THE RATIONAL GUNSMITH ARSENAL - FIREARMS
Firearm collections are quintessentially bespoke and the Rational Gunsmith arsenal is no exception.
There are typically three eclectic influences involved when building a firearm collection;
1. History, as expressed through the lens of firearms,
2. the strong and emotional currents of whimsy in the heart and mind of the collector, and
3. the joy of discovering, acquiring, and operating truly remarkable pieces of engineering.
Popular firearms are usually associated with conflicts, outlaws, and other fabled moments from history. When you combine this with visionary engineering and aesthetics, it makes for a truly compelling collectible. Thus, even a modest collection can be significantly greater than the sum of its parts.
Let's consider the handgun for instance... With the development of the revolver in the 16th century, it became and, for 300 hundred years remained, the standard sidearm used around the world by a myriad of armed forces, police, citizens and outlaws. Then, in the 20th century, the M1911 semi-automatic handgun began its storied life as the standard issue US Military pistol and, due to its great success, was widely adopted by many. This revolutionary 1911 design is still considered the most successful handgun operating system of all time. However, in 1985, the benefit of higher capacity magazines led to the reign of 9mm handguns as the standard US military sidearm starting with the Beretta M9 and then extended today via the Sig Sauer P320 which, in addition to high capacity, also offers the added benefit of lighter weight polymer frames and a highly adaptable and cost effective modular design.
Long guns also have storied histories from ancient muskets to contemporary semi-automatic modular sporting rifles and shotguns.
The Rational Gunsmith arsenal sports an eclectic collection of revolvers, 1911s, 9mm handguns, powerful hunting rifles, contemporary modular sports rifles, and, last but not least, tactical and sporting shotguns...