Help me decide what type of gun to buy next...

[Regolith]

Ok, so, which one of those platforms/firearms should I buy next? I'm probably going to get all of them at some point in time in the next 2-5 years or so, but right now my funds are limited, and after I buy one of these it'll be another 5-10 months before I can buy another one.

Here are my circumstances: I am 21 years old (22 in February) a college student (hence the limited funds). I live in apartment in Oregon, and occasionally drive home to Nevada see the parents. I'll be graduating in June of 2009 (hopefully), and do not know where I will end up after that (depends on job offers, openings, etc). I only own one gun, a 12 gauge Remington 870 Express, which I use for bird hunting and self defense, and a Stevens Model 66B bolt action .22LR for plinking/small game hunting.

I have a fairly keen interest in all of the major aspects of gun ownership (hunting, self defense, and target shooting/plinking).

So, what' will it be? Please state the reasoning behind your choice, because if you orate well enough, I may be convinced to throw away the poll results if your argument doesn't match the raw data.

Edit: I didn't include specific make models for each one, because I've already narrowed those down to one or two models and will be deciding that based on going to the gun store and seeing how well it fits me, so I don't really need any advice on that. I just need to narrow down which type of firearm I should get.

 

[bensdad]

What poll results? I don't see a poll.

You, like the rest of us, need several of everything. Since you are young, stay light and mobile. Handgun. Since the Dems might take it all in Nov., get an AR while you still can. Since you spend most of your time in Wash. State, you need a good mt. rifle for sheep. You should also get a milsurp, as the supply will dry up shortly. Another of your top priorities should be a class III gun, since the supply is permanently limited, their value can only go up... way up. A lever action is also a must, since John Wayne had one.

I hope I've helped clear things up for you. Glad to be of service.

ETA: The poll just came up on my computer.

 

[Regolith]

Thanks. You're a real big help.

 

[Yosemite**Sam]

Being a moved to another state college student usually means that one is a burden to their parents. Out of all your choices the revolver would be the least expensive to shoot. Get the wheel gun and save your parents some money.

 

[Blackbeard]

I voted handgun, because, well everyone needs a handgun. I would say EBR due to the likelihood of it being banned before you can afford it. But, you might move to PRK for a job and then you'd have to give it up.

 

[siglite]

I voted handgun. You don't currently own anything that can be CCWd. Handgun and a permit application.

 

[weisse52]

I voted wheelgun. You have two long guns, just something different!

 

[Mac45]

I voted for the .357 revolver, just because you don't have a handgun yet.
A lever gun in .357 was running a close second.
Levers can be a serious addiction, but you really should have at least one hand gun

 

[Big45]

I'm surprised to see so many handgun votes. I voted for EBR. Listen, your handgun isn't going to help me stay free. Get yourself a (large caliber) battle rifle.

 

[jh9x18ky]

Here is an idea..... Since it is your money, and will be your firearm, buy what YOU want. If I wanted a handgun for defense, I wouldnt be looking at bolt guns. If I wanted a semi-auto rifle to play with, I wouldnt be looking at lever guns..... etc.

 

[CB900F]

Regolith;

I voted handgun, with qualifications. If you're considering using the handgun for concealed carry, usually the better choice is a semi-auto.

I've been there & done that. My first CCW gun was a Ruger SP101 .357 2.25" barrel stored in a Milt Sparks Summer Special holster. I'm 5'110" & 165 lbs. Even though the SP is a small gun, I still found it uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. That round cylinder, compact though it was, just didn't want to peacefully co-exist with my torso.

Consequently I've switched. Now my everyday gun is an H&K USPc, also stored in Milt Sparks leather, this time the Exec's Companion. If all you did was compare numbers, I'm supposing the H&K is a bigger gun. However, it's a far more comfortable gun to carry.

I realize that with your circumstances that cost is a very real consideration. Therefore I'm not saying you should get an H&K. What I'm saying is that you might want to seriously consider a semi for your purposes if they include CCW self defense.

Several makes/models come to mind. The Makarov is inexpensive and Soviet Military reliable. You could do a lot worse. Kel-Tek's in their several iterations. The Kahr CW series is a good deal less expensive than the rest of the line. The Bersa Thunder enjoys an excellent on-line reputation. And don't ignore the used rack either.

900F

 

[doc2rn]

I concur with needing a handgun. However I think you should look beyond the .357 Mag and go with a Glock 32 in .357 sig. I have a S&W wheelie, but for CCW I prefer the Glock. Even if you vie for a different caliber I would recommend something you would be comfortable with, go to a range and rent different guns. If the scatter gun is your HD weapon, and you want to hunt more than you worry about PPE, get the rifle (30-06 & .308 are great choices). I think you have already made up your mind, you where just wanting others to tell you, yeah I'd get that one.

 

[cortez kid]

I said get the lever gun. With what has happened to Winchester and the fact that Marlin was just bought out, I'd get one of either to beat the crowd push for the old one's. Can't justify what might happen, it just usually happens reguardless.
kid

 

[Colt46]

get yourself a classic revolver

Hard to go wrong in many ways.
I'd try to tempt you with a K-frame smith and wesson in .38 or .357 and maybe a single action .45
Single actions are seriously fun and always register a larger thump than most people equate for a non-magnum.

 

[JKimball]

I voted for handgun so you can ccw.

I guess it depends how interested you are in hunting big game.

 

[btg3]

Handgun for CC.
Since you're on a tight budget, make it a 9mm so you can afford to shoot it twice as much as another caliber.

 

[loop]

Get a 4-inch barreled .357. Barrel is long enough to yield accuracy and power. Reliability is a given with almost any decent brand name. You can shoot cheap .38 wadcutters or hot .357 defense loads.
It will offer a different experience from shooting a long gun. You'll learn a lot about sight picture, trigger pull, downrange ballistics and caliber/cartridge conversions. It will help prepare you to reload, which if you follow a well-traveled path, is what you will end up doing.
Plus, you can toss it under the seat of the car (get your CCW first) and with it and a box of ammo handy be always ready to plink away.
Further, handguns retain and increase in value more quickly than long guns. Just my 2 cent's worth...

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Bolt rifle, in .308 or .30-06.

 

[Buck shot]

I voted for the handgun because you need one. The wheel gun will also need less maintenance because of less moving parts. I remember when I was your age. I wanted to shoot a lot but did not want to spend a lot of time cleaning.

I don't know about the laws up there but in Texas a handgun is the perfect tool to keep in arms reach in your vehicle while driving and it looks like you do a lot of that. It's kind of hard to stick a rifle in your pocket when you have to get out to pump gas or change a flat.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

EBR

Preferably an AR 15 in .223

 

[RKBABob]

HANDGUN!​

The shotgun is good for home defense, and sporting uses... but that doesn't do you a lick of good when you're broken down somewhere between Oregon and Nevada! The numero uno most important use of firearms is to keep the bearer safe from harm. Those long guns ain't gonna do that, unless harm always happens in your apartment.

I'd brush up on my firearms law, if I were you, and take the revolver on the trips to see the parents (obey the laws of each state you travel through). If you can get a CCW permit where you live, do that.

Also, you can get that lever gun in .38spl/.357mag.
Its pretty cool to be able to stock 1 type of cartridge for two guns.

 

[Regolith]

Hmm...lots of suggestions for a handgun, most with the qualification that I should get a CCP. I guess I should mention that getting a CCP in Oregon for a non-resident such as myself (I'm still a Nevada resident) is very difficult, as you have to document a reason as to why you need it (such as threats against your life, or having a business in Oregon that requires you to carry lots of cash, etc, neither of which applies to me). I could get one in Nevada, but Oregon does not reciprocate with Nevada, and vice versa, and I spend the vast majority of my time in Oregon.

So, if I get a handgun, it likely won't be a CCW piece, but rather a bedside/door gun and a trail/hunting gun. The specific model I'm looking at is a GP101 with a 4" barrel, which meets the minimum requirements for big game hunting in Nevada while still being somewhat concealable.

Here is an idea..... Since it is your money, and will be your firearm, buy what YOU want. If I wanted a handgun for defense, I wouldnt be looking at bolt guns. If I wanted a semi-auto rifle to play with, I wouldnt be looking at lever guns..... etc.

That's the problem, I want everything up there, and every time I think I've made up my mind, I start to think I'd be better off getting one of the others first.

 

[RKBABob]

So, if I get a handgun, it likely won't be a CCW piece, but rather a bedside/door gun and a trail/hunting gun. The specific model I'm looking at is a GP101 with a 4" barrel, which meets the minimum requirements for big game hunting in Nevada while still being somewhat concealable.

Its still small enough to hide behind your hip when someone comes a-knocking on the wrong door at 3AM... and woould go perfect with the levergun in the same cartridge. I say, "go for it!"

 

[stevek]

I didn't vote, as I'm divided between the handgun and the EBR. For bedside, or at home, you're pretty well covered with your shotgun. That said, I think a well built .357 revolver is a thing of beauty and I own a couple myself But with the upcoming election, and the possible implications for our Second Amendment rights, now might be the time to pick up that EBR and as many magazines as you can afford. There are usually a lot of available used wheel guns out there when you can better afford to pick one up, especially since you are not looking for a carry gun.

So....I guess I'll go back and vote for the EBR