how many guns does one "need"?

[peterabbits]

seriously considering thinning down my collection, trying to decide. the only guns that i have "multiples" of are ar-15's and .22's. everything else i have picked up either because it was a really good deal or a unique or hard to find gun. that having been said, i have 1 son, who has chosen to go live with his mom and was never really into guns, so if and when i die, i'm not sure where they will go, what will happen to them. On top of that, i've lately been thinking more and more about trying to go off-grid and be self sustaining, which means downsizing considerably and ease of movement would be a benefit.

hence the question. i really enjoy having what i have, but the reality is i haven't shot any of them in several years. i would probably keep the ar's and ak's, at least a couple handguns, and at the very least a couple .22's and a couple hunting rifles. i'm also thinking that if i'm going to "thin the herd", it might be best to maybe get more of all 1 type of handgun instead of having 1 ea of several different types? i know this is a strange question, but i started out collecting both as an investment as well as for fun, but now i'm looking at things more as what do i actually "need" for survival etc. looking for other's thoughts on the subject.

[Fishslayer]

You only "need" one.

[SC1]

If your son doesn't want them I'll take them

[Dirtlaw]

What if you're a needy person?

[crufflers]

Three. A shotgun, a rifle, and a four-wheel-drive. Oops, I mean pistol, rifle, shotgun. Or you could have ten of each. Liberty.

[Mustard]

You only "need" one.

False. The correct answer is "all the guns"

[I Swan]

Need depends on your uses for guns. Someone that hunts different types of game and shoots clays needs more guns than someone that only perceives a need for guns for self defense.

[mikeyr]

all of them !!! that is the correct calguns answer.

Seriously though, why care about what happens to your guns after you are dead...you are dead. I care that the value of my guns goes to my wife or daughter, but if they can get the money by melting them down, they are free to do so, I am dead and no longer care.

As to how many for off-grid life, a good handgun, 2 rifles and 1 shotgun. I will take my Ruger Blackhawk with 45LC and 45ACP cylinders, one .22 rifle for small game and one .308win for larger game and one shotgun for bird hunting and self defense against 2 legged intruders. I will miss my SAA's, SIG, HK, 1911, etc. and my 94 in 45LC which is probably my favorite rifle, I will try and figure out how to bring that one with me ok, ok, I lied, I will try and bring all my guns, but 1 handgun, 2 rifles and 1 shotgun would be the minimum, i really do think you need a .22 and something bigger.

[M1NM]

Going off grid. Keep a 22LR to put rabbits on the dinner table, keep something 30-06-ish for bigger game, a shotgun for birds, a handgun of serious caliber and an AR for 2 legged pests. Select ones that you have a lot of ammo for. I keep about 1,000 rounds of each caliber except .22 I have about 10,000 rounds and .458 WinMag I only have 200 which is more than enough.
Sell the rest and buy a nice travel trailer to live in - don't fall for the tiny home scam.

[aklon]

How many do I need?

All the ones I have now, plus those two over there. Okay, make it three. Four.

[M60A1Rise]

I'm sort of in the same boat but just for .22's I have too many and just bought another a month or so ago for no reason what so ever lol. I only shoot my Buckmark consistently the rest just sit in the safe. Thinking of dumping my Kel Tec too but I like it alot.

I mainly just shoot my CZ's , heck I have a 30-30 that i've only put 10 rounds through. Once I decide i'm probably only going to keep the 30-30 , 2 CZ's and the Buckmark just haven't made that choice yet and what the heck will I do with all the ammo lmao !

[DaveInOroValley]

Like my Dad used to say when asked "how many he had"

"More then one but less than one thousand"

[223556]

I've been down this road very many times. My rule is at least one handgun, one long gun (preferably semi auto), and shotgun. Anything else would be extra, but that's just me....

[LTC-J]

I'm partial to "I need one more than I currently have" at all times... ie never enough.

[peterabbits]

Going off grid.
Sell the rest and buy a nice travel trailer to live in - don't fall for the tiny home scam.

this is why i said that ease of movement would be a plus. it's a lot easier to transport 4-5 guns and a few cans of ammo than it is to transport 30+ and at least 30 cans of ammo, not to mention the reloading press, dies, various powders, etc. the press will still come no matter what.

it's sad, but i realized the other day that i have at least 5-6 guns that i've never fired since purchasing. i would love to have the money that would come with selling the guns, but i bought them for a reason, it's hard to justify selling them, and i know i would regret selling them. hell, i still regret selling my mom the one gun that i ever sold in my life, and i know i'll be getting that back someday!