Backup Rifle: Yay or Nay?

[Tomac]

I have my primary SD/HD rifle exactly the way I want it now but have no other rifles worth mentioning. Is it worth it to have an identical backup rifle? I'd have to stretch just a little (but not much, only 2.9% fixed and that would be paid off shortly) to get one now before the elections. So, what say you? Thx!...
Tomac

 

[King Bear]

Go for it.

 

[Timradcliffe345]

Tomac- What rifle do you have?

 

[JShirley]

Having two of the same is not a bad idea, but let me offer another option.

If you already have a dedicated defensive rifle, think about getting an "all purpose" (I sometimes call them "disaster") rifle. I suggest a sturdy bolt-action rifle and a low-power scope, in a common and hopefully inexpensive to purchase caliber.

One rifle of mine that fills this role is a sporterized 1903 Springfield with a 2-8x scope. Another option I sometimes suggest to folks is a nice CZ-527 in 7.62x39mm. This is a nice, light, handy rifle that would work fine for home defense or for taking up to mule deer-sized game out to 150 meters. Also good for range use, or taking even smaller game with FMJ or head shots. Cheap ammo.

The idea is to expand your capabilities, and if the world doesn't go to hell politically, you have another very useful platform that you should be able to enjoy the rest of your life. You should be able to defend your home adequately with a disaster rifle, and still use it for the things we actually use rifles for most of the time.

John

 

[Neckshot5seven]

I guess you could consider it a primary and back up. Top one can hit extended targets, and one in forground is great at close to medium range.

 

[H2O MAN]

Go for it!

 

[goon]

If you can afford it it makes sense.
If not, maybe get some spare parts.
Spare parts are on my current wishlist...

 

[Tomac]

Tomac- What rifle do you have?

STG-556:

Tomac

 

[SCPigpen]

I'd say get a cheap AK or SKS as back up.

 

[45B@cav]

I try to keep 2 of everything. I may also be a little paranoid.

 

[marktx]

You say it would be paid off shortly? How shortly, before the election? I would suggest saving the money and then buying it once you have funds in hand. It will also give you a little time to think about if that is what you want to do. The only reason I could see jumping on it right now is if you expect the price to go up significantly between now and when you would have funds in hand or if it is in imminent danger of being unavailable. My guess would be that any price increase/shortage would be driven by other panic buyers and would subside in the months after the election. I don't think that anyone seriously believes that Obama's first order of business (if elected) would be to start banning guns, it would take some time in my estimation.

Having said that.... I own two or three examples of most of the guns in my collection. It's great to be able to have a couple backups but not by putting yourself in the poorhouse.

 

[Full Clip]

Tomac, as a backup, get something else that accepts same mags and ammo. Otherwise, you just have another rifle.

 

[Tomac]

Tomac, as a backup, get something else that accepts same mags and ammo. Otherwise, you just have another rifle.

Smart advice and why I'm considering another STG-556 for both ammo & mag compatibility (not to mention simplified training).
Tomac

 

[Browning]

Well I have a couple 'Loaner Rifles' and I have a couple doubles of the same model of firearm (which is basically the same thing and which could serve the same purpose if I needed it to), so why not?

 

[moooose102]

i wouldn't buy another of what you have. i would buy something different, more of a basic "do all" general purpose rifle. something like a remington 7400 308 or 30-06 semi auto. clip fed easy to use, and load. keep 4 or 5 clips ready to go. if the 223 does not stop them/it, reach for more firepower! plus you would have an excellent big game rifle, if you ever get that itch.

 

[JShirley]

Versatility is also behind my suggestion, but no civilian semi-auto will be as sturdy and reliable as a good bolt action. OTOH, if you went with a military autoloader, you won't have as slick, light, and useful a piece as something like a Mauser...and practically any bolt gun will look less menacing to the uniformed than a semiauto.

John

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Yes---YES!!!!!

2 is better than one.

This is my plan also, identical backup rifle.

Pretend you're Noah---two of each kind. If this isn't possible, at LEAST a critical spare parts kit++ deluxe for what you have. Ideally, have BOTH these and on a poor day when things break you'll have TWO working rifles, and on THE WORST day--at least one + spare parts.

My exception to this is my mini-14 in that I don't have 2 ----but I DID buy a complete set of parts to rebuild the bolt if needed, etc.

For shotguns and pistols--for ME--the need is less critical. No, I DO NOT have 2 .32 ACP's, etc. But then again, I don't have ammo stockpiled for any pistol caliber in serious quantity as I might for a rifle.

At least, have an 'option 2' that eats the same ammo you stockpile for the 'main' weapon.


I've used this line of reasoning for justifying expenses to my wife--who IS an NRA lifer (but not really a big shooter herself) and VERY fiscally tight and demanding of good reasoning and logic--and it passes muster.

 

[Rifleman 173]

I don't know about the rest of you guys but...

1. I understand that there is no such thing as a perfect rifle. Because of this, I must pick a rifle which fits my shooting needs best.
2. I have the option of choosing between a semi-automatic rifle, bolt action rifle or pump action rifle. Bolt action rifles give better consistent accuracy. Pump actions are sort of like bolt action rifles with a different reloading device. A semi-automatic rifle allows me to have decent accuracy with a fast reloading ability in case of multiple targets. Hmmm. Speed vs. accuracy. Which one do I need worse?
3. There is no such thing as a perfect bullet. Large bullets work better at closer ranges. Small bullets are more accurate but have less immediate results. Medium bullets with medium weights work fairly well in most cases, but can not be effective all the time for all targets.

All things considered, I'm looking at getting a 6.8 SPC type M-4 carbine for my primary duty firearm. I plan to have a low power scope mounted on it or even a red dot for speed shooting. The rifle will be semi-automatic to help me engage targets at a faster speed should I need to engage multiple bad guys. I don't think that the 6.8 is perfect but I do think that it will fill the vast majority of MY shooting needs.

Then I may get a second one as a backup to the first one.

 

[JShirley]

In your case, rifleman, you might consider one in 5.56 as well. You can use 6.8 for deer and 5.56 for defense.

 

[Thernlund]

Not having read the thread (only the OP), having more than one of the same firearm is never a bad thing. The more the better, eh?


-T.

 

[Dees]

Might I suggest a good "fighting" shotgun? A Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 would make a great back up (or even first choice), be versatile, and not break the bank.

 

[rob_s]

I wouldn't want two of that gun

Seriously though, there's two schools of thought.

The first would be that you get exactly the same gun set up exactly the same way so that you can have the exact same feel if you need to switch.

The other would be to get something completely different, in a different caliber, so that you can have another tool in the toolbox that also happens to be a backup to the primary. Something like an AK would be good in this case, as it's less expensive, shoots a bigger bullet, less prone to fouling and malfunctions, etc.

This is my take on something in between the two. If I was starting from scratch today, I would probably make the brown gun a 6.8 or 6.5 just to have a slightly more powerful option.

While serving two different roles, the two guns in the above link share the grip, vert grip, basic optic configuration, stock, and sling such that they feel almost identical when changing between them, with the magnification of the two optics being the only real change.

Hope this helps

 

[mainmech48]

Clint Smith, among others, have stated a Rule-of-Thumb regarding essential equipment in worst-case scenarios:

"One equals None; Two equals One."

Makes sense from my own experiences, but I'm the sort of guy who favors suspenders and a belt. YMMV.

 

[Goblin]

Get a .223 bolt action and a spare parts kit for the MRB!

 

[Limeyfellow]

I try to keep 2 of everything. I may also be a little paranoid.

Just wouldn't try that with a wife.