I have gotten into the habit of buying "bargain" guns lately and have come to the conclusion that you can indeed build a very capable 3 gun defensive battery for about a thousand dollars. In fact it is easier than a lot of people might think. For the purposes of this thread I will define 3 gun battery as being a rifle chambered for a centerfire cartridge, a pistol chambered for a centerfire cartridge and, a shotgun chambered in 410 or larger. I know some people will disagree with my choices of three guns, and that is okay. If you think you can get by with a 22 rifle instead of a centerfire gun, great.
If you want to substite a 22 cal handgun for a centerfire one that is fine too. Also if you can live without the shotgun you could substitute something else for that but, when all is said and done, you must have at least 3 guns in your arsenal.
What I am aiming at here is coming up with 3, or more guns, for under(okay around) $1000.00 that you believe would be capable of handling most situations you would encounter in a defensive/survival situation. You should be able to do everything from gathering food to hold off a small band of armed men with the guns that you choose.
Please be realistic with your prices. Just because you bought your prized SKS for a $100, ten years ago, does not mean you can buy one tomorrow for the same price, you can't. Used guns are fine but you need to use an "average cost". If you bought a S&W 686 at a yard sale for $150, good for you, but it doesn't count.
So, I will start off, and since I said it was easy, I will build two batteries. Some of the guns may be the same.
Battery 1)
Handgun: Used Glock 22-second gen, 40 S&W w/2 mags $350 source:summittgunbroker.com (includes shipping)
Rifle: New Saiga 7.62x39 $375 Source: Gunbroker.com (found them as cheap as $349)
that leaves $275 for the
Shotgun: I am pretty sure that you can still buy a brand new 870 express from walmart for under $300 but you can definitely buy a decent used one for under $275. Check gunbroker. I really shouldn't have looked there. There is a great deal on slug gun that is about to end.
Battery #2
Handgun: used S&W 4046 with 3 mags $300 (I'll tell you where those are later after I decide if I am going to buy one) 3rd gen S&Ws are heavy but great.
Rifle: Used mini-14/30 $450 These are going for around this price locally as well on some of the classifieds I have seen. I just picked up a like new mini 30 for $450. I got my mini 14 for less.
Shotgun: Obviously I could choose a used 870 again, maybe a new express.
But I could also buy a brand new Mossberg 500 for just over $250 and a there are several used 590s around $275. I would be comfortable with any of the 3.
Bonus Battery #3 All new guns.
Handgun: Ruger P95 9mm $299.95 Hofguns.com
Rifle: Eaa Zastava PAP 7.62x39 $350 online $325 local dealer
that leaves $350 for the
Shotgun: This time I will choose a new 870 express for $350 online I am pretty sure these are going for $289 at Wal-mart.
Yes, I would be happy with all three of these batteries although I really prefer something larger than 9mm for my handgun. I would probaly opt for the used 4046 rather than the p95, but that is just personal preference.
Let the games begin and, keep it friendly.
If you want to substite a 22 cal handgun for a centerfire one that is fine too. Also if you can live without the shotgun you could substitute something else for that but, when all is said and done, you must have at least 3 guns in your arsenal. What I am aiming at here is coming up with 3, or more guns, for under(okay around) $1000.00 that you believe would be capable of handling most situations you would encounter in a defensive/survival situation. You should be able to do everything from gathering food to hold off a small band of armed men with the guns that you choose.
Please be realistic with your prices. Just because you bought your prized SKS for a $100, ten years ago, does not mean you can buy one tomorrow for the same price, you can't. Used guns are fine but you need to use an "average cost". If you bought a S&W 686 at a yard sale for $150, good for you, but it doesn't count.
So, I will start off, and since I said it was easy, I will build two batteries. Some of the guns may be the same.
Battery 1)
Handgun: Used Glock 22-second gen, 40 S&W w/2 mags $350 source:summittgunbroker.com (includes shipping)
Rifle: New Saiga 7.62x39 $375 Source: Gunbroker.com (found them as cheap as $349)
that leaves $275 for the
Shotgun: I am pretty sure that you can still buy a brand new 870 express from walmart for under $300 but you can definitely buy a decent used one for under $275. Check gunbroker. I really shouldn't have looked there. There is a great deal on slug gun that is about to end.
Battery #2
Handgun: used S&W 4046 with 3 mags $300 (I'll tell you where those are later after I decide if I am going to buy one)
3rd gen S&Ws are heavy but great.Rifle: Used mini-14/30 $450 These are going for around this price locally as well on some of the classifieds I have seen. I just picked up a like new mini 30 for $450. I got my mini 14 for less.
Shotgun: Obviously I could choose a used 870 again, maybe a new express.
But I could also buy a brand new Mossberg 500 for just over $250 and a there are several used 590s around $275. I would be comfortable with any of the 3.
Bonus Battery #3 All new guns.
Handgun: Ruger P95 9mm $299.95 Hofguns.com
Rifle: Eaa Zastava PAP 7.62x39 $350 online $325 local dealer
that leaves $350 for the
Shotgun: This time I will choose a new 870 express for $350 online I am pretty sure these are going for $289 at Wal-mart.
Yes, I would be happy with all three of these batteries although I really prefer something larger than 9mm for my handgun. I would probaly opt for the used 4046 rather than the p95, but that is just personal preference.
Let the games begin and, keep it friendly.
