I need your help - what next?

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vanfunk

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The widening gyre
Hi all:

so I’ve gone a little “nuts” in the last few months, acquiring a number of rifles and pistols that have caught my fancy over the years. While I do not have unlimited funds, I do have some more cash for now and would like to add another couple of rifles to the collection this summer. What I can’t seem to decide is what to do now? Here is what I’ve added to the safe this spring/summer so far:

LMT 16” AR (MWS, DI) 5.56
Noveske 13.7” 5.56
Colt Sporter HBAR 20” (1989 vintage) 5.56
M1A Loaded 22” 7.62
Daniel Defense DD5 V3 16” 7.62
PRI MK12 MOD 0 18” 5.56
LWRC R.E.P.R. 20” 7.62
FN SCAR 17S 7.62
S&W M&P15-22 .22lr (really for my 16 yr old son)


I have a large collection of hunting rifles and shotguns I inherited from my Grandfather, as well as a few Garands I picked up 20 years ago.

So what’s next? What’s missing? I’ve thought about a SIG Spear LT, a Benelli M4 (sorry, I know it’s a shotgun), an HK MR556, a SIG MCX 9mm carbine, maybe some version of a Ruger 10/22 (set up for target shooting but not some crazy race gun). Give me your suggestions please!

Thanks all!
 
6.5 Creedmoor in a bolt action I’d look at tikka or maybe do a custom build like a Zermatt arms orgin action
 
vanfunk said:
So what’s next? What’s missing?
Click to expand...
Since you asked opinions….

(1). Pay off ALL debt. Home, auto, credit cards. Everything

(2). Start a Roth IRA if you don’t have one

(3). Buy at least $100 face value of pre-1964 silver coins. That will be maybe $2,500.

If you are absolutely convinced you have to do something gun related, get into reloading if you aren’t already

If you reload, spend the money on either hunting trips, training, or practice ammo

I’m 72. For years i thought I need more guns no matter how many I had. At one time I had probably +/- 100. I thought I never had money for trips. Thought I never had money for competitions.

A majority of the guns I sold I never fired. Always had my few favorites. The others just took up room in the safes. Now the guns are gone and the opportunities are gone. Buying guns and not using them is stupid. I did it.
 
Given that you seem to prefer self-loaders (and there is nothing wrong with that), what you may be missing out on is a 6.5

So, the AG-42B, aka "Ljungman" ("loo ENG mahn") might be just the ticket.
?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.jpg
Not easy to find (but, part of the fun is in the hunting them down). 6.5x55 is an credible cartridge and fun to shoot.

That particular rabbit hole may lead you to the Egyptian Hakim, which is very similar, if found in 8mauser.
There's an especially rare version, the Rashid, in 7.62x39, which is said to be a handy bit of business, with a 400-450mm long barrel, and the light soviet cartridge.

Other items that might fit your bill are the SVT, or a Dragunov, which lest a person scratch that 7.62x54R itch.

And, naturally, what you're obviously missing is a FAL.
 
If you don't have experience. (I don't know your shooting history) NOW is the time to get a good Garand M1. The road trip to either of NORTH / SOUTH unit stores of the CMP is a great ride. They might even have some with Criterion barrels in 308 now (NOT for sure though) All that other stuff can be bought day in day out, whenever it suits you.
 
FAL, G-3, M-1 Garand, M-1 Carbine, K98, AK, SMLE, M1917, M1903, 1894 Winchester, Finnish Mosin Nagant, Martini….

I could go on, but that’s a good start.
 
Start suppressing these rifles. I ordered some Griffin Armament mounts for my Alaskan 360 during this July 4th sale. I'm still waiting for Form 4 approval but I can use the suppressor at the transferring FFL (which doubles as a shooting range) during range trips.
 
"What's missing?"

Do you have gun safes for all of these weapons? If not, it's important that you do so.

When buying safes, at least one should be fireproof. This is where one puts more valuable items and one's documents requiring safekeeping yet immediate access.

Do you have an electronic security system for your house or the building where these weapons are stored? If not, you probably should. Detection of a break-in or of a fire would send a message to you and the security firm. Upon alarm, first the security company's nearest office calls you. If you don't respond or are injured and can't respond, they will then call the authorities to your site.

In the past, we have had ADT as a security system ... but that's just one of many providers. Where we're living now, we have another. Me, I can't recommend any one over another ... and just won't. Do your research. Ask around. Maybe a gun store where you trade will tell you about their security system(s).

Note that we also have at least one dog around. Their ears are fabulous. My ears are damaged ... and currently ringing royally (tinnitus sometimes is quite bad).

.
 
Thanks to all for such vigorous participation! In answer to some of the questions/comments, I offer the following:

AK? Maybe. I had a few 20 years ago… a Saiga, a WASR, two Arsenals. I might consider one. My LGS has a few older Norincos that look very well put together for that “old school” experience.

Seekins SP10 in 6.5? Good suggestion. Seekins makes some truly awesome rifles. 6.5 C is intriguing but I’m not sure I’m ready for it!

CZ varmint .22 - also worthy. I love CZs and had a “trainer” years and years ago that was wonderful. Very accurate and cheap to shoot! Will look at Voodoo and Tikka too.

I have a soft spot for Savages (have a 1933 model 99 .300 Savage. Gorgeous). I’ll look at their line but I’m not sure there’s anything I really want right now.

FAL and HK91? I had a DSA FAL ages ago and while it was a well-made rifle for sure, I just couldn’t warm to the FAL. Maybe I’ll feel differently with a fresh look. Same with the HK91. Well, sort of. I had a Portuguese contract semi auto G3 and a PTR-91. Both were very accurate but I missed the last round bolt hold open and as a lefty, impossible without a brass deflector.

I’m financially secure and semi-retired in my 50’s. I can’t spend willy-nilly but I’m fine.

a Ljungman? Nice. I had a Swedish Mauser years ago that was a sweet shooter. Very interesting. A hearty maybe there!

Garand? I have one from each manufacturer and I love them, I just don’t shoot them really anymore. I’ll never sell them, I just don’t shoot them.

PCC? Tell me more - what’s the best one? How’s the CZ Scorpion 9mm carbine? I liked the SIG 9mm but it was pricey for a pistol carbine imo.

I’d love to get a few suppressors but I can’t - banned in my state :(.

Safes? Yes, I have three safes. Oh, and three Labradors. Excellent early-warning devices.

Thank you so much everyone! Keep it coming!
 
If you want a semiautomatic in 7.62*39, I personally don't like AK's. Consider a PSA KS-47. I really like mine!

Also, pistol caliber carbine(s), maybe a semiautomatic or a lever.
 
horsemen61 said:
A nice CZ 457 varmint .22 or build up a voodoo.22 maybe a tikka t1x MTR all high quality .22’s
Click to expand...
My CZ 457 pro varmint with my SilencerCo Sparrow suppressor is stupid fun to shoot! It even shoots the 60gr Aguila stuff decently. Very nice rifle. Need to get a pic rail for it and a better optic... The Simmons 44 Mag eye box is trash, the scope itself ain't that bad , just have to be in just the right spot to see anything out of it lol. But the scope was free...
 
vanfunk said:
So what’s next? What’s missing?
Click to expand...
HK MP5 22LR - https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...ic-modern-sporting-rifle-251-rounds/p/1683508

MP5-22-Rifle-R.jpg

vanfunk said:
maybe some version of a Ruger 10/22 (set up for target shooting but not some crazy race gun). Give me your suggestions please!
Click to expand...
10/22 Talo LVT (Light Varmint Target) - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025174138

31166RF.jpg

Or 10/22 Talo M1 Carbine - https://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/21102.html

21102.jpg
 
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I'll 2nd the Ruger LVT. They are a mid-weight target rifle capable of very good accuracy without being too heavy to hunt with.

You also need a bolt rifle. I'd suggest 308 or 6.5CM and Tikka is a darn fine choice. The 6.5 CM is really the better cartridge, but since you already have rifles in 308 that would simplify things.
 
I think you need a straight pull!!! K-31, G-11, G96-11 are the easy ones. A ZKF-55 would be awesome to have for the price of a decent used sedan. Some of the European sporting rifles are expensive works of art. If you can track one down, a Ross or a Lee Navy will scratch that steam punk itch. While not a straight pull, a real-deal Mannlicher Shonauer would be nice. You can find more pedestrian examples minus the fine furniture and engraving as well as the Greek M1903 military rifles within a reasonable budget.

A "repro" Mosin, Springfield or Mauser sniper rifle makes a fun range toy also. A Swedish M96 converted to a period sniper is a range toy with class in this realm. True originals of these breeds have gotten very expensive unless you are a true collector, and forgeries abound. There is a specific discipline of CMP matches you can shoot with these when properly equipped.

I'd also second the semi-auto .308 votes, but get an angry one! Find a CETME. Nothing like raining brass down on the firing point 30 feet to your right. A Hakim is pretty good for this too, but doesn't have the bad manners and ridiculous muzzle blast of a CETME. Edit...read the comment about left-handedness, so you definitely don't want one of these!

In the handgun realm you should add a CZ-52 for this same reason. Muzzle blast like a short barreled .357 Snubbie, and a solid 30' launch of the fired brass.
 
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