$3,000 to start my collection...

[Waywatcher]

And to think, I thought my A2 was just fine with irons and standard grip/stock. You can easily get a functional AR for under 1k... optics are not required for a good, accurate, reliable gun.

Functional, reliable, and accurate, yes.

However, try competing against someone with an optic for accuracy AND speed, or try spotting antlers (or not) on a deer 200 yards away.

 

[Armchair Bronco]

For target practice, get a 452 .22LR bolt action plinker from CZ. If you have kids or plan to have kids, the Scout is the gun to start with. Or you can buy a Scout and equip it with an adult-sized aftermarket stock from Brno like I did. It's very popular out at the range. About $275 plus $75 for the replacement stock.

Get a Beretta NEOS for target practice, either the 4.5" barrel or the 6.0" barrel version. They're under $300. Add a Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 red dot sight for around $70.

For trap and/or skeet shooting, you should get a nice, used Winchester 101 over/under in 12 gauge. If you decide to take up trap, look for longer 30" or 32" barrels and a Monte Carlo stock. If skeet seems for fun, look for 28" barrels. Both version could be used in the field as well. This could set you back $800 to $1,000.

You also need a cool military rifle from WWII. Look for an Inland M1 Carbine at around $800.

For your SHTF scenario, get an AK-74. An Arsenal SGL-31 will set you back $800 or you can spending $500 on a Century Arms AK-74.

For a home defense shotgun, you need a used 20 gauge pump, either a Winchester 1300 or maybe a Remington Marine Magnum 20 gauge pump. A used 20 gauge isn't more than $300-$400.

 

[toivo]

I'm too tired to crunch the numbers right now, but if I were starting all over again, here's what I'd get:

• CZ bolt-action .22: Trainer or Lux
• Browning Buck Mark .22 pistol
• 12-gauge shotgun: pump (Remington 870, Mossberg 500, Benelli Nova) or semi-auto (Beretta 390)
• Glock 9MM pistol: Model 26 or 19
• mini-pistol: Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT, Ruger LCP, etc.
• Smith & Wesson K-frame revolver in .38 Special or .357 magnum
• semi-auto rifle in .223: either an AR-type, a Mini-14, or a Saiga -- whichever floats your boat

Nothing on there is particularly expensive -- I'd look at used for the S&W, and I'd probably go low-end for the AR. If there's any money left, I'd start looking for a bolt rifle in .30-06 or .308.

 

[miles1]

I would echo others in that i wouldn't spend all my money right away but.......Ill bite:

If it were me starting out with $3000 i would consider:

22LR pistol: Personally i like the Ruger Mark III i have. ($250)

Shotgun: Rem 870 or Mossy 500 12 Gauge ($250-$300)

Hunting rifle: Still becoming faamialr with brands but i know it will either be a .223 or .306 or 30-06 ($400-600)

Assault Rifle: A basic no frills AR15 that i can add stuff as time goes on.Ive seen them go for around ($1000-$1200)

Pistol:If you like polymer then might go Glock,XD,M&P in your choice of caliber although i would get a 9mm first. ($500)
Or if you like steel then Stoeger,CZ 75,berretta ($400-$625)

Revolver:Go with a .357 and you wont be sorry.Either a Ruger GP100 or Smith 686 ($500-$625)

I think i have sufficiently spent all you money and with that....Good day sir....I said Good Day!

 

[hAkron]

A Mossberg 500, a Ruger .22 semi auto, a Glock 19, and an AK47. Do whatever you want with the remaining $1800

 

[Wildbillz]

Hard to go wrong with a decently made AR type rifle. You can swap the top end around and shoot sveral differant calibers. If you have the tools and the parts, one recever can support from Carbine to Counter Sniper (sort of) by changing the parts to the configuration you want.

As for the pistol? I would say to get a feel for what you think you might like. Then see if you can find an indoor range close to home that has a rental selection. I would much rather spend $200. in rental fees and get the right one the first time then drop $600 plus and find out you realy don't like that model and caliber as well as you though you would.

WB

 

[redneck2]

My first three recommendations (in no particular order)

Buy used....

Buy used...

and, Buy used...

I have maybe 25 guns total. Of those, only two were purchased "new". About half of the "used" ones were trade-ins, unfired. Most could be put back into a factory box and passed off as new. I got a gorgeous Weatherby O/U for 40% off retail. Bought a beautiful hand made custom muzzle loader for less than half of what the first guy paid. Unfired Remington 700 Sendero with a Veupold VX-III way cheap.

I worked in a gun shop and couldn't believe the number of guys that will buy a gun, keep it 3-6 months, then trade it in (unfired). Nice thing is, if you buy right and keep them in nice shape, you'll never lose money. The first guy took the beating.

I'm a guy that thought I'd never have an AR. Now I have three. One is a Bushie Varminter that shoots dime size groups at well over 100 yards, a SOCOM, and a .358 WSSM for deer hunting.

IMO, you are wise to go for quality. I have a friend that has two safes full of mostly unused (and some crap) guns. Most haven't been shot in 20+ years. Why?? I'd sell the junkers I never use and get a few good ones to enjoy.

 

[tubeshooter]

You could get a used .30-30, a 12 gauge pump, a .357 and a couple of .22 rimfires for about half that with some judicious shopping. You might not need anything else after that.

You'd be occupied for awhile anyway, while you figured out what to do with the other half.


Take your time and don't let the $ burn a hole in your pocket, as stated. The .22 would be a good place to start.

 

[MachIVshooter]

OK, now that we have some idea of what you're after:

M-4gery. You say you like the 6920, and it's a great gun. There are many other good options, too. Armalite, S&W, Stag........long list. For the pros and cons of each, use the search function in rifle country. You can spend anywhere from $500 on up for this firearm.

Shotgun. There is nothing wrong with the 870. That said, I'd urge you to look at the Ithacas. A little more spendy, but well worth it, IMO.

HD handgun. Really broad arena here. I'd offer some suggestions if you can narrow it down to a couple of chamberings, but for now I'll just say any quality weapon that you like will do just fine.

Hunting rifle. I appreciate your sentiments about not wanting to use the AR, and it my case it's a logistical decision. 5.56mm isn't legal for big game in CO, other rounds that fit the AR-15 action are short range numbers, and AR-10's are heavy.

There are even more choices in this category than the others. I presume you're thinking bolt-action, you did mention .308. It's a good round, but the .30-06 is a bit more flexible.

If it were me starting over, in each category I'd buy:

-Armalite M15A2C ($950)
-Ithaca 37 defense ($550)
-S&W 4506-1 (~$500, used only)
-pre-2009 Remington 700 (~$500 used)

That's ~$2,500, leaving ~$500 for Leupold glass on the Rem 700

 

[mgmorden]

$3000 to fill out a nice, usable collection:

Remington 870 Express 12ga Shotgun - about $300
Savage 110 .30-06 Bolt-Action Rifle - about $400
Generic AR-15 (DPMS, Del-ton, etc) - about $750
Rock Island Armory 1911 .45ACP - about $425
Glock 17 9mm - about $550
Ruger 22/45 .22lr - about $250
Marlin Model 60 .22lr rifle - about $150

Spend the remaining $175 on a scope for the .30-06.

 

[leadaddict]

My picks:

Shotgun (for trap or home defense)
-Remington 870 12GA - $350

.22 Rifle and Pistol (for endless plinking and target fun)
-Ruger 10/22 + 3-9x40 scope - $300
-Ruger Mark III - $350

Full Sized Handgun (fun and personal defense)
-I prefer 9mm, but 40, 45, whatever! Beretta? Glock? I’m loving my XDM right now so that’s my choice - $600

Compact Handgun (again fun and personal defense)
-Not sure if you carry, but a concealable gun would be high on my list. LC9 is only about $350 or an XD subcompact for $550

Hunting/Target Rifle
-I prefer .308. It’s plenty for deer and can be cheaper than many other rounds. I think Savage has some of the best deals for this. .308 + scope + bipod - $900

 

[holdencm9]

While I agree with those who say you don't need to buy everything at once, if you feel like it, why not? It would be the most fun day ever! Here's kind of the order I went in and what they may cost you, more or less. If you shop around or buy used you could find them for even less. (I generally rounded up a bit) and the parentheses indicate other options:

Ruger 10/22 Stainless/Synthetic Stock: $250 (Marlin M60, cheaper, less mods available, but still nice)
Beretta 92FS: $550 (Glock, XD, SigPro, CZ....any 9mm semi auto will do)
Mossberg 500: $330 (Remington 870)
Browning Buck Mark Stainless Camper: $350 (Ruger 22/44 or MKIII)
Remington 700 ADL .308 w/ Scope: $400 (Browning A-Bolt)
Ruger LCP: $300 (Kel Tec P3AT or Taurus TCP)
Mosin Nagant 91/30: $150 (SKS, although that is more like $300)
PSA M4 Carbine: $600 (Stag or Spikes for around $800 or Colt for around $1000)

Total Firearms Cost: $2930

I am pleased with where my arsenal is at....for now. I definitely don't splurge on any purchases. I know you said quality over quantity, but to what extreme? You could spend all 3 grand on a really nice 1911 and have the best of the best, but then you only have one thing. I'd say a good balance can be struck. The only thing I went the cheap route on is really the 700, with its base model and cheap scope, but as of yet, I haven't been able to outshoot the rifle yet. Plus, if you decide you aren't into something, you are out less cash. You can always spend more on anything, and get something that is marginally better for a significantly higher price tag.

With that you get 8 different firearms, .22LR, .380, 9mm, .223, .308, 7.62x54R, and 12-gauge. You will also have something for any occasion, whether it is hunting from squirrels to bears, clay pigeons, concealed carry, anything. If you decide you LOVE long-range shooting, then down the road invest in a nicer rifle. If you love pistols more, look to get a couple more in the future. But really as you already know, YMMV, JMHO, different strokes for different folks, etc. HAVE FUN!

 

[holdencm9]

I was also going to add, I know you said you had separate funds for ammo and a safe, but don't underestimate the cost of accessories:

Extra mags for the AR can be $15-20 each, pistols $20-40.
Bipods can be $50-150
Slings can run $10-20 apiece
Aftermarket stock for that 10/22 is $80-100
Aftermarket trigger for 10/22 is $80
If you want to scope up that 10/22 then a $50 scope will do.
Decelerator for the Mosin is $20...not only for the recoil but the LOP on those is short.
Sights/red dots for the AR can run the gamut from $40 to $400

So save at least a couple hundred for accessories!

 

[mbt2001]

I read an article years ago in one of the gun magazines talking about a battery of guns that they acquired for under $1,000.00. I believe that the author did the following:

Bought a used 12 gauge and had the gunsmith cut the barrel to 18" and re-bead.
Bought 2 revolvers for home defense, one a 4" and one a 2" (for carry)
Bought a used 30-30 lever action.

The point is, that if you are creative, you can turn $3,000 into quite a collection instead of just a souped up 1911 and AR.

 

[wally247]

I would go with

-ruger 10/22 $200
-ruger mk or browning buckmark $300
-decent quality 1911 of your choice $800-$1000
-AR-15 $600-$1000
-Remington 870 $250

 

[kludge]

1) Ruger .22/45 w/ cocobolo grips or Browning Buckmark Camper, $300.
2) Savage Mark II .22LR in the flavor you like + a scope, $200-$400
3) Springfield XDm 3.8" 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, take your pick, $575
4) Mossberg 500, $300
5) Savage Model 11 in 7mm-08, $500 + scope, $300

That's about $2300 worth and will get you headed in the right direction. +$300 for reloading gear and you have enough left over for some upgrades, holsters, a pistol safe, rifle cases, etc.

 

[9mmforMe]

To the OP.

So what looks good to you? Lots of great suggestions here.

Don't forget to save some $ for ammunition if you don't decide to start reloading.

 

[scythefwd]

"However, try competing against someone with an optic for accuracy AND speed, or try spotting antlers (or not) on a deer 200 yards away."

Do the same and hit your target after you have fallen and your scope hit the ground.

 

[oysterwirefly]

To the OP.

So what looks good to you? Lots of great suggestions here.

Great question. There were so many suggestions that I am still trying to check out many of them. I think I am going to roll with some basics, such as a Ruger 10/22 and a Remington 870. That would take care of plinking and shotgun to start with, for relatively cheap. Forget what the quoted prices were, but let's say $600 for those two.

Next, I think I will go with that AR platform, 6 expert badges out of 6 tries says that I know how to shoot that weapon... As far as which one, I am still lost, there are a gajillion options. Does anyone have a Bravo Company model? I am trying to decide if they are legit or just have cool looking advertisements lol. I would not like a cheap model if that translates to lesser quality, so I would be willing to spend roughly $1,000. That should be doable.

Now I am at $1,600, and have a .22 for plinking, a 12 gauge for birds/skeet/HD?, and a nice 5.56.

I recently found out I have the opportunity to buy a Sig Sauer P220 .45 for $497 as a deployment gift to myself through a deal that the Marines made with Sig Sauer. That sounds pretty good.

I would then be sitting at $2,100 and have .22/12g/5.56/.45 taken care of, and that would include a pretty nice handgun and a pretty nice AR, as well as a reliable plinker and a reliable shotgun.

As suggested, I may sit tight after that and enjoy tearing up some targets.

 

[Telekinesis]

As far as which AR to go with, if you really want a good opinion on what manufacturer to go with, call up some good combat shooting schools and ask them what they see failing and what they see succeeding in their classes. If you can find a school that regularly makes rifles fail, you'll have a better idea of the true durability of the rifle that succeeds.

I would also pick up that 220. Sigs are great and for that price, you can't go wrong!