Good second gun idea?

[rskent]

I’m not gonna question your choices. If they work for you, great.

But I would think that for most people that are on a budget, and looking for a self-defense gun, that they can have some range fun with, the AR is a better choice.

Modestly priced, can you get a good running lever gun for the price of that AR? Maybe, if you know lever guns. I have always wanted one in 45 Colt (of course) but I can’t cost justify one, even if they reek of cool factor


Note: We do know that AR’s come in pistol caliber’s, right?

 

[Ed Ames]

I'm not asking for anyone to agree with me but I can provide a little reasoning on this.

The first gun I ever bought was an AR15. ...

So later I bought a P556 pistol ....

I ... realized that for me, the AR15 is a mostly uninteresting gun, chambered in a cartridge I have no practical use for, and that serves no purpose.
....

That makes complete sense to me.

The common AR carbines everyone sells are really good training rifles. And that’s not a bad starting point, but unless your hobby is training (which is a perfectly valid hobby), there is every chance you’ll outgrow your first AR. Some people, when they outgrow it, move on to different platforms. Others start down the rabbit hole of different AR configurations. Either is valid.

I haven’t decided whether that’s an argument for choosing, or bypassing, the AR as a starting point.

 

[rskent]

I can think of more than a few better choices for that stumble around in jammies in the middle of the night, scenario.

Such as?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Note: We do know that AR’s come in pistol caliber’s, right?

Sure, and if that floats someone’s boat, cool. I wanted the 10mm auto in a carbine, and at the time the KRISS was all that appealed to me.

I think the sweet spot is with a 9mm or 45 acp carbine style pistol, with a brace and suppressor. You increase the velocity of the round with a longer barrel and keep it from ruining your ears in a HD scenario. I want to set up a CZ Scorpion pistol this way but won’t happen this year.

Regarding lever guns, they can be pricy for sure. I just chose to put my money there for a 357 rather than spend the same on an AR or two.

Like you said, not knocking anyone’s choices. I just don’t see a need for an AR in my life. But that’s now. Tomorrow may be different.

 

[Sniper66]

What would make for a good eventual second gun? Either a AR15 chambered in 556/223 or a dedicated 9mm PCC carbine? Looking for something for self defense but still want something fun for the range. Am looking for something that groups good & is also flat shooting. Either a dedicated 9MM carbine or just grab a complete AR15 556/223 then later on grab a 9MM dedicated upper. Then have the option to play with lots of different calibers even eventually try out shotgun gauges hence theirs shotgun uppers for the AR15 also. I think the AR15 is a wiser choice for a second rifle other then something exotic like the CZ scorpion or the AK 9mms. What would y’all recommend for under 800$ during normal times? This is something I might look into after I go shooting for a while.

MODERATOR NOTE: His first gun is a .22lr Ruger 10-22.

You already named your first and best choice for lots of reasons that have already been stated by others. I think your instincts for. the second gun are right on target.

 

[Jack B.]

I hand a person at one of my ranges let me shoot his 9mm PPC, what a blast . Tons of fun. Not much recoil and not a lot of noise. It was fun. I'm just not a 9mm fan.So I didn't go get one for myself.

 

[FFGColorado]

Such as?

Hand gun with a light affixed rather than any sort of 'long gun'. One hand use, assuming it's also darkish and the room is small-ish..

 

[FFGColorado]

Hand gun with a light affixed rather than any sort of 'long gun'. One hand use, assuming it's also darkish and the room is small-ish..

If ya want to use a AR platform for middle of the night, intruder IN your home, go right ahead(boy, they are LOUD too) but my 556 is pretty far down my HD list..G17, G26, G42, shotgun, then maybe my 556...Again, if the gang is breaching your walls..sure..rifle.

 

[benEzra]

What would make for a good eventual second gun? Either a AR15 chambered in 556/223 or a dedicated 9mm PCC carbine? Looking for something for self defense but still want something fun for the range. Am looking for something that groups good & is also flat shooting. Either a dedicated 9MM carbine or just grab a complete AR15 556/223 then later on grab a 9MM dedicated upper. Then have the option to play with lots of different calibers even eventually try out shotgun gauges hence theirs shotgun uppers for the AR15 also. I think the AR15 is a wiser choice for a second rifle other then something exotic like the CZ scorpion or the AK 9mms. What would y’all recommend for under 800$ during normal times? This is something I might look into after I go shooting for a while.

MODERATOR NOTE: His first gun is a .22lr Ruger 10-22.

An AR is a good choice; caliber may depend on what ranges are available. You can generally shoot a 9mm long gun at an indoor pistol range, but not a .223/5.56mm.

A .22 pistol can also be a lot of fun.

 

[rskent]

Hand gun with a light affixed rather than any sort of 'long gun'. One hand use, assuming it's also darkish and the room is small-ish..

As it happens, I agree. A Glock 17 with a TLR1 works for me. But that wasn’t what the OP was asking about, was it?

 

[JTHunter]

I am also into pistol caliber reloading/handloading, so for me a PCC in a cartridge I already load for makes more sense. That's why I own a 357 lever gun and a KRISS carbine in 10mm auto. It thumps pretty good.

Ditto.
A GP-100 4" and a Marlin 1894. If I should need a lot of "suppressive fire", an AK with 40 rd. and 75 rd. magazines will take care of that quite well. Lighter fire can be had with a 10/22 (with 30 & 50 rd. mags) and a Keltec PMR-30. And those are just the semis.

 

[John Joseph]

What would make for a good eventual second gun? Either a AR15 chambered in 556/223 or a dedicated 9mm PCC carbine? Looking for something for self defense but still want something fun for the range. Am looking for something that groups good & is also flat shooting. Either a dedicated 9MM carbine or just grab a complete AR15 556/223 then later on grab a 9MM dedicated upper. Then have the option to play with lots of different calibers even eventually try out shotgun gauges hence theirs shotgun uppers for the AR15 also. I think the AR15 is a wiser choice for a second rifle other then something exotic like the CZ scorpion or the AK 9mms. What would y’all recommend for under 800$ during normal times? This is something I might look into after I go shooting for a while.

MODERATOR NOTE: His first gun is a .22lr Ruger 10-22.

Why can't a good SD gun also be fun at the range?
If you enjoy shooting your SD gun, you'll shoot more often and that should help improve your skill at arms.

 

[FFGColorado]

As it happens, I agree. A Glock 17 with a TLR1 works for me. But that wasn’t what the OP was asking about, was it?

What would make for a good eventual second gun?

Discussion group, I was discussing..

In another thread a gent asked foropinions about 3 handguns..one being a Glock 17, the other 2 a 1911 and CZ..of COURSE somebody said, look at a Sig'..what a surprise.

 

[Pat Riot]

The OP asked a question....

Pricelessppp,
I would like to recommend the Ruger PC Carbine as well. I have one and it has functioned flawlessly since the day I bought it. It has become my favorite long gun and I am a Cowboy Action Shooter and love lever guns. That should tell you something.

A good AR-15 is also a good choice but a lot depends on what you wish to do with it and how much you want to spend. More info needed...

Also, you didn’t mention handguns but a handgun that compliments your long gun would be something to think about.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

!0/22 followed by PC Carbine makes sense. We LOVE the PC 9mm. We've had it for over a year now....feed it Glock mags. Sooner or later you may end up with a Glock, too....it is handy as heck that they share mags! Solid, well-built gun. Ammo is really cheap and you have a vast variety to choose from. For defense The PC 9 is a lot easier to control indoors than an AR in 5.56 (yes, many guys have ARs in this role and that is fine....but for me that is way too much punch for indoors!). There are more customizing options offered every day for the Ruger PC also as it becomes more popular. The breakdown feature is handy, too---I fitted out an old plastic behind-the-seat toolbox as a discrete storage box for the trunk.