3 gun battery on a budget- Well Armed not Well Heeled

[Amish_Bill]

Nobody mentions them....

The Ruger P95 series. With a little shopping you should be able to find a used one well under $300. They are not horribly popular, but they are a competent pistol.
I imagine a used S&W Sigma would go for a similar price.

Romy AK for about $350

I don't drink the scattergun koolaide though. I'd leave this third blank open for whatever location or situation specific need you might need to fill. A .22 for small game? A single shot in a larger caliber for long-range medium/big game? A 40Kw pulse rifle for self-aware toasters. Etc, etc...

 

[Mannlicher]

Springfield M1A SOCOM with EOTech 511 sight. Proper kit included.

Remington 870, with two shot mag extension, and a 20 inch rifle sight barrel, tritium dots on the sights.

Colt's Combat Commander, tenderly worked on by a master gunsmith for reliability and accuracy. Trijicon night sights.

About $3450, but then I'm worth it. Thats about as cheap as I'm gonna go when it comes to covering my butt.

 

[Dope]

I'm on the same dilemma.

I just bought a Mossberg 590 (~$370)
Planning on either a Sig P220 or a 1911 (probably a Para high-cap)
Also planning on a Saiga 7.62x39 and "converting" it

The handgun is going to be the expensive part but I don't like many of the cheaper ones.

Dope

 

[ilbob]

most of this has to do with your own personal tastes and exactly what you plan to use it for but I would offer up the following list:

handgun

HiPoint - can't beat the price and I have yet to meet someone who actually owns one that does not think they are reliable and adequate for SD. figure $250 for gun, holster, and extra mags.

shotgun

any decent 12 gauge pump shotgun. used they can be had for around $100, or even less. a new one can be had for $200.

rifle

an sks can be had for maybe $150. add a few accessories and clips, total less than $200.

these days the ammo costs are what will break you. 10,000 rounds of each caliber is pricey these days.

 

[foghornl]

Based on retail over the counter prices in my area, New-In-Box except for the Mil-Surp guns:

At the lowest price point..

Mosin-Nagant bolt rifle...still under $100 in some models/places
Hi-Point .40 or .45 pistol under $200 out-the-door
NEF/Rossi single-shot shotgun...under $100

A bit above bargain-bin:

SKS...Yugo models still under $150 when on sale
Taurus/Rossi/Charter .38 Spl revolver Under $300 O-T-D
Maverick 88 pump shotgun under $200 O-T-D

Next step up

Mossberg ATR-100/4X4 rifle or Savage/Stevens well under $400
Ruger GP-100 .357Mag under $450
Mossberg 500 series/Rem 870 shotgun under $300

 

[CZ223]

We got some good choices so far....

I am kinda surpised that no one has mentioned the S&W Sigma which can be had for right around $300. Doesn't anyone like these pistols? I have never tried one but, if reliable, it would seam to be a good Choice.

I also think that the used Ruger semi autos while ugly, to me at least, are a great value on the used market. I have seen them for as little as $250.

No mini 14s or 30s mentioned yet and that surprises me. A used Mini for around $400 would make me feel very secure.

I do like the idea of of a lever gun and revolver in the same caliber like 357 or 44mag. If you went with a used Rossi or maybe even Marlin or Winchester you might get one for under $300. Team that up with a used security six or S&W 66 you might get out of it for less than $600 for the pair. I would feel reasonably well armed with that combo. Add the Mossy or the used 870 and you are into it for less than $800.

As I said earlier, this is meant to be fun and perhaps as a guide for those thinking about HD/SD guns on the cheap. Carry on.

 

[trickyasafox]

ya know i love my two sks's, but if i could only have 1 budget rifle i'd pick a m38 mosin. I just enjoy them more. I'm picking one up to match my m44 this thanksgiving actually.

for a pistol: how has no one mentioned a nice used revolver? [or did i just miss it] i got a like new ruger 150 prefix security six for 250 OTD with holster and a box of shells this year and was tickled to death with it. I wish it was longer than 2 and 3/4 but i hope to stumble across a 4 or 6 in version some day.

 

[CZ223]

Ammo

While I did not mention ammo in my original post it is obviously something to be considered. Someone mentioned that the Glock 17 in 9mm would be better than my choice of the model 23 in 40 S&W because of ammo cost. While it is certainly true that 40 ammo is more expensive I have to weigh that against how I feel about the efectiveness of both rounds. I just prefer the 40. I have owned both a 19 and a 17 in the past and probably will own a 19 in the future just because they are cheap to shoot.

As for my choice in rifle caliber, in either the Saiga or the AR, I chose the 223 for just this reason. Despite the increase in cost of the 223 over the last couple years I was surprised to find recently that the 7.62x39 was actualy more expensive. I know that some people argue the effectiveness of this round but, I am comfortable with my choice.

In the shotgun, I think that 20, 16 and 12 guage are the only rounds that ought to be considered for the SD/HD role and, while I love the 16, I have to give the nod to the 12 for cost and availablity. Get a 410 Mossberg if you wish, but make mine a 12 gague.

 

[CZ223]

Hey Tricky

Look up!

 

[sean m]

My most inexpensive set up;
Ruger stainless 4" Police Service Six 357 magnum,.....$220
Marlin 1894 357 Magnum,......................................$300
Remington 870 Home Defense 12 gauge,..................$180
total for all three,................................................$700

My next favorite;
Ruger KP95R 9mm,..............................................$360
Ruger PC9 9mm,..................................................$400
Remington 870 Home Defense 12 gauge,..................$180
total for all three,................................................$940

If I could add a fourth; a Ruger SP101 in 357 magnum or a Keltec PF9 would be nice for concealment it would add about another $300 to $350 to the totals.

 

[Hokkmike]

I am a brand name snob but even so the Bersa line gets my nod of approval.

 

[aaronrkelly]

cheapest paying asking prices

handgun: M1895 Nagant revolver $80
rifle: M44 Nagant $70
shotgun: NEF single shot $80

total $230

little bit better

CZ52 or P64/PA63 $150
SKS $150
Maverick 88 $150

total $450

My "buget" choice
Glock 19 $450
Saiga .223 $250
Mav 88 $150

total $850

 

[TCB in TN]

After hitting the pawn shops yesterday I came up with this lightly used combo.

Taurus PT92 9mm + extra 15rd mag $ 330 Out the door
Mossy ATR .270 with 3x9x40 Bushnell scope $ 260
Mossy 500 (28 in barrel) $ 180
+ new Mossy rifled slug barrel & scope $ 175
$ 945

(I didn't actually buy them, but had this in mind when looking. I merely asked them to give me their best price, no haggling etc).

Could have replaced the Mossy ATR with a Savage 30-06 for $10 more or the used Remmy 710 30-06 for $50 less. Found a good used Remmy 700 with a rough stock for $300 but had no scope.

Replace the Mossy 500 with a Remmy 870 for $200 flat and they had a rifled barrel for it for the same. Or could have went cheaper with other off brand or import pumps.

Could also replace the Taurus with several other options, including used Ruger P85 for about the same.

Or even go cheaper with rougher used weapons. Saw several that had good metal but needed blue or wood doctored up.

 

[lepmik]

I only own three guns

Handgun: CZ P-01 9mm Small enough to CCW, large enough for range work and paper punching. 14+1 capacity in a semi-compact frame. Not the cheapest gun out there, but more affordable than some given the heavy-duty tests it had to endure to be a NATO approved sidearm. I got mine for ~$450

Rifle: Marlin 981t .22 Yep, the little rimfire cartridge that could. I certainly want a centerfire rifle too, but between this rifle and my shotgun, I can cover most of what I would do with a centerfire rifle (admittedly not as effeciently). Bolt action and synthetic stock = durable and reliable. Not the least accurate, not the most accurate. Cheap caliber for plinking, informal paper punching, small game hunting. I have a 3-9x adjustable objective scope on mine. I paid ~$170 (minus the scope)

Shotgun: Mossberg 500 Pump action goes bang every time. Blue and wood. 28" barrel with beads. Can be used for clays, home defense, hunting anything from dove to deer at reasonable ranges, and would likely work on bigger game in a pinch. Not the prettiest, but I value function over from (at least until I make enough money to value function AND form ) NIB at Academy for ~$200

$820 for a useful group of guns.


I also have a .22 Benjamin Sheridan air rifle for backyard work and targets.


Guns I still "need": centerfire rifle (bolt and high-cap semi), large caliber revolver, snub revolver, .22 revolver, .22 semi-auto, O/U shotgun, springer air rifle, pneumatic pump target air pistol, PCP air rifle. My wants are simple

 

[mpmarty]

Saiga rifle $225 223 or whatever you like except 308 which is more $$
Saiga 12ga $325
Witness Pistol $325

Total $875 and you have three quality firearms, all semi auto and very reliable.

 

[Hoppy590]

super budget "loaner" load out im puting together.

9mm Sigma (300 new)
9mm Hipoint Carbine ( <200 new)
7.62x39 Yugo SKS (200 new)
grand total, <700, Brand new

to pair with my soon to be load out
.45 P14-45
12gauge 590
7.62x39 Tromix ( awaiting funds, until that time, SKS here)
total.... 1500$ ( ouch)

this way theres ammo commonality between main rifles the "long range weapons". and the "loaner" has ammo comminality between the "Close range weapon" ( hipoint) and the "too damn close range weapon" the pistol.

oh and theres the Economy load out
.22 revolver. 100$
Single shot 12 gauge. 25$
T53 Mosin. 35$

160$

 

[zoom6zoom]

The Nagant revolver is probably the least expensive thing going these days, but ammo will offset that quickly. While I'm not a 9mm fan, probably the best deal in a modern autoloader right now is the CZ82, available all over for $199. And it's C&R as well.

 

[Jguy101]

Battery I'm planning on putting together, in addition to the 10/22c I already have:

Saiga .223 (Can't decide between 16" and 20.5" yet)
Ruger P95 9mm
Remington 870 12 gauge

 

[Cosmoline]

Handgun: I'd favor a S&W K frame magnum, which can be had for under $300. There are also many other 4" former duty guns in circulation for cheap. If a semi, I agree the Glocks are generally a good buy, if you like Glocks.

Rifle: M-39 Mosin for $350 or so

Shotgun: The Mossy 500 has always served me well. I like the location of the safety better, and mine have worked good even when filled with sand and doused in rivers.

 

[furyalecto]

I realize this is an old topic, but my choices are:
S&W 5906 Used @Summit $285
Saiga 223 just under $250 at TGSCOM
Maverick 88 8 shot $105 off Gunbroker (took a little while)
$640 total not including fees.

 

[gmhippie]

Never had any problems with high point all the women in my family have the 380, I have the 9 and a 40, I compete in steel plate w/40 and always finish middle of the pack against 12 to 15 other shooters, mine right out of the box, thiers high dollar colts browings and glocks with all the bells and wistles.

taurus mil pro $325 (.45acp)
Rem 870 HD $300
Sks $250

 

[woad_yurt]

JC Higgins 12 ga pump ($100)
CZ 52 ($129)
SKS ($100+)
Spend the rest on ammo.
CZ 52 - $119/1224 rounds
SKS - $159/1000 rounds