Posted on 09/15/2008 10:58:51 AM PDT by Kevmo
The Washington Post article is already being commented upon here in Free Republic.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091202414
The purpose of this thread is to help Freepers and lurkers decide upon what the best mode of self defense would be in the case of the breakdown in social order such as happened with the Rodney King riots.
Joe Brower owns one of the RKBA (Right to Keep and Bear Arms) ping lists. I tried to convince him to open this vanity because he and his friends are more knowledgeable about guns. He says, "there have already been threads on the subject you mention right here on FR, although I can't locate them now. Tell you what -- you start the thread and then ping me, and I'll then flag my RKBA list for comments. I'm sure some folks in that group would be able to provide links, as well as plenty of timely advice. "
This scenario is called the SHTF scenario, where the acronym stands for $#|+ Hits The Fan. So this will be the SHTF gun thread for November 2008... Of course, gun ownership isn't for everyone. But it is the most accessible safety measure under our constitution, which is as our founding fathers intended. Recall where the police were when the Rodney King riots started: they left the scene for their own safety. If that were to happen in your neighborhood, what is your plan?
I, too, am looking for a handgun, especially in light of these threats. I am looking for a 9mm or 40. Something for small hands and reasonably priced. Any suggestions?
I, too, am looking for a handgun, especially in light of these threats. I am looking for a 9mm or 40. Something for small hands and reasonably priced. Any suggestions?
I do like that option. Can you fire regular cheap .22 rounds through a .223 rifle like that? Or are you risking damage of some sort? What is hi-cap? (sorry, combo of laziness and asking on behalf of lurkers)
Kahr’s version is nicer than the one Numrich was making. Both have some dimensional changes and won’t take GI mags without reworking the latch hole in the magazine. The carbine is closed bolt and you can see how much they changed the dimensions of the upper and lower if you ever find a “real” full auto one to compare against.
“Basic arms you’d issue to regular Americans”, or something like that.
A revolver at the bedside,
a shotgun by the door,
a rifle for reaching out,
you don't need anything more.
If you are on a budget, a used 38 special with a 4” bbl can be had cheap. A 2” bbl allows you to slip it into your pocket to carry around your property unobtrusively. If you want to spring for a bit more money, a 357 magnum will give you more power and still shoot 38 special. If you are shooting at an intruder it will probably be point blank, and you aren't likely to need more than five or six shots.
If someone is breaking into your home, nothing is better for stopping them than a shotgun with #4 buckshot. A good pump can be had for around $250.
Finally if you might need a long range weapon, a good scoped bolt action rifle in .308 is a solid choice. There is plenty of .308 (7.62 x 51mm NATO) surplus ammo around for cheap. Plus it will make a fine hunting rifle while you wait for the apocalypse.
A semi-auto “assault weapon” looks intimidating, but really shooting a whole bunch of rounds isn't probably necessary and will expend your ammo too fast. Think sniper; one shot, one kill. You can buy a new package gun complete with scope these days for about $400 (Remington, Mossburg, Savage are all good). Or, find a good used gun with a used Leopuld scope (top quality optics and a lifetime guarantee) for about the same price. Be sure to buy one with a detachable magazine, and spend the extra money on extra magazines.
I have been warned by the cops in my diverse South St. Louis neighborhood against putting up a McCain sign lest I be harrassed, vandalized, assaulted or worse. As I’m going to dispay one anyway, I guess I’ll need a 12 gauge to go with my Marlin 30-30 and Ruger .22. Probably an inexpensive pump will do. Believe me, I’m not paranoid only cautious. If Obama wins or loses I expect trouble.
Please forgive any stereotypes but it is easier to find the perfect pair of shoes . . .
My best advice is to go to a few Gun stores and hold the different models. Test the grip. If the store has an attached range they might have rentals to try out.
For myself I find a 1911A1 in .45ACP fits my hand perfect. You might want something a wee bit smaller. Maybe not.
I personally recommend if you can only have one firearm, you want a pump action 12 guage shotgun. Mossberg, Remington, and Winchester are all fine choices and won't set you back a months pay.
First Pistol? A revolver in .357 magnum. Ross, Taurus, Smith and Wesson, and Colt all make fine specimens.
First rifle? Here's where I part company with a majority of the posters on the board.
Bolt action rifle in .308 caliber with a four power scope. Savage makes a very good model for not a lot of money, so does CZ.
I'll tell you why I recommend this. They don't raise eyebrows or draw unwanted attention from the local anti-AW bedwetters.
Just my two cents, your mileage will surely vary.
L
You can reach two guns, ....
Which do you grab?
***Both of them.
Well, the thread was started, he asked peoples opinions, and I offered my opinion.
What works for one might not work for someone else. We’re all growed up, we realize that.
I wasn’t being critical of you, I was just hypothesizing, and if your .22 makes you happy and YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT, then you have EXACTLY what you need!
But, to be honest, you might want to switch to decaf...
No. Practically the only thing that .22LR ammo and .223 ammo have in common is a bullet diameter of approximately .22 inches. Virtually everything else about these two cartridges is as different as night and day.
This is typical of cartridge designations. The names imply much more than the name suggests and there are few circumstances which permit one firearm to fire more than one type of cartridge. Firing the wrong cartrige in a firearm is a recipe for disaster. All modern firearms have the cartridge type engraved on the barrel or some other visible part of the gun.
You can likely find one at a pawn shop, gun show, or on Craig’slist for less than I paid for mine.
***I don’t think Craigslist allows real firearms. The only thing I can find on there is airsoft and pellet guns.
This is a good perspective. Thanks. One thing I’ve been wondering is, let’s say I want to buy a handgun and a rifle. Is there such a thing as having the same ammo for both of them? Following the KISS rule.
Sure. Most .22 pistols will shoot .22 lr ammo. And it’s dirt cheap.
And many higher calibers that fit in a rifle have somewhere got pistols chambered for them.
Did you read my #50 post? Second paragraph.
Yes. As an example Marlin Arms makes a lever action rifle in .357 mag or .44 mag or .45 long colt. The same ammo works in a revolver.
If you’re determined to use .22LR ammo, you can purchase a Phoenix Arms HP.22 that has ten or eleven round mags and 3 and/or 5 inch barrels, semi-auto. It is a dependable .22 semi auto compact pistol. If you buy one, spend another $35 and get the target shooter’s 5 inch barrel and elevn round mag. When you shoot .22, try to stick to jacketed ammo, especially in a pistol. Lead gums up a semi-auto and requires tough cleaning.
The HOWA PUMA version in .357 with 16 inch barrel is what I’m currently waiting on to be delivered. I chamber .38 SPCL +P jacketed hollowpoints in the Rossi .357 magnum I keep by the bed and intend on loading the rifle with the same ammo. At $18/50 rounds, it is not an expensive emthod to be ready and practice as of as possible.
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