities.

 

[mjdupuis]

Re: the lead facility closing down. It shouldn't affect the ammo situation. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...plant-in-order-to-enact-backdoor-gun-control/
I may start a separate thread with this to inform others who may share those same concerns.

 

[Fishinfool]

A 4 inch 629 & a CT. made Marlin 1894 would not be a bad pair (I own each). Keep one of the J frames for practical carry, and a good bolt action .22 and 308 for everything else. Minimum of 5 is the best I could come up with... Now, if you are a bird hunter.......

Guns are like tools. You might not need a bunch, but having the minimum is smart.

Larry

 

[PlaytheAces]

The final two, huh?

While I've gotten rid of some I didn't have much interest in over the last couple years, I'm not ready to cut too far back on the overall number just yet.

However I can see that someday I'll be too old and feeble to have much use for a collection. And I won't be doing much, if any shooting. When that day comes and I'm in the retirement home, I'll be pretty comfortable having an N and a J frame stashed under the mattress.

In a waterproof container of course.

 

[walkin jack]

2014 just may be the years I have to start letting go of a few things. I'm not lovin' it but I can see the hand writing on the wall. In truth I still have a few things I'd like to get. But when the body and the resources start giving out before the zeal and the passion, well, I don't wanna talk about it.

But my bare minimum would be 4 guns. 1 revolver, 1 semi auto hand gun, 1 rim fire rifle and 1 center fire.

S&W 24-3
Glock-21
Ruger 1022
Colt LE6920

What a depressing thing to be thinking about........

 

[perrazi]

for me, no such thing as bare minimum. I have spent the last 25-30 yrs building a supply of loading supplies,22 ammo and anything else I need to shoot each caliber I have for the rest of my life. think I am almost there. just got another 50,000 lead bullets for the pile a couple of weeks ago when I heard about the last lead smelter. even if bullets are made from scrap, with no new American supply, the scrap will get harder to find and more expensive. guess what happens to bullet prices then.

 

[Smoke]

The older I get the more I realize I’m not taking any of my stuff with me. I don’t want to spend the time I have here clinging to things. I see no point in having a safe full of guns I never shoot just to have them.

I’m all for shortening your supply line and if you can get to a point where you’re only having to stock one type of ammunition I could see it simplifying life tremendously.

 

[Smoke]

I heard about the last lead smelter. even if bullets are made from scrap, with no new American supply, the scrap will get harder to find and more expensive. guess what happens to bullet prices then.

Do you really think that one smelter was supplying all or even a significant portion of the lead used in ammuntion production in this country?

Given that the government also requires lead based ammunition do you really think they'd close a significant source of raw materials for their ammuniton needs?

 

[SweetMK]

even if bullets are made from scrap, with no new American supply, the scrap will get harder to find and more expensive. guess what happens to bullet prices then.

My guess the price of ammo will go down.

This is the same as furniture, clothing, electronics, etc,,,,,,,,,,,

The exporters will be happy to fill our needs.

It has been years now that we have been enjoying imported 7.62 and 5.56.

The new world. You have two choices, IMHO, live in it, or not.

I am setting here in my imported Carr Harts, watching my Samsung TV, I have a drink chilled by the LG,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Fishslayer]

Another concern is ammo, reloading supplies, etc. The last US lead smelter is closing, so it shant be too long before modest-to-significant pricing increases hit the ammo market. I don't expect .44 bullets, brass, and primers to get any cheaper.

Closing the smelter will have little if any effect. Bullet makers use recycled lead.

I worry more about the anti gun leftists in Sacramento. They've figured out that guns without ammo are clubs. Reloaders used to be under their radar but they know about us now. EPA had a go at banning lead altogether. The antis already have had a law prohibiting internet sales but it got overturned by the courts.

I've got about 400-500 pounds of lead & alloys stashed...

Could you get down to only two?

No...

 

[LouisianaJoe]

A gun is an investment and a way to have an item that will grow in value as the government prints more money Most guns that I bought several years ago are worth more than 2 times what I paid for them. The reason for most increases in value is inflation due the the printing of money to make the government's debt worth less. Ammo has increased in price more than gold. If you sell a gun, the money you get for it will decrease in value while the price of the gun will continue to rise. I have never lost money on a gun that I owned for more than 5 years.

 

[Class III]

Getting down to two and only two? It would be hard but I could do it, with funding.

First choice would be one of two combo guns. An M6 "Scout" in 22 Hornet over .410 or a drilling, 12 ga x 12 ga (3.5" Chambers) over 270/308/30-06 or 30-30. The M6 would need to have a fully rifled .410 barrel with a minimum of 5 extended Briley choke tubes. The drilling would have to have 5 choke tubes with one smooth bore and one fully rifled bore over the center fire barrel. Yes, I realize both would have to be custom built pieces that I currently don't have but it's still in the realm of possibilities.

Second gun would be a Model 66 2.5" or 3". Easy enough to conceal. It can shoot everything from 38 / 357 blanks to light loads to heavy loads to shot shells. It's also GREAT for those up close and personal moments.

If push comes to shove I'll take the drilling in 12x12x30-06 and the 2.5" Mdl 66.

There, I got it down to two guns that cover everything I'm likely to encounter in North America and a few other places.

Class III

 

[quneur]

There are guns that currently serve a purpose and there are guns I hope will serve a purpose in the future. For me, my list of useful firearms:

20ga O/U shotgun, currently own for bird hunting
.357 mag / 38 special revolver, currently own for protection against those with 4 legs and 2.
30/30 lever gun, currently own for future deer hunting

What I'm planning to get:
A 30-06 bolt action rifle for elk hunting.

Four pretty wide variety of guns. Everything else is for fun. I just hunt birds but trying to outfit myself for bigger game.

 

[Brian41]

I've slowly been getting rid of a few guns I don't shoot and never will. I'll be getting rid of more over the years but am in no hurry to do so. I don't think I'll ever get down to two guns but owning just a few is very possible.
It isn't so bad once you break the ice and sell the first ones as I don't have the sentimental value I once did for my guns. There are some I may never be rid of that have been given to me or were my first but the others don't hold so much meaning anymore.
I recently sold five and traded on a Ruger 1911. The Ruger I'm using now but could be rid of it if I don't some day. My wife is happy I'm coming to this point as she feels I have too many anyhow. Since my safe is full and don't have plans for another I can use the room anyway.
One thing I can say is even when dealing with a dealer I still am selling or trading for more money than I have in them so that makes me feel better. I guess I bought many right a few years back especially when older S&W revolvers were out of favor here. Now that they've become popular I can get good money for them.

 

[arjay]

I finally sold one I don't use,but I replaced it with another old 22...

 

[vigil617]

Just a +1 on your way of thinking, mc5aw.

Collecting firearms -- or anything, for that matter -- as a hobby is something we choose to do for the pleasure of it. Like any collection, firearms eventually will have to be handed down, sold, given away, or whatever, unless they're buried with us (which, I understand, is an option some choose. )

Anyway, point is, paring down a collection to the essentials-- when you've decided the time is right -- is a good thing to do. At least you are able to have some say-so in what happens to them, and ideally you would know they had gone to someone who would appreciate them as much as you do.

Uncluttering our lives is a good thing, too, and allows us to focus on what's most important. Acquiring possessions isn't the point of life, though it can be an attractive diversion. It's more about other people and how we treat them, starting with our spouses, kids, families, neighbors, and co-workers.

And like you said, there's nothing like a crisis situation -- be it a flood, illness, or any of a number of other hard times -- to help us re-focus on how we want to live.

Personally speaking, I could be very happy owning one pistol and one long gun, just for the enjoyment of taking them out to shoot regularly. Anything more than that is "extra," IMHO, that I am grateful for and try to keep in perspective.

 

[Smoke]

A gun is an investment and a way to have an item that will grow in value as the government prints more money Most guns that I bought several years ago are worth more than 2 times what I paid for them. The reason for most increases in value is inflation due the the printing of money to make the government's debt worth less. Ammo has increased in price more than gold. If you sell a gun, the money you get for it will decrease in value while the price of the gun will continue to rise. I have never lost money on a gun that I owned for more than 5 years.

Is this a rise in actual value or an inflation driven rise in monatary price?

 

[arjay]

Ive had several that doubled in value in the last four years or so and most of that I'd attribute to an increase in value rather than inflation.Real estate,food,clothing and cars would have all doubled too if it was only inflation.

 

[Bill Bates]

"Nope, can't do it, won't do it, not gonna happen", at least that's what I tell the wife when she says, "do you really need all those guns? Can't you just sell a few."

Long ago I learned to use the right tool for the job and I have a lot of different firearm jobs and requirements. Just to hunt the varied types of fowl I chase requires no less than four or five shotguns in a number of gauges. Then there is plinking and paper punching so a few rifle and handguns are needed depending on the shooting game. What about self protection needs. There is summer, winter concealed carry and home protection all with slightly different types of firearms needs.

Did I mention hunting furry things from small, medium, big and dangerous game. For sure the rifle needed for hunting elk in the high country is different from what is required to stalk a big bear or moose in the willows. Coyotes and gophers are out there causing problems so I need a small bore varmint gun.

Sometimes a wear one of those hats, you know the one talked about in another long thread found here. Well if I wearing it to a BBQ I need something proper and flashy for the occasion.

Nope, I can't do it; nobody, even that pretty blond I share a home with, will ever force me to only have two.

Really, that is just as crazy as asking a man to only smoke one brand of cigar or drink one type of whisky.

 

[bdsorcic]

Everyone has different wants and needs for their lives,
to each his own is beautiful. ...
Me, as I get older, I see I will only need two, a 12 Ga. 870 and a M60 snubby. That is just for my own need.