What would you buy?

[hdwhit]

I would suggest the AR. With all the shooting hysteria going on right now nobody can be sure how long it will be before they are heavily restricted, if not banned outright.

 

[WiTom]

My Super Redhawk feels great shooting, and doesn't look bad to me. 240 grain SWC over 19.1 grains of 2400, or 200 grain SWC over 9.2 grains of Unique, and you have everything covered. That my vote.

 

[JeffG]

He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

I'd buy the AR first.

 

[WrongHanded]

My .44 mag Redhawk is probably my favorite gun.

But if I went for a Super Redhawk, I'd go with a larger caliber.....because why not?

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I have three 45/70's. A trapdoor carbine, a Pederosoli sharps and a JM Marlin CB rifle.
So, yeah, I'll vote for the 45/70.

 

[bassjam]

AR with a collection of mags and ammo to match, because I think it's everyone's civic duty to do so.

 

[jmorris]

AR in my collection but not a huge fan of the cartridge

An AR can fire many different chamberings from .22 long rifle to 50 BMG and lots in between. If you don’t have one you should, if for no other reason than to upset a liberal.

I liked my red hawk but prefer the black hawk. The 45-70 is a interesting round especially if you reload with a marlin, can’t say I really use it for target shooting but it is a great round for hunting at short ranges.

 

[GBExpat]

Of those I would choose the AR.

I have never been a fan of direct impingement, but these little rifles are almost infinitely customizable, are accurate, are easy on any new converts that you are teaching to shoot and can be a LOT of fun.

 

[doubleh]

In my case I would go with #4. I always kinda wanted one. Got an AR and don't want another. I have a few 357s and don't want anymore. Arthritis and repaired shoulders have taken away shooting anything with a fair amount of recoil so that eliminates those two.

Anyway--- it's up to you to make your choice. Get one (or more) of them and enjoy it.

 

[drobs]

3) Ruger/S&W/Savage/etc. base model AR-15 (target shooting; still don't have an AR in my collection but not a huge fan of the cartridge).
4) Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt (replace one of my Uberti CAS revolvers).
5) Marlin 1895 in 45-70 (target & hunting).

The 1st 3 don't interest me. I'd take 1 of the above w/ the AR being a priority. They are currently dime a dozen and cheap. Start with a factory made gun and then build one yourself.

 

[RedlegRick]

I'd get the SP 101, and here's why: they're very durable weapons, take commonly available ammunition, and don't need a host of accessories to maximize their usefulness. A holster, maybe a new grip if the factory one doesn't suit you and perhaps a few speedloaders and you're set. Plus, it's form factor permits it to be carried fairly well and has more than enough power for most social situations, in my opinion.
So you can't do mag dumps with it, so what? Having only five rounds on tap makes you focus on shot placement more.
I've been considering getting one myself as another option to have, even if it does mean I need to stock another caliber, as well as a matching carbine to go with it.

 

[labnoti]

Don't be selfish. Get something that you can share with others and introduce some of them to shooting and firearms. The AR is the best for sharing, especially with children and young people.

The single action revolvers are also good provided you can use light enough loads for everyone. 44 Special is not light enough for children with no prior handgun experience, but .32 S&W Long in a .327 could be hand-loaded suitably and you can get that in the SP101 or the Single Seven. Rimfire handguns have traditionally filled this roll. That's what I have also, but I'll trade it out for a centerfire .32 so I can shoot lead-free primers and at least plated bullets. I wish there were a better selection of lead-free bullets in .32 caliber, or in even smaller caliber centerfire handguns, but there just isn't.

In the lever-gun, .45-70 doesn't have as broad appeal as one of the handgun cartridges. The two problems I see is the ones chambered for magnums (.357, .44) typically don't cycle the best with their lighter counterparts (.38, .44 Special) and so maybe .45LC is better or just loading low-pressure rounds in the magnum caes. Second, and more importantly, the length of pull is too hard to change for different size shooters.

The AR-platform comes with easy-to-adjust length of pull, an action (charging handle) that is easy for kids to pull without a lot of finger strength, detachable magazines that allow them to load the firearm without handling toxic ammunition (compared to lead .22LR), but also an excellent selection of components (primers and bullets) that are free of heavy-metals. Importantly, the full-length rail or M-LOK fore-ends also allow sights and optics to be set where they're compatible with short lengths of pull. When you cut down the stock on a lever gun or a semi-auto or bolt-action .22, the kids' eyes will be too close to the receiver-mounted scope or other optic with long eye relief. With full-length rails, you can just slide it all forward.

.223 is better for kids than .22LR because lead-free primers are available that reduce kids exposure to lead styphnate salt. The performance of lead-free bullets in .223 is also a lot better than lead-free .22LR projectiles which are typically limited to very short ranges. .223 also has a suitably low recoil.

The AR-15 type firearm in .223/5.56 is an ideal first firearm for kids and first-time shooters of every size and age. Maybe you don't have kids in your life, you're not a dad or grandpa or uncle or neighbor to any, but there isn't really anybody you can't ask, "hey, want to go shooting with me?" and then take out an AR with them. With a Super Redhawk or a .45-70, you'd narrow your audience quite a bit.

 

[JO JO]

Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 mag would be my pick , they can be loaded mild to wild , second pick would be the 45/70 , I own AR's but don't shoot them much to me they are over rated and this is just my opinion on the AR but they are very plentiful and dirt cheap in today's market , there is nothing wrong with a 357 but I prefer the 44,
I think it comes down to your intended use and application

 

[Don Dayacetah]

My Super Redhawk feels great shooting, and doesn't look bad to me. 240 grain SWC over 19.1 grains of 2400, or 200 grain SWC over 9.2 grains of Unique, and you have everything covered. That my vote.

I'd say #1 or #2, but that's just personal opinion. Decide: If you're smaller go .357, if you're bigger, get the .44. Enjoy.

 

[Dudedog]

Like my Savage 99 in .308 for a lever action.

I would say the AR or the .45-70
Like my Savage 99 in .308 for a lever action.
I have a neutered AR (CA), don't have a .45-70 but they look like they would fun.
(even a neutered AR is fun, and cheap to shoot, also if you reload you don't know what fun you have been missing until you get to enjoy dealing with crimped primer pockets)

Might want to get the AR first while you still can.

 

[TN Outlaw]

Well, it depends on how you look at it.

From a practical standpoint i feel it makes the most sense to purchase the AR 1st. They are very handy, inexpensive and fun to shoot all day and i feel just about every person should own one. Couple that with chances rising that it may be tough to get one before long and I would get that one 1st.

Now, going off of pure want;

1-Ruger Vaquero
2-Ruger SRH
3-45/70

 

[Armored farmer]

If i had to make that decision, i would choose the one thst i thought i shoot most often.
My picks:
AR, complete with .22 conversion kit. (AR pistol with brace)
Redhawk
Sp101
45-70 (fun to shoot and reload for)

 

[JTHunter]

Shed - there is a lot of good advice here and for good reason. One thing I haven't read however, is if you do any reloading and for what calibers.
I ask as I reload for the .357 for two reasons. I have a 4" GP-100 AND a Marlin 1894 lever-action in .357 and I load the same rounds for both, 158 gr. Hornady XTP.
Good luck with your choice(s).

 

[denton]

Just my experience... YMMV:

I have a Ruger Redhawk 41 Mag, 7 1/2" bbl which I consider to be an excellent all purpose gun. It's accurate, and has enough power to take down big game at reasonable distances. But it hardly ever gets shot, even though the recoil is quite mild with target loads. I usually pick up a 9mm or a 45 when I head to the range and want to shoot a handgun. Part with it? Probably never. But I don't really shoot it much. And neither do I shoot its 2 1/2" bbl cousin in the same cartridge, though it is a bulky but acceptable carry gun, ideal for bear and cougar country.

My grandkids love shooting 223. An AR15 was an excellent choice for taking them to the range. I like it, but can't say it's my favorite. Going coyote hunting? It's the exact right ticket.

I'm not a fan of 357 with less than a 4" barrel. The 357 is heavy to carry, and fat, and the bark is really loud. Plus a 3" barrel offers very little additional muzzle velocity over a 3.3" 9mm with 124/125 grain bullets. The 9mm is much easier to carry.

Lever actions are really fun to shoot. I have 3 of them. For a fun day at the range, shooting mild target loads, they are pretty cheap to operate. When you stoke them up to full potential, they are wickedly effective. The 45-70 speaks with authority, and it would be my choice.

All that said, it's hard to choose what would be right for the way you intend to use it. Good luck, and enjoy whatever you choose!

 

[gunlaw]

AR would be my choice. Recently purchased an AR 10 because I didn’t have one and wanted to get one while I could. Also a fan of the 308 cartridge. On the other hand I don’t have a Redhawk either.....Hmmm

 

[CptnAwesome]

AR15 if you don't already have one. If so I'd go Super Redhawk. I've wanted one for a long time but never let myself spend that much on a handgun.

 

[FROGO207]

I already own all on your list. I am more of a single action guy with the revolvers though. Some different AR's as well. All are good choices but I am thinking that something chambered in 223/5.56 would be first pick. That said I have several choices in that caliber. Three single shot, a CZ bolt, several Mini 14s, AR pistol, and several AR styled rifles. The AR is the easiest to customize/ find accessories for so that is a plus as well. I only got into the AR phase as of late ("O" years) mostly to own some before there are any restrictions imposed if that happens to come about. I always preferred the Mini for the handiness and it was semi auto, but they are not as accurate as an AR with a quality barrel will be IMHO. With hand loads and a good scope, off sand bags I can sometimes keep a 5 shot group to the size of a quarter at 350-400 YDS with my CZ 527. That is good enough shooting for me. Still working on a precision AR as well. Let us know what you choose.

 

[SamT1]

I’d grab an AR if you don’t own one. Check out the Ruger MPR. Got me one and I’m real tickled with it.
Like mentioned above the ar rifles are as cheap as they ever will be today. Any day could be your last chance to buy one. You may be able to buy any of the others when some poor guy is fire selling them to buy an AR during the next chrisis.

 

[John Joseph]

I'll play the devil's advocate
Swiss K-31 does everything an AR can do, only slower and at longer range.
Colt 1860 Army replica with a .45 Colt cartridge conversion cylinder, just because it looks cooler than the Vaquero

 

[north east redneck]

Personally I'd go with the 45/70. But that is because I have similar guns to the others on your list.
But if you don't have an AR, get one. Take that off the list and then decide what you want next.