Ideas for Next Gun Purchase

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Kevin5098

Kevin5098

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I will probably have $600 to $1200 to spend on another gun purchase this fall (meager bonus from employer). I already have the following:
Ruger GP-100
Remington 1100
M1 Garand
My needs at the moment are limited to recreational shooting and I shoot all three on a fairly regular basis. I'm not a collector, and not particularly interested in rimfire or anything considered tacticool. The guns I've considered are a 1911, Mini-14, CMP M1 Carbine or a plain vanilla AR-15. I think I'd be happy adding any of these to my "arsenal", but would like to hear some pros and cons to help me narrow my choice. I can only justify purchasing one this year so all of the above is not an option.

Thanks,

Kevin
 
For pure fun an M1 carbine is hard to beat. They're great plinking guns. It would be a compliment to your M1 Garand. The down side is ammo has become hard to find.

AR15 - Also lots of fun and they can be addiccting. They're highly customizable if you choose to do so in the future. Ammo is starting to become more plentiful if not a little pricey, but that is for every caliber.

M1911 - An American icon. Every red blooded American should own one IMHO. Would also compliment the Garand and M1 Carbine (WWII set).

I'm not to fond of the Mini-14. While reliable accuracy tends to be poor, at least the three I've shot were. However, if you choose a Mini, lots of custom aftermarket options exist.

Tex
 
I'd go not with another gun, but ammo to feed the guns you have.
Also, you might think your bonus is meager but at least you are getting one.
 
A FAL would be cool. So would a PTR91. I have a copy of both and love'm. Better still, if you get your bonus on the high side, save up a a few more sheckles and get a Springfield M1A.

A rifle I've been giving serious consideration to is the Bushmaster Varminter. I think it would make a good walkabout .223 and Prairie Poodle Popper. You'll need to save up for a scope though.

You could get a Marlin lever action in 45 Colt. Betcha that would be a blast! I like the Marlins I've got.

Or you could look for an '03 or '03-A3. A good rifle for a rifleman.

Of the choices you put up for consideration, I'd get the CMP M1 Carbine. Who knows how long they'll have these great little fun-to-shoot rifles for sale? My second choice would be a solid 1911
 
I'd take an AR over a Mini 14, but a .223 nicely fills the gap below the .30-06, and can be called on to do long range work (the AR not the Mini 14) so I guess those are the "pros". Cons? The AR is surprisingly heavy.

The .30 Carbine is a fun, handy, multi purpose gun good for plinking, home defense, and varmints (with the right ammo), and I haven't met a person that didn't like shooting one. Cons? Past 100 yards accuracy suffers.

1911 - also a good choice, a great entry 1911 is the Springfield, but before buying a semi auto pistol, I would try as many different guns as I could.

Maybe a lever .357 as a companion to the GP100?

Honestly though, I don't know how anyone lives without a good .22! My top three are Browning Buckmark, Savage Mark II, and Marlin Model 60. But if rimfires aren't your bag, and you want to reload, then a .22 Hornet is pretty economical, same or less than a .22 magnum.

Another economical shooter for the non-relaoder is an SKS.
 
I'd have to go with the CMP M1C. Such an enjoyable rifle, but like others have stated the ammo is limited.



Kris
 
Just a question, but why aren't you considering a rimfire? You could deck out a 10/22 pretty handily and if your bonus is on the high end, buy two guns and ammo for them.
 
I would look into a longer range target set up... I filled this slot with a cz 527 varmint. you could do it well within your price range with a similar rifle or something in a remington 700, winchester mod 70, or savage model 12, or many others... just my .02
 
Wow! Never thought I needed more than 3 guns (Shotgun, pistol, rifle). Now I'm hoping to hit the lottery. All the guns I didn't mention in the OP are great suggestions. Longer range would be nice, but the range I normally use is limited to 100 yds. I'm really liking the .357 lever gun idea to scratch the carbine itch. I keep coming back to a fundamental need for a 1911. I understand the economics of rimfire practice, but I just get a bigger charge out of shooting 50 rounds of .357 or .30-06 than a brick of .22. Kinda like a Budweiser vs Sam Adams thing.

The comments have been very helpful. Will probably start another thread to help the wife figure out how to spend her half.

Kevin
 
Well, the 1911 is a great all around semi auto pistol and if you're ever going to CC, it's a great option. If I were you, it'd be my first choice.

However, the .357 lever gun would be a lot of fun as would a Marlin .45-70 Guide gun, the standard model goes for around $600 here and the custom shop SBR done in stainless and laminate with ghost ring sights and a scope rail should go for around $900-$1000. For ammo commonality, I'd probably go with the .357 though.
 
Thanks to all for the input. At this point I'm 99% sure it'll be a 1911. Fun to shoot, good option if I ever need to CC, historic even as a clone. It'll be a nice compliment to the Garand - especially if I get one as close to GI as possible.

Kevin
 
I have a plain jane AR, a 1911, and a Mini 14, and I like them all.

The Mini-14 is going to be cheaper in the long run than the AR, cause like they say, they are addicting and you'll want to buy all kinds of goodies for it. My Mini-14 will do around 3 to 4" at 100 yards, but for a cheap reliable plinker and defense weapon, they are great, and super reliable.

The AR is a great weapon that you will enjoy shooting. It is more versatile than the Mini-14.

The 1911 is an all time favorite of pistol shooters. Can't go wrong. I love them.

I don't have a M1 Carbine. I should, but I don't. Can't get over not buying one when they were plentiful at $100 to $150. Can't bring mtself to pay $600 and up, not yet anyway. Fun little plinkers that would be fairly cheap to shoot.
 
At this point I'm 99% sure it'll be a 1911. [...] especially if I get one as close to GI as possible
Click to expand...

Get a Para GI Expert. It is about $600 and it is basically a GI model with a few esential upgrades, lowered and flared exit port, beveled magazine well, stainless steel barrel, a skeletionized hammer and an aluminum trigger. Also, it has the three white dot site system, but some people like that and some don't. I personally blacked out the two rear dots.

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guns

I have to many 75,I think.and also reloading equipment and casting.I dont want a gun with all the krap on it. my AR 15 is light.I have a NcStar scope
for SKS ect on it.to many guns runs into to much ammo.I load 25 or so calibers.I am a pack rat. I have the first tool and mold a win tong for the win 73 in 32/20.got it in 1937/8.only thing not stolen.a couple pistols /rifles
/shotgun.sooner or later all the excess guns will go.the 15 presses ect.where is it going to go when you get my age.85.:rolleyes::uhoh::D
 
I say buy an AR 15. Every man should own an AR 15. Ask anybody's grampy! :D
 
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