Vanity - Question: Which matching set of firearms to buy?

[Squantos]

A .224 Boz minigun in the works soon....alledgedly.

Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

You/ve got my address.....is COD ok?

[Squantos]

Anything but a three party out of state counter cheque without ID........I've been burnt with that one too many times .......:o)

Stay Safe !

[LibertarianInExile]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I have a lot of info here that will mean I will have to sort out my preferences and based upon the advice that will take a little while. But none of you provided redundant advice, and where you did overlap, (for example, considering the .308), I'll certainly give a lot of thought to those guns/issues.

I really appreciate y'all taking the time to help me out.

[Squantos]

Your Welcome....Hope I helped........Stay Safe !!

[Atlas Sneezed]

You are getting good advice here, but my best advice is to buy "Boston's Gun Bible" for answers to this question and more.

Basically, your backup handgun should be the same as your prime. (Any of the name brands will be excellent, if they feel intuitively good to you.)

Your rifle should be a 30 caliber, if you intend it for potential 2nd amendment use. A bolt gun is OK, but there is a reason why soldiers carry semi-autos. A Garand if you want to save money, or a M14/M1A if you have a good budget (Boston will explain.)

[sanlen]

I didn't notice a home state, which makes a difference. The People's Republic of California, and others, limit your legal choices. Without that, here you go:

Rifle- You didn't say what you might want to hunt. You also don't say how much you are willing to spend. There are all sorts of caliber/rifle choices the would work very well. Without specific guidance, and seeing you primarily wanted to use it for defense, the best bet is a type of what is wrongly called an assault weapon, meaning a semi-automatic only, magazine fed medium powered firearm. My choice would be the new 6.8 SPC in an AR 15 upper. (I'm on the look out for one now). Granted, it might be touch and go getting brass for a year or so, but you aren't going to use much anyway, and reloading is easier than the 223. If you absolutely have to go with more available ammo, pick an AR15 in 7.62x39, and think about getting another upper receiver in the longer range calibers.

Pistol- definitely a 45 ACP from what you say. You can choose either a wheel gun or automatic, but the one I like is my Para Ordinance 14-45 double action. Make sure you change out the fiber magazine release IMMEDIATELY with a good steel one.

Back up- again a 45 ACP. Pick a compact. The size/type depends on how small you want it. Remember that the best gun you can get is one you can shoot accurately. Check around at some of the ranges that rent guns and try a few until you find one you like. Consider either a derringer or small revolver for this and check on making shot loads for it. 5/8th in fletchettes (brass rods) are some of the best home defense rounds. They won't go through a wall (I tried it on two sheets of plaster board), but will hit a wider stream at 10 feet. Close up they will do serious damage.

Next, ask yourself is you would actually use these. If not, save yourself some money and just get a rifle, say a good Savage bolt action in a small 30 caliber, and skip the handguns.

[LibertarianInExile]

Thanks! Advice mucho appreciado--and I note that the .45 still seems a clear choice (which is why I'm saving and still trying to decide on the Kimber or ParaOrd. Odds aren't good I'll get any real range time, so I'm considering just saving for a Thompson

so I don't worry about missing. :)