Ten Guns that Should be in Every Collection

The modern ten essentials:

1: an AR-15
2: a polymer frame high capacity 9 mm handgun
3: a K frame .357 S&W revolver
4: a .22LR revolver
5: a pocket semiautomatic pistol, caliber .380 or less
6: a J frame .38 SPL S&W revolver
7. a 1911 style .45 ACP pistol
8. a 12 gauge shoulder stock riot gun
9. a bolt action .308 rifle
10. a lever action rifle, caliber of choice, from .22LR to .45-70

That is all . . .

I was waiting to find a list where I didn't have to buy anything. Mission accomplished.
 
That was my purpose in creating that one, but I also am starting to envision my inevitable future liquidation, and trying to determine which ten firearms will be left for my heirs to deal with. There's the list . . .

(Edit: Also, with some real effort, you can find all ten with a Smith and Wesson logo. But it won't be cheap . . .)

I was waiting to find a list where I didn't have to buy anything. Mission accomplished.
 
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Boykinlp,
I made some changes to your list, but I live in a western state and I hunt!

1. S&W 629-4 .44 (long tube)
2. S&W 66 or 67 (no dash)
3. Winchester 70 (in 270)
4. Colt 1911 .45 ACP
5. Remington Model 700 (in 7mm)
6. Winchester Model 94
7. Remington 1100 or 870 wingmaster (one from the 70's)
8. Ruger Mark II, III or a IV
9. Ruger 10/22
10. AR 15 in 5.56
11. S&W 686 (no dash or a dash 4) OK that's 11.
 
Everyone will have there own "Top 10."

Some I've seen listed are impossible for everyone to have in a collection; such as the Registered Magnum..... there are only about 5500 built and many are lost to history. Same with something like a 3 inch 66 or PC auto from the 90s.

All that said;

S&W Model 28.... the ultimate S&W Classic Revolver.... mine is a 4"
Colt 1911........... 5" Govt. Model
9mm Browning Hi-Power..... for me the Mark II for the sights and safety
Beretta 92..... for me it would be the Elite II. 20 years of upgrades
Walther PPK.... everyone has seen one in a James Bond film

IMO these cover the iconic handguns of the 20th Century that I grew up with and wanting.

.22 Bolt rifle...... make mine a CZ 452FS/mannlicher
Shotgun........... Got to have one.
AR.................... Iconic and an America's Adult Lego!
Centerfire rifle capable of taking a deer. Mine is a Ruger International in .243.

Got to have a.......
9mm for concealed carry make mine a 3913NL or Shorty-9
would be hard to give up my 3" 66s
CZ 452FS in .22 mag.
CZ 527FS in .223
Winchester .357 Trapper..................
S&W 68x .357
S&W 19 and 66.... 4 inch

and the list goes on and on and on...... like potato chips can't eat/accumulate just 10!!!!


Edit: how could I have forgotten;
Models 36 and 60
Models 17 and 18......................

Edit: 10 guns..... is a number more suited to "minimalist what do I need to get by" list!!!!!!

:D
 
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I'm easy...like all the lists..can't do just 10

Like the title says...I like all the above lists (and John's book too).

Actually wish I has some pics of way back when I was deeply into Colt's and Mil surps (gone are some real nice Pythons, OMM's, WWI and WWII 1911's, 1903 A3's, Garands,) but alas around my place we seldom get them all out at a time.

Pics are from several years ago, probably around Thanksgiving, when family comes home for visits and we like to hit the range, so everyone chooses weapon and caliber, and we head out for some fun family time.

Some of those pictured are gone now, replaced by new additions, but in keeping with the idea of the original post, I'd be hard pressed to just keep 10 if I had to; the Garand and the Ithaca 1911A1 for sure, the Winny 94 (30-30), and Ithaca M37,
S&W Mod 39, BHP, S&W K22 Masterpiece, Mod 25, Mod 10, Mod 66....but nah.....I'll keep them all....never was any good at cutting out those doggies.:D
 

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What? No love for Swedish Mausers?

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1. Field shotgun
2. Center-fire bolt action rifle
3. Rimfire rifle
4. Rimfire pistol
5. Rimfire revolver
6. CCW pistol
7. CCW revolver
8. Home defense/range pistol
9. Range/home defense revolver
10. Semi-auto center-fire rifle
*** Dang gone it - I ran out of numbers ***
Sentimental keepsake, collector's choice, guilty pleasure, etc.
 
Good lists above. Interesting to see the interpretations of "collection" between collectors and "users", for lack of a better term.

A reliable .22 handgun; ditto on a rifle; a 9 mm compact to full size; a .357 to .44 revolver; a 5.56 mm and a medium bore AR; and a 12 gauge pump or semi-auto shotgun. Don't get me started on only ten collecting guns. :)
 
How many 22's does one man with 4 kids and 8 grand kids need? I'm getting close to a rifle each for the right handers, but for the leftists I haven't found one. :( The only lefthanded son traded into one about 25 years ago.

With the terms "Minimalist" And "Trim down to" Being bandied about, is this about to become a "If I could have 10 guns thread?"

I think those treads are interesting and a good way of planning ahead! However, you list (s) should include possible political factors, like state restrictions and possible bans.

If I may suggest, for high cap pistols, have a low cap substitute ready. For "Assault" weapons have non Tact-i-cool substitute and the same for shotguns, grenade launchers, and crew served weapons!

To keep it to 10 total, and the least socially threatening and I won't have to buy anything:

1 & 2) Marlin Camp 45 and a 1911 in 45 ACP

3 & 4) Rossi 92 and S&W 686 4" in 357.

5 & 6) Savage 24C 22/20 ga and a S&W 17-3

7) Browning Citori 28" 725 20 ga.

8) Browning 1886 45-70

9) Savage 11 target 223 (single shot)

10) S&W 49 no dash 38 special (Just have to have a pocket gun!)

I have kept ammo to 45 ACP, 22 LR. 20 gauge, 38/357, 223, & 45-70. and only 1911 mags. I have kept both logistics and reloading to a minimum!

Ivan
 
How about a Service Based List for the 20th Century:

1, M1903 Springfield
2. M1911 Government
3. M1917 Enfield
4. M1 Garand
5. S&W Victory
6. Colt Commando
7. M1 Carbine
8. M1A M14 Clone
9. AR-15 Pattern Rifle
10. M9 Beretta Pistol

Geoff
Who was around for the second half of that century, sincerely hoping Asimov was right about longevity.
 
S&W Registered .357 Magnum, S&W 44 Magnum, 6 1/2-inch, Colt 1911A1, Colt SAA in 44 Special caliber, Ruger Blackhawk 44 Magnum, 7 1/2-inch barrel, Sig P229 in .357 Sig/.40 S&W, Browning A-Bolt Stalker in .270 Winchester, Colt Python, 4-inch, Benelli Super Black Eagle, 12 gauge, and a Colt Trooper in .22 LR caliber.

Bill
 
A collection limited to only 10 firearms????

I would be content with only three if trouble was brewing:

1.) M1911 in .45 ACP

2.) AR-15 in 5.56 MM

3.) Remington 870 MK.1 in .12 ga.
 
I don't think I'm going to come up with all ten, but here are a few I would have:

1. A 4506, or if you don't like .45 ACP then any 3rd Gen S&W semi-auto - if only to show the lovers of plastic what a REAL gun looks and feels like...
2. A 1911, but ONLY in .45 ACP or you risk losing the respect of your father/grandfather...
3. A large revolver, such as a Model 29/629 (any year and/or style). Everyone has to have a pistol where the name "Dirty Harry" can legitimately be dropped in a conversation...
4. A lever-action rifle of any combination of make and caliber from .22 to 45-70 - for your "Inner Cowboy"...
 
Loving all the replies so far. It is very interesting how we each think in terms of a collection. Some are "need" based, some are "age" based, some are "location" based, some are "manufacturer" based, some are "SHTF" based, some are "wealth" based, and some are "crazy" based, to name a few. Keep them coming, and if you change your mind, add another list.

A lot of folks have wondered how I arrived at the number 10. It was entirely arbitrary. I thought 5 would be impossible, and I didn't want to say list your whole collection.:D:eek::rolleyes:

Another thing a about a thread like this, I would expect it to change as time goes by.
Larry
 
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Couldn't resist, in no particular order:

1. Pump 12 gauge (Rem 870)
2. Bolt gun .308 (Ruger Gunsite)
3. DA .357 (Security Six)
4. Pocket .38+P (M36)
5. Glock 19 (Gen4)
6. Ruger 10/22
7. Ruger Mark (any)
8. Ruger Single Six
9. Colt 1911 (or Range Officer or TRP)
10. Semi-auto 20 gauge (Rem 1100)
 
I was thinking about this last night while I could not sleep. I sure in has been done before, but thought I would bring it up again. As collectors/accumulators we all have different things we like. Obviously, most of the members here cherish their S&W's, and may collect only S&W's. Others collect many brands. Some collect only antique, others only modern. You get the idea.:D

I was thinking a thread would be cool where we each list the 10 guns that WE think should be in every collection. I guess there will be many similarities and differences. My list includes a few different manufacturers. Here is my list:

1. S&W Pre-model 29 .44 Magnum N frame
2. S&W Pre-model 10 .38 special K frame
3. Colt SAA .45LC
4. Colt 1911 .45 ACP
5. Remington Model 700
6. Winchester Model 94
7. Browning Auto-5 Shotgun
8. Browning Hi Power
9. Ruger 10/22
10. Walter PPK

I believe these guns or their variants would make a nice collection. What guns would make it in your list?
Larry



-- Winchester Model 1897 shotgun

-- Smith and Wesson Model 60 .38 Special snubby revolver

-- CZ75 9mm pistol



-----------------
 
I'll play, a few I wont part with

SW - Mod 41 - 22lr

SW - 625 -4" - 45ACP

SW - 65 - 3" - 357 mag

SW - 17-3 - 6"- 22lr

SW - 57 - 41 mag

Colt Python - 6" -357 mag

Winchester - 9422 XRT - 22lr & 22 Mag

Marlin - 39A - 22lr

Springfield M1A Scout - 308

Para PXT45 Hi-Cap 1911 - 45ACP

Hard choice, had several others I could have added to the list
 
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