If you had to start from scratch, what 3 firearms?

[koda6966]

Starting from scratch?

I'd get..

..Remington 870 Express with a spare slug barrel. (12ga) Cheap, versatile, good starter.

..Tikka T3 Varment SS (.308) Love the gun. Semi-affordable.

..Marlin Model 60 (.22) Never heard of any problems with these. Same design for years.

 

[Will]

Many of these are unrealistic weapons. What is it good for? What is the purpose? Because it looks cool? These big pistols--where do you put them where you can get at them?

I used to carry in civilian clothes for work. I worked where we were always looking in garbage cans for bombs and anyone I walk past I still look for weapons in the usual lumps. It's hard to conceal a pistol. And it's hard to conceal it where you can get at it quickly. We used a hi-ride pancake in civilian clothes and you have to be a yoga instructor to be very smooth with it--that's with a suit jacket. With the usual state-trooper sweatshirt you would have to be a ninja. Screw the 10mm--I carry my pistol in my front pocket. I have thousands and thousands of practice rounds through it because ammo is cheap for a .22. If you don't shoot 50 rounds a week through your weapon you shouldn't be carrying it. I don't mean aiming--I mean pull it out and start shooting and hit what you are shooting at from 10 or 20 feet. Muscle memory. I think most gunfights happen at 7 feet. I didn't carry a .22 on duty, but on duty you have a different responsibility. Now my responsibility is personal protection. I want to have my weapon available instantly and I want to be able to empty the magazine into something 20' away, which I can. Not because I'm a bad-ass, but because I shoot a box of CCI Stingers through it every week and it's as natural as brushing my teeth.

At home the 12-gauge is king for security. At home you need the final solution power, not the escape power.

If we need to hunt, which we don't, it would be rabbits and squirrels. I don't need a big rifle for that.

If it's armageddon--well, that would be the 4th weapon(s) and the least expected need. And I am prepared for that as well.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Sorry Will, not gonna trust my life to a .22. Ain't. Gonna. Happen.

I like the idea of a the G29 as my only handgun because I can conceal it and the 10mm packs enough punch to carry for woods protection as well.

But since I don't have to rely on one hand gun I carry an XDsc .40 and have a full size 10mm for the woods.

 

[Tikker]

I can see 2 different situations that might change my mind on what i want.

City or Country

City:
S&W M&P 9mm - w/laser
Rock River Arms AR15 Entry Tactical .223 - w/ Nikon M223 scope & BUIS
Benelli M3 Convertible 12ga. - pump/auto

Country:
Savage MKII .22lr - iron sights w/ Leupold VXII Ultralite scope
Rock River Arms AR15 Predator Pursuit .223 - w/ Nikon M223 scope & BUIS
Savage 10 Precision Carbine .308 win - w/ Ziess Diavari scope

BUIS = Back Up Iron Sights
Scope magnifications are not that much of importance, but the brand and model are my preference. I have some mentioned, but with slight differences like compact than full size, or same rifle but different scope. Everything thing else is on my to get list.

 

[Ryanbr6]

Here in Idaho i hunt with my old 1/2. caliber spud-gun.
Ammo is plentiful and readily available at just about all times, on all fronts. (So long as i stay on the homeland.)

A musket for obvious reasons.

And can i switch out that last one for like... a Pepsi?

These three ingredients make one crazy spud.
I mean really - thats enough firepower for this young buck.

 

[ufgators68]

in a bolt action rifle there is the either the Savage rifle or "everything else"



AD

Fixed that for ya.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Many of these are unrealistic weapons. What is it good for? What is the purpose? Because it looks cool? These big pistols--where do you put them where you can get at them?

I used to carry in civilian clothes for work. I worked where we were always looking in garbage cans for bombs and anyone I walk past I still look for weapons in the usual lumps. It's hard to conceal a pistol. And it's hard to conceal it where you can get at it quickly. We used a hi-ride pancake in civilian clothes and you have to be a yoga instructor to be very smooth with it--that's with a suit jacket. With the usual state-trooper sweatshirt you would have to be a ninja. Screw the 10mm--I carry my pistol in my front pocket. I have thousands and thousands of practice rounds through it because ammo is cheap for a .22. If you don't shoot 50 rounds a week through your weapon you shouldn't be carrying it. I don't mean aiming--I mean pull it out and start shooting and hit what you are shooting at from 10 or 20 feet. Muscle memory. I think most gunfights happen at 7 feet. I didn't carry a .22 on duty, but on duty you have a different responsibility. Now my responsibility is personal protection. I want to have my weapon available instantly and I want to be able to empty the magazine into something 20' away, which I can. Not because I'm a bad-ass, but because I shoot a box of CCI Stingers through it every week and it's as natural as brushing my teeth.

At home the 12-gauge is king for security. At home you need the final solution power, not the escape power.

If we need to hunt, which we don't, it would be rabbits and squirrels. I don't need a big rifle for that.

If it's armageddon--well, that would be the 4th weapon(s) and the least expected need. And I am prepared for that as well.

Probably the most accurate description of gun needs I have read yet, and will is right on the money, most encounters are less than seven feet (3 meters to ge ttechnical) and being able to competently and accurately engage your weapon is the difference between success and failure. Notice I didnt say life or death, Will carries a .22 because he knows that in that situation (not being an off duty cop but a civilian with the will to live) that if your ever end up challeneged the idea is to get away. Thats what the .22 is for, to slow the assailant long enough for you to safely get away. 90% of people have never killed anyone and if they are smart dont ever want to. Based on the quote above I'd say that Will has alot of experience, and Jim being a trooper will probably back him up. Its not our job to put criminals out of their misery, just survive them.

I know everyone has heard "if you draw a gun be ready to use it. Personally Wills comment about being able to draw fast and accurate without thinking is the best advice for any gun you ever carry. If you think about whether or not you can take a life you will hesitate and most likely fail at what you trying to accomplish. The muscle memory is the only thing that will get you through that millisecond that determines success or failure.

 

[Will]

Sorry Will, not gonna trust my life to a .22. Ain't. Gonna. Happen.

I like the idea of a the G29 as my only handgun because I can conceal it and the 10mm packs enough punch to carry for woods protection as well.

But since I don't have to rely on one hand gun I carry an XDsc .40 and have a full size 10mm for the woods.

I like that XD sub compact.

Under what scenario would I need anything more than a .22 while I'm out walking around? If someone pulls on me first he's probably getting my wallet. If I were to have a chance to pull a weapon at all it would be easier to already have it in my hand in my front pocket and not need to make any body motions--where the rubber meets the road a holstered pistol is a million miles further away then one in your hand. I'm probably not going to intervene in a stick up and risk getting the victim shot. If I did have the opportunity then I feel like 8 shots from a .22 and punch in the face should suffice. I see the .22 as more an escape assistant than anything else. But I can see someone not feeling comfortable about it.

My home is different because I'm not planning to escape from it. But I'm not going to fire a 10mm inside the house where I have 5 kids a wife and many times relatives sleeping. #4 buckshot.

 

[Ranger44]

Glock for a pistol, probably go with what's most reliable and has a cheaper ammo. 9mm? Not sure the .40 is for me, but maybe.

Some sort of variant of the AR15 or M4 that shoots a smaller round like .223 or 5.56mm.

Then a shotgun, 12 guage. Simple, reliable.

I might be tempted completey out of a nostalgia factor, try to collect a kar 98k Mauser rifle. The 8mm is a powerful round and will be a an accurate weapon.

 

[RustedRanger]

Though not my first choice for carry it's a fact that more people are killed by .22's than any other caliber. Of course that's here in the U.S. I used to have a Springfield Armory V-10 .45 Ultra Compact that I carried for a few years but I would hardly call that a "pocket pistol",I carried it a holster in the front,in my waistband. It also makes a difference how big you are. I'm 6'4" 210 lbs and the pistol was "invisible" since I usually wear loose fitting shirts. It does take pratice to be a good shot,especially with a pistol. I would go to the range every month or two and noticed a big difference when I waited longer to go.

 

[02RangerXLT]

More people are killed by .22's because of negligence and the fact that alot of people don't think that they are dangerous, so they tend to treat it like a nerf gun...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

More people are killed by .22's because of negligence and the fact that alot of people don't think that they are dangerous, so they tend to treat it like a nerf gun...

+1

Famous last words "it's only a .22"

I have a nice .22LR rifle, it is about worthless to me because where I live on the edge of town that little bugger can bounce off of something if I happen to miss and carry a long ways. For small game (rabbits and squirels) my .22 pellet gun is what I reach for. It doesn't have as much power, but is enough to do the job.

 

[feellnfroggy]

Theres an idea right there..... GET A NERF GUN! If you put an eye out, animal or person they will leave you alone I promise.

 

[gman]

sks
9mm glock
Remington 870 12 ga

 

[press 1 for english]

If you had to start from scratch, for whatever reason, what three (3) firearms would you purchase? Why three?-no particular reason, just an arbitrary number. Perhaps it's the most that you might be able to reasonably carry in any given scenario. Also consider the following characteristics when selecting: reliability, versatility, portability, affordability, and availability (i.e. how easy is it to acquire, how readily available is the ammo).

Same as I have now:
1)Ruger GP100 357 SS 6" barrel for home protection. Nasty lead hollow point 38s are perfect. If you can't end a home invasion problem with a six shooter then you don't deserve to own a weapon.
2)Sig Sauer SS P232 380 for concealed carry. Carry weapons only need accuracy for 45 ft or less. If you feel the need to shoot at a fleeing perp more than 60 ft away, the police will be stuffing and cuffing you.
3)Ruger Mark III 22 Competition pistol with a Burris 2x32 scope for plinking cans and target shooting at the range. My personal favorite!

I also have a Ruger bolt action 77/22 for target shooting.
I do have an advantage living on 15 acres in the country.