Ruger P95 stainless - $327
Bersa thunder .380 / Kel tec P11 - $270
Mossberg 500 combo - $280
Mosin Nagant - $112
Total - $989
First of all I didn't plan on buying four guns or aiming for under $1000, it just kind of turned into that.
Basically, I never grew up around guns, although I did buy a handgun a few years after I got out of college but never used it - mainly due to not having anywhere to shoot it. There was one range nearby, but it was at a lake/campground and you had to become a member of the lake in order to have access to the range with cost an additional fee/year. So after having it sit in it's box for most of the last ten years a co-worker approached me several months ago about selling it to him. I did, but then started thinking that having a gun would be a good idea, especially with the current political environment .
But since I didn't really use the last one I owned, I didn't want to spend big $$$ on something I may end up not using much. Of course, I did want something that was reliable, so after looking around I ended up buying a NIB stainless Ruger P95 a couple of months ago for $327 OTD.
After I bought it, I started thinking a shotgun would make for a better HD weapon. I decided I wanted something I could use for HD and for hunting (turkey/deer). But since I'm not an avid hunter and knowing that a HD shotgun would most likely not be needed for that purpose (hopefully), I didn't want to spend a fortune on something I may use ocassionally. So after some research I ended up going with the Mossberg 500 combo because of the 28" and 18.5" barrel's. I also considered the Remington Express, but ran across more negative reviews about it. I'm sure either would've been fine though.
But while shopping for a shotgun I kept noticing the rifles. I initially was just going to get a shotgun since it would serve multiple purposes, but when I came acrosss the Mosin Nagant I figured I might as well get both, especially since the Nagant was so inexpensive, although not as cheap as the $69/$79 I hear many got it for a year or two ago. I know it's not for everyone, but a .30ish caliber rifle for that price and the history sold me on it.
Now that was going to be it, but recently a new range opened in my area. On top of that me and a buddy took a handgun safety / ccw course a couple of weeks ago. So once I completed that I figured I may as well apply for the ccw license. Initially I figured I'd mainly use the cc license to carry my P95 in the truck and when I go hiking. But then I figured that once I get my CCW licensce then I may as well have a smaller concealable handgun. Not to mention everytime I hear a lib mention guns or hear Obama's name thrown out there it makes me want to buy another one. Actually, I haven't purchased the ccw yet but right now have it narrowed down to either the Bersa Thunder or Kel Tec P11 which should be roughly $260-280.
Now I'm not going to buy a gun just based on price, but at the same time I think there are quite a few guns out there that are reliable and get the job done without having to spend a small fortune. Personally even though I can afford to buy a $800-$1000 handgun for instance, I just can't justify it for me. In the future that may change, but right now I'm basically a novice wanting a variety without breaking the bank.
Bersa thunder .380 / Kel tec P11 - $270
Mossberg 500 combo - $280
Mosin Nagant - $112
Total - $989
First of all I didn't plan on buying four guns or aiming for under $1000, it just kind of turned into that.
Basically, I never grew up around guns, although I did buy a handgun a few years after I got out of college but never used it - mainly due to not having anywhere to shoot it. There was one range nearby, but it was at a lake/campground and you had to become a member of the lake in order to have access to the range with cost an additional fee/year. So after having it sit in it's box for most of the last ten years a co-worker approached me several months ago about selling it to him. I did, but then started thinking that having a gun would be a good idea, especially with the current political environment .
But since I didn't really use the last one I owned, I didn't want to spend big $$$ on something I may end up not using much. Of course, I did want something that was reliable, so after looking around I ended up buying a NIB stainless Ruger P95 a couple of months ago for $327 OTD.
After I bought it, I started thinking a shotgun would make for a better HD weapon. I decided I wanted something I could use for HD and for hunting (turkey/deer). But since I'm not an avid hunter and knowing that a HD shotgun would most likely not be needed for that purpose (hopefully), I didn't want to spend a fortune on something I may use ocassionally. So after some research I ended up going with the Mossberg 500 combo because of the 28" and 18.5" barrel's. I also considered the Remington Express, but ran across more negative reviews about it. I'm sure either would've been fine though.
But while shopping for a shotgun I kept noticing the rifles. I initially was just going to get a shotgun since it would serve multiple purposes, but when I came acrosss the Mosin Nagant I figured I might as well get both, especially since the Nagant was so inexpensive, although not as cheap as the $69/$79 I hear many got it for a year or two ago. I know it's not for everyone, but a .30ish caliber rifle for that price and the history sold me on it.
Now that was going to be it, but recently a new range opened in my area. On top of that me and a buddy took a handgun safety / ccw course a couple of weeks ago. So once I completed that I figured I may as well apply for the ccw license. Initially I figured I'd mainly use the cc license to carry my P95 in the truck and when I go hiking. But then I figured that once I get my CCW licensce then I may as well have a smaller concealable handgun. Not to mention everytime I hear a lib mention guns or hear Obama's name thrown out there it makes me want to buy another one. Actually, I haven't purchased the ccw yet but right now have it narrowed down to either the Bersa Thunder or Kel Tec P11 which should be roughly $260-280.
Now I'm not going to buy a gun just based on price, but at the same time I think there are quite a few guns out there that are reliable and get the job done without having to spend a small fortune. Personally even though I can afford to buy a $800-$1000 handgun for instance, I just can't justify it for me. In the future that may change, but right now I'm basically a novice wanting a variety without breaking the bank.