essential 3

[Slapnut]

Please forgive me if this has been discussed previously, but after extensive use of the search feature, I did not come up with any answers. (if this has been touched on, a hotlink would be great )

Long story short, I've been existing sans firearms for the last 5 years. When I moved to my new vocation, I decided to leave the family firearms with the family majority since there is a lot of history there. Whisking it away would not have been the right thing to do by my siblings.

Now, however, I've gotten the bug to build up my own battery... not a minor task, I've come to find out. As such, I'm looking for some recommendations as to what essential 3 weapons this knowledgeable community would recommend, based on reliability, accuracy, and utility, since what I'm familiar with, i most certainly can't replace without a LOT of searching.

I cut my teeth shooting a Winchester Model 42 .410, and swear by it for pheasant, bunny and squirrel, and an Ithaca 16 gauge,
my deer rifle all through my life was an old Mauser K98 my grandfather sent back in pieces.

For black powder season, we had a variety, but mine was a kit built 45 cap lock. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a brand of any sort, we just picked up a barrel blank, lock and trigger assembly, and a chunk of maple for the stock.

The one piece of history I did keep was my Mauser 1914 Pocket pistol, which my grandfather gave to me just before he croaked. It's the pistol I learned to shoot with, and I love it to death, but I can't see .32 ACP as all that versatile.

So, since what I "know" is kind of a pain to re-buy, in the category of Shotgun, Handgun, and Rifle, would everyone consider the most essential, and why?


Thanks

 

[EHCRain10]

shotgun -870 or 500 12 or 20 gauge
Rifle - 22LR or 308/30-06 bolt action
357mag 4inch revolver or a 1911 fullsize

welcome to the forum

 

[Schofield3]

Well, you have many options, 12GA, .45 ACP, .308Win/30-06 I consider to be the basic reliable calibers, but to each his own, pick what firearms you are comfortable shooting and what firearms best meet the applications of what is needed.

Scho-

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Handgun

Are you more comfortable with a revolver or autopistol?

Would you use a sidearm mostly in home situations or would you plan to carry?

For example, if you preferred revolvers and your intended use was mostly home, I would recommend something like a S&W 586 or 686 in a four-inch barrel (mine is a 586-7, a 7-shot .357; the stainless version is the 686+).

If, on the other hand, you prefer autopistols and have a mostly home use, then I'd suggest something in a 1911 style pistol for starters. It's a classic, it's a reliable design, every gunsmith under the sun knows them, parts can be had everywhere, and there's no argument that it's "enough gun" for defensive purposes. The recoil is actually more manageable than certain smaller calibres.

If your plan is to carry, then a whole different set of considerations enter, and I'll step aside for those with more expertise and experience.

Welcome to The High Road.

 

[Slapnut]

Are you more comfortable with a revolver or autopistol?
Would you use a sidearm mostly in home situations or would you plan to carry?

While I'm not unfamiliar or uncomfortable with revolvers, I generally stay with auto, and I honestly don't plan on carrying unless it's open carry for the time being, so for the pistol category, I suppose it would be in the home defense category.

I do agree a 1911 would be a good option and I have been eyeballing a CZ-75 frame.

I would like to purchase weapons that will last, as my Father and Grandfather did. much like the steel in a knife, it's all in the metal quality, craftsmanship, fit, and finish as to what will last, and retain it's accuracy I guess that's a separate question to this one, but one I would like to pursue. I don't think I could bring myself to buy a glock, or an inline muzzle loader for the same reason.

 

[Eric F]

Shotgun-870 remington why? Every one should know how to work one. Its just a plain jane every day shotgun. Easy to use and good reliability history.

Rifle. any reliable bolt gun. Why? again reliability. Generally speaking they do not malfunction, as they have few moving parts. No gas system to wonder about ect. If it were mw I woulf go with a savage 10 of some sort. Caliber pending use. 308 for hunting in N. america Deer ect. 223 for varmit type stuff. either for plnking.

Pistol. Since you said you liked the 32 auto I will assume you like autos. Its tough to beat a 1911. But for simplicity again I might think a glock would be best.

 

[gotime242]

FNP9
Rem 870
Ar15

 

[Phil DeGraves]

It really should be essential 5 or 6. In modern guns this is what I'd recommend.
1.Auto pistol - 1911 .45 in any quality make.
2.Revolver - .357 Smith, Colt or Ruger

3.Shotgun - Remington 870, 1100, 1187.

4.Defense Rifle - AR, AK, Mini 14, M1 carbine

5.Hunting Rifle - any good Bolt or Lever in a real rifle caliber. Winchester M70, Rem 700, or Marlin 1895.

6.Rimfire rifle or handgun, Colt Woodsman, S&W M41, Ruger MkII or MkIII or repeating rifle in whatever action you prefer.

 

[kevindsingleton]

XD45 (simple to operate and maintain, good capacity)
Winchester 1300, Mossberg 500, Remington 870 (simple to operate, good for any scattergun task from home defense to trap)
AR-15 (for defense purposes, modular, and lots of accessories) or
Remington 700 or Savage 10-series in a good deer caliber. I like 30-06.

Of course, this is just the beginning. You still need several .22s; both rifles and pistols, a good man-stopping revolver, an O/U 12 for skeet and birds, a fast centerfire rifle for varmints, a small backup gun for discreet carry, and something that'll stop everything from elk to GMC pickups.

And, ammo. Lots, and lots, of ammo.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

It's a personal choice but I view the type of guns your discussing as pure tools and would advise against falling for what others tell you to have or else your unable to defend yourself. I also agree it should be five minimum but will voice my opinion both ways.

Shotgun: 12 gauge by remington/mossberg/winchester with 20in and 26 in barrels. (if only one barrl then it's your preference but i like the 20 in)

Rifle: ak / ar model: it doesn't matter except in money and your feel for them. I do not hunt (yet) so these rifles fill the fun at the range part and are handy for any situation in shtf area including hunting. I have a converted Saiga with a red-dot that is very accurate and remains so when you switch to iron sights. ( also recommend a 22lr for cheap practice)

Handguns: Glock 26 which fills both roles for me as a home defender with a 15 round magazine and a ten rounder for ccw purposes. (also recommend a 22lr handgun for cheap practice)

 

[Meowhead]

Shotgun's easy. Remington 870 in 12 gauge, because of its versatility. There're a ton of accessories and parts on the market, from different stocks to magazine extensions to barrels of different lengths, and so you can use the same gun for home defense and for hunting or whatever. The design also makes it very easy to change the appropriate parts.

Rifle? That really depends on what you want a rifle for. Hunting? Target shooting? Overthrowing the government, or maybe zombie infestation?

Pistol? There're so many good choices for home defense that I couldn't recommend any single one. 1911 would indeed be good. So would the CZ-75. So would a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Mag, or a ton of other options.

Though, in addition to a home defense/carry pistol, I would also get one in .22LR. These are good for practice, cheap to shoot, and just damn fun. If you end up buying the CZ-75, then consider the factory .22LR conversion Kadet Kit.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Ooooh, this is fun, I love these "1 of each" type threads.

My go-to, sworn-by favorites:

Shotgun: Remington 870 Express 12 gauge. One 28" barrel for skeet, trap, pheasant, ducks, geese, etc. One 18.5" barrel for home defense.

Rifle: Winchester or Marlin lever-action .30-30, or a .270 or .30-06 bolt-action. All great deer calibers, but for an all-around woods gun, light, quick-handling, classic, I'd go with a lever-gun.

Handgun - It depends on your personal uses for this weapon. Home defense, plinking, range gun - my personal choice is an auto. Woods gun, camp gun, wilderness hiking, occasional hunting - revolver.

Pistol: Beretta 92fs 9mm.

Revolver: Ruger GP100 4" .357 magnum. Of course, it will also eat softer .38 special for practice, economical shooting, lighter recoil, etc.

There you go, have fun!

 

[orvpark]

3 is hard, 4 is doable, I think 5 is the best round number

3:
Rem 870 or Moss 500, with two barrels would be ideal (choose by whichever safety location you like best)

Good man stopper caliber handgun take your pick .38 or better

Rifle: SKS or Saiga .308, good for defense or hunting.

4: Same as above but add a Marlin model 60 or 10/22

5: Same as above but split your rifle into a good bolt gun and a good "fun" gun. Rem 700 and a AR-15 would be my picks

 

[Slapnut]

I never saw myself buying an AK, but that Saiga .308 seems like an overall winner based on what I can read about it... I'll definitely check that out.

I can't justify a full auto weapon as an essential 3 for my personal needs, since I'd never take it anywhere but paper punching at a range. I'd very much enjoy owning one "some day", but it's more of a fringe purchase to me.

Thanks for all the input. With all the viable choices out and about, it's hard to pick where to start looking.

As for the 1911's... with so many out there, is one producer head and shoulders above another, for quality, or should I be on the lookout for one of a particular era?

the Remington 870 seems to have a deserved following, but it seems the 16 gauge I grew up with is out of favor for some reason. certainly something for me to look into.

Thanks again

 

[Pure Kustom]

LONG RANGE Rem.742 30-06
MID RANGE BM AR-15 .223
SHORT RANGE .44magnum/.45acp

 

[RtHG77]

Rifle - AK-47 or some variant thereof. But if you're in a state where those are illegal, an SKS would serve just as well for most applications. A million commies can't be wrong, eh?

Shotgun - I'm not big on shotguns, but I had a blast with the Mossberg 500 in 12 gauge I used to own.

Pistol - Depends on what you're wanting to do... I like a Ruger Mk1 (.22LR) for target shooting, my Baby Browning (.25acp) for concealed carry, a 1911 (.45acp) for self-defense. .38's and 9mm's are fun too, but don't own any of those.

 

[Meowhead]

I can't justify a full auto weapon as an essential

Wait what?
I don't think anyone here's talking about anything fully automatic. There ARE semiauto AKs out there, you know.

 

[bgeddes]

shotgun -870 or 500 12 or 20 gauge
Rifle - 22LR or 308/30-06 bolt action
357mag 4inch revolver or a 1911 fullsize

AMEN!!

Rem 870 or Mossy 500 - a bazillion sold and going strong

'Deer Rifle' - any of the standard North American cals. - .243, .270, 30-06, .308, or any of the common 'metrics'. 30-06 or .308 would be my advice.

'Utility Rifle' - .22lr in almost any flavor

Big Gun - .357 Wheel gun, 1911

'Utility Handgun' - .22 LR in any flavor, lots of good <$300 units

After that I would look into the battle rifles, ARs & AKs and the like.

The 5 can be had for $2500 for decent stuff.

 

[doc2rn]

FNP9
NEF 20g
Marlin Model 60
These are my fav's on a budget

 

[Big45]

Please forgive me if this has been discussed previously,

What three guns would I take? Of course, what a brilliant and never before broached subject!

 

[Joe Cool]

Since I only started last year, the first three I bought are listed in a few places here:
Remington 870 - 12 gauge
1911 Full size
Remington 700 in 30-06

 

[Slapnut]

What three guns would I take? Of course, what a brilliant and never before broached subject!

It did seem like something that would have been asked, but after reading a good bit of the forum, and spending about 30 minutes using the search feature, I didn't see anything similar. I am, of course, both intensely and immensely sorry I offended your sensibilities, and will take this post as chaste, remembering your words of wit for future reference, since being tactfully sarcastic and sardonic apparently wins "teh internets".
If you, being an experienced forum senior have some type of link to where this was discussed previously, other than the many situational self defense posts I encountered, I would very much enjoy the chance to read it.

But, just for clarity, it was less "what would I take" and more "what would you pick to start with", or "If I knew then what I know now, I'd have told myself to stay away from [x], and picked up [y] instead". a concept that seems rather practical, and something people with a large, time acquired firearm vocabulary would be quite willing to share.

Fortunately, there have been a number of good pointers, and I'm quite thankfull

 

[Picard]

I can't justify a full auto weapon as an essential

Yeah, nobody wants you to spend thousands on getting a full auto rifle. The laws are such that the only new firearms that you can purchase as a lowly peasant are those which are neutered to fire in a semi-automatic mode only.

AK's and AR's, as scary as they look, are all semi-auto. No different than a hunting rifle.

 

[Old Grump]

Any decent 22 pistol although I would prefer they buy a single action revolver like a single six to start hand gunning with. Easier to concentrate on sight and trigger control if you can't just blaze away in a hurry.

For new shooters I recommend a savage bolt action 22 rifle for the same reason mentioned above

For shotgun a 20 gauge is sufficient gun without a lot of whack to your shoulder, my personal favorite happens to be a Mossberg but I have Browning and Winchester too. Nothing against any of them, they all work fine. Nothing against semi-auto shotguns but the pump works reliably, just as fast and cheaper.

For target shooting at all ranges I use an H&R single shot break action in 308 but again a savage bolt action in 308 is good out of the box for accurate and easy on the wallet. I wouldn't turn down any good rifle but the 308 is probably the most versatile round you can get unless you want to get into long range bench rest shooting. for 100 to 600 its hard to beat for target and hunting but a 6MM would do as well such as the 243 if all you want is a paper poker and it will be easier on the shoulder.

Thats 4 guns but I got the idea you wanted a centerfire, however I think any 3 gun collection should have a pair of 22's. They are fun, cheap and contribute greatly to accuracy. Any flinch problems can be worked out with the mouse gun. In spite of all the guns and all the calibers I have the 22 goes down range more often than any other caliber. If you don't want to trap or skeet shoot then drop the shotgun. If you want a centerfire pistol I would drop the 22 rifle and get a 45, I'm a colt man only because thats what I have but there are a dozen others I would cheerfully use in addition to my colt.

If you had been a hunter living up in my neck of the woods I would have recommended a 22 pistol, 22 rifle and a lever action in 30-30 and let them build from there. If they really wanted a shotgun then drop the 30-30 and get a 20 gauge and put rifle sights on it and you have both a bird and a deer gun or a pumpkin smasher on the range. I scoped one of mine for turkey hunting and put a rifled barrel on another for slug and sabot shooting. Shooting groups at 100 yards with a shotgun is a real kick.

 

[CountGlockula]

Glock 35
Glock 23
Remington 870