To do it all over again

Had I known I would have started buying in the 70's and gotten a few Pythons and a handful of registered Magnums along with a couple of shrouded Detective Specials. I then would have bought 20 or 30 3 inch S&W 13s and 547s and special ordered 200 S&W 19-2s with 3" barrels. Then I would have bought all of the S&W 58s I could find along with any US GI 1911.
 
I would begin with the best .22 semi-auto I could afford. Followed by the best DA service revolver chambered in .357 magnum, followed by the best 1911 in .45 ACP

1. S&W M-41
2. S&W 686
3. Ed Brown 1911

Then I would buy the other 30 that didn't make the top 3.
 
I don't know that I would do things a whole lot different, other than now you can carry concealed, so if I was inclined to do that, likely I would buy something to fill that need.

Here is my list of how I started buying guns:

1.) Old used Ruger Single Six, paid a fellow soldier $60 for it in 1973 in good shape with both cylinders. Shot it a ton, still have it today. I don't think anything is more fun to shoot than a .22 single action revolver.

2.) I know you only asked about handguns, but I have to include some favorite long guns also: Ithaca 12ga model 37 Featherlite, hunted for years both small game and deer. In Ohio slugs are required, updated to a rifled barrel, still have it. As I got to be an old fart I decided I didn't need to carry such a heavy gun, so I addded the same Model 37 in 20 gauge for rabbit and other small game. Either of these would work fine for home defense too.

3.) Marlin lever gun in 30-30 with a good at the time scope, was finishing up my Army career at Ft. Bragg and bought it at the PX, as centerfire rifle was allowed in NC, and killed a lot of deer with it. Still have it, but haven't shot it for probably 15 years. The new lever revolution ammo from Hornady will make these old 30-30 rifles shoot better than ever.

4.) S&W 9mm semi, I think model 459 (?), lots of rounds in the mag and shot just fine, wish I still had it, don't remember why I sold it either.

5.) Now that I am licensed to carry concealed, I'm glad I picked up a KelTec P3AT for in the pocketor IWB carry. Not my main carry piece, but one that goes with me fairly often when I really don't want to lug around a CZ 75B in .40 S&W. And to get back to the claim of fun .22 shooting, added a Kadet kit to the 75B and shoot it all the time. Great fun here, recommend it highly.

6.) No need to mention the stuff I have bought but never shoot or carry, maybe I should sell them someday, but here they are anyway: NAA 22 mag mini-revolver, AMT AutoMag II in .22 Mag., S&W Model 60 no dash in .38.

My advice is buy lots of stuff and time will sort out your favorites. I doubt I would lose money on anything in my safe if I was inclined to sell or trade.
 
Over the last 40 years I have bought and sold any number of pistols, never made or lost too much money doing so, but it was fun. My list of firearms I wish I had kept is short.

1-Ruger 10-22 carbine paid $15.00 for it and sold it for $40.00. It was fun to shoot accurate and affordable.

2-Browning H/P “Ring Hammer” paid $118.00, brand new. Sold for $150.00? A classic excellent quality pistol that fires a decent round at an affordable price.

3-Walther PPKS 380 caliber, paid $125.00 sold for $150.00? A quality piece that was easy to drop in back pocket for a quick run to the store or some such.
Safe shooting all
 
I'm not sure I would cal it a "collection" in the sense that colletors use the term, or that being proud of it is a consideration. what works for me is out in left field for someone else, and the reverse is also true.

I regret selling any and all of the few Colt SAA's I've had, same with many of the fine semi-older Smiths. To start out with a limited number, it would be a Smith K-22, Smith 19, Smith 29 4", Colt SAA 4 3/4" in 44 spl or 45 with decently snug chambers, and perhaps a Ruger 45 SA.


I don't really regret selling or trading off any auto's, including some nice older Colts Governments and a National Match.
 
1) High Standard Supermatic Citation .22 lr

2) S&W Model 14 38 Spl

3) S&W Model 15 38 Spl

4) S&W Model 29 44 Magnum

5) Dan Wesson 1911 45acp


I have them all.:) Some more than one.
 
I'd buy two semi-autos: a .22 and compact chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W. Specifically, a Browning Buckmark and a S&W 3913 or 4013 ... maybe a Glock 19 or 23.

I think a semi-auto is the most practical CCW, and I'd want to start there. I want a .22 in the same action so as to be able to practice sight picture and trigger control inexpensively.

Then I'd buy two revolvers: a .22 and a .357 magnum. Specifically, a Ruger SP101 (.22) and a Ruger GP100 (.357).

GP100 because I think a 4-inch .357 revolver is THE gun to own if you're only going to own ONE ... and I'd still like a .22 in the same action to practice sight picture and trigger control inexpensively (and I just like .22s, anyway).

Number five would be a dedicated hunting revolver ... say a Ruger Redhawk or SuperRedhawk in .44 mag ... because I'd want to scope it, don't want to scope the GP, and think the .357--especially from a four-inch barrel--is marginal for deer-sized game.

With these five, I'd have all the bases covered ... from plinking, to inexpensive target shooting, to concealed carry, to woods carry, to big game hunting.
 
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I would have kept all the 4 and 5 screw S&W revolvers I owned, and bought a bunch of surplus 1911's when they were available. other than that, like many enthusiasts, my tastes evolve as with technology. There are a few handguns I've owned I wish I had kept.
 
How many? or what?

I'm 67 years old, got bit by the gun bug at age 4, been at it ever since, there is a world of difference between "Want" and "Need".
I've honestly owned more then a thousand guns in my life from single shot 22's to full auto military weapons.

In truth if you have a Ruger 10-22 , and a ruger 22 pistol, a good quality 1911, a Rem 870 pump 12 ga and a good 308 bolt gun and last but not least a good AK-47 you have all you really "Need" after that it's all about "Wanting" and I wanted them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...and some I sold as soon as I got them..

There is a big difference in having a collection as opposed to an Arsenal..:D..I've decided it's time to sell off a lot my safe queens and stick to "need" over want... If I have to defend the farm or hobble for the hills

Age does change some things...a good dog and a warm fire are really nice and maybe a good bourbon...
 
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