The Ultimate Gun Owner’s Toolkit: 5 Firearms You Should Actually Own

Summary Table: 5 Guns Every Gun Owner Should Have

Category	Recommended Model	Purpose	Key Features	Expert Insight
Defensive Handgun	Glock 19 Gen5	Everyday carry & home defense	Reliable, 15+1 capacity, compact	“It just works—simple, durable, and proven.” —Larry Vickers
Shotgun	Beretta 1301 Tactical	Home defense & field use	Semi-auto, fast cycling, reliable	“The fastest cycling defensive shotgun.” —James Reeves, TFBTV
AR-15 Rifle	BCM Recce-16 MCMR	General-purpose rifle	Versatile, modular, combat-proven	“BCM rifles punch above their price class.” —Garand Thumb
Precision Bolt-Action	Tikka T3x CTR	Long-range & hunting	Sub-MOA accuracy, smooth action	“Best bolt gun under $1,200.” —Sniper’s Hide Forums
.22LR Trainer	Ruger 10/22 Tactical	Training, plinking, small game	Low recoil, affordable ammo	“Every shooter should own one.” —Hickok45

TL;DR for Skimmers 

Want to be prepared for anything—home defense, EDC, survival, range fun, or long-range accuracy? This is the definitive list of the five firearms every serious gun owner needs in 2025 and beyond. No fluff. No hype. Just five guns that cover every mission set and are built to last.

1. The Gold Standard Handgun: Glock 19 Gen5

Why Every Gun Owner Needs a Handgun

• Personal defense and concealed carry
• First line of home defense
• Legally accessible in most jurisdictions
• Simple manual of arms—point, shoot, reload

Why the Glock 19 Gen5?

The Glock 19 Gen5 is the Toyota Land Cruiser of handguns—boring, ultra-reliable, and loved by military, law enforcement, and civilians alike. Chambered in 9mm, it has a 15+1 capacity, fits most hands well, and strikes a balance between concealability and shootability.

Features:

• Marksman barrel for improved accuracy
• nDLC finish for corrosion resistance
• No finger grooves on the Gen5 for better ergonomics
• Modular backstraps
• Optics-ready versions (MOS models)

“The Glock 19 doesn’t do anything flashy. It just works, and in a life-or-death situation, that’s exactly what you want.” —Larry Vickers, former Delta Force operator

Runners-Up:

• Sig Sauer P365 XMacro – Concealable with 17-round capacity
• Walther PDP Compact – Excellent trigger, optics ready out of the box

Pro Tip:

Upgrade with a Trijicon RMR or Holosun 507C X2 for red dot capability.

2. Best Defensive Shotgun: Beretta 1301 Tactical

Why You Need a Shotgun

• Devastating stopping power at close range
• More forgiving accuracy under stress
• Ideal for home defense and rural security
• Excellent for hunting birds and small game

Why the Beretta 1301 Tactical?

The Beretta 1301 Tactical is arguably the fastest-cycling semi-automatic shotgun on the market today. It’s built for speed, reliability, and practical use in defensive scenarios.

Features:

• BLINK gas operating system – cycles 36% faster than competitors
• Ghost ring sights and rail for optics
• Adjustable stock and oversized controls
• 7+1 capacity with extended tube

“It’s the shotgun I trust with my life. Soft shooting and lightning fast.” —James Reeves, TFBTV

Runners-Up:

• Benelli M4 – Legendary, Marine Corps-issued, but pricier
• Mossberg 590A1 – Tank-tough pump action for budget-conscious

Pro Tip:

Pair with Federal FlightControl 00 Buck for surgical patterning indoors.

3. The Ultimate Multi-Purpose Rifle: BCM Recce-16 MCMR

Why You Need an AR-15 Platform Rifle

• Highly modular, endlessly customizable
• Used for defense, competition, and training
• Relatively low recoil, light ammo
• A must-have for 2A reasons

Why the BCM Recce-16?

Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) is known for tier-one level quality without boutique pricing. The Recce-16 MCMR is one of the most balanced mid-length AR-15s available today, with features favored by special operations personnel.

Features:

• Cold-hammer-forged barrel
• Free-float M-LOK handguard
• Mid-length gas system – smoother recoil
• Mod 0 compensator
• PNT trigger and BCM furniture

“BCM rifles run like they should—no BS, no mall-ninja frills. This is a working gun.” —Garand Thumb, YouTube firearms educator

Runners-Up:

• Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 – Excellent but pricier
• SOLGW M4-76 – Bomb-proof and law-enforcement trusted

Pro Tip:

Add a LPVO (like the Vortex Razor Gen III 1-10x) to dominate both CQB and mid-range.

4. Precision Workhorse: Tikka T3x CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle)

Why You Need a Bolt-Action Rifle

• Sub-MOA precision
• Perfect for long-range shooting or hunting
• Simpler and more robust than gas systems
• A critical skill-builder for any shooter

Why the Tikka T3x CTR?

The T3x CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor or .308 Win offers sub-MOA precision out of the box with a butter-smooth bolt throw. It’s often dubbed the “best production bolt gun under $1,200.”

Features:

• 20” threaded cold-hammer-forged barrel
• 10-round AICS-pattern mags
• Adjustable single-stage trigger
• Steel recoil lug
• Cerakote options available

“It consistently punches above its weight. I’ve seen bone stock T3x CTRs outperform custom rifles.” —Frank Galli, Sniper’s Hide

Runners-Up:

• Bergara B-14 HMR – Ergonomics-focused precision rifle
• Savage 110 Elite Precision – Built for competition, budget-competitive

Pro Tip:

Glass it with a Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 F1 or Vortex Viper PST Gen II for maximum precision.

5. The Indispensable Rimfire: Ruger 10/22 Tactical

Why Every Gun Owner Needs a .22LR

• Ultra-low cost ammo
• Perfect for new shooter training
• Invaluable for small game or pest control
• Lightweight and fun to shoot

Why the Ruger 10/22 Tactical?

The Ruger 10/22 is America’s most popular rimfire rifle, and for good reason. The Tactical variant gives you more flexibility with optics and accessories. It’s reliable, upgradeable, and endlessly customizable.

Features:

• 16.12" barrel with flash suppressor
• Picatinny rail for optics
• Threaded barrel
• Legendary 10-round rotary mag

“I don’t know a single serious shooter who doesn’t own at least one 10/22.” —Hickok45

Runners-Up:

• CZ 457 Varmint – Bolt-action precision in rimfire
• Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 – AR-style training .22

Pro Tip:

Upgrade with Volquartsen trigger and primary optic like the Holosun HS407K for lightweight plinking heaven.

Final Thoughts: A Well-Rounded Arsenal Covers All the Bases

Whether you’re preparing for uncertain times, expanding your skill set, or simply enjoying range days, these five firearms represent a balanced and essential toolkit. You’ll have:

• A versatile pistol for daily carry
• A shotgun for the worst-case defensive scenarios
• An AR for modularity and multi-purpose flexibility
• A bolt-action precision rifle to hone your long-range game
• A .22LR for economical, high-volume practice

Each of these guns is battle-tested, community-validated, and offers excellent aftermarket support.

🔗 CLICK HERE to shop these firearms at SCHEELS.com.