Reality check what do you need ?

A Glock 27 is a versatlle semi-automatic handgun. Chambered for .40 cal, it can use a variety of high capacity magazines, including a sleeve that converts it to full service and/or compact size. There are conversion barrels/kits to allow it to shoot 9mm and .22 lr ammo. One pistol, able to fire 3 types of ammo, in 3 size configurations. Furthermore, accuracy, reliability and simplicity are standard features that justify the package. Agree?
 
I think it really depends on your situation but I'll say:

1. A .357 magnum revolver with 4 to 6 inch barrel. You can load light .38 specials or heavy magnum rounds. It's probably the most versatile handgun and is adequate for just about everything in the lower 48 states, on two or four feet. At the same time, most people can handle the recoil if you don't use a ridiculously light frame. Not ideal for grizzlies but I'm not sure any handgun is. Use it for hunting, plinking, home defense, and even concealed carry with the right attire/holster in cooler weather.

2. Small handgun that can be readily concealed for when the .357 is just too much. This could be along the lines of a .380, small 9mm, or .38 spl J-frame snubby.

That's it. Everything else for 99% of us is just "I want" and yes, I do want more. :)
 
From a self defense standpoint since handguns are worthless except as a backup, probably none!

However since rifles and shotguns are hard to conceal from a self defense standpoint and carrying concealed, AT LEASE one concealed carry handgun of your choice.

From a hunting standpoint, if you hunt with handguns, depending on what you hunt a couple of handguns to maybe a half a dozen.

I have a few handguns and I like to try out new and old and different handguns so my safe kind of has a revolving door on it. The old classics that I like, I keep, the new handguns that I like, I keep, the new or old handguns that I try and don't like, I sell. For example, I sold a long time ago a Seecamp 32 auto, in the not so long ago past a Kahr PM40, and just recently a Kel Tec PF9. I also sold a Glock 27 and a Glock 36 which were great handguns I just needed to pare down my collection a little. Handguns I would like to buy and try in the future are CZ85 Combat, Dan Wesson Valor 1911, Caracal 9mm with short sights, Colt Python, Walther TPH, Smith and Wesson model 41, Freedom Arms 454, etc etc just to name a few. Do I need any of those handguns, nope!

Actually I have given some serious thought to selling almost all my handguns and investing in rifles and rifle ammo, AR's, AK's, 308 battle rifles, long range rifles and hunting rifles, as I don't want Switzerland to get ahead of us in the arms race!
 
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Well lets see. I am over 60. Served during Vietnam war in the Army. I live in a very low crime area all of my life. I have had a concealed licence since I was 21. I have always carried but never have had to use in self defence.

I guess one could say I don't need any firearms. However my hobby is collectin firearms and I can. I have a gun room where I display them all and it is full.
 
As for NEED, only one and it would be a .357 mag made by S&W. The other 30 some odd are because I like them.
 
l can't say I really "need" any. I had a bunch of them at one time, and over the years I've had more. I recently sold off a number of them, and right now I'm taking a breather while I decide if I'm going to sell off any more.

I guess even my idea of "wants" has changed over that time.
 
At that same point in my life .Sold a bunch the past few years to finance other things .Had my fun .But reality sets in as your health controls the things you do daily.Now I have one botton feeder left then it's revolvers only one caliber other than 22lr.WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED :(
 
Two good 9mm semi-autos - they'll do the job and be economical to shoot alot for practice / one for EDC and one for a reserve in case the other one breaks or is unavailable for whatever reason - and a 642 for a back-up or to have something when a larger gun simple isn't going to work.

I wish I could have just stuck to having what I need - I'd be much wealthier. Like so many others I have a lot of extra guns that I don't need but certainly still want - and I plan everyday to add to them.
 
What do you need?

A hand gun in every room in your house, including basement & garage.
One in each vehicle, excluding ATV's and Motorcycles.
One at each outside exit of your house.
One to CC both summer & winter.
One each, for every legal aged person in your family.


Beyond that, you're just paranoid. :D
 
Need? Let me see...

The complete pistolero requires:

A reliable, centerfire pistol or revolver of adequate caliber suited for concealed defensive purposes.

Good quality, match grade .22 lr autopistol, 'Centerfire', .45 ACP and 'Service Pistol' (Government Model .45 ACP or Beretta M9 9x19 autopistol) for NRA Bullseye matches. (These may overlap to some degree.)

Reliable handguns in .22 lr, 'minor' (.38 Special or 9x19 NATO) and 'major' (.40 S&W or above) calibers for Bowling Pin matches.

A .22 lr pistol or revolver for general plinking or hiking use.

A .357 or .44 Magnum 'belt gun' size revolver as back up while hunting with rifle, shotgun or bow (if allowed, of course).

A .357 or .44 Magnum six inch revolver (SA or DA) as a primary hunting firearm. (If allowed, of course.)

A 'suitable' formal wear firearm; sometimes referred to as a 'Barbeque' or 'Sunday go to meeting' gun. Must have decorative yet useful grips and preferably engraved and well finished. Nickel is common, but a proper charcoal blue is allowed. Silver or Gold is allowed, but one should avoid being ostentatious or gauche.
 
I'm not really sure what I need, so I just keep acquiring more until I figure it out. So far I am up to 15 handguns and a dozen or so rifles.

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I believe you need at 3 pistols/revolvers for ccw, two small revolvers for BUG, and revolver big enough to drop a bear. My logic for multiple ccw's/BUGs is that if you use one, law enforcement will take it. You may or may not get it back right away or at all. And the bear gun? If it will drop a bear its friggin' cool! Oh yeah, and a varmint/plinker pistol like MARKIII or buck mark.
 
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My answer is four as well. One carried in a shoulder rig, one carried cross draw, one carried strong side and a hideout snubby carried appendix or ankle. All same caliber to use same ammo.
 
One for carry, one as a BUG, one for HD, and one to replace the other if you have to one, because it will more than likely be confiscated.
 
It all depends on your lifestyle, where you live and go, and what you like to do. Like to hunt big game with a handgun ? Like to spend time outdoors in grizzly country at times ? Or maybe on a river fishing up in Alaska ? There are handguns that it would be nice to carry for those situations. Spend lots of time in a big city ? Need a defensive firearm 'just in case' but must go as light, compact, and discrete as possible ? There are handguns that fill these needs too. Just want to have a little fun and build skills with a s.a. or d.a. revolver - - you can find a nice .22 that'll help there, and that can also be used for small game hunting. I've had a use and a purpose for every firearm I've purchased. I take my time when I purchase and try to get quality. Sometimes my personal circumstances and interests have later changed, but with most of the few that I've gotten rid of - - I've later regretted it when thinking "That X I had would have been perfect for this situation. I wish I hadnt sold/traded it." There may be a time many years ahead when age & physical limitations cause me to slowly sell what I've built up over the years. But, that's a long way off yet. On the other hand, I have firearms that take care of my requirements. So, I add to the 'collection' (such as it is) slowly now. I get enjoyment out of taking out a piece that I haven't used in awhile and rediscovering what I liked about it by shooting and/or hunting with it.
 
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