I’ve got a budding collection growing in the safe. And like any collector, I’ve got my eye on a few additions. Now most the items in the collection and items I hope to add aren’t necessarily items that require vast amounts of curation, rather they are just other arms that I’m curious about. This post contains a short list of items I’d like to get my hands on this year and like most items on a wishlist they probably won’t happen. Still, it’s nice to have dreams and goals.
WASR-10
It may not seem like a very exciting item to put on a wishlist. However, I’ve yet to handle an AK-47 style rifle. I’ve read plenty of articles, watched several videos, and heard a variety of comments that critique this platform as not very accurate and inferior to the AR-15 platform. While that may or may not be true, I don’t care. I’m still curious.
From my point of view, this is an inexpensive rifle which uses inexpensive 7.62x39mm ammunition that has proven to be reliable. Sure, there are Gucci variants that can get quite expensive and there are also variants chambered for other cartridges. But the WASR-10 seems to be a good starting point for somebody who is AK curious.
Given it’s price point, the WASR-10 seems to be the most likely addition to the collection this year.
A lever action rifle or three
In a similar fashion to the WASR-10, I’m curious about lever action rifles mainly because I have very limited experience with this platform and the collection doesn’t have any.
Unlike the WASR-10, I’m not quite sure what brand or cartridge to pick up. I’m leaning towards lever action rifles chambered for the same cartridges that I have revolvers for. Those revolver cartridges being: .22 long rifle, .38 special, .357 magnum, and .500 S&W magnum. Pairing a revolver with a lever action using the same cartridge has this Western vibe that makes me think its a good idea.
There are quite a few lever action rifles out there with a reasonable price point which makes one (or more) of these an attractive option as an addition to the collection.
A few more wheel guns
Truth be told, I’m still on a wheel gun kick. As of late, I’ve been really interested in adding a wheel gun chambered for .44 magnum to the collection. My reasons for this start with the similar ongoing theme of “because there isn’t one in the collection yet”. The interest is then intensified by my distaste for purchasing ammo that only fuels a single gun in the collection.
Even though a wheel gun chambered for .44 magnum is at the top of my wheel gun wishlist, that doesn’t discount the possibility for one of a few other wheel guns I’ve had my eye on to be the one that gets added to the collection this year. For example:
- I’ve heard rumors of Colt reintroducing the Python at the 2020 Shot Show, if they do then a Python may end up in the collection.
- Given how much I liked the Colt King Cobra, I may not be able to pass up the opportunity add the target version of the King Cobra to the collection. And then there is newly announced reintroduction of the Colt Python.
- If I happen to find myself with quite a bit more disposable income than expected at some point in the year, I may not be able to resist from placing an order for a Korth Mongoose, a Korth Mongoose Silver, or a Korth NXR.
There are lot’s of choices here. Some more likely that others. Just depends on how well I exercise impulse control this year.
Another Desert Eagle
Truth is the .44 magnum Desert Eagle in the collection is a safe queen. While it does get some range time from time to time, I’m not very proficient with it. Regardless, I still really like it and I want another one chambered for .50 action express. Why? Well, because ‘Merica! That’s why.
An AR-10 in 6.5mm Creedmoor
I’ve devoted a lot of time (and money) in 2019 to learning and blogging about the 6.5mm Creedmoor cartridge specifically as a hunting cartridge. Through that process and after hunting with it, I’ve come to really dig it so much that I’ve started looking at other rifles chambered for it. Given how much I like the AR platform, an AR-10 in 6.5mm Creedmoor seems like the next logical addition to the collection.
Seems like several manufacturers have introduced the 6.5mm Creedmoor chambering to their AR-10 product lines over the past year, and I’ve got my eye on the Daniel Defense DD5 V5 Hunter.
What’s on your wishlist this year?
May I recommend the Uberti (Cimarron or Taylor) replica of the 1873 Winchester in .44-40? I got one for my birthday a few years ago and have taken a liking to it and the cartridge. The smooth action and art of the 1873 lever action feels that good and the .44-40 cartridge performs similar to a .44 Magnum 4 inch handgun with the capacity and accuracy of a rifle without the added recoil. It is supposedly credited with taking down more deer than any other rifle cartridge save that of the .30-30. Even loaded to Black Powder specs it is still an impressive load and black powder reloading is a fun hobby in itself. Lastly, it can be famously teamed up with a Uberti .44-40 revolver to have matching rifle and pistol rounds on your ammo carrier (something lawmen such as the Texas Rangers appreciated)
In addition to Colt Python, I suggest a look at S&W Model 19
Oh man! Thanks for the suggestions. My list just keeps on growing.