Wowee, you guys are fantastic! I must be out of the loop to not know that the SKS models were that cheap...I just knew what I preferred.
As far as slugs, I didn't know you could hunt or use them at that kind of distance. That is something to look into when I get that Mossberg. My stepdad says it's supposed to kick like a 20 gauge, so they may have a compensator or something on it. He didn't know the actual details to give me but he's only had it for a short while.
I wanted to get a .44 Magnum lever carbine and revolver combo at some point down the road after I got my AR and another backup pistol (long-term goal...at least two firearms for every caliber of ammo I would store for obvious reasons). However, now that things have changed, I don't prioritize the revolver very high at all but want the rifle, so maybe I should follow advice here and get a true rifle caliber like .30-.30. I read that the energy from a carbine-length barrel, a .44 Mag bullet was in the neighborhood of 30-06, I think. I am pretty sure it was Doubletap or Buffalo Bore's site (whichever one it is that posts real measurements on all of their ammo from several guns). Still, a rifle is a rifle.
Also agree that I should be getting spare mags and ammo for the few firearms I do have. I should make the most of them and not just pine for greener pastures. We all want more guns and are passionate about them...that's why we're here on the forums. But there's need and there's collecting. I certainly have enough to make my needs met but I've got tiny gaps that I'd like to fill in a minimum collection for overall home and SHTF scenario (survival), you know?
Thanks again and keep it coming if you have any other thoughts or feedback. I admit I'm not up on my M1A info, so I will be researching that as well. And who knows what the future holds, but lets all pray that the laws don't bend this fine country over too much.
(That's not unreasonable of us, is it?
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