Posted on 02/19/2009 1:32:54 PM PST by terabyte
Given the instability of the world today and the very real possibility of worldwide economic collapse, let us accept that every family should own at least one firearm. There are more reasons, of course, and those have been discussed ad nausaeum on more websites than could possibly benamed here. Since our budgets will allow most of us to own only a few (or potentially just one) firearm, we should choose wisely.
The criteria is simple. The firearm must be very simple to operate. Ammunition must be plentiful, even in a scenario in which law enforcement and traditional retail markets have broken down. The firearm must be inexpensive, versatile, and be completely reliable. Each of the four firearms listed below has good marks in each of those five categories. There are too many excellent firearms on the market to compromise on any of those criteria.
1. The first firearm in any home should be the American standby, the twelve-gauge pump shotgun. There are numerous makes and models on the market, but the best is the venerable Remington 870. With easy-to-change barrels, it can switch duty from defending the home to putting food on the table in less than a minute. With the ability to fire a wide variety of birdshot, buckshot, and slugs, it can handle hunting duties from all but the smallest of small game up to deer-sized animals. Its stopping power is legendary. There is very little this shotgun cannot do. Buy one inexpensive 870 for around $250, and then simply purchase an extra barrel or two for the ultimate in versatility.
2. The second firearm in a home should be a high-quality pistol. The pistol should be in a caliber no smaller than 9mm Parabellum. Anything smaller than that is simply ineffective for anything other than target practice.
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Having taught a bunch of gals to shoot, here’s what I have found time and again:
Too many guys think that women “can’t handle recoil.” Not true.
Women can handle plenty of recoil IF THE GUN FITS THEM.
And there’s the rub.
If you’re looking at handguns, go into a gun store and start handling a lot of guns. Don’t pay attention to semi vs. revolver, caliber or anything else at first. Find what fits YOUR hands.
Now, try to maximize what you can find that fits your hands.
I also strongly recommend to NOT outfit women with a super-light handgun or rifle. This obsession with the super-light handgun or rifle has a double edge: If you don’t have the mass in the firearm, the “equal and opposite reaction” has to find a home somewhere — and when the mass isn’t in the firearm itself, the part of the shooter in direct contact with the firearm is going to have to absorb the recoil’s kinetic energy.
ie, these “featherweight” and “titanium” handguns, or the super-light composite handguns — they kick like a mule because there’s no mass in the gun itself to take the recoil. So don’t get sold into something super-light — because if you’re a) female, b) 61, c) have small hands, I’m guessing you’re not going to have a whole lot of mass on your bones you want to put into absorbing recoil because the firearm won’t do it.
There are MANY fine stainless weapons out there now. It is the only way I’d recommend going now. Lower maintenance is only the first reason. They’re also good if you’re in a high humidity environment or live near the shore where you have salt in the air from the ocean, or you need to take the weapon with you and you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, etc.
My great grandfather’s pistol is ninety years old and though not a show peice, it isn’t damaged by corosion. Put a little gun oil on a rag, not much, and leave the rag for wipe down where you store the pistol. It will last a generation or two unless stored on concrete which wicks sub-grade moisture.
Remember, it is a tool and doesn’t have to look shiny for its working life. Buy from a dealer with a range where you can fire various calibers. Buy the largest caliber you can fire and place back on target after the kick. A defense pistol is stopping power. Concealed carry is another issue.
Keep in mind, if I had been your kid, I could find every gun you have in the house — I did in mine growing up — but the proper respect kept me from outright abuse of them. I consider this with my grandkids now.
he does mention wheelguns and says they are too hard to reload
___________ Not if you have reloaders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4&feature=PlayList&p=95CD7615BD1E91C6&playnext=1&index=21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srM2qghDFuI&feature=PlayList&p=95CD7615BD1E91C6&playnext=1&index=20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aulxNjoFoOk
My son got a PTR91SC for Christmas year before last.
That 50 cal BMG surplus ammo (at $4.00 per rd) will git ‘er dun!
LLS
Why do you say that?
I wish I could find a Glock 17 for $350. They’re $500 every where I’ve looked.
Winchester Model 74. Had it for ages. Step father owned it before me, bought it new in 1957. It works great, has been used to kill hundreds, if not thousands, of squirrels and rabbits. Still works fine and is in excellent condition, over 99 percent of blue intact, stock is great. Love this old Winchester.
Okay, I went to the Baretta site and looked at the .32 Tomcat. Neat looking pistol. Read the Operations manual and it went way over my head, especially when they started to explain about the 2 ways to load it, all about the safety (confusing) and how to take it apart.
I can go to the American Shooting Center here in San Diego to take a class and they do sell many brands.
I think I might go ahead and pull the trigger, no pun intended, and buy one. As far as .308 ammo goes I usually pick up a few cases at the gun show.
Thanks! I am going to this place to take classes. Really close to my home:
Don’t know if they will put high pressure sales on me but I will definately put my hands on many of them for the feel then and will go stainless as I have a home in Washington State as well as here in San Diego.
I guess I can rent a gun for practice to see how I like it. Guess you buy a bucket of bullets at a time for practice.
Thanks again!
“A defense pistol is stopping power.”
Will definately keep that in mind!
1. Mossberg 500 12 Gauge. The safety is where it’s supposed to be unless you go with a pistol gripped full rear stock.
2. Ruger Mark II .22 LR. Dependable and accurate.
3. Ruger 10-22 .22LR. Dependable, accurate and you can buy any extra you wish for it.
4. 1911 45 Auto. In close quarters gunfight, you want the bad guy to die RIGHT NOW. Also in a “end of the world as we know it” scenario, you might have to cast your own bullets. Glocks and just about any 9MM really hate lead.
5. AR-15 .223. Buy a couple of uppers for different calibers. Don’t even think about doing that with an AK. And yes, you might have to shoot out to four hundred yards or more.
I am kind of a low maintenance type of gal. I am 61 with small hands. Have never even been to a gun class but am thinking seriously into considering arming myself
What would you suggest for me?
________________
S&W revolver or a small semi auto. Try them first and make sure you can rack the slide. Some of the semi auto slides can be tough. Sig and Bersa are usually easy. Ruger and Walthers can be hard. The Walther PPK is really hard to rack.
That is very helpful, thanks. I have handled guns before that were empty and tried to pull the trigger and it was difficult
_______
A gunsmith can fix that and make it easy to pull.
Excellent info. Gun shops always try to push that lightweight S&W. It’s miserable to shoot. I would rather have the same gun with more weight. The lighter is good for carry, but not fun to shoot, that’s for sure.
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