How Many Guns Do You Need?
Ah—the age-old question. I’ve asked it. You’ve probably asked it. When I first started down this rabbit hole I asked it again and again: What guns should I own? Do I need eight handguns? Ten rifles? A .50 BMG? An M249? One pump shotgun or two?
You can spend a lifetime arguing the finer points, but the honest answer is simple: what you need is driven by two things—your actual, practical needs, and your budget. Everything else is preference, hobby, or fantasy.
Below is the way I think about building a purposeful, resilient firearms toolkit—what to prioritize, why, and how to expand as wisdom and budget allow.
Start with the Fundamentals: One Good Handgun
Hands down, the first and most essential item you need is a handgun from a reputable manufacturer with a proven track record. Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap. Buy it because it’s reliable, parts are available, and people you trust have used it. If you must save to buy it, save. Don’t finance it. Get a gun you can train with and carry often.
A sensible starting point:
One primary handgun (9mm is a great, practical choice)
Train with it. Carry it. Know it—inside and out.
Reliability and competence with that single handgun will do far more for your safety than owning a stack of guns you don’t use.
The Core, Purpose-Driven Kit
Over time—and only as budget and wisdom allow—you’ll want a well-rounded, practical toolset. Here’s what I recommend building toward, not because you need it on day one, but because these platforms cover a wide range of real-world needs.
1) Handgun — Primary Defense (Start here)
Why: Immediate personal defense, concealed carry, everyday use.
Caliber: 9mm is common, affordable, and effective with modern ammo.
Focus: Reliability, ergonomics, and training.
2) Shotgun — Home Defense & Utility
Why: Versatile for close quarters, doorways, bird or small game hunting, and simple to maintain.
Gauge: 12ga is widely available.
Type: Pump or semi-auto—both valid; pick what you can shoot and maintain comfortably.
Shotguns are great tools. They aren’t flashy, but they work in the places where pistols sometimes don’t.
3) .22 LR Rifle or Handgun — Training & Small Game
Why: Cheap ammo, minimal recoil, excellent for practicing fundamentals and for small-game hunting.
Value: A .22 lets you run endless reps for cheap. It teaches trigger control and sight picture without beating your hands up.
4) Bolt-Action Hunting Rifle — Long Range
Why: Hunting, precise longer-range work, and capability in survival scenarios.
Recommended calibers: .308 Win, .30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor—dependable, well-supported, and practical.
A bolt gun teaches patience and marksmanship and pairs well with a good optic.
5) AR-15 Platform — Mid-Range Versatility
Why: Parts, mags, and ammo are ubiquitous. The AR-style platform is modular, intuitive, and versatile for defense and training.
Caliber: 5.56 NATO / .223 Rem is standard and widely available.
Learn it well. Master the platform. It’s a workhorse.
Don’t Chase Fantasy — Match Gear to Purpose
You don’t need a .50 BMG or an M249 SAW unless you have an unusual, clearly-defined requirement (and a very specific budget and storage plan). For most of us, those guns belong in a specialist’s world—not the average family prepare-for-life toolkit.
Ask yourself: What am I preparing for? If your answer is “daily protection of family and home, and ability to hunt or sustain during short-term disruption,” the list above covers it. Build outward thoughtfully, not impulsively.
Training Trumps Inventory
This can’t be said enough: training is worth more than more guns. A single gun that you can operate under stress, reload efficiently, clear malfunctions, and hit with consistently beats ten guns you never touch.
If you rotate carry guns, rotate your live-fire training, too. But beware: rotating across platforms (Glock to Sig to M&P to Canik) frequently will fight your muscle memory. Switching size within a brand—fine. Switching platforms constantly—unadvisable unless you have the time to invest heavily in each.
Start with the pistol. Train it. Carry it. Build outward from needs—not emotion.
Practical Buying Advice
Buy reliable, not trendy. Look for proven designs and good aftermarket support.
Save for quality. If you need training gear, budget for it rather than financing firearms.
Consider ammo availability. Popular calibers make training and resupply easier.
Think modular. A platform with available parts and mags makes long-term ownership simpler.
A Final Word
This list isn’t exhaustive. You can argue the merits of pump vs. semi-auto, or which hunting caliber is best until the cows come home. But the point isn’t to win an internet debate—it’s to be prepared with purpose.
Start with one reliable handgun, train it until you’re competent, and then add tools that make sense for your life: a shotgun for the house, a .22 for cheap reps, a bolt-action for range and hunting, and an AR-style rifle for versatility. Expand as need and wisdom allow.
We all need somewhere to start. Start now.
🛡 Prepared in Spirit. Ready in Strength.
