General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger. Accept no substitutes.

G17/19/20

1911 any flavor

AR15

AK47

Lever action 45/70

10/22

Mossberg 500

^ the basics

In my opinion,  I would not consider anything "common" as "must own".

From a functional standpoint, there are some good common guns to own.
A well built AR15
1911s
Modern combat autos like the Sigs, Glocks, H&Ks, S&Ws, and so on.
357 mag revolvers like the S&W 686s and  19s (L&K frames)
Remington 700 and Winchester M70 big game rifles
Ruger 10/22s
22 auto pistols like Ruger Mark (MK) series or  Browning Buck Mark series
12 gauge shotgun (Hunting - Remington 870/Mossberg 500)  (Self defense Benelli M3 or M4)

All those are pretty common but none  are  particularly "must own" guns.    

As for  "must own" guns,  I would consider things like :

Gold Cups
Pythons
SAAs
P08s
P38s
S&W 41s
Browning Citori  and/or "Sweet 16"
Belgian HP 35s
Sig 210s

These are some of the guns I would consider "must own" guns.

M&P-15 .22
Ruger MK II
Colt 1903, .32
Walther PPQ, 9mm
Winchester Defender, 12 GA
Rem 700
AR15, .223

Lately I've been considering simplifying my collection for the time being. Here is my list.






































 

I can actually imagine not owning... well, pretty much everything I don't own.  I don't own many firearms and don't collect them.  

22 rifle or handgun

AR

AK

22lr rifle

.22lr pistol

12ga shotgun

center fire pistol


if you want to get bare bones

scrap the AR, and the .22 pistol

I am having deja vu.  Didn't we just do this with in the past couple days or am I crazy?

Just not interested?  Y not?

I get the feeling you're asking less in terms of practical application and more in terms of Building a nice collection.

The Garand, SAA, and Winchester 94 are all great additions. Almost mandatory.

Most of the other items you've listed are also good. The items I can't relate to are the Remingtons.

You have two 700s listed. I personally don't believe the 700 is the all important bolt action many claim it to be. It's functional, and it has its place in history, but I'd say Mauser action rifles are more significant historically, and many competitors offer a better value today.

The 1100 is the one Remington you have listed that I can half way agree with, if you find a good example. Those were among the best guns Remington ever made.

I can't really agree with the 870 Wingmaster. They can be nice, but they're outshined by the 1100. The only advantage is price/utility, in which case a beater 870 or 500 is the better bet.

Something to consider is if you want to have any kind of theme or collection within your collection. Your list seems focused on classic Americana, and there's nothing wrong with that, and there's plenty of room beyond what you've listed so far. You could dig up a 1903, or a M1 Carbine, or a vintage style AR.

I'm a fan of S&W revolvers and WWII milsurps. I don't see those getting any cheaper any time soon.

S&W M&P40 and 40c (or 40L and 40c)
14.5" Mid length AR
Ruger 10/22
Savage 16 in. 308
Remington 870 12ga
Kahr CW380
Marlin 336C in .30-30 or 1894C in .357Mag
S&W Model 19 or 66 in .357Mag
S&W J-frame .38Spl
M1 Garand
.22lr AR

Everyone needs at least one colt in their collection.

M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
Ruger 10/22
Ruger Mk II
Ruger Single Six
S&W Model 10
Walther P.38
Walther PPK/S
Yugo SKS
Any Mauser

Colt SP1 Carbine in collection.

I'd say you nailed it.  Classic Americana.

Let me explain the Remingtons.  The Remington 700 was a mainstay of my family growing up, and I got into long range shooting and the 700 action was the most supported action of that time for modifications and gunsmithing.  Most guys winning a competition were running a 700, or one of the emerging custom actions which are all too prevalent today.  I bought a 700PSS in .308, put about 5000 rounds through it, and then had it rebuilt into a very nice 6.5 creedmoor bedded to a McMillan stock.  I have a Remington 700 5R milspec which is one damn fine factory .308.  Then, the Remington 700 BDL in 30-06 has to be the most "standard" deer rifle of modern time.  Certainly was in my neck of the woods.

I lucked into a pair of Remingtons.... an 1100 and an 870 Wingmaster, both in unfired condition from 1981 and 1982 respectively.  Both still had the tags hanging on trigger guards from the store.  They are absolutely beautiful and the current crop of matte finishes and the putrid "express" don't hold a candle to these guns.  I am going to let my son and daughter pull the trigger for the first time on these.  I grew up shooting my dad's Remington 878 (which I will inherit), which is a little known and little produced predecessor to the 1100.... and the 1100 is miles ahead of that gun.

I'll have to look into the 1903.... the M1 carbine never interested me... it seemed like a pointless caliber but I am sure was appropriate for the time.  As far as vintage AR, I have my grandfather's Colt SP1 carbine, all original.

I have a Model 36 S&W revolver in nickel, that was a family heirloom.  Its ok.  Nothing like a nice model 29 or anything.... and I will inherit a Ruger Security Six that I grew up shooting, but honestly revolvers do very little for me.  I was thinking I'd like them better in a magnum caliber, so I have contemplated getting a nice 44 magnum or something fun in 45LC and handloading for it both on the weak side and the "boom" side.

On the mauser.... I actually have an old mauser action, that was a WW2 rifle best I can tell, that some gunsmith rebarrelled to 7x57, has the smith's name engraved on it, and it was my grandfathers primary deer rifle.  However, he kept his guns very poorly, and when I got the bore looks pitted beyond belief.  I worked it over for a few hours then gave up, and put it way in the back of the safe.  I have thought about getting that rebarrelled but I am not sure why I would... I'd hardly ever shoot it as I have some decent bolt guns already and quite frankly the mauser action seems flimsy and awkward compared to the 700, but that's just based on what little experience I have with varied bolt guns.

Ar15, AR10, XD45

Was that a list of "must own" or "boring typical" firearms.  Better to get some more special stuff.

Wow.  I would consider 2-3 of those as a "must have gun."  Wow.

Must have?

AR15/M4gery of your choice
HK P7M13
FN/FAL or Galil ARM in 7.62
Benelli M1S90 or M4
Glock 17/34
Suppressed Ruger MkII/ or 22/45
10/22 is a gimme
Short Action, 700 PSS/LTR, suppressed with optics in .308
Larue OBR .308 suppressed with optics

If you are calling suppressed guns as "must haves" then you missed the point.

Had a FAL.  It was boring.  Sold it and don't miss it.  Have a Kreiger barreled AR10 that is more fun, more accurate.
Have a Benelli M1S90... love it.
Have 17's and 34.

I have suppressors too.... but I don't consider a suppressed platform any kind of "must have".  

AR
AK
G19
Rem 870 (or clone)
Rem 700

Every collection should have an AR, AK, 1911, M1 Garand, a wheelgun and a 'wonder-nine' of some kind.

Of course there are many more but I consider that a minimum.

Remington 870

Remington 700 .300 RUM

Ruger 10/22

CZ 75

Ruger .454 Alaskan

Marlin 45/70 Lever Gun

Mini Draco

AR

Springfield 1911

Springfield M1A Socom 16

The specifics don't matter.  In order of importance:

1)  Some sort of semi auto handgun for concealed carry / defense.
2)  Magazine fed center fire rifle or carbine in an intermediate caliber.  
3)  Some sort of scoped bolt gun in a bigger caliber than above for hunting.
4)  Shotgun.
5)  .22 rifle/pistol, whatever

AR15
1911
Garand
M1 Carbine
Ruger MKII
Remington 700
Pump/semi auto shotgun
9mm of some sort
M1A
FAL

What I have ready to go is pretty much what I consider must haves.

Ar15- my SBR complete rifle and SPR upper
Glock- my 30s and 21sf
Rem 870
YHM qd suppressor

I also have, for shits and gigs, my CZ P09. Which is in the safe but still consider it a must have for me. As well as my glock 19 cause well....glock 19

I used to have a rem 700 sps tact in 308. Now I want another 308 but in the AR10 platform.

1911

m1 Garand

AR-15

Either M1A or FAL (for ARFCOM--BOTH!)

870

10-22

I'd add.............

And this..............

And, of course, this...............

It sounds like you're already set on the the Remingtons.

M1 Carbines are neat to shoot, and I must admit that .30 Carbine is much more fun that I'd expected. The Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine is an absolute riot to shoot. Modest recoil, a thundering muzzle blast, and a tight group. I'm not sure I can shoot it without smiling. I honestly can't believe the caliber isn't more popular. I just bought 500 more rounds of the stuff a couple days ago.

In revolvers, J-frames are the most popular for carry purposes, but nobody really loves them for their shooting dynamics. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be the 686. Read up on K-frame .22s like the Model 17. They're pricey (for good reason), but deals are out there. Keep your eyes peeled, and snag one when you find a deal. It'll all make sense when you shoot it.

You can check the Mauser block and stay with the American theme by picking up a Winchester Model 70 that was either made pre-1964 or in recent years at the FN plant in SC. I wouldn't prioritize that, but if a deal arises, go for it.

There's one other American gun that comes to mind for me that's favored by collectors, and that hasn't been mentioned here: The Ruger No. 1. Pick a caliber...

I was looking for my post and couldn't find it, that explains it, it's  a dupe!

Since we are repeating  ourselves . .....
No American should be without .........

1) 1911 (Preferably a Colt)

2) M1 Garand

3) AR15 (Preferably a Colt)

4) Single action revolver in .45 Colt

5) Lever Action Carbine

I have thought about this a ton. I think every good American should have at least six firearms:

1. 22 rifle
2. 22 pistol
3. defense rifle (your choice, AR, AK, HK, M1, SKS...)
4. defense pistol
5. 12 ga shotgun
6. meat rifle (30-06ish)

Glock 19
AR15
Remington 870
Remington 700
/thread

The only correct answer so far.

My goal is to build a suppressed AR-10 with an ACOG right now.

Need to come up with 5k.

This may be the best answer to this question I've ever read

browning high power
m1 carbine
S&W K frame preferably a mod 66 4"
1893or 1895 Mauser IN 7MM
S&W 17 or 18- see sig
mossberg 500 or 590
browning citori

Winchester 9422 if you don't know why i pity you.

1. P7
2. 1911
3.AR15
4. AK
5. Semi-auto 12 guage
6. G3/FN FAL

I own two off the list at the moment. I used to have a P7 and have been hating myself for selling it.

I don't understand this concept

The purpose is to enjoy, learn, and shoot. I am likely stocking over 15 calibers now but I only buy 22lr 5.56, 9mm, & 38 spc, and 308. in bulk

other calibers like 30 carbine, 303, 7mm,8mm Mauser, 8mm lebel,45-70 22 short, 22 mag,  and 5.7 I keep between 20-and 250 rounds on hand

if you don't get this then you'll never learn the engineering genius of 8mm lebel.

Generally speaking:


A large caliber handgun suitable for self-defense (I have a Glock 19)

A .22 caliber rifle for sport shooting/plinking (I have a 10-22 and a Henry .22)

A 12 gauge shotgun suitable for home defense (I have a Rem 870 Police Magnum)

Ideally, the collection would include a fighting suitable carbine, which I no longer own.  

 

glock 19
10/22
12 gauge (870 or 590)
AR 15

That easy