If you could only keep three guns, what would they be?

[franzfmdavis]

I have to admit I thought there would be a lot more overlap in the choices. It is fascinating to see all the unique combinations that members choose.

 

[WI-2021]

Not sure I could do it. IMO, everyone needs, at minimum, a shotgun, a .22 rifle, and a pistol in a suitable defensive caliber. If one hunts, the requirements increase a bit to add a versatile hunting rifle or two. Exactly what those are depends on the game in question. From what I currently own:

Shotgun: LH SBE2. Mine feeds everything I've ever fed it, but I haven't tried super light target loads. If that's a requirement, I'd choose my LH M2. In this case, the user should pick the shotgun that fits them best. This is my waterfowl gun and, if needed, could be pressed into service for big game hunting with a slug barrel. That said, I've never once considered choosing a slug gun over a rifle where rifles are allowed for hunting.

.22 rifle: LH Tikka T1x. It's a tough choice between this and the Remington 572 I received for my 12th birthday. The 572 has sentimental value far in excess of it's monetary value, but the .22 that always goes to the range with me is the suppressed T1x.

Pistol: G19 or G43x. Neither of these is my favorite, but they both work every time. Mags and parts are everywhere, and a chimpanzee could maintain them. If defense against 4-legged critters is needed, I'm going with my G20 or S&W 69 instead.

Now to expand on this for hunting big game....

To hunt anything locally, which is basically whitetail or smaller, I'd choose my Defiance .308 without a second thought.

For anything in North America, my Pure Precision .300 WM. Overkill of most things, but that's better than underkill. I might feel a little undergunned for the big bears, which brings us to:

For anything in the world, either my .375 Ruger Alaskan or the custom I'm working on, also in .375 Ruger.

An AR15 in 5.56 is also very nice to have for fun, target shooting, hunting, or defensive purposes.

For those keeping score, I guess that means I have, at least, a top five:

1. Benelli SBE2
2. Tikka T1x
3. Glock 43x
4. .375 Ruger Alaskan
5. AR-15

All except 1 and 3 are suppressed, as it should be. If we want to cheat a little more, I'd also add a slug barrel for the Benelli and multiple uppers in different chamberings for the AR15. If I owned an R8 it would probably replace #4 and have a few additional barrels.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I made my pick based on the assumption that if the “Man” has declared I can only own 3 firearms. then I have larger concerns than hunting.

There was already a post asking for favorite rifles.

 

[Faidros]

1. CZ550 416 Rigby ”custom”
2. Miroku Mk38 Grade 5 12cal
3. Kimber Classic 8400 30-06

 

[IvW]

I changed my mind.......again......

Cannot be only 3......4 is absolute minimum unless you exclude dg.....

500 Jeff

Blaser Bergstutzen
9.3x74R/6.5×57R O/U

Blaser BD14
20ga/5.6×50R/7×57R Drilling

Blaser K95
7x65R and another barrel set 28ga with multi chokes

And yes all above blasers are availible....

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I changed my mind.......again......

Cannot be only 3......4 is absolute minimum unless you exclude dg.....

500 Jeff

Blaser Bergstutzen
9.3x74R/6.5×57R O/U

Blaser BD14
20ga/5.6×50R/7×57R Drilling

Blaser K95
7x65R and another barrel set 28ga with multi chokes

And yes all above blasers are availible....

And still no handgun! It’s very hard to do with three or four. Five is a good minimum.

 

[IvW]

And still no handgun! It’s very hard to do with three or four. Five is a good minimum.

I have 2 handguns.....the man said guns.....not handguns or shotguns.....otherwise the minimum would have to be at least 7.....

 

[Newboomer]

And still no handgun! It’s very hard to do with three or four. Five is a good minimum.

.22lr.
MRC 30-06.
1911 9mm.
30-06 and 9mm for variety of ammo. 06 for anything up to eland. .22lr and 9mm for defense and plinking.

 

[Milan]

Brno Mod 5 .22LR
Brno mod 21 (7x57 or 7x64 or 8x57)
Kimber mod 84L - 30-06 or one of the other calibers the Brno 21 is not in

Still not sure I want to give up my CZ 550 in 9.3x62 though....hmmmm...I'm working towards having only 5-6 rifles, 2-3 would be for competition, 3 for hunting. It's tough man, tough, I tell you.

 

[franzfmdavis]

The challenge is in the difficulty of sacrifice. It also is a reflection of one’s priorities. Most seem to prioritize their hunting options, but some choose their defensive options. All interesting statements, including from those who cant narrow it down to three.

 

[Neophyte]

If we are limited to three I’m guessing I’ll use a battlefield pickup.

Limiting the number of firearms is a hill I’m willing to die on as it’s blatantly unconstitutional. The sad thing is there are too many law enforcement and military that would be willing to enforce such laws. Don’t believe me? Look at Hurricane Katrina.

 

[franzfmdavis]

If we are limited to three I’m guessing I’ll use a battlefield pickup.

Limiting the number of firearms is a hill I’m willing to die on as it’s blatantly unconstitutional. The sad thing is there are too many law enforcement and military that would be willing to enforce such laws. Don’t believe me? Look at Hurricane Katrina.

I certainly agree and would never want to be limited to three, or any!

 

[Aaron N]

Sitting here tonight??

Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express
Marlin GBL/.45-70
Savage 24 V-A/.30-30 over a 20
Ruger 10/22

Yeah that's 4. I never could count well.

You’re obviously not a math teacher!

 

[Dugga BIL]

Rigby .375 H&H
Benelli 12 gauge semi auto
Korth .357

 

[SoVa]

3 is hard. 5 would be more doable but I’ll play.

1. 11.5” 5.56 sbr with a can and 1-6 optic
2. Bolt action 300 prc
3. Benelli m2 12ga with a couple barrels and lots of chokes.

4. M&P 2.0 10mm
5. 22

 

[dchamp]

Blaser BD14 - 20ga, 8x57irs, 22 Hornet
Blaser R8 - 375H&H, 8x68s
Blaser K95 - 257Wby, 30-06

If you want to get picky and think that’s cheating, too bad, that’s one of the benefits of Blaser’s.