Help me spend my "summer job" money!

[Eightball]

Greetings, all. As it sits, I'm getting into a serious world of thought insofar as what I'm going to spend my "Summe Job" money on. I already work behind a gun counter at a "big box" store, but am still thinking of getting a part-time job at the local "real" gun store. Last summer, I earned about $1700ish, but $1000 went towards college fees. However, I'm still saving some money from last summer through the course of this semester, but I digress. What it boils down to, is the fact that I have several courses of action to consider to possibly gear up my mind to be prepared to plunk down a lot of cash, and thought everyone could help give me reasons to pick one way or another! And oh yes, it'll be my 21st birthday at the end of July, plus there's the "political climate" to consider, and I don't get out until early May to start working (just stuff to keep in mind). That, and I figure that, while I"m in college, before I'm out in the *real world* where I'll have to pay tons of bills (right now, all I've got is my cell bill, my folks help with the rest until I'm out of school), that this is about the best time in my life to acquire things.

My options/thoughts are:
1. Refurbish my M1 Garand. Rack grade CMP rifle, shot a match or two with it, might get into that a bit more, but I like the idea of it getting refinished/new internals/new stock, to put it back into the "brand new" condition it would've been in back in July '42. (NOTE-not modernization, just a reworking of sorts).
2. Put my gun money towards an ACOG. I haven't got a good optic on my AR, which is a 16" RRA middy A4 (no quad rail). ACOG would fit my needs/ranges of shooting, but good gosh, it's expensive.
3. Put my money towards an EOTech (or EOTech and Magnifying unit). My other optic choice for my AR, haven't done the math, but it COULD be cheaper than the ACOG overall, and possibly lighter? Haven't checked.
4. Put money towards a Winchester M70 Action, either pre-64 or Classic. I have a route by which I could possibly obtain an action, and build a world-class hunting rifle for the rest of my life. NO, no other actions would work, and this would be the beginnings of a custom rifle--barrel, stock, refinishing, etc would follow when I have the funds.
5. CCW-related items and "larger" carry pistol. Since it'd be my 21st, I'm getting my CCW permit ASAP. This option would be more towards the "Me getting a 1911 varient, maybe carrying it," probably a Colt Series 70 repro would be paid for, as well as all the courses/paperwork for my CCW. Could make a decent "winter carry" option, in addition to my revolver.
6. CCW-related items and "smaller" carry pistol. Same things as above, only I would put the money towards a smaller/"summer" carry piece, along the lines of, say, a PPK, SIG 232, Makarov, or whatnot. (And I would be buying a Kel-Tec anyway, please don't mention snubbie revolvers or Kel-Tecs and the like, I'd probably pick one up anyway--just, my pistol choices would be of the sort listed above). Don't have a good "summer" carry piece.
7. Buy stupid, but fun things (pistol). I kinda want a hi-capacity 9mm before the chance they're banned, and would look for a "shooter"-grade Luger, or a P38/P1 to purchase, just because.
8. Buy stupid, but fun things (rifle). More AR stuff--heck, a lower, parts kit, and an upper? I dunno, I'm sure I could think of fun, stupid things to buy.
9. Buy tons of ammo. Buy it before the price goes up anymore? I'm thinking in terms of thousands of rounds, of say .223, .22LR, .38/.357, varios ammo for what I have.

Anyhow.....advice or thoughts on my options here?

 

[Organdonor]

As much as I don't like to listen to hype, I think it's smart to prepare for a possible AWB looming. I'm going to stock up on AR lowers and uppers, and if the ban doesn't come to be, I'll sell them for basically what I paid for them.... no lose situation.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Well, since you asked for opinions, here is mine.

I would get the concealed firearm license and purchase a smallish CCW piece. If you purchase a larger one, you'll still need to get one for summer and won't be able to conceal it as effectively. A smaller CCW, however, CAN be used year round. Although it may be desirable to have a larger one during winter, you can hold out as long as you need to.

This is all assuming you've prepared for a possible AWB.

 

[Deer Hunter]

CCW, easy.

 

[eatont9999]

I would go with a 1911 for CCW. I am not too far behind you as far as being 21, but in MA you cannot own a handgun until age 21 and must have the proper license, so the first thing I am going to do is apply for my Class A. When I get the license, I plan on getting a 1911 in .45ACP. I am a sucker for C&R handguns as well, but to carry, I want as much power as I can carry. I have a list a mile long of what I want to eventually own, but I am going to start saving now so I can buy the $800+ 1911 and a few other little toys when the time comes. I should have plenty of time to save since MA takes their sweet time to process gun licenses. I wonder if I could pre-apply a month ahead of time?

 

[nwilliams]

I prepared for a possible AWB last year by buying a bunch of AK's and some other assault rifles. This year I'm going to focus more on ammo, it just seems to keep going up in price.

My advice, ammo and lots of evil guns before the next election

Oh and don't forget t go for your concealed carry permit also, the way I see it that should just be a given no matter what!

 

[Savage Shooter]

With the very high probability of a democrate getting in the white house I would say buy lots of sweet guns and lots of ammo to mend that itchy trigger finger . Before hillary or brock have to go and suck the fun out of all our harmless little toys

 

[jpwilly]

Donate it to me! Really getting your CWP and a compact 45ACP would be a good choice for you since you are in a high risk job (college student)

 

[mp510]

I would recommend getting the CCW permit and whatever pistol it is that you intend on using most frequently (carry and range). Then, what else (if anything) you buy should be directly relative to what type of money you pull in. That said, I believe you should put away as much money as possible. Don't fall into the trap that many college kids do of spending money because they got some.

 

[P-32]

The best return would be send in your M-1.


http://www.dgrguns.com

Plus with a good barrel you would have way more fun at the matches.......

 

[alaskanativeson]

I say CCW and a handgun. For your choice of gun I'd say get the smallest thing you feel comfortable trusting your life with. I wouldn't argue with the people who say the 1911 is the best pistol ever made nor would I disagree with those who say the Glock is the thing to carry when you need to depend on it. What I would say is this: Neither will do you any good if you leave them in the gunsafe or on the night stand.

When I was in the real world (I don't consider the Alaskan Frontier to be part of that) I carried a Kel-Tec .380. I feel comfortable shooting it and it was small enough I could carry it with me comfortably everywhere I was legally allowed to. I'd argue that my USP Compact .45 is as good a gun as there is made but it's also MUCH larger and heavier than the Kel-Tec and it doesn't conceal anywhere near as well. The Kel-Tec isn't the same quality but it is still well made, very reliable, and .380 will end a fight if I use it well.

 

[T.R.]

Why not consider a hunting trip for wild hog / boar?
TR