Hey all,

Just sitting here thinking for a bit about changing my collection. Currently I enjoy a mix of modern and pre-WWII era guns, but may be moving around a lot in the next few years. I'm considering ridding of some of my budget ARs, PCCs, 22s I don't like, etc.

While I love John's videos on the following topics, I wanted your opinions too.

I would like to get a homefront defense type gun. Currently I've got a PSA (local) and a locally made budget AR. While both are very reliable, I'm considering in the future upgrading to either a very high quality AR (LMT, DD, BCM), or maybe exercising my weirdness and getting an X95, Bren 2, or something of that sort.

What are your thoughts on having multiiple budget guns vs one battle-ready type solution? My main concerns are storing guns I don't have room for while staying ready to protect my loved ones. I'm leaning towards an IWI X95 to replace the budget ARs and others, and getting a nice optic for it.

Does anyone have experience going from AR to bullpup and how did it go for you? Also, one thing to consider: I have bad shoulders from some hockey injuries (surgery on both) so the less weight I have to hold out in front of me the better. The closer my arms are to my body, the easier it is on my shoulders.

I have zero experience with BP's other than what I've read. However, to the rest of your posting:

Storage: Have you given Secureit a look? Pretty good storage solutions that won't break the bank.

Homefront Defense Gun: In the USA, you can not go wrong with a good AR. My opinion on home defense (SHTF as well) is that you want a gun that you can bring back into the fight fairly easily if it goes down. Specifically referring to breakage, the parts availability for AR style rifles will be far superior (in the US) to any other type of rifle. If you were in Russia or any Eastern Block / Mid East / Northern African country, I'd be suggesting an AK for the same reason.

Weight of Weapon: AR SBRs and Pistols (soon to be SBR's as well) are SUPER light, yet still have the benefit of being a part of the AR platform.

Transition from a familiar platform to an unfamiliar platform: Do at your own risk. Whatever you decide, just know that you will need to practice practice practice to be as proficient with a new platform as you are with the AR (which I'm sure you can work with your eyes closed). Reliability of BP design is also in question, I don't know from personal experience, but I've read the brits have a helluva time keeping their service rifles (BPs) in the fight. Something to research for sure.

I was just looking at IWI's training options. They include an option to use one of their guns and after the course you get an opportunity to buy at a discount. If you're interested in trying out a bullpup that might be worth a look.