What makes a collection?

[Kimber Custom]

The 'how many guns do you need' thread got me wondering what is a small/med/large collection? Does the dollar figure of the guns count? Do multiple guns in the same caliber count?

In my personal view 1-3 guns of any caliber makes you a firearms owner. 4-6 is a small collection. 7-12 is a medium sized collection and 13+ would be considered a large collection. Playboy Penguin is in a leauge of his own

I'm not sure value of the individual guns plays a huge role in the overall size of a collection but I do think less of my own collection because of how many .22's I have. Don't get me wrong, I love my .22's but I count 'all' my .22 rifles as 1 when considering the above criteria (maybe 2, the 10/22 I built probably can stand on its own).

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[deen_ad]

I'd say any amount at all is a collection. Even one is a collection to me.

 

[PDXSparky]

I wouldn't consider caliber in defining what a collection is. I don't collect guns as items to put in a safe and look at occasionally. I buy guns because I want to shoot them.

It isn't a question of "need" for me. I don't "need" any, but I want what I want and right now, I want another 10/22, an AK, a 9mm carbine, and either a ruger SR22 or a S&W MP 22. And more ammo, much more ammo.

I don't have a collection because I shoot all my guns. I have an assortment.

 

[Slowpoke]

I don't have a collection because I shoot all my guns. I have an assortment.

To me, that is the quote of the year.

 

[sandman1212]

Considering your criteria in the OP, I would be considered a large collection owner. but when I look at what I have, I don't think of it as large. Each person will view this different. If you ask the Lame stream media, more than one equals a militia and less than one is a law abiding citizen...

 

[teflon6string]

What number might qualify as an arsenal?

 

[jbett98]

Look up Charlton Heston's basement man cave. Now that is an arsenal.

 

[charros93]

IMO an arsenal would be a rifle and a sidearm for about 40 or more men. Maybe some grenades, RPG's, and so forth, but as stated by sandman its all perception really.


arsenal - definition of arsenal by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

 

[coop44]

whatever you can get the judge to believe

 

[Slowpoke]

Look up Charlton Heston's basement man cave. Now that is an arsenal.

Ummm, I think that has proven to be inaccurate.

snopes.com: Charlton Heston's Gun Collection

Charlton Heston Gun Collection Photographs

 

[jbett98]

Ummm, I think that has proven to be inaccurate.

snopes.com: Charlton Heston's Gun Collection

Charlton Heston Gun Collection Photographs

Should I have stated it this way instead, " Look up Charlton Heston's (not his really, just the only way I know how to find it on the net") basement man cave."

 

[aslinged]

Everyone needs seven guns: 22 pistol, 22 rifle, shotgun, big bore bolt gun, semi auto rifle, semi auto handgun, BUG. This is the bare minimum. So 8 walks you into the realm of collection.

 

[kev1]

I consider a collection a variety of guns large enough to make me happy. I will never get there. There seems to be never enough.

 

[Kimber Custom]

13 isn't a large collection. There is a poll on the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) asking members how many firearms are in their household Poll; How many firearms in your household? - CMP Forums

<5: 5%
6-15: 12%
16-30: 28%
31-50: 17%
51-75: 16%
76-110: 7%
111-150: 4%
151-200: 4%
201-260: 3%
261+: 4%

83% of the respondents have more than 15 firearms in their household. 22% have more than 75 firearms in their household.

Based on the comments in the thread I'm not sure I believe the numbers, but if they are true, those are some very dedicated firearms enthusiests. Maintaining them must be a bear.

In reality, the question is based on perception. I'm guessing someone who has 260+ guns doesn't think 13+ guns is a large collection. Someone with 2 might. I was just curious what some of us consider small/med/large and super sized

 

[hermannr]

The difference between a collector and an owner is: a collector never sells what he owns, only buys more...

 

[EMP9596]

The difference between a collector and an owner is: a collector never sells what he owns, only buys more...

I might ad that some collectors will sell a certain firearm if he finds a better condition replacement for it.

 

[HappyRoman]

Collectors for years have stated, that 3 items constitutes the start of a collection.. 3 guns,3 guns of the same brand, 3 guns of the same style,3 guns of the same model ie: ruger 22's, or 1911's , 3 guns of the same caliber..

 

[Goat Herder]

13 isn't a large collection. There is a poll on the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) asking members how many firearms are in their household Poll; How many firearms in your household? - CMP Forums

<5: 5%
6-15: 12%
16-30: 28%
31-50: 17%
51-75: 16%
76-110: 7%
111-150: 4%
151-200: 4%
201-260: 3%
261+: 4%

83% of the respondents have more than 15 firearms in their household. 22% have more than 75 firearms in their household.

I think the sample population is not random enough. Those who answered in the poll are way too into guns and skewed the curve. It's hard to believe that, according to that poll, 55% of all gun owners have more than 50 firearms....

 

[AMT]

I'm trying to figure out what the original question is actually asking. Is "collection" defined as how many in ones possession? Or "collection" as in every model of Colt from the 1920's?

 

[Goat Herder]

There has to be some logic or trend to your collection to make it a "collection". or some theme/commonality that tie them all together. Otherwise, it's just hoarding...