How many guns do you NEED?

My thought out, honest answer for the forum:

Two. Specifically, twin Glocks. 19 or 23, Gen 4.

I don't hunt. I shoot recreationally, carry concealed, and obviously have home defense in mind. I can use the same pistol for all of that. The second one is to make sure that I always have 1. "Two is one, one is none."

My thought out, honest answer for most people who ask:

The answer to the question is irrelevant.
 
Need is a dangerous word.

I'm thinking rimfire pistol and carbine, carry pistol, hunting rifle, EBR, and a shotgun.

That makes 6, which is a pretty good start. It could be consolidated with some different uppers.
 
How many do I NEED? Probably 2-3. Funny, the wife and I were just talking about that tonight and I had to admit to her that if we had the money I would probably have a couple hundred by now. I love the way they look. They look like pieces of art to me. Especially handguns.
 
I personally "need" about 10 guns of various calibers and types. After that, it is pretty much "want".

I don't tell people who don't already have a sense of my attitudes ANYTHING about how many or what types of firearms I own. Why tell an anti anything that is going to just make them think you're some kind of gun toting redneck?
 
Need is a dangerous word.

I'm thinking rimfire pistol and carbine, carry pistol, hunting rifle, EBR, and a shotgun.

That makes 6, which is a pretty good start. It could be consolidated with some different uppers.
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This matches my "plan."

I have:
A Ruger MKII target pistol
A Sporterized Mauser
A Mossberg 500

My planned next three purchases:
A S&W 642 (I have determined I might actually carry this weapon vs having to strap on a medium sized auto like the G19 or PPQ, after all, with a decent pocket holster it's just so easy to carry)
A Henry H001
A Colt LE6920 (hopefully a 30th bday gift to myself.)

Honestly, those guns will pretty much cover anything I could "justify" to someone who doesn't know. Only another enthusiast would understand why I also need a Walther PPQ (to backup the AR after all), a Brownig Citori, a 1911, a USP, a CZ75B, a S&W 27,29, and 64, a Henry big boy in .44 and .357, a Luger, a scout rifle, a Glock 20, a silenced HK45, a lever gun in .45-70, a double-rifle, a Sig 938, and ECT...
 
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You need As many as you want. In all practically you could economically get by with one shotgun. In reality three. Shotgun, rifle, and pistol. Ideally somewhere between 30-50.

Firearms are also inflation proof as well as there ammo being just as important if not more.
 
Firearms are also inflation proof as well as there ammo being just as important if not more.
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Most of the value increase in most firearms is due to inflation and the cost of new or current firearms as a comparison. Inflation proof, no, but I know what you mean. The dollar value in terms of buying power approaches a constant.
 
22-rimfire said:
Most of the value increase in most firearms is due to inflation and the cost of new or current firearms as a comparison. Inflation proof, no, but I know what you mean. The dollar value in terms of buying power approaches a constant.
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Last I looked a stock I have went down $502.00. I can't ever remember losing any money on a firearm. Collector value is a whole other issue.
Of course another stock may go up $502, but I'm not much of a gambler. I look at guns and ammo as better than money in the bank.
Inflation proof, maybe not. A safe net to not loose money, yes.
Wished I had back all the guns I've sold. Have regretted selling everyone.
 
I haven't hunted for a long time, so I can take that out of the equation.

For me, I would want two full size handguns for home defense, one in my bedroom and one in my living area in my walkout basement. I would also want a mid-size handgun for concealed carry and a small handgun for concealed carry when the mid-sized gun would be too much.

Next, I would want a 12 gauge shotgun and, finally, an AR-15 just because you never know.

So, that's six guns that I would consider a bare minimum in my suburban type neighborhood. Oh yes, I would also throw in a .22 handgun and a .22 rifle just for practice and fun. That makes it eight.

That's less than I have and less than I'll keep. :)
 
I wouldn't want to be without a high quality .22 cal pellet rifle either. Good for small game and varmints. Low noise, inexpensive ammo, great option for urban setting or rural. At 1200+ fps great for when a rim fire 22 is not practical or these days economical. I grew up with one type or other in my hand. Old habits are hard to break and still enjoy shooting them. I wouldn't trade either one I have for a marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22.
As for AR15's I've never felt the need for one. Imo I have better calibers in Hi cap semi autos. and bolt action.
If you had to choose only one gun a shotgun for me would be it. Different shot loads, slugs, interchangeable barrels. Home defense, hunting any target shooting.
Luckily choosing one isn't necessary for now and hope it never is. Unfortunately some would like to see the maximum number to own zero.
 
I don't need that many guns. Just one more. I seem to say that every time I buy another one. Lucky for me my wonderful wife is understanding of my hobbies.
 
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Whenever I hear this question, framed this way, it instantly shows that the questioner has no understanding of firearms as a hobby, and just barely understands firearms as a necessity (for certain people, such as police, etc.)

You might turn it around as ask them why they have any desire or concern about reducing other people's property to what they think is "needed".

Our state govts have set minimum wage standards. This, clearly is the amount of money that one "needs". Using the logic of the questioner, all the money they make above minimum wage ought to be open for others (including me) to decide if they should have it, after all, its more than they "need".

Taken to the most basic level, the only gun one needs is the one that one needs in their hands when they need it most. At that same, most basic level, one only needs enough clothing for survival today, only needs enough shelter for survival, and enough food to prevent starvation.

My wants are far above those minimum needs, and I would suggest to anyone who thinks my wants are unimportant, that they show us the way to a better life by living the example of only having what covers basic needs.

There are very, very few willing to do that. And I'm NOT one.
 
Someone might ask you how much coffee you need, and suggest one less than you've had. (That's a joke - not an insult.)

The question posed at dinner was,

" I mean, how many guns does a person need?"

That's a great question and it can come from innocent curiosity. Describe to a table of wives how shooting lets you relax and re-focus, how it keeps you from sitting around watching football in the fall,and how your wife finds you more tolerable after, and you might produce a table of women who would answer that question, "As many as my husband needs to keep an interest in shooting."

Plus, you might be invited back for dinner again someday.
 
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Lets see:
Summer carry gun
Backup summer carry gun
Winter carry gun
Backup winter carry gun
HD shotgun
HD rifle
HD handgun
Folding stock rifle and shotgun to keep in my trunk, just in case
Folding stock rifle and shotgun to keep in my wife's trunk, just in case
Long range high caliber bolt action
.22
.22 put up for my son
.22 put up for my daughter
Revolver to teach my wife to shoot.
Something fully automatic to try and take care of the hog problem at my dads deer camp
1860 Henry for sentimental reasons
2 .22s I got from my grandfather when he died.


And you know, reading this, I need a lot more money.
 
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