Posted on 11/23/2010 6:16:52 AM PST by Kaslin
It’s been awhile since I’ve written a column offering firearm recommendations. Some of my readers are getting so mad and whining so badly they sound like unarmed liberals. So I’ve written today’s column in an effort to appease them. Actually, I’ve written today’s column in order to fire off a few hints at those who intend to buy me Christmas presents. The following are presented in no particular order of importance:
1. Ruger Mark III Hunter (22 Long Rifle). My Ruger Mark II was the most reliable and accurate pistol I have ever owned. After thousands of rounds at the range I passed it on to my nephew. I am replacing it with this new Ruger Mark III. With a barrel nearly seven inches long this will make an excellent varmint hunting pistol. The cocobolo grips have a nice feel – better than the plastic grips on my previous model. I doubt I’ll be giving this one away any time soon. But I may be able to give away some coon skin caps after I take this one out in the woods a few times.
2. Smith and Wesson Model 629 (44 Magnum). I could have used this weapon last summer when I had an unanticipated encounter or two with some black bears in Colorado. There is a temptation to go with a longer barrel for greater accuracy. But with anything longer than five inches it gets harder to find a good holster – not to mention harder to balance while shooting. In addition to bear stopping, this also makes for a good home defense weapon when loaded with the more tame and controllable 44 Special rounds.
3. Remington 870 Tactical (12 Gauge). This shotgun will be a nice replacement for the old 870 Express HD I just gave to a friend. The seven shot tube will allow me to offer two rounds of number 6 birdshot to an intruder before I release five rounds of double-ought buckshot. I can release seven shots pretty quickly so I’m pleased this one has a compensated barrel.
4. Remington 1100 Tactical 4 (12 Gauge). I had a very difficult time choosing between this gun and the Model 870. Fortunately, as I was mulling the decision, the song “Free Will” by Rush (one of my favorite bands, by the way) came on the radio. One line of the song says “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” So I chose not to decide between the 870 and the 1100. I chose to get them both.
5. Ruger 10/22 Jacaranda laminate (22 Long Rifle). Sometimes I like to buy a gun just because it’s pretty. This one is no exception. I once had a guitar that was made out of this wood. But the guitar couldn’t kill the possums that get into my bird feeders. This one should get the job done. After picking one up and handling it at Bass Pro Shop I knew it felt too good to be kept off this year’s Christmas list.
6. Smith and Wesson M&P .357 Sig. I’m really getting sick and tired of all my friends telling me that their new Smith pistols are better than my Glocks and Sigs. So I’ve decided to buy one in order to get them to shut up. I’m also sick and tired of the whining noise coming late at night from that pack of coyotes that lives in my neighborhood. Actually, they live back in the woods near the inter-coastal waterway. So I’m going to get this full sized Smith M&P before I head out to silence those coyotes. I may not need all fifteen rounds to get the job done but, hey, better safe than sorry.
I’m already anticipating a lot of hate mail from my friends at PETA. But, don’t worry guys, I promise to send you pictures of everything I kill with my new Christmas presents. I may not eat those coyotes or make a coyote fur coat. But at least I’ll be feeding the turkey vultures – unless I get a wild hair and kill some of them, too (just kidding, Ingrid Newkirk.).
I’m also anticipating a lot of not-quite-hate mail from those who think my firearm choices were less than stellar. But I don’t mind those. Just send an email and tell me what you would have chosen instead. There are so many more Christmas lists to come. And so many more animal rights activists to irritate.
She bagged a 19 pound wild Turkey this spring with her standard youth 870 twenty gauge.
10mm. Accept no substitutes.
The Sig fits some people better than the 10mm. Better to have a gun that fits your frame than one you cannot shoot accurately.
Caliper: .45ACP.
Overall length: 7.6"
Overall height: 5.5"
Overall width: 1.5"
Barrel length: 3.9"
Sights: Adjustable Combat Night Sights
Weight with Mag: 30.4 oz
Mag Capacity: 8 Rounds
Sig Sauer P220 .45 ACP Carry Elite Dark.
For Christmas, I will get a Crimson Trace Lasergrip.
My Daughter wants that exact rifle. Kudos...
I'd like a couple of Taurus 9 shot .22LR revolvers, and a couple of Ruger 10/22’s. That, and at least 2K rounds of ammo.
Of course I have to have the money and right now I'm so broke, I can't even pay attention. LOL!
My oldest granddaughter (11) has that rifle in a blue finish, her younger sister (9) has one in SS with a purple laminate stock. Their brother turned 7 this year, and will (As his sisters did before him) shoot a black plastic stock version before he gets one of his own.
I don't understand the thinking behind this. Birdshot is for birds.
I'm wondering if the author had heard that old canard about how shooting someone with birdshot "would look better in court", or whatever.
00 Buck is for self-defense in a home invasion. You might have to shoot through your own walls or upstairs floors on purpose.
I enjoy the heck out of my GLOCK :)
I take issue with both his choices of weapon and ammo. My primary home defense weapon is a Saiga 12. The box magazines hold 12 and drum magazine holds 20. Birdshot is a waste. My first round is #4 tactical buck, followed by alternating saboted slugs and 00 buck.
If my home is ever invaded there will be no need to call police, I'll just call Serv Pro to clean up the mess.
What specifically don’t you like? I’m a neophyte when it comes to guns in general, but I do know what I like when I use it. I couldn’t afford a 1911 (I believe that’s the right model#), but I know I’d love to have one.
I’m getting a 12 gauge for Christmas. Haven’t decided what kind yet and I may not get it right away.
Get yourself down to the local range, ASAP!
There, fixed it. It's a MAGAZINE, not a clip! Unless you're speaking of a Garand. THEN it's a "clip."
Again with the CLIPS! Folks please utilize the correct nomenclature for these fine firearms! You're gonna look stupid to anybody who knows how to tell the difference between real life and Hollywood. BTW, that weapon is my next purchase on the handgun list. CDNN Investments has them for sale at $299.
Best Christmas gift ever-firing Russ Feingold!
Along with the second amendment issue here in WI, I am looking forward to Voter ID finally going through.
It would be nice if Walker would roll back the Doyle increase in the background check fee.
My Christmas present to my wife, Walthers PK380. She loves it!
My first round is #4 tactical buck, followed by alternating saboted slugs and 00 buck. ... If my home is ever invaded there will be no need to call police, I'll just call Serv Pro to clean up the mess.
With sabot slugs you'll also need to call a General Contractor to rebuild your walls :-)
I don't have a shotgun - yet. I'm looking at a Mossberg 500 and mentioned loading it with Slugs for home defense too(1). I was advised against that by some 'shotgun experts' as Slugs tend to create collateral damage.
(1) Here in IL, slugs, Sabot or Rifled, are the only Long Gun 'cartridge' option for Deer (but Black Powder 'Rifles' are okay)
don’t need to, I have access to plenty of land. It’s not that I’ve never shot any guns or the ones I may or may not own or have lost in a tragic boating accident - just that I don’t know a lot about guns and what makes any one in particular tick better than say another.
('scuse me for buttin' in)
Some 1911's can be had very reasonably.
Here's one by 'ATI', American Tactical Imports
it's about $380.00 for me in IL - through Davidson's Gallery of Guns. Use there Search Genie. Type in your zip code and every 1911 will pop up then loook at the MSRP price, then click 'Instant Quote'. You'll get an Out The Door price.
Hope this is helpful.
BTW, a 1911 45ACP has been on my list like forever. And like you, and everyone now, funds were always the issue. Something else always comes up as a priority
This year I have to get all new electronics, like TVs. Everyone of ours went out at the same time. So we've been using other's old CRT 'throw aways'. But tomorrow I hook up the new 42" Plasma for the living room. (got it at a super duper sale price)
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