What would you buy?
I ask, because this situation may be occurring to me in the near future for a birthday present spend-a-thon :)
I'm still deciding myself, but I thought it would be interesting to see what other people would do in my shoes, and perhaps get some suggestions myself :)
I'm currently building my collection, after separating from the military a few years ago, and convincing the wife (with calm, logical educational data) that Guns do not jump up and kill you in your sleep. I was raised on a farm with a rifle in my arms, (I have a picture of myself at 4 years old, holding a black powder rifle I won at a raffle), and she's from Europe. Luckily not from the UK, but rather up in Finland. Her father owned a hunting rifle, but AFAIK, they are not allowed to own handguns there at all, in addition to other restrictions.
She's not a gun nut (yet
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Anyways, my current collection (If you can call it that yet):
-Remington 1100 12ga
-Colt Combat Elite (New '08 Issue)
I'd like to eventually own a nice bolt action (30-06? 308?), a carbine of some sort, a Garand (who doesn't?), a Nagant (In case I ever need to pole vault over my fence and carry a rifle at the same time, might as well get both in one package). I'd also like to own a smaller sub-compact for Carry, as the 1911 is a bit large and won't work with every outfit (although, I Will carry it whenever I can, love 1911's and love .45ACP
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Anyways, Let the suggestions begin!