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Looking for advice on a gun for self defense in the case of roaming gangs of looters.
personal notes | Sep 2, 2005 | putupjob

Posted on 09/03/2005 5:42:27 PM PDT by putupjob

I see from New Orleans that when the social order breaks down, we are responsible for our own defense. I am planning on getting a firearm with the correct training that will be stashed away in a crawl space, never to be used unless a dire situation arises. The scum looters can come for me, that's fine, but I am going out in a blaze of glory.

I am seeking advice on what I should get. A handgun, a rifle? I'm sure there are big time gunners on freep and I could use some solid advice. Thanks.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: advice; bang; banglist; emergencyprep; gun; guns
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To: ibheath

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141 posted on 09/04/2005 6:53:59 PM PDT by ibheath (Born again and grateful to God.)
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To: satchmodog9

Do not use any semi auto's as they can jam.



ANYTHING can jam. Even a single-shot ball-and-cap black powder muzzleloader. Ask me how I know :(

Revolvers DO jam. Among other things (other thins = "common jammed mechanism failure modes"), they can go out of time. They can do Really Ugly Things when they go out of time (as ugly as a Glock KB, if not worse).

A good SA pistol, properly maintained, with quality ammunition, will be as reliable as anything else. Anything else NOT properly maintained, WITHOUT quality ammunition, will be as UNRELIABLE as anything else.


142 posted on 09/04/2005 10:29:28 PM PDT by Tom Thumbs
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To: marmar

If you shoot them outside.......drag the body inside. Learned that from a cop.....



Gee, did your cop friend also tell you to carry a "throwdown" in case you ever need to "justify" a shooting?

I'd talk with a lawyer before taking that cop's advice if I were you.


143 posted on 09/04/2005 10:30:57 PM PDT by Tom Thumbs
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To: marmar

"If you shoot them outside.....drag the body inside. Learned that from a cop."



If you shoot them outside....drag them inside....


I WAS a cop that used to tell homeowners this very thing.


144 posted on 09/04/2005 10:34:51 PM PDT by trubluolyguy (Life is short, dance nekkid and wiggle your butt!)
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To: Tom Thumbs
Never had a revolver jam. All four semi's I own have jammed at one time or another. Not the chance I am willing to take. Biggest POS I own is a 40 SW semi. Jams every fifth shot like clockwork. SW cannot figure it out. I can't figure it out. My wife has the 357 in her night stand, I have a 44 in mine and the Mossberg 500 is in the umbrella stand(best place for it). I guess we should all use what we feel comfortable with.
145 posted on 09/04/2005 10:42:50 PM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
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Comment #146 Removed by Moderator

To: M1911A1
My Buckmark hates the Remington rounds and so do I. There have been several times the Remington rounds jammed in the pistol and several more total duds. No problem at all with the Winchester rounds so far.
147 posted on 09/04/2005 10:50:00 PM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
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To: satchmodog9

Biggest POS I own is a 40 SW semi. Jams every fifth shot like clockwork. SW cannot figure it out.



I just figured it out for you: "SW" :)

I used to own a M59. Ugh.

A good 1911 pattern .45 will be very reliable with reasonable maintenance (clean it every so often!)

I have a Canadian .45 that has jammed ONCE, which was when I'd put a you-know-whatload of ammo through it without cleaning and lubing it.

A Beretta/Taurus 92/99 pattern 9mm will be even more reliable, due to the open slide design. I doubt you could mke one of those suckers jam if you tried. I am amazed at how "AK-like" mine is. (and I have NEVER had an AK jam, period.)


148 posted on 09/05/2005 1:24:10 AM PDT by Tom Thumbs
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To: Tom Thumbs

My Beretta and my Ruger still jam every so often, about once every hundred shells. My wife loves the 45 Ruger and she actually handles it better than I do. Do you have any advice on a good 1911 between 600 and 1000 dollars? I always wanted one and refuse to pay the price for some of these i see.


149 posted on 09/05/2005 7:32:43 AM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
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To: satchmodog9

I like my Para Ordnance. It's full-size, about ten or twelve years old. I have heard that there are problems with their ultra small models, and I've heard mixed reviews on their modified DAO design (some swear by it, some swear at it).

The consensus seems to be that you can't go wrong with a genuine Colt, but my own Series 70 ("Government Model"), which I sold when I got my Para Ordnance, was far less accurate or reliable than the Para. The caviat is that I bought the Colt used, and it probably needed some maintenance (maybe a new spring, ejector tuning/replacement, etc.)

If there's any way for you to "try before you buy", that'd probably be the best thing. If there's a range with rentals, or friends with different guns you can try out, and then, finally, a dealer with good after-sale support and a good return policy (if you get a lemon), you'd be in fat city.


150 posted on 09/05/2005 7:44:42 AM PDT by Tom Thumbs
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To: matt1234
Recommend military/police calibers or popular calibers because ammo is much cheaper.

Also, if you need to "get outta Dodge", a common round (30.'06, 30.30, .308) will be a lot easier to acquire elsewhere than something odd/foreign.

151 posted on 09/06/2005 10:02:50 AM PDT by pa_dweller (levy = a tax <__> levee = an embankment for protection from floods)
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To: putupjob; AZ_Cowboy; Squantos

AZ told you the facts. One is well armed for self defense and utility/hunting shooting with a 12ga. shotgun, and a .357 revolver.

There are options and details however, which should be considered, but still, the basic package remains sound.

Pump shotguns are generally favored by many these days, and are good, especially the Remington 870 Wingmaster. You are not unarmed with a double barrel shotgun...especially a "side by side," especially with double triggers. For fast and serious survival work, under bad conditions, this is a good way to go, even though pumps have a big magazine. Alaskan and African sportsmen notice the reliability of the double mechanism, and by the way, it is easily capable of firing BOTH barrels in a real pinch. ALWAYS try to purchase a 3" magnum if you can though, as it's all the ammo you may come across later, and it is more "powerful" (has a heavier payload) than the standard fare.

This is also true of the .38 MAGNUM, we may call it. You may favor .38 Special +P loads, but if you want to shoot or find only Magnums...they work. There may be obstructive leading in the chambers if you use .38 LEAD, though, so in that case stick to Jacketed bullets. Anyway, a DOUBLE ACTION (trigger cocker) REVOLVER is your very best choice if you are new to shooting....or then a famously reliable automatic like the 1911 Colt, and Browning High Power, I personally believe. There are many good automatics around, but they are not as simple, powerful usually, and reliable certainly as a premium revolver. Oh yes, the fierce and brutal he-man's .44 MAGNUM is a wonderful, reasonable, useful, versatile, and effective choice...especially if venomous SNAKES may be present. They also, like the .357, take shorter and less powerful Specials too...which is pretty close to the real handgun specs. which "won the West," and still works, by the way.

A good military-style rifle is always great to have, and REMEMBER...a handgun is what you use to fight your way to your long arm...which you should not have put down to begin with. Think of a handgun as something additional to have on your person, while you are working with your "real" gun, and getting the job done, no fooling around.

Semiautomatic pistols are essentially used for emergency personal defense, and especially if multiple threats are present. They may help a lot, but to really get the job done swiftly, and with the least training and "luck," the shotgun rules. Try to get one with interchangeable barrels, or a 20" or so barrel, hopefully with Choke tubes, so that you can better hit distant targets w/FULL, and closer, wider patterns w/CYLINDER bore size. Also remember that a Pump or Auto has a LONGER receiver, and therefore longer overall length than a Double with the same barrel length. barrel length is IMPORTANT, and should always be, whatever the gun type, as long as you can use well in the situation, for many reasons. You may also be able to legally fit a pistol grip to your shotgun and/or rifle. They can help a lot, and bridge the gap to the handgun quite well.


152 posted on 09/07/2005 9:48:09 PM PDT by PoorMuttly (A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun -T.Jefferson)
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To: putupjob

One of each, a revolver, a carbine and a pump shotgun. Good luck.


153 posted on 09/07/2005 9:50:24 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: PoorMuttly

I'm of the opinion that if this individual is gonna stash it in the attic till he needs it he don't need one.....

The use of a firearm is a martial art and martial arts require practice to master or even become proficent at the very basic level.

To purchase and discover, when ya "need" it, when you first try and fire it ya have ....a warranty problem, bad ammo, wrong ammo , grease or a cardboard anti rust widget etc etc is just plain wrong.

The guy needs to heed the evacuation warnings when such threatens his door step if such is his plan.

That said if such is still on their agenda give em a ruger 10-22 with 25 round magazines from butler creek and a brick of stingers. Better to hit a lot than miss the few.....

Besides I really like the way the IDF applies their kneecapping theory to the PLO rockchuckers ! A little 6-24X Tasco Scope on the little ruger is fine medicine for the novice to start with......only hits count concept at work.


154 posted on 09/07/2005 10:03:15 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: trubluolyguy

I was a cop in Texas. I told folks that if the shoot was good, no need to get blood on your carpet. Leave 'em outside and let the grand jury "no-bill" you.


155 posted on 09/07/2005 10:07:57 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Squantos

I knew we could count on you.

This stuff is why I promote the purchase of double barreled, even single barreled shotguns. Less to do, know, mess up. Revolvers the same. You can SEE the ammunition, and if it has bullets in it.

As Squeaky Frome found out when she tried to 1911 Pres. Reagan, rounds do not jump out of the magazine and into the chamber by themselves. There is no fuel pump. Your gas tank is only a holding area.

Stingers great, if they cycle. Fast and heavy. Cute, too.


156 posted on 09/08/2005 9:09:33 AM PDT by PoorMuttly (A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun -T.Jefferson)
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To: PoorMuttly

For a long time I used to leave an old Topper 10 Gauge single shot ,that I'd cut the barrel back to 18.5" , behind the kitchen door w/ a simple elastic stock sock on it with 8 spare rounds of # 5 Turkey loads......simple is good !

I think I had all of 65 dollars tied up in that rig including ammo, the sock and a cleaning brush & mop for it.....simple is good.....:o)


157 posted on 09/08/2005 9:24:58 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Squantos

Mmmmm....Number 5. What a great field load...and not definitely too small for protection.....well.....beats 6 anyway, on game. 10ga. is a wonderful thing. A 3" or 3 1/2" 12 ga. single barrel is excellent, and I have used one for very effective game/varmint getting, with 3" Turkey loads, and Full choke. It would be great with a pistol grip, and whatever barrel length is then legal for overall length. I think that barrel length is the key to things, and a pistol gripped shotgun with 20" or more barrel may look strange, but.......!

This feller' needs t' buy a plain old shotgun, fire a box of shells through it, clean it up and put it away. You are right that he should practice with it...most of us do that during various hunting seasons, and fun trips to the range, or the back yard, etc...sadly, he may never rise to the wisdom of doing it until the blood is in the streets...but hey...maybe someone else in the family will appreciate it being there. I hope we are misjudging this, and it is just the begining of a properly armed citizen being hatched.

Let Freedom RING !!!


158 posted on 09/08/2005 9:46:59 AM PDT by PoorMuttly (A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun -T.Jefferson)
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To: PoorMuttly

Katrina has hopefully made some folks realize that IF such an atrocity occurs in their town that even the police are helpless to protect themselves in some cases. This was just a act of nature. If an act of terrorism then who knows what it will bring.

Minimum for every US home IMHO is a 12 gauge shotgun w/ one 25 round box of ammunition of their choice, slugs, buck or bird shot etc etc ....minimum needs per se....


159 posted on 09/08/2005 11:22:30 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: Squantos

Totally concur.

If you know where the safety is, you should have no problem defending yourself, family, friends, property. I think a lot of people get put off by the Mossberg-type pump shotgun. The Remington is nicer looking, but costs more. They also take some learning, and awareness. Therefore...Muttly No. ONE suggestion for literally everyone is a 12ga. shotgun, either double or single barrel.

One should not feel particularly safe facing one.

Dr. Fackler recommends #1 (ONE) Buckshot for personal defense.

I think a person would be best served with either buckshot alone, even #4 BUCK, which I have actually hunted small game (rabbits) with, AND a box of medium sized field loads, say #6. Basic stuff, and should cover most needs. One may wish/need to dispatch small animals for many reasons. Save the buckshot for tougher varmints of various descriptions.

So...:

12ga. SHOTGUN, even Single or Double Barrel
(avoiding Side by Sides, which cock second barrel with recoil of first....grrrrr...what if...)

1 BOX - BUCKSHOT
1 Box - #6(5,4) High brass FIELD/HUNTING loads

Put a good flashlight and a couple of knives next to it.


160 posted on 09/08/2005 11:39:27 AM PDT by PoorMuttly (A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun -T.Jefferson)
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