Starting over (I am, and if you had to too)

chrsmac

chrsmac

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As some of you may have seen, if you saw my introduction, I have recently found myself the victim of theft. They took all of my long guns except for a couple of shotguns, a black powder, and a .22, all of which were in my brothers safe.

This has given me the chance to actually build my collection with guns I really want, or have always wanted. So far I’ve gotten a gorgeous Remington 742 Woodsmaster in 30-06, which I’ve wanted from the first time I saw my uncle’s semi-auto 742 in 30-06, back when I was so young I didn’t realize rifles could also be semi-automatic. (and not just only the Remington 1100 shotguns everyone seemed to have). The other rifle I have bought so far is a Thompson Center Compass in .243. Small enough for the kids to use, and big enough to take deer hunting. Also, it’s in a composite stock, so the kids can beat it up some, and it won’t break my heart like it would if they hurt my new main squeeze. (The Woodsmaster, for the younger ones who may have no clue what a main squeeze even is!)

Now for the second part of this post, if you had to start over, what would you get/try to get? Which calibers do you think, if you were only going to get one or two, would you get? (and you don’t have to say to get a .22, as that’s already presumed to be one of the must haves. At least for me it is) Now with the majority of my hunting, deer is the main big game I would be chasing, but I also wouldn’t mind something that could take any big game I wanted to chase. I previously had a Browning A-bolt in 30-06, and I loved that aspect of the rifle, feeling like it was perfectly adequate for whatever I wanted to use it for. (I’m trying not to make a joke about us men and our obsessions with adequacy!)

Okay, enough from me. According to my wife I tend to get carried away and ramble, so I apologize.
 
For me a shotgun would be top on the list after a .22lr.

If you have women or kids in the house that you'd like to shoot it I'd go with a 20 gauge.
 
As time went on, I made the decision to stick to NATO calibers for my needs, so it's all 5.56 and .308 for me. If you are ever in a boat where you decide to go big game hunting, there are plenty of sub $700 new .300 WMR rifles out there - I wouldn't build a collection around it, though.
 
Back in the 1970's I was hooked on big bore N frame S&W revolvers. A Nickel Model 29 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel was around $250. A Colt Python was about $25 more. Today the N frame guns are about $1000 and up to around $1500 for nib.
Colt Pythons nib are crazy in value . I've seen them for $3500 to nearly $4500. Wish I had been a Python lover back then. .I guess it's because Colt discontinued them. Even though they started making them again which are no where as good as the originals. If I had bought Pythons I would be a very rich man.
 
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A good solid ar15

Ttikka superlite in 6.5/308

Tikka ctr in a krg X-ray/w3 for long range if you do that/compete

Honestly I did this to myself last year. Got tired of having a million rifles I don’t shoot, I now have like 4

This is the long gun section, but for a pistol I would just buy a Glock 19 and be done
 
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There are a couple of choices IMO and it’s based on whether or not you want to carry or not.

If so then my first choice would be a pistol in 9mm larger enough to handle effectively and small enough to conceal.

Lots of options. The shield would be my choice.

If you’re not interested in carrying I would get an AR in 5.56 to start.

It’s great for home defense, light recoil and large capacity. You can also hunt animals as large as whitetail as long as you’re confident in your shot placement.

You can also buy different uppers as you go. Tons of calibers from .22 to 450.

After those two a pump shotgun in 12 or 16 gauge.
 
12 gauge pump. Mid length barrel. Can shoot anything and hunt anything and low recoil ammo available if women or kids need to use it. I am NOT a shotgun guy at all but we just had a young man come of age to get his first gun and we mulled over this same topic of “What one gun could do it all if need be” and a pump shotgun won. #9 little shot all the way to 1 1/8 ounce round ball.
 
I am pretty satisfied where I am, so I would honestly replace what I got.
A good AR 5.56 (14.5 or 16")
A full size and a carry size 9 mm pistol.
done.
I do see the value in a good 12 g shotgun, so add that to the list.
 
chrsmac said:
As some of you may have seen, if you saw my introduction, I have recently found myself the victim of theft. They took all of my long guns except for a couple of shotguns, a black powder, and a .22, all of which were in my brothers safe.

This has given me the chance to actually build my collection with guns I really want, or have always wanted. So far I’ve gotten a gorgeous Remington 742 Woodsmaster in 30-06, which I’ve wanted from the first time I saw my uncle’s semi-auto 742 in 30-06, back when I was so young I didn’t realize rifles could also be semi-automatic. (and not just only the Remington 1100 shotguns everyone seemed to have). The other rifle I have bought so far is a Thompson Center Compass in .243. Small enough for the kids to use, and big enough to take deer hunting. Also, it’s in a composite stock, so the kids can beat it up some, and it won’t break my heart like it would if they hurt my new main squeeze. (The Woodsmaster, for the younger ones who may have no clue what a main squeeze even is!)

Now for the second part of this post, if you had to start over, what would you get/try to get? Which calibers do you think, if you were only going to get one or two, would you get? (and you don’t have to say to get a .22, as that’s already presumed to be one of the must haves. At least for me it is) Now with the majority of my hunting, deer is the main big game I would be chasing, but I also wouldn’t mind something that could take any big game I wanted to chase. I previously had a Browning A-bolt in 30-06, and I loved that aspect of the rifle, feeling like it was perfectly adequate for whatever I wanted to use it for. (I’m trying not to make a joke about us men and our obsessions with adequacy!)

Okay, enough from me. According to my wife I tend to get carried away and ramble, so I apologize.
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It's an interesting question, as everyone here has somewhat different tastes/requirements for their collections.

For me:
1. Mid-level or better AR15.
2. A plastic, mid-size (~G19) Wonder 9mm pistol.
3. A good 12 ga. pump.
4. .22 rifle

After that was covered:
5. A lever-action in 30-30 or .35.
6. A .357 revolver.
7. A good AK - just because.
 
Hmmm... this is a good question. I hope it doesn't happen but if it did, then I have a few ideas:

- a 22LR carbine of some sort, Ruger 10/22 or maybe even a little single shot something
- a 9MM handgun (between Sig P365 - S&W M&P compact size)
- a 12 gauge (24" barrel for a compromise, or if I could afford it an 18" and a 28")
- A full power rifle of some kind, depending on how broke I am. Maybe an AR-10 so it can pull double duty as a hunting rifle?


Then I think I would try to rebuild my collection

US services pistols 1911 - present
US service Rifles 1939 - present


I know it is silly to have attachment to objects, but losing my heirloom pieces from my dad/grandfather would hurt bad. I have a lot of fun memories and every time I see those old pieces it reminds me of them.
 
Personally I'd start with a Compact handgun of any variety except a sig- m&p, glawk 19, cz P10c whatever flavor Walther makes now etc.

30 cal Suppressor

Quality AR15 rifle - pinned 13.7/14.5 or 16" tbh the Sabre PSA series really comes to mind if I was to start over instead of building an upper from scratch.

Beretta A400 in 12 ga for deer / upland hunting.

After that I just start buying crap I necessarily don't need but might be cheap or the new hawtness.
 
Cole_McD said:
I'd honestly be perfectly happy with just a 13.7"/14.5" AR (with a can) and a Glock 19.

Everything else is pretty much gravy. So why am I not perfectly happy 🙃?
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marketing and the fact that you love gravy!
 
Cole_McD said:
So why am I not perfectly happy 🙃?
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Because Bambi deserves to be shot with a commie weapon. Long live 7.62x39 and making boomers mad hunting with a semi auto.

"iF Y0ù c@n+ h!t 1t iN 0n3 $Hø+ U $h°ulDn+ B πuN+iN"
 
I would buy based on activities you plan on attending. Hunting? Ok go get a great hunting gun. Pistol matches? Great go get that pistol. Etc.

I personally do not buy just to buy
 
Ferrisfan said:
If I was starting over, I would pick just a few calibers and have fewer, but higher quality guns.
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Agreed, I got rid of a lot of my rifles and handguns to build a few custom bolt rifles and freedom arms 2011, wouldn’t go back now.
 
JBoyette said:
I would buy based on activities you plan on attending. Hunting? Ok go get a great hunting gun. Pistol matches? Great go get that pistol. Etc.

I personally do not buy just to buy
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I wish I had that kind of mentality haha. I just think too many different guns are neat. Mouse guns, big bore, new stuff, old classics, milsurp, hunting, oddballs. Only thing I am not super into is the ultra high-end precision stuff. Truth be told I don't have a place to stretch its legs, and 2 moa is still plenty accurate for 500 yards and in.
 
I'm quite comfortable with what I have now. If I sold or lost everything I don't think I would restock much differently.
 
First of all, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. That's awful and I hope the thieves get caught and reprimanded, and you get your guns back.

To answer the question, I would get (in order of first to last, ideally):
-A micro-compact 9mm concealed carry handgun. Probably a Sig P365 Macro, or if I wanted to go super fancy, the Wilson Combat subcompact double-stack 9mm. This is simply too essential for everyday life to forego IMO.
-I would rebuild my 14.5" 223wylde/5.56 AR almost exactly the way I have mine now. A good fighting AR is absolutely the second most essential piece.
-I would rebuild my 300blk AR exactly the same way I have mine now. This is for home defense.
-A 308win or 30-30 hunting rifle. Puts food on the table and can do long range too.
-Get a Staccato or Atlas 2011 in 9mm - this would be the biggest change to my collection. If I could sell off all my other centerfire pistols and get a mid/high-tier 2011 instead, I would. USPSA all the way.
-Some sort of chassis long range rifle (300 Norma Mag, probably) - this would probably be my actual pride and joy, as I do shoot and greatly enjoy long range precision.
-A Langdon Tactical Beretta 1301, 12 gauge - I'm really not into shotguns tbh, but to do Three Gun it's necessary to have a good one and be good with it.

And that would be it, probably. I would stockpile ammo and reloading components for those and get a membership at Coleman Creek before getting anything else.
 
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There have been enough suggestions already I will just chime in expressing my condolences on the demise of your collection.
 
I would build a custom LR rig, maybe in 7 PRCW.
A couple of revolvers to keep around the house
A 9 mm pistol (too many brands to decide right now)
A .22 for tree rats
A 12 gauge auto duck gun
A .257 Wby for deer hunting.
A cheap AR
:)
What Stogies said. :(
 
Downeast said:
I would build a custom LR rig, maybe in 7 PRCW.
A couple of revolvers to keep around the house
A 9 mm pistol (too many brands to decide right now)
A .22 for tree rats
A 12 gauge auto duck gun
A .257 Wby for deer hunting.
A cheap AR
:)
What Stogies said. :(
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257 wby is a bad dude. I’d probably go with a fast twist 25 prc to fit in a medium action nowadays
 
I only shoot 10% of what I own now, so starting over I'd be much more selective. I would replace my carry rotation (Glock 19, S&W 3", P32), an AR in 556, a Ruger MK something, and a Hawken ML would cover it. I would not even own a shotgun.
 
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Here's the plan. Keep buying until i find one that i am john wick with.... still searching.

Couple 870's, couple ar's, a glock, a 1911, a sweet sixteen and grandpas model 10. Everything else i let go of.

I want a lever bad.
 
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Sorry for your loss. Same thing happened to me. I had a bunch of stuff I hadn’t touched in years.
Starting over I’d simplify
A good .22. Cheap to shoot a lot.
Fast twist precision 223 bolt gun. Best investment I’ve made.
308/ 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun. Available ammo.
9mm Semi auto
38/357 Revolver
12 Gauge pump / semi auto
AR15
Lever Gun
 
Start over... well is the insurance company gonna pay me the "current" value ? Or screw me out of it? Would be the first question. To replace some of what I have and their current condition is gonna be hard, the quality of workmanship vs. new is gonna be a hard choice and if found the cost is surely more than what the insurance company would pay. With all that being said.

1. Match M1 Garand
2. Super Match M1A with Kreiger barrel
3. Pre 64 Winchester 70 30.06
4. Remington 40XB 222
5. Belgium Browning T-Bolt Left Hand
6. Remington 600 308
7. Ruger No. 1's ( tang safety red pad) Tropicals
Ruger old M77's
8. Definitely Replace the Sako TRG42 338 LM and The Barrett 82.
If really given a must pick... it would be
1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and The Ruger No.1 Tropical 458 WM...would basically cover everything

Shotguns:
Older Remington 1100 Trap "TC" grade
Browning Broadway(s) (not salt gun)


The insurance company would drop my policy

Handgun... they wouldn't even talk to me probably..

Diamondbacks
Colt Ace, NM, 70's Gold Cups, 3 screw Blackhawks, Ole Target High Standard, older Smiths
Mostly all would have to be purchased used via auctions or private sale and most of what i have are unfired. An advantage of having a friend who owned a shop back in the day.

Been down that road before ...was robbed by ex-wife son long ago he stole mostly handguns
her ex had custody, some were never fired, in boxes, insurance argued with me the whole way, some were custom, they wanted to replace them with standard guns. Anyway another long story... Karma was when one of the youngsters shot himself in the leg with one of the 45's, his limp was very noticeable at trial..

But in reality at my age, would only get maybe a couple, if that..most the quality is not there, or no longer made, and the custom built ones, then would definitely downsize the reloading aspect. It would be a tuff call. Having the collection in several different locations is a plus though

-Snoopz
 
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Maybe a pistol caliber carbine?
 
1. AK or AR - both extremely popular, plus a few parts mags and ammo
2. 9mm Glock 19 or a similar polymer framed striker fired handgun
3. 12 gauge shotgun
4. .22lr pistol - Ruger or Sig P322 are my current favs
5. Revolver in 357/38 with a 3-4” barrel
6. Rifle capable of taking larger game - .308 Winchester XPR my choice
7. Lever action 30/30
8. A pistol caliber carbine - huge bonus for a 9mm carbine that uses the same mag as your handgun (Glock).
9. .22 semi auto rifle M&P 15/22 or 10/22
10. Lever action in 357 to be a companion to your revolver
 
NCnative said:
Not trying to be edgy so don’t take it that way but did you buy a safe?
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Don’t worry, I didn’t take it personally, it’s a perfectly legitimate question. 🙋‍♂️

To answer your question, no, I have not gotten one yet. My brother has one where I’ve stored guns in the past, and he is my current (temporary) solution.

Anyone that has, or knows of, a good deal on a safe, give me a holler!
 
Sig 556 and the furniture to make it look more like a 550.

Start with quality.
 
I would go:
Quality AR
Bergara B14 in 6.5CM or 6.5PRC
Sig P320 M18
Ruger 22/45
Bergara b14R trainer rifle

You have all basics covered.
 
chrsmac said:
As some of you may have seen, if you saw my introduction, I have recently found myself the victim of theft. They took all of my long guns except for a couple of shotguns, a black powder, and a .22, all of which were in my brothers safe.

This has given me the chance to actually build my collection with guns I really want, or have always wanted. So far I’ve gotten a gorgeous Remington 742 Woodsmaster in 30-06, which I’ve wanted from the first time I saw my uncle’s semi-auto 742 in 30-06, back when I was so young I didn’t realize rifles could also be semi-automatic. (and not just only the Remington 1100 shotguns everyone seemed to have). The other rifle I have bought so far is a Thompson Center Compass in .243. Small enough for the kids to use, and big enough to take deer hunting. Also, it’s in a composite stock, so the kids can beat it up some, and it won’t break my heart like it would if they hurt my new main squeeze. (The Woodsmaster, for the younger ones who may have no clue what a main squeeze even is!)

Now for the second part of this post, if you had to start over, what would you get/try to get? Which calibers do you think, if you were only going to get one or two, would you get? (and you don’t have to say to get a .22, as that’s already presumed to be one of the must haves. At least for me it is) Now with the majority of my hunting, deer is the main big game I would be chasing, but I also wouldn’t mind something that could take any big game I wanted to chase. I previously had a Browning A-bolt in 30-06, and I loved that aspect of the rifle, feeling like it was perfectly adequate for whatever I wanted to use it for. (I’m trying not to make a joke about us men and our obsessions with adequacy!)

Okay, enough from me. According to my wife I tend to get carried away and ramble, so I apologize.
Click to expand...
Would definitely need a lever gun of some sort
 
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