Let's say you had to build your collection over from scratch.  For whatever reason, tomorrow you wake up to find you have no guns or ammo.  You have whatever your current financial status/income/savings is, to start over - no big insurance payout...   You have a reasonably supportive spouse, who agrees that the collection needs rebuilt - to a point.   

What do you go for first?  Second and Third?  Which would you buy differently, or not buy at all?  How would the new purchases be prioritized?

Well pistol first since it gets the most use daily for me, and can be pushed into duty in the other roles that I would typically pick a rifle or shotgun. So that would be a Rock Island 5in. 1911 without bells and whistles just a normal setup.

Then I'd go to rifle, despite shotgun being flexible in both roles I prefer the rifle. I'd probably go with a PSA build, 16in. AR setup. Again nothing fancy just plain utility.

Then I'd pick up an old used Remington 870 with an 18.5in. barrel and plain jane stock and forend.

Nothing fancy or flashy but that's the route I'd take if I were doing it over today;) But I will say after that I'd be putting up quite a few other handguns, particularly 1911's. Mostly since I'm fairly happy with my 1911 collection as it stands but there are some other particular models I'd like to have as well:)

Luke

Having learned from my mistakes and knowing a heck of a lot more than when I started out...

Priority Number One would be a 9mm pistol. Specifically a CZ P-01. Small enough to conceal, yet large enough and with enough capacity (14+1, but to 19+1 with extended full-size mags) to use as a primary home-defense weapon. And it has a rail on the frame so I can mount a light for use in the home-defense role. I'd probably add a Streamlight TLR-1 for that purpose, and possibly add tritium sights as well.

Priority Number Two would be a centerfire rifle. Much as I'm lusting after a FAL right now, I have to admit that the AR-15 is the more practical choice. So an AR it will be. I've heard our own Mad Ogre speak very highly of FN America's FN-15 series, so that's probably what I'd go with, either the Tactical Model with the Midwest Industries handguard or the model with the MagPul MOE SL furniture.

Priority Number Three would be a .22LR handgun. Easy choice here: the new S&W SW22 Victory. It's the first .22 pistol I've shot that I've really, really liked. I'd get the version with the threaded barrel so I can add a can later on down the road.

Priority Number Four would be a Government-size 1911 in .45 ACP. As in real life, I'm torn between the Springfield Loaded Operator Black and the SIG Traditional TACOPS

After that, it's all just the same wants that I have now. Nothing that I really need. The aforementioned FAL, a medium-frame .357 Mag revolver (probably a S&W 686), an MP5 "pistol" that I'll eventually Form 1 and SBR. And a SilencerCo Omega 9K for the MP5 and some sort of .22 can, probably a SilencerCo Sparrow, for the SW22.

Well after shedding a tear and singing a dirge for all the ruined steel, wood and polymer, I'd have to go in this order:

1. Carry pistol- Would probably be a Glock 19 because a used one could usually be had or I could find a Blue Box deal. It can mount a light a serve as a HD/EDC

2. A rifle that can serve as a meat getter or SHTF rifle- Most likely be a Ruger or Savage scout as they can be picked up for a decent price used usually with decent glass around here

3. Would be a HD shotgun- I'd probably go wit an 870 or 500 but in 20 gauge so my petite wife could use it.

After that would be a good AR-15 with a good red dot and then try to rebuild my Hi-Powers, Smiths,1911s, Rugers and Colts.


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So if this happened, then I assume it's the apocalypse.



1, everything else is optional. Smith & Wesson 686+ 3 inch



2. Mossberg 590

3. Fime group SGL-21 (plum stock)

So if this happened, then I assume it's the apocalypse.

No, just a mental exercise.  It could be a fire, a flood, bankruptcy, or any number of things that cause all of your guns to disappear.  I know I would do a lot of things different with the benefit of experience.

For me:
-1. Glock 23 Gen2 Absolute top priority would be getting my carry setup back together, and I could do this easily on day one.  (Minus the Adams Holster, so a few month wait with a cheap Galco...)  I like the Glock.  Simple, soulless, sure...  Who cares?  It works. 

-2. Marlin 783  .22 Magnum.  This would be in (temporary) place of my MSRs.  I do not have any pressing need for a thirty round magazine, and the main use of my AR is varmint control anyway, so...  This (and all subsequent guns) would be as funds allowed, as I can't imagine all available resources going into the collection.

-3. Scoped .308 Bolt action These things are just too much fun not to have, and can double as anti-personnel when used as a truck rifle.  Probably the Mossberg MVP Patrol.

-4. SAR-1 AK In case the balloon ever goes up...

-5. S&W K-frame snub Model 66.  The only thing on the list that I would buy as a 'want' rather than a need.


I could really be content with just that. 

If I were to buy any more, they would probably be a .22 revolver, and maybe a Remington 870.

What I would do different?  A lot...  The most radical would probably be that I would have far less handguns than I do now.  Sigs, Berettas, BHPs, 1911s, etc. They are nice, but I don't need them.  Probably don't even want them, if I'm honest. 

The other shocker would be that I would not buy any sort of AR, unless maybe a cheap one as an investment for the next panic.  Not to shoot - they just don't do anything for me.

Shotguns?  I love my SxS shotguns, but I could do without them.  My Benelli, same deal.  IF I got a shotgun, it would be a plain, stock, Remington.

PCCs, such as my Berettas?  Only if I had money to burn.

Since I have multiple safes in multiple locations, bankruptcy is the only way this might happen to me.  My list might be a little different due to where I live.

1. 30.06 bolt action with a 3-9 power scope.  Cheapest decent thing I can find.  Do all North American rifle.
2. .22 rifle probably a Marlin 60.  They are dirt cheap and decent shooters, the other do all North American rifle.

Beyond that it is all fluff.  Lots of tears due to the guns that I will never be able to afford again, and the sentimental ones that are irreplaceable due to who passed them on to me.

 

I'll take the hi-power's and 1911's.

Of course...

Glock 17
Kidd 10/22
Desert Tech SRS A1 in 308
Remington 1100

Carry gun first, probably one of the current group of 9mm striker fired like the Sig 320, Walther PPQ or HK VP9.


A 22lr pistol for fun and practice, so another Buckmark unless something better comes my way.



Since I don't use shotguns, an HD carbine - let's say a Tavor or non-AR Sig in 5.56.


A 22lr rifle for fun and practice, probably a 10/22 (or clone) of some flavor.


Next, a longer range rifle, like a SCAR H or an AR-10, the latter in 6.5 CM.


Until I start adding 1911s and the like, I could actually spend less money than I have currently.

Handgun, shotgun, rifle.  In that order.  I could probably buy a handgun with funds on hand and probably enough ammo to become proficient with it and then load it with self defense ammo.  If I had to do all three at once plus the ammo to become proficient with them and keep them fed I'd have to go used.   That being the case, I would opt for a double action revolver in .38/.357 first, then a pump action 12 gauge - probably a Remington 870, and finally an SKS rifle if available or a lever action gun in .30-30 Winchester ( probably a Marlin 336 or a Winchester 94 ).  Even at that I'd probable have to sell something to make it happen. 

Starting over 1-2-3.

#1 Pistol & PDW

Mine: G17 & G21. I also have a G17 Sub-2000, but it's more of a range toy for now.


#2 Rifles

Mine: .308 M14 & .223 AR


#3 Niche weapons

Mine .22LR Rifle, .22WMR Pistol & Carbine, and a 10mm G20.

4" K/L frame .357, this would be the HD pistol as my wife has difficulty with autoloaders.

Compact striker-fired pistol in .45acp, most likely an XD, This would be my CCW

Bolt action rifle in .30-06

12 ga. pump shotgun, Remington or Mossberg (this would be a hunting gun)

.22LR rifle, semi auto

After that I would reacquire a J frame Smith, .30-30 lever action rifle (older model Marlin 336) , 5.5" .44mag Ruger Blackhawk