Down to four firearms

[Cosmoline]

Unable to keep any extra iron in the primitive conditions where I live near the Big Susitna in Alaska, I've sold off everything except these "keepers":

M-39 Finnish Mosin Nagant, 1894 receiver, 1968 assembly.

I like this one because it's extremely tough, very accurate, and the ammo is cheap and easy to find locally. It also has a number of cold weather adaptations I find useful here. The 7.62x54R cartridge is surprisingly potent for its great age, and handles heavy bullets in the 200 grain range very well.

CZ-452 Lux in .22 LR.

This is the best .22 for the money I've ever had. It's built like a $600 match rifle, with awesome sights and a great stock. Unlike many US companies, CZ does not build these as "plinkers" or "toy" rifles. It's as solid as a Mauser, and laser-gun accurate.

Ruger Security Six, 4" bbl.

This is one of the very first of the Security Six line, with a small grip and IMHO better balance than found on later Security Sixes and GP-100's. It's been through hell and back, but a trip to Ruger refurbished it and it's shooting fine. I load with 200 grain solids for bear and small game, HP's for other things

Mossberg 500, police surplus w/ slug barrel.

This one's done a lot of hard work over its lifetime. It continues to serve as a rough duty shotgun. I don't think it can be destroyed by normal means.

What's missing? A handgun I can conceal during the summer months. I'm thinking a Colt Detective Special, but haven't made up my mind yet.

 

[Tamara]

If your CCW is going to be a wheelie, perhaps .357 may not be out of line? (Living in the woods, a .357 that can be tossed in a pocket could conceivably prove handy under some circumstances...) Maybe a M60/M640 Smith or an SP101?

 

[HBK]

What about a Glock 29? They are small and powerful...would that be enough gun?

 

[OEF_VET]

Looks like some good choices to me. If it were me, I'd also go with a small frame .357 for CCW duty. They aren't that much larger than a Detective Special, but you can go with either .38 or .357. I like Tam's idea of an SP101, since you'd be keeping the same manual of arms as your Security Six. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Frank

 

[clubsoda22]

What about a Glock 29? They are small and powerful...would that be enough gun?

Something tells me this guy isn't the glock type...i think he'd be much more at home with a good wheelgun. Another vote for a small frame .357.

 

[Preacherman]

Cosmo, Cosmo, Cosmo, my boy, tell me you didn't get rid of the K31 you were so fond of???

 

[Majic]

If you want to stay with a Colt there is the Magnum Carry.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Since we already know you like Ruger wheelguns, check out one of the 3" stainless GP-100s that Century Arms recently imported back into the country. The one I picked up on Friday is a keeper!

 

[Cosmoline]

I hadn't thought of a smaller .357, but it's a good idea. I may look into the SP-101 Rugers. Clubsoda22's right, semis and me don't get along. They tend to jam, and I tend to sell them off in disgust.

Sadly, I did part company with my tackdriving K-31. I could no longer give her a proper home, and I noticed some rust spots on the receiver. I had to choose between the K-31 and the M-39, and ammo and parts availability swung the balance in favor of the M-39. The old Swiss soldier is in a better place now. I also had to give up the sweetest rifle of all--my tigerstriped Argentine 1891 Mauser I had her shooting MOA.

The lesson I've learned is don't try to store firearms in damp trailers while homesteading in the backwoods of Alaska.