Well I had my want list as my sig when it was feasible however was recently swindled (actually outright electronically robbed, or combination of, by my ex) upwards of 25 G's. Lost the ones I did have too. So my lists, much more dreamy now, will take a lot longer to own. Luckilly I like guns with utility, many guns distilled into one, so the ideal battery is numbered low as possible; However, I do prefer to get what I really want not a comprimise and usually that is expensive to satisfy, particularly to a newly single father(happy about that though), those priorities.
Short:
M1A Socom 16- IMO the perfect do all rifle, maybe less than ideal snub nose ballistics (though will tear up any .223 or AK round at every distance and far beyond, and easier to find ammo than say 6.5 Grendel) but the close quarter handling makes up for it, feels like a heavier Mini-14 that I have years of ingrained experience with. Perfect with a hardcore combat dot sight, adequate for naked eye range shooting off the pistol fast irons, am a Scout rifle fan too though so a low power variable LER scope would really make this one for all seasons. The comp makes earplugs required for this guy (who shot without any protection for years-this one is brutal) but allows it fire like a little .22 centerfire round. Far softer than the full M1A, let alone PTR, SA-58, and doesn't require the rigid maintenance an AR-10 does.
I fell in love with this rifle the moment I saw her and pulled her down on the mounted Mule Deer trophy head in the gun shop. I once passed one up when I had a roll in my pocket presicely enough for the tag price (200. over MSRP) and the guy wouldn't budge with shaving off 6% sales tax. I partied that wad away and have regretted ever since. Damn my stupidity.
Mossberg 930 SPX-Another of the very few love at first touch firearms. First it was the 930 HS which really tickled me with a feather. Never thought a semi shotty could, after all who could trust a device so reknowned for unreliablility, for protection or survival? Then I read of outrageous torture tests that would make a HK91 or AK cry, "please sir, I can't take it". Intrigue. Then while on a aimless browsing stroll thru the store, I spot her. What the hell. this thing is set up the same as a SLP, M2 Tactical, or Wilson TR-11/87, but the sticker says 5 and a half centuries to bring her home to stay and start her post that night. Somehow this one always alluded me when I had a 71 hour paycheck to burn, but it did. During that time I was seduced by a Benelli M2 Tac, Steadygrip/GR which would have preffered same with Comforttech and 7 round extension, easy fixes anyway. That is a super slick scattergun, but with all the money in the world more than I would pay for a shotgun. Also looked at the SuperNova Tactical, which I liked and was priced right, but felt too weird somehow. Read up on the 1100 3-Gun models, never came across one though. Ended up getting a Saiga 12 on total impulse buy. I grew up on a Mossy as much as a Mini, or more, and something about that tang safety, getting used to it, ruins you for anything else. And all the features and those of same quality as a FN SLP costing 2-3x as much; The HS model IMO would actually be better for HD but with the right loads the SPX is a complete 100 yard weapon system. And certainly beyond compare for the first 30-40. All in all, I'd be happy with this as my one and only blunderbuss, 4 Life.
Undetermined handgun:
Well, there should be two or maybe 3 on the ol' short list, being that I own none at this time. I love the 1911. CCO size(or the SA EMP, no micro .45's here) to longslide, standard or high cap, 9, 38 Super, .45, 10, 9x23, 9x25...whatever. My Springfield
Loaded was everything I wanted a handgun to be; by and large that meant forgiving of shooter error, easy to fire fast as hell and to point of aim, little flip or muzzle blast, and swallow whole the load I wanted to feed it. I do believe to some extent, for some folks, an SA is more of a offensive proposition than a Striker/TDA/DAO/fancy proprietarily named improved DAO for defensive use. But outside of contact distance, the ability to pull a shot off target even with plenty of practice is a real possibility. Either that or some just want what they've found to perform for them in the speed and accuracy departments. So for me, a 1911, probably .45 GM, would have to be first on the list.
I also like large frame, big bore, snub to medium length barreled, wooden (for starters) gripped DA revolvers. This is more of a fasion statement honestly except in the case of a Smith Mountain Gun or 5.5" Redhawk which men like Jerimiah Johnson would have creamed for, something to live off the land with.Thoughts of an 8 shot .357 snub are tantalizing, but the revolver that had that magic perfect fit is the S&W 625JM. Love everything about it.
Still, I know the above steel beauties would be left under a seat when I needed them, to be a realist. DA .45 autos like the Ruger P345, Sig P220SAO, XD 45 Tac, S&W M&P and 45xx series, 24/7 OSS etc. are interesting in their various capacities, also the G20SF has the city and country well roundedness. I like the Witness Elite Match, has the look of a gun that ruled the filthy streets of 1980's Miami; SAO trigger/C&L carry, mid 500s price bracket, and offers a jaw dropping 18+1 of .38 Super or a mind blowing 16 total shots of 10 Mil, and that fox Heather likes em. And the BHP, how could you not want it behind your hip ever after?
But after reviewing all options, my realist, non-1911 pick is the Steyr M9A1. A damn shame this fine pistol recently was dropped from US distribution. Due to lack of sales interest. Target-pistol ergonomics, bore radius, trigger, and stock sights wise, this thing was head and shoulders above anything else plastic and sold for Ruger prices. I'll make sure not to miss one of these before they dry up and start costing what they're truly worth.
rimfires are another ball of wax, as well as non-essentials.
Man when I have a couple tumblers of J & B on rocks and have to get up early in the AM, can really rattle on on the internet about guns.
hopefully)