Gimme 5

Because I can only dream of owning certain weapons, it's a nice little mental exercise for me to imagine what I'd buy if I were able to. Kim du Toit once had a nice little skit like this- whereby you had a certain amount of money to spend at Collector's Firearms. Well, one I've been tinkering with of late is a five gun selection. If you were only allowed to own five guns, what would they be? It's trickier than it sounds- every time I wrote a list I had to take one away to add another. Trying to have a good selection for all your handgun needs, be they hunting, target shooting, plinking, or defence, isn't as easy as it sounds. Anyway, for the time being anyway, here's what I've come up with.

1. A 1911 was the obvious first choice really; not only is the design time-proven but so too is the cartridge it fires. There are a wealth of 1911s available at the moment and it was pretty hard trying to select an appropriate model. Eventually however, I settled on the Springfield Full Size. Specifically the Parkerized version. It's not only sub-$1000 but it has Springfield's reputation behind it. And I wanted a little more than the usual GI-version, which the Full Size offers; the ambidextrous thumb safety is essential for me (lefty), it's got an extended beavertail grip safety and Novak tritium night sights. Features more commonly found on more expensive models.

2. I was considering a pump action shotgun as a serious home defence weapon but I decided against it in the end. Instead I opted for the DeLisle carbine (either this or the Sporter model would suit me fine) by Valkyrie Arms. First, it offers ammunition and magazine compatibility with the 1911 and second, it's a light and handy weapon which is well suited to the narrow confines of a home. It would also serve pretty well in a shtf situation and the ability to carry one type of ammo and magazine would be a huge bonus. Unlike the shotgun option it's not much of a kicker and so the Other Half would be more than capable of using it too if needs be. Of course, as I've mentioned before, I'd like to see it modified slightly- add XS Sights; the Express Big Dot shotgun sights actually look like they'd fit the bill.

3. Next up is the M1 Garand. A centrefire rifle is a must have for me. I love shooting and a day at the range with this baby would be ideal. Not only is it a classic design, but it's also chambered for a manly, hard-hitting calibre suitable for target, combat and even hunting. Last, but not least, it's also a tough, reliable battle rifle should the shtf.

4. My first two options are ideal for home defence but then I had to consider a carry option. This is a bit of a tricky one. I would very much like something along the lines of Smith and Wesson's little and light Model 342PD in .38 Special but I was torn between this option and a Para Ordnance CCW, an LDA (Light Double Action) single stack .45ACP. The advantage of the latter of course is yet more ammunition compatibility- and the proven stopping power of the venerable .45. The recommendation of Wiley Clapp helped too. The revolver may be "the original point and click interface", but in the end I had to go for the .45 option.

5. My last slot was perhaps the hardest to fill- I've already got a rifle, a carbine, a full size handgun and a carry piece. There are a few weapons that I'd just like to own but after much consideration I went for the Ruger 10/22 rifle. The .22LR cartridge is one that even I'm very familiar with and my Dad taught me to shoot with a target pistol in .22. I'd also very much like a Ruger Mark II but I think that the 10/22 is the better choice, but that's maybe just me; better to train the young'uns on a long arm first? The 10/22 is good enough for a plinker in it's standard form but it can also be jazzed up considerably to turn it into a highly accurate hole puncher. It would be an ideal piece to introduce my family to shooting and, if needs be, a magazine of 10 rounds delivered rapid fire could also be directed at a goblin.