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Old September 16, 2012, 08:28 AM   #1
mrt949
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Reality check what do you need ?

Was in a major discusion at work with fellow shooters .One asked how manny pistols does one person really need ? My answer was 4.
1 =22lr fun
2 =revolver 38 sp and above
3=auto 9mm. and above
4 =pocket cc.your choice.
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Old September 16, 2012, 08:35 AM   #2
BloodyBucket03
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Personal Prefernce

A person needs as many pistols that they feel comfortable owning. Me personally I CCW a Sig 229 .40. But I have a glove box pistol in both my cars in a lock box & I have a hidden pistol on the first & second floor's of my house I can get to in a hurry. Personal preference
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Old September 16, 2012, 09:09 AM   #3
Viper225
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Lets See:

You need a J Frame size 38 Special for concealed carry.

You also need a J Frame size 22LR to practice with.

Then a K Frame in 2", 2-1/2", or 3" for more serious concealed carry.

Then you neee a 4" - 6" K or L Frame 38/357 for general purpose use.

Then a K Frame 22 for economical practice.

Everyone needs atleast One 1911.

Everyone needs a Ruger MK III to plink with.

Then a Hunting Handgun in 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 454, 460 S&W, 480 Ruger, or 500 S&W. I personally love my 480 Ruger Super RedHawks.

OPTIONAL LIST:

You also may need a 10mm/40 S&W Revolver or 40 S&W semi auto to shoot up all the 40 S&W range brass in.

Everyone needs a Barbecue Gun. This should be a Super Clean Blued Steel Smith & Wesson Revolver, Colt Python, or 1911 Colt. Engraving, and or Inlays optional. Super Grips mandatory.

You might reach a point of saturation at some point. Not sure what that number is, I keep finding more handguns that I want. They are also a good investment.

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Old September 16, 2012, 09:19 AM   #4
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want = need

-Kel-Tec P3AT or LCP 380 for pocket (no lock J-frame if willing to tolerate more bulk)
-Subcompact Glock 26/27/33 for appendix IWB, or Smartcarry
Those are essential mimimums ^

-Glock 29SF 10mm for trail, CC (appendix IWB) or HD
-Glock 19/23/32 for strong side IWB or HD
-No MIM 1911 (Dan Wesson, Les Baer, Ed Brown) for skinny strong side IWB or HD
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Old September 16, 2012, 02:30 PM   #5
JC57
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I don't actually NEED any. My current job doesn't require me to be armed, and my lifestyle is such that the chances of me being a victim of a violent crime where my only option for survival is armed resistance are very small.

That being said I do choose to occasionally carry and have a handgun for home defense. My number boils down to three:

1. Pocket gun for carry anytime, in any clothing choice.
2. Larger gun for carry when wearing a concealment garment or when concealment is not important.
3. Something for fun on the range (depends on your idea of fun).

These picks assume that you feel you need to carry something, and that you enjoy going to the range.

I think the minimum set will be different for all shooters, depending on their particular interests as a hobbyist or sportsperson. If it's JUST for SD, then two should cover it. Pocket and non-pocket.

If not interested in SD, then one of each type that you use in your chosen sport / competition / aspect of the hobby.
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Old September 16, 2012, 02:38 PM   #6
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Need many! Have more
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Old September 16, 2012, 02:44 PM   #7
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I don't need any guns... but for some reason they follow me home, so I feed them, give them a place to sleep... and occasionally take them for walkies.

C
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Old September 16, 2012, 03:37 PM   #8
BrokenBottles
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Ah, want and need are very different things... I want...far more than I could ever shoot.
Me personally I need:
A derringer/micro revolver
tiny semi auto
22lr semi auto for random plinking
9mm semi auto for competition
.40S&W semi auto for competition
.357 revolver
Full race 1911
44magnum revolver for SASS competitions
45acp semi auto for HD
BBQ gun, probably something chambered in .500 or some other ridiculously large/dangerous round


So I need 10...
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Old September 16, 2012, 04:08 PM   #9
ritepath
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For me I need

2 or 3 9mm, fullsized, compact, sub-compact

2 45's fullsized and compact

1 40 compact

1 38 revolver

1 357

1 44mag

1 380

10 or so 22's

Of course I need many more, but that's a pretty good start.
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Old September 16, 2012, 04:18 PM   #10
DaleA
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I'll play.

I guess I only NEED one (and in my current situation I haven't actually NEEDED a handgun at all for many years). But one handgun I'm proficient with, in a serious caliber, to make man or beast take notice, is all I really need.

That said, shooting is a hobby and a sport of mine so for me to feel happy and satisfied I actually NEED more than one for the different shooting I do.

P.S. Do NOT forget about a black powder gun. We must all touch bases with our roots now and again!
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Old September 16, 2012, 05:35 PM   #11
TennJed
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One more
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Old September 16, 2012, 05:54 PM   #12
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Every one "needs" the following handguns in my opinion.

1. A 22lr (revolver or semi at owners discretion)
2. A snub nose .38 for SD / HD
3. A .357 in either 4" or 6" for the range
4. A pocket gun like a Ruger LCP for CCW
5. A 9mm single stack for range, CCW, SD / HD
6. A full size .40 or .45 for range, SD / HD
7. A full size, all steel 1911 in .45
8. A wild card / fun gun
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Old September 16, 2012, 05:56 PM   #13
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I like to have a bunch. So I will continue buying until I find a new hobby for a while.
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Old September 16, 2012, 11:11 PM   #14
Justice06RR
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As many as you can afford!

Want and need are 2 different things. You may only need 2 pistols or rifles, but if you can afford it why stop there?

I would say you need at least an SD/HD/CC pistol, and a secondary as backup/range/etc .
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Old September 16, 2012, 11:25 PM   #15
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Thats like asking how many books, and movies do I need. I think we can be greedy, and want and want many things. I see that in myself too. I just value firearms more than books, movies. Better resale/and usable unlike movies. If the world ended movies would be about worthless. Just make a list of what is the most important to you.


Now you ask me, what would I have. 1 week trip to x location or 2x guns. I take the 2 guns. It will serve me well, possible new carry or new range toy. My lcr-22 is really good, been training new shooters on it.
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Old September 16, 2012, 11:37 PM   #16
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I believe I need food, clothing, shelter, a source of energy and a means to protect what I have. For me I believe my need is satisfied with 1 hand gun, and 1 long gun. Anything more that that I figure to be a want. My choices would be a S&W 329PD (.44 magnum) and a Marlin 1894 SS (.44 magnum). While I have more than that, I figure this would satisfy my 'Need'.
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Old September 16, 2012, 11:48 PM   #17
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Always need one more.
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Old September 17, 2012, 07:31 AM   #18
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There's damn little I need, but much I want.

I am not a collector. Not am I much of an accumulator. Yet, I suppose.

But in a year and a half, I feel pretty comfortable with the guns I have. All get range time as each is a hoot to shoot.

- Ruger SR9c. Great shooter with the possibility of CC when I get my permit. superb trigger.
- Ruger MK III 22/45. Accurate, supremely reliable and easy to field strip when you get the hang of it.
- S&W Model 10-4 with a 4" taper barrel. A true classic, buttery smooth trigger and honestly my favorite.
- High Standard Sentinal R-100. A 9 shot 22 revolver that's nearly as old as I am. Not nearly as accurate as the Mark III, but just plain fun for plinking.

I've also had and sold a Ruger P95 and a CZ82. Both were fine pistols but I prefer the SR9c over both.

I kinda like having semis and revolvers in the same or similar calibres.

Guess my next pair should be a 1911 and .44 SA! Not because I need them, tho.
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Old September 17, 2012, 07:46 AM   #19
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I don't buy guns based on need much anymore, I have my basic needs covered. My wife gave up asking "How many guns do you need" a long time ago, the answer was always the same, "All of them". Instead she now asks "What are you going to do with that" when a new gun comes home.

Stu
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Old September 17, 2012, 08:36 AM   #20
j3ffr0
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I have/need:
1) 22LR semi
2) pocket gun (mine is .380)
3) trail/nightstand gun (mine is .357/.38)

Want:
-9mm high capacity
-.38 snubbie
-1911
-.22LR revolver
-.44 mag - just because
-.454 - just because x2
-.500 - mag just because x3
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Old September 17, 2012, 08:38 AM   #21
Mike Irwin
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How many do I really need?

All of them.

And a lot more.
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Old September 17, 2012, 05:46 PM   #22
sgms
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Let's see, don't drink, don't smoke, don't have any real interest in fancy cars. Hey I got to have something to spend my time and money on.
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Old September 17, 2012, 10:19 PM   #23
Winchester_73
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Quote:
Was in a major discusion at work with fellow shooters .One asked how manny pistols does one person really need ? My answer was 4.
1 =22lr fun
2 =revolver 38 sp and above
3=auto 9mm. and above
4 =pocket cc.your choice.
I didn't get this memo but i am a collector
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Old September 17, 2012, 11:01 PM   #24
gbran
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Ruger Single Six, .22lr/.22wmr, plinking, small game, fun.
Glock G26, ccw
Ruger Super Redhawk, .454 Cassul/.45lc, serious handgun hunting
Colt Series 80 1911 (just because and winter ccw)
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Old September 17, 2012, 11:36 PM   #25
Nnobby45
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Quote:
I don't actually NEED any. My current job doesn't require me to be armed, and my lifestyle is such that the chances of me being a victim of a violent crime where my only option for survival is armed resistance are very small.
OK, I'll say it again. MOST violent crime victims (in normal environments) had it happen to them when or where the odds were "slim" that it would happen.

You can only BET that you won't need to be armed, and that's your call. The odds are, of course in your favor---same as it was in favor of the crime victims who weren't armed because they didn't "need" to be.

And don't forget, you won't "need" your seatbelt, fire extinguisher, Asian Flu shots, tetanus vaccine, parachute, emergency flares, live vest, Israeli battle dressing, and all the other stuff the odds say you won't "need".

Like many gun owners, I own more guns than I "need". My personal "needs" are a main carry gun and a BUG, which for me is a 642 snubbie.


OK, somebody tell me I won't "need" my backup gun. Or the reloads I always carry. Wait 'till I take my chill pill first.

Last edited by Nnobby45; September 17, 2012 at 11:47 PM.
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