If you could own 1 handgun and 1 rifle...

[taprackbang]

Colt Delta Elite and 75,000,000 rounds of 10mm ammo.

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

For $1000, I would have to go the shotgun and handgun route. A shotgun is just so versatile with the array of barrels out there with enormous power to boot. So My short list is this:

Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 (NIB ~$300), and a 26" skeet barrel with variable chokes, 22-24" rifled slug barrel with mounted rifle sights, and a 18.5" HD barrel. This should all cost about $500 at most if purchased smartly.

As far as handgun, this is way too subjective to determine. But with $500 that leaves options pretty open. You can get anything from an LCP to a big boy revolver or even cheaper 1911's. And that's not including the used market.

Damian

 

[gwillys]

Ruger P-Series, Weatherby Vanguard.

 

[Nautilus]

Glock 19 & SAR-1

 

[Ben Shepherd]

1000 total for both guns limits you greatly. At that point, if I had to buy both, it's be a 357 revolver with a 6 inch tube and an SKS.

Go to 1500 though and it's a whole different game.

Then it'd be the 357 and a bolt 30-06 with a decent scope.

 

[Palehorseman]

7.62x51 FN 98 Mauser scout and 1911A1 .45 acp. but, I do love my rocklocks.

 

[Dorkfish]

HK .45 Mark 23 Socom - Navy Seal model w/ slide lock, wetware, and ballistic carry bag. Absolute dream pistol and would love to shoot one!

Blaser LRS 2 or Tactical 2. This would be like shooting a very rare Stoner conversion to me.

 

[hso]

1 handgun for self defense/ home protection and one rifle for general use and were on a $1000 budget{I know, that would be hard}

Some of ya'll aren't even trying.

 

[22-rimfire]

You know your son and his interests. I would choose firearms that fit his interests. If he shoots or has shot and owns no firearms, I'd say get him a 22 rifle and ... either a Glock (9mm or 40S&W) or 38spl revolver depending on what he likes.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Revolver and lever action rifle, both in the same round (357 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt). That way you have close in and medium distances covered, and don't have to worry about which box of ammo to grab.

Another alternative would be a Glock whatever and a KelTek sub 2000 in the same round .... then you could have loaded mags and grab whatever and go to work.

 

[Brian Williams]

Wait til after hunting season and watch the local gun shops and you can find a good Rifle for much less than cost, I got a Win Model 70 Compact Classic in 7mm-08 for $399 with a junk scope in Leupold rings, I got a Leupold 3x9 for $275.
I have a S&W 581 that I picked up for around $400
Rifle $675.
Handgun $400
A little bit more than $1000, but doable.
bw

 

[The Swede]

For that budget a brand new Ruger P90.
I'm not a big AK fan but an AK. Probably a WASR, it will keep you within budget.

 

[goon]

Marlin 30-30 and an SP-101.
The rest goes into a good holster, ammo, speedloaders.

1000 total for both guns limits you greatly.

Not really.
People have budgets. They also need to be well defended.
A new stainless GP-100 goes for a bit over $500, leaving you about $450 to find a serviceable rifle. IIRC, a new CZ-75 variant goes for about the same price. IIRC, a new SP-101 .357 (my personal favorite handgun of all time, EVER!) sells for just about $500 new.
Can you honestly not find a serviceable, useable rifle in your area for $450?
If not, I'd like to introduce you to the Marlin 336.

And if you do a little used shopping you'll even have money left over for a holster and some speedloaders.

 

[RSABear]

M16 .223
Walther P99 9mmP

I would not let the $1000 hold me back...

 

[Hoot Gibson]

Great answers gang...I was away for the weekend and just got back. I have taken your suggestions serious.

The youngest son is not a computer geek, albeit in his profession, High School History Teacher, he is computer literate. He stands at 6'4" about 240...but like anybody else, I believe in protecting yourself, without looking for trouble{and have tried to instill that in both sons)...hunting? Not so much these days, we come from a family of hunters and fisherman, but now are content to drown worms rather than hunt for food or sport{although with the coming economic crash, I may have to go back to rethinking that}.

Having said that, thanks again, I appreciate your input, and at the Fort Wayne Gun Show this weekend will be looking for bargins to test my $1000 limit theory. Will let you know what I come up with. These "gifts" will be for completion of his Masters Degree at Wright State University.

 

[KINGMAX]

S&W 686-1 & an AK47

My choice would be a S&W 686-1 in .357 & an AK47. I would throw in a REMI 870 if I had a choice in a shotgun.

 

[rswartsell]

S&W 686+ .357 6" and 30.06 bolt. Trying to do that under 1,000.00 would be a trick so a very good shooter .303 Enfield may need to supplant 30.06.

 

[yosarian]

Ar and a glock 9mm.

 

[feudalson]

ruger mini 14 or dpms lo pro classic... with a ruger 22/45 6inch bull barrel pistol

 

[glockamolee]

$1000

1) Saiga .308. This will serve in self defense, hunting, and, general use.
2) Sig/Ruger/Glock/CZ/Hi-Power in 9 or .40 any will do.

Add a few hi cap mags for the saiga and handgun.

 

[iscareliberalsandlikeit]

Taurus PT100 in 40S&W for home/self defense. I've never been a fan of plastic and my brother can't seem to make his jam or misfire. For something as a concealed carry/home defense or if he isn't a "shooter" Taurus 686 in .38+P. Can't get more simple than pull the trigger six times, reload, then repeat. The .38 is widely available, has mild recoil decent stopping power, and is cheap to plink with.

Remington 700 SPS in 30-06.
He can hunt and target shoot on the cheap. The 30-06 can take almost any game in the united states. If he so desires aftermarket parts are everywhere...so regardless of the flavor he likes he can convert it to whatever he wishes- target/hunting/tacital

As a plus-you'll still have a $100 for ammo and extra mags, sling, bipod, etc...

All right Go USAF.
I'm active duty and loving it.
Thanks you sir for your service.

 

[servantofinari]

I would spend $600 on a Taurus Judge

 

[BARRYDJR]

45 Colt/.410

I would say keep it simple, especially if he stays anywhere near Ohio. Taurus "The Judge" is a very versatile and impressive revolver. I love mine, nothing like shooting .45 Long Colt and .410 birdshot through the same revolver. Throw in a Puma 45 Long Colt Lever Action Rifle and only buy the .45 Colt ammunition! Even stays just under the budget brand new.

 

[bearmgc]

First, I'd buy used. I'd go Bersa Mini 40 or 45, Weatherby Vangard or Marlin XL7 .270 or 30-06, AND Mossberg 500. No sense in buying new when a good used gun will work.

 

[CoRoMo]

XD45 5" Tactical = $400

Ruger M77 .270 w/ scope = $800

Oops, I went over budget. Too bad, the rifle needs a scope.