Help my Wife understand need VS want

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EBRDude

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Ok, I am currently rifle-less with the exception of a .22lr. I have a CCW pistol, but in planning for possible future disaster events, I want a rifle. I have tried to explain to my Wife the difference between a pistol and a rifle when it comes to "controlling real estate" but I think she thinks I am just using this as an excuse to buy the new FS2000 at a local shop. I will point her to this thread so she can read the replies you all make about how a pistol is a poor choice as a tool for survival. I am not a survival freak, but I like to be somewhat prepared. Thanks for the replies. I think.
 
Well it is a poor choice for survival. It would be awful to be stuck in any kind of situation where you may be attacked from a good distance and only be able to respond with a pistol. imagine someone firing at you from 100 yards away, what on earth could you do other than take a couple shots while running and hope it scares them enough so you can escape? Besides, if you needed to find your own food a rifle would be quite helpful, whereas a pistol would make things very, very difficult on you.

But even more importantly, the FS200 is a sweet looking rifle and I want one as well.
 
I agree with the shotgun HD thing. However, I live in the extreme boonies where extended ranges could be possible. Am I wrong in thinking this?
 
Wife, if you love your husband you'll buy him a rifle (of his choice) for Mother's Day since you missed National BAG (buy a gun) Day which was April 15th.
 
It's tough to do because everybody has there own opinions. I feel personally that a handgun is only a defensive weapon because you can carry it when nothing else will do or when you go about everyday life with no particular threat to worry about. I agree with you and I would want a 22lr rilfe and handgun to practice with and a carry handgun / rifle depending on the threat level although you could do without it would be no were near as effective. . It's much the same as asking "do I need to rent a u-haul to move ". No you don't you can use your bicycle but it would be a heck of a lot harder and definitely not the tool for the job. Maybe look at a more cost effective weapon. $400 and you could get an sks with 100 stripper clips and a sealed tin of a couple hundred rounds of 7.62 russian. Shop around and you could probaly have enough left over for a few hundred practice rounds.

Understand though, asking a gunboard to convince your wife to allow another gun is like asking a bar full of drunks if you should get another drink. You and her already know the answer and it probably won't change her mind.
 
handguns are for fighting your way to your rifle

Ever notice that soldiers don't draw their sidearms until their rifles fail or are empty? Ever notice that when police face an armed adversary and are near their shotguns or rifles the use their shotguns or rifles?

Rifles are more suitable for armed confrontations - because of accuracy, range. and power.

Handguns are for when adversaries are close-in and you don't have a rifle in your hands at the moment.

Also, rifles are more suitable for hunting/survival - both because of accuracy and range.

Handguns are for when you don't have any other choice. If I could get my AR15 in my pocket, I'd be carrying it instead of a 9mm or .38.

Someone else said, "handguns are for fighting your way to your rifle."
 
The rifle is probably never going to be "needed" in the true sense of the word. That makes it a want item. If one were a hunter and needed a rifle to hunt a particular game safely then that would be a need.

To want a rifle to have in case of a diaster and emergency control of real estate is still just a want item in my view. If one has a lot of money then want items are OK, but for the average person it is wise to consider the overall requirements and long term goals.
To each his own.

What are the odds of it ever being needed?

Regards,
Jerry
 
Jerry
I would say the odds are pretty slim but if it 's needed then it's needed. The fact is the "need" for a rifle is unknown and therefore really can't be quantified. Whats interesting is people who don't think I need any guns say the same thing. "whats odds you will ever need your gun".
 
If you get no other firearm at all ever the 12-gauge shotgun is the one to get for reliability, practicality and utility. The 12-Gauge will be the primary home defense weapon as well as all around hunting gun (will take all birds in NA, small game, and even deer with the right loads). That isn't even yet taking into account after market accessories available for the common Rem 870 or Moss 500.

Every home should have at minimum:

12 gauge shotgun (20 acceptable, but not preferred)
.22lr rifle
.30 or larger caliber rifle

You should be able to come up with the three needed and necessary firearms for under $1000.

These three guns will provide home defense and game food of various forms in cases of need.

If $$$ left over add in a .223 or 7.62X39 firearm of some form.

Anything else is just gap fillers for specific purpose and fun (ie wants).

Notice I didn't list pistols. Pistols are for body and vehicle protection and should be your first purchase AFTER the three household required firearms I listed, and before filling gaps and wants.

That's my opinion on the subject.
 
Dang JerryM, My wife will quote your reply next time I talk to her. Ever heard the term "hooking a brother up"?
That was humor.
Seriously though, I am not fond of playing odds. The odds are I will never again have to use a weapon to defend myself or my family. But the odds are a poor consolation when you are on the bad end of them. I have guns because I have been on the bad side of odds before. I prefer proactive to reactive.
 
If you get no other firearm at all ever the 12-gauge shotgun is the one to get for reliability, practicality and utility. The 12-Gauge will be the primary home defense weapon as well as all around hunting gun (will take all birds in NA, small game, and even deer with the right loads). That isn't even yet taking into account after market accessories available for the common Rem 870 or Moss 500.

Every home should have at minimum:

12 gauge shotgun (20 acceptable, but not preferred)
.22lr rifle
.30 or larger caliber rifle

You should be able to come up with the three needed and necessary firearms for under $1000.

These three guns will provide home defense and game food of various forms in cases of need.

If $$$ left over add in a .223 or 7.62X39 firearm of some form.

Anything else is just gap fillers for specific purpose and fun (ie wants).

Notice I didn't list pistols. Pistols are for body and vehicle protection and should be your first purchase AFTER the three household required firearms I listed, and before filling gaps and wants.

That's my opinion on the subject.
Click to expand...

Not a bad opinion. Not bad at all. :)
 
you need to get a rifle soon, you gotta live up to that username after all.;)
 
Yeah, I know. you notice my join date? I used to have more than one EBR. AR15's, LR308's AR180's-etc. Although some of them were not black, I thought ERDude would imply I was in medical care.
They have all gone to get a newer one and so forth. My last one (DPMS AP4 .308) was liquidated to fund a newer one in .223 to have cheaper ammo costs. However, it did not happen, and the fund-master(wife) has placed a strict mandate on un-needed items. Hence the topic.
 
I'm right there with you man. I just got an unexpected bonus at work and have been wanting a S&W 642 for the longest time. I explained the situation to my wife and where the unexpected funds would be going. She wasn't exactly thrilled. Thankfully I had enough left over to buy her some clothes and now everybody's happy, ha.
 
EBRDude - IMHO you need a rifle - could you get by for the rest of your life without it?? possibly - but i wouldn't want to take that chance - i live a peacefull life now and hope it stays that way - but there are no guarantees - Bottom line is this: in a fight a rifle is always better - sure - a handgun is the best option for concealment/surprise etc - but a rifle is going to win hands down!! A shotgun is good but doesn't have the range or accuracy you need - A handgun also doesn't have the take down power a rifle will - Personally i think that for self defense of one's self, family, and property, a combination is best - A good quality handgun, a semi-auto rifle, and a shot gun are what you need. A bolt action rifle in a large cal. is also a good thing to have on hand. Can you go walking around all the time now strapped down with all of those?? no - but if there comes a time when you need to defend the ones you love you need more options then just a handgun.

Jerry - please help me understand what your saying here - do you think there is no possibility of there ever being a disaster or emergency situation that might call for defending ones life or the life of ones family - not to mention protecting things like your home or supplies?? maybe im reading your statment wrong but thats what i gather from what you said - im im wrong then please correct me - If im right, then I think (IMHO) you need to be looking around and paying attention to whats going on - not only locally but also globally - living in the the US is no guarantee that we are safe - and no - we can not depend on the police to protect us or our property 24/7 - especially if there is a natural or man made disaster - in the event of a social meltdown the police will be way to busy to make sure you have food on your table or to defend you from looters or murderers - Now in the case of such a situation - yes - I would say a pistol is something you wouldn't want to turn down - and if its all you have then you better be prepared to use it - but if i had my choice i would want more than just a sidearm - Im im taking your statement wrong Jerry then i appologize - all i want to convey is that I believe there is potential for such man made or natrual disasters and I think they could strike us at any time - look at the hurricanes in the south - or even 911 - the US is not invincable - And this world is a scary scary place - There might come a time when our society/economy goes down the tube - such situations make for dangerous time - I guess i probably sound like a survivalist or one of those doomsday oddballs- neither or which i think i am - im not stockpilling rations in an underground bunker(though im not sure one of those bunkers is such a bad idea) I live a normal life and hope it stays that way - but what if it doesn't - what if everything goes to hell - If i does i want a good rifle in my hands and the hands of my family members. No offense meant Jerry - just my opinion - If i misunderstood you my appoligies

EBRDude - not only do i think a rifle is a must for you but maybe you should think of getting one for your wife too - Personally i keep an AR15 on hand - the one draw back to the AR as a defensive rifle is the small calibre - Iv come to grips with that mainly because of how accurate the AR platform is - I would much rather have a good .223 that i know i can hit with then a .308 or 30-06 that i can't - The AR allows for very fast follow-up shots and is dead accurate at ranges I am satasfied with - Also there are a thousand ways you can accessorize an AR - lights/laser/scopes/etc etc - its a light weapon that is easy to carry around - and i can easily throw extra 30 rnd mags in a bag or strap em to my vest - the AR is just a very practical weapon -

If the AR is too cost prohibitive (no - dont buy a cheap one - you will need at least $700 to invest in a good one - shop around - i got a DPMS for $650) You have lost of other options - My next choice ( and hopefully my next purchase) would be an AK-47 - the 7.62x39 is a great round! - but they too can run high - Before i got my AR i bought an SKS for less then $200 - if you dont mind having a used, slightly banged around rifle the SKS is a great option - if you want matching serial number on the parts of the SKS you might pay as much as $300-500 for one in good shape - Personally i would buy a cheap one and spend the extra money on shells for practicing or just plain "stocking up" - My only caution is that you need to practice loading and unloading the SKS - its not as easy as slamming in a new mag - not hard, just a little slower for me -

Im sorry for rambling - this is just a topic i have been thinking about lately - my wife has actually brought it up recently and we have been going over options to be more prepared in case of all the "what if's" Im lucky to have a gal that wants not only her own handgun(even if it is just a 9mm ;) ) but she also wants her own rifle -

I guess the bottom line is this: If you were to walk out your front door today knowing you were going to be facing an armed confrontation what would you take with you??? I know I personally would be carrying at least two large cal handguns with lots of extra mags - and I would be carrying my rifle with as many mags as I could fit on me - Hopefully that day will never come - but if it does my rifle is gonna be the last gun i give up!!

JUST MY TWO CENTS
 
My wife shoots, so the "getting new guns" isn't an major issue, other than the cost of course. She trains and buys and sells horses. She needed a tractor for the farm, a horse trailer, a big pick-up to pull said horse trailer, etc, etc. She's now toying with the thought of getting involved in cowboy-mounted shooting, so she's on the look-out for two SA revolvers in 45LC.

I gladly go to gun shops with her. When we bought the tractor, I told her I get to spend an equal amount on things I want. It hasn't quite worked out that way. I figure I still have about $9000 in that kitty, but she did let me romp for a bit before reining me in.

A rifle is a "need". I figure a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol for each person in the household is a good start. Even the young ones will grow into the various guns. Having multiple rifles in different calibers is even better. Each will do something well that you may not be able to do as well with one of the others.
 
in planning for possible future disaster events, I want a rifle.
Click to expand...
Agreed... you WANT rather than NEED a rifle.
Needs are things required for daily survival -- basically food/shelter/clothing and of course you may need a car to get to work, etc.

If you are in Iraq you may need a rifle for daily survival, but thankfully a rifle is not a need for most of us here at home in the USA. And you admit as much by stating the rifle is for the future -- not needed to survive today.

Even if you did NEED a rifle, something less than a $2000 model would suffice. Like cars -- if you need a car to get to work, a used Escort will suffice, even though you may WANT a new Escort, or DESIRE a Lexus.

Hope this helps... or at least doesn't hurt too much.
 
There is one overriding fact that I'm perfectly happy to assert, and that is that handguns, well, they suck. Their range and their limited energy make them far less useful than a rifle. This is why only expert handgunners ever HUNT with a handgun, and when they do, they have to do it at relatively close range. You simply cannot bring down a deer at 150 yards with a handgun.

There have been any number of threads on here over the last year or so about "if you could only have one gun". You might search those and read them together. What you'll find is that the general consensus is a rifle or a shotgun.

That said, why does it have to be an issue of "need"? If you're really strapped financially and there's no room for any "toys" for either of you in the budget, that's one thing. But assuming this is something you can afford and still pay the bills, I don't get the request to affirm need.

Still, if there is one gun that you might really, really need at some point, it would, in fact, be a rifle.

HTH.

Springmom
 
First off if you owned these things prior to getting married I'd be damned if I would be treated like a child and need to ask anyone for permission to sell/trade them around as I pleased .

Do your bills get paid on time or are half your utilities turned off ?

Is your mortgage in errors and home about to be repossessed ?

It might just be me but if finances are good and "the wife" tried to tell me I can't spend money on something that I have perhaps wanted for years and have worked to be able to buy I would tell her to find another place to live and pack her stuff up and toss it in the yard .

I would rather loose half of whatever now than spend the rest of my life being treated like I was 12 and needed to ask Mommy's permission to do things .

The whole want vs need thing is a gamble , but I can tell you this you say you live in the boonies isolation equals criminal opportunity .

People for some odd reason seem to think living in the country makes them immune to crime , WRONG there are scumbags everywhere . Many a Meth lab is found in rural areas and those people will kill you to keep you from calling the cops on them if you stumble upon their lab .

Then you have to very real possibility of having a run in with a pack of ferrel dogs , animals that have been abused by a person then dumped in the country to fend for itself , they have no natural fear of man as would say a wild fox and they may just decide you're much easier to catch than a running deer for dinner .

Try asking your "wife" is she ever walks 50 yards or more from your house and if so and she was attacked by a pack of dogs what would she rather you have a single handgun that isn't going to be effective against a large dog "if you can even hit it at extreme long range" or a rifle that you could easily hit it with at 150+ yards ?

We have a friend who works animal control and just a few weeks ago a Pit Bull attacked a women and 2 cops responded , the animal was shot 3 times all at less than 5 yards with 45's yet when she arrived it was still alive and she had to load it up in here truck and drive back to shelter she is dispatched out of .

The rules are only a licensed Vet can administer the drugs to put an animal out of it's misery , the dog was still alive and trying to bite anyone that tried to touch it 3 hours later when the Vet got there .

People spend thousands of dollars on things they don't "need" , how much are the wedding and engagement rings on her finger worth ? Does she own any fine China or Silver place settings that get used once or twice a year or maybe less ? Has she ever spent $100+ on a cookware set when a $25 one would have worked just as well ? How many purses or shoes does she own ?

I think you get the picture but like I said were it me I would opt for a divorce long before I let her treat me this way , as a matter of fact I would have told her to get lost during the dating stage if she seemed like this was the way the marriage was going to be like , there are plenty of other women in the world who wont act like they have to rule over you like you're some kind imbecile who has to be told what to do every minute of you life .
 
I believe the answer to your question is claymores. Range is however long your wire is and of course it's not like she can claim you're buying them for looks. Plus it means you are serious about home defense, not just fun shooting.
 
Hi Guys, and Gals??

I do not know of the financial status of the OP. If that couple is wealthy then that is one side. If not then they must set priorities for their family.
Priorities must always take into account the probabilities of what could happen.

In my view the liklihood of needing the rifle for a disaster emergency are very miniscule. On the other hand the necessity of sending children to schools, mortgage payments, food and clothing, and day to day expenses are very real and are sure to happen.
That is why I say that priorities must be set for time and resources.

However, even if a disaster happens, or a riot, as I look back at Katrina and see the police confiscating firearms how much help would that rifle be? Essentially none. Are you going to get into a gunfight with the police and authorities in such a situation? If so you are doomed to lose.

So I think the probabilities of having to protect ones life and family in such a situation, and considering the number of times such a thing has happened, it is unwise to tie up funds for an emergency rifle that could better be spent on things needed today or planning for retirement.

I would not say that it is impossible that such a disaster could happen, but the odds are less than one percent. The requirement to pay the mortgage, clothe the family, send the kids to college, and plan for a rainy day or old age are 100%.
I just have a different set of priorities, and am not in the least paranoid. I am not a survivalist, but have always survived so far.:D

Now if the person is independently wealthy, then go for it. I do not buy things based upon needs. I buy because I want something and can afford it. Even then I attempt to be wise considering my family and what will be their lot after I pass on. I would not want my wife (my kids are gone and doing well.) to ever have to consider that she did not have enough money to do anything she wanted to do.
Buying things that one does not really need can be a habit that will eat away at one's finances to a great and maybe trragic degree. Believe it or not some have 20 - 40 thousand dollar credit card debts. How did that happen? I think I know.

I am not the least offended about the comments. I expected them, but if we are not careful we tend to be cut from the same piece of metal and have a me too think.

I always feel it necessary to give my honest thoughts. And you folks feel free to pour it on me if you disagree.

Best Regards,
Jerry
 
The handgun is inferior to the long in almost all respects save ease of concealment. Your home defense weapon, disaster or not, should be an appropriate long gun. That could be a shotgun or a .30-30 rifle, for example.
 
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