(...aside from the family jewels...
)There are lots of guns that a person collects because they are historically significant, or sentimental a valuable, or just plain interesting, but there is usually a core group of ones that are used often because they are practical.
After a lot of buying and SELLING and trading I think I have the ideal core ‘go-to’ firearms:
On the left is the most ‘do-all’ gun I have - a Marlin 1894 csx in 357 Mag; powerful enough for deer if needed, or 2-legged predators for sure, and easy to carry and shoot for novices.
Next is the Ruger PC pistol that importantly my wife can use very easily (she hates the ‘charging handle’ AR system even more than I do) with an automatic-on (motion detect) red dot and an intuitive laser/light. Even without the suppressor it isn't too bad to shoot indoors.
I hardly ever use the shotgun other than known chicken yard pests like possums or something in a tree, but it certainly is a decent shotgun.
The 223 AR is a side-charging-handle version - also with an easy to use red dot and light. The 60 round drum can be left loaded a long time.
If I need to kill a deer there's still nothing that's done better than my marlin 1894 lever action 44.
If I had to go outside at night to deal with something unknown, the 300 blackout pistol with a really good light laser and red-dot has worked pretty well.
If I know what I'm dealing with is a cat or a dog the AMT Lightning clone of the Ruger 10/22 in the Tapco stock accommodates an EoTech and pistol laser and light that work well together; I've dealt with a lot of feral cats and dogs out past 50 yards at night with that set up.
The 18 inch heavy barrel AR with ACOG sight is a good set up for daytime use out to pretty far ranges, for things like coyotes, and I’m sure it would double for home protection.
The Taurus PT-92 mimics my CCW Gun so makes a good nightstand gun for me with the added light/laser for night use in the house.
My 14-shot 45 ACP 1911 ParaOrdnance is what I'd add if I had to go 'downtown' without a long gun (I don’t get out much...
).Finally, if something really needs shot with a handgun that has fangs and claws, there's always my Redhawk 44 Mag.
I suppose if I added the 12th gun it would be either my 375 Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan or my Saiga-12 - Either one represents the pinnacle of power I can wield from the shoulder.
