rangerruck
Member
slab side 6 in bbl, ruger 22/45 chromed.
What is the most all around Practical firearm you have?
- Thread starter U.S.SFC_RET
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Dionysusigma
Member
None of 'em. But they sure are fun... 
Remington Mod. 12 in .22 WRF
Yugo M48 Mauser (7.92x57mm)
FIE Mod. E15 in .22 WRF/ .22 mag
Heritage Arms Rough Rider in .22 short, long, long rifle, WRF, and mag
Bersa Thunder .380
Colt Sistema 1911A1 .45 ACP
Remington Mod. 12 in .22 WRF
Yugo M48 Mauser (7.92x57mm)
FIE Mod. E15 in .22 WRF/ .22 mag
Heritage Arms Rough Rider in .22 short, long, long rifle, WRF, and mag
Bersa Thunder .380
Colt Sistema 1911A1 .45 ACP
12GA00buck
Member
Another one for the the 12GA. I bough a mavarik 88 for $162. I use it for small game, clay shooting, slug gun, and home defense.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
230RN Quoted:
SHHHH quiet 230RN if the rest of the THR finds out just how practical these things are then the price will really go through the roof. just kidding.
Honestly for most of my adult life I never gave a flip about the .30 Cal Carbine until I retired from the Army and actually bought one for myself. They, when you can get a good one make for great home defence, light and easy to carry. Fast bscoming one of my favorite rifles.
SHHHH quiet 230RN if the rest of the THR finds out just how practical these things are then the price will really go through the roof. just kidding.
Honestly for most of my adult life I never gave a flip about the .30 Cal Carbine until I retired from the Army and actually bought one for myself. They, when you can get a good one make for great home defence, light and easy to carry. Fast bscoming one of my favorite rifles.
Glockman17366
Member
One of my Glocks...about as utilitarian as a gun can get
Waywatcher
Member
I'd guess my revolver, it's a Ruger GP100 4".
I can hunt deer with it and shoot IDPA with it, along with obvious self defense uses.
Either that or my shotgun, its a Remington 11-87 with two barrels. One for birds, one for slugs and buckshot. Any game from squirrel to bear! Also with obvious self defense uses.
Dont make me pick only one!
I can hunt deer with it and shoot IDPA with it, along with obvious self defense uses.
Either that or my shotgun, its a Remington 11-87 with two barrels. One for birds, one for slugs and buckshot. Any game from squirrel to bear! Also with obvious self defense uses.
Dont make me pick only one!
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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Didn't realize how tough a call this was until I thought about it.
I have to go with the .357, though (portability). Just barely edging out the .30-30 and SKS. 12 ga. is very "practical", too. So is a good .22 rifle, for that matter.
Like I say, very tough; kinda comes down to "practical for what?".
I have to go with the .357, though (portability). Just barely edging out the .30-30 and SKS. 12 ga. is very "practical", too. So is a good .22 rifle, for that matter.
Like I say, very tough; kinda comes down to "practical for what?".
Joshua M. Smith
Member
I'd like to say my Taurus 92. I've carried it for defense for 9 years now and it's never let me down. I used it this season to take a squirrel (low powered ball ammo) and it performed well. With good ammo it's good for defense, and will take deer in a pinch.
I'd also like to say my 8 shot Mossy 500 with all the "black gun" modifications. It'll take deer, small game, and pretty much anything on this side of the planet with proper loads. It doesn't recoil all that much because it's heavy. And because it's heavy, it's hard to lug around in the woods.
I think the best all-around gun I have right now is my Romanian M1969 training rifle. It's MOA accurate, looks like crap so I don't have to worry about beating it up, sights so naturally for me that I can take squirrel on the run at 50 yards (I try to do one "spectacular shot" each squirrel season, and that was this last season's shot). I see a dog running deer and I can hit the vitals with it. It will take a deer in a pinch (read, survival situation). If I could perhaps add my Taurus 92 to it, I'd have a decent all-around package.
However, I do intend to get a Winchester M1887 clone as soon as finances allow. I love the way these feel. They balance well and are light. I can see the 12 gauge version taking its place as my deer gun and, with buck, being a decent HD gun.
I've pretty much moved away from the "one gun that fits all tasks" however as i find that they tend to be mediocre in all tasks.
Josh <><
I'd also like to say my 8 shot Mossy 500 with all the "black gun" modifications. It'll take deer, small game, and pretty much anything on this side of the planet with proper loads. It doesn't recoil all that much because it's heavy. And because it's heavy, it's hard to lug around in the woods.
I think the best all-around gun I have right now is my Romanian M1969 training rifle. It's MOA accurate, looks like crap so I don't have to worry about beating it up, sights so naturally for me that I can take squirrel on the run at 50 yards (I try to do one "spectacular shot" each squirrel season, and that was this last season's shot). I see a dog running deer and I can hit the vitals with it. It will take a deer in a pinch (read, survival situation). If I could perhaps add my Taurus 92 to it, I'd have a decent all-around package.
However, I do intend to get a Winchester M1887 clone as soon as finances allow. I love the way these feel. They balance well and are light. I can see the 12 gauge version taking its place as my deer gun and, with buck, being a decent HD gun.
I've pretty much moved away from the "one gun that fits all tasks" however as i find that they tend to be mediocre in all tasks.
Josh <><
Smith357
Member
Thompson Center Contender with 8 barrels in a custom road case.
10" .22 with 4x Leupold
12" .357
12" .44
14" .45/410
14" .223 with 2x7 Burris
16" .45-70
20" Bullberry .22 with 6x36 Bausch & Laumb
21" .30-30 with 6x Weaver
10" .22 with 4x Leupold
12" .357
12" .44
14" .45/410
14" .223 with 2x7 Burris
16" .45-70
20" Bullberry .22 with 6x36 Bausch & Laumb
21" .30-30 with 6x Weaver
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
This one:
2002 SAR-1 7.62x39mm carbine with a Kobra collimator sight.
Good for:
recreational target shooting
deer hunting here in eastern NC (with 5-round magazine), with 150-gr SP
defensive purposes, with suitable ammunition
2002 SAR-1 7.62x39mm carbine with a Kobra collimator sight.
Good for:
recreational target shooting
deer hunting here in eastern NC (with 5-round magazine), with 150-gr SP
defensive purposes, with suitable ammunition
SamTuckerMTNMAN
Member
sks
sks for me
st
- not that others are 'bad' at all
sks for me
st
- not that others are 'bad' at all
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
benEzra how much does a SAR-1 like that cost? looks beautiful with that Kobra collimator sight on it. What's that thing cost as well?
johnmcl
Member
Different Practical Thoughts
Hi all,
This is a thought provoking thread. Over the last hour, here are my thoughts:
For SHTF: Remington 870. This weapon's got both a psychological and technical edge. It looks mean to any two legged predator and works from 0 to 30m with devasting results. Insert a slug barrel and the distances triple. Keeping trouble at such distances can be comforting.
For TEOTWAWKI; M16 in the A2 configuration, iron sights. From zero to 400m this weapons good for game, two legged predators, and even zombies. There's no electrical component, so it will survive even an EMP pulse. A close second is the M1 Garand. There's not much that'll survive a well placed shot with that round. The longevity of the design is legendary.
For CQ action; Glock 21. This was a close decision between the 21 and the 1911. I erred on the side with the largest capacity. The capacity question is also what disqualified the 870.
For my in-laws; Two margaritas and a Jimmy Buffet CD.
Thanks,
John
Hi all,
This is a thought provoking thread. Over the last hour, here are my thoughts:
For SHTF: Remington 870. This weapon's got both a psychological and technical edge. It looks mean to any two legged predator and works from 0 to 30m with devasting results. Insert a slug barrel and the distances triple. Keeping trouble at such distances can be comforting.
For TEOTWAWKI; M16 in the A2 configuration, iron sights. From zero to 400m this weapons good for game, two legged predators, and even zombies. There's no electrical component, so it will survive even an EMP pulse. A close second is the M1 Garand. There's not much that'll survive a well placed shot with that round. The longevity of the design is legendary.
For CQ action; Glock 21. This was a close decision between the 21 and the 1911. I erred on the side with the largest capacity. The capacity question is also what disqualified the 870.
For my in-laws; Two margaritas and a Jimmy Buffet CD.
Thanks,
John
3 gun
Member
If I had to leave home with just one, it would be my 12ga Mossberg 500. Might not be my first choice but under the wide open "practical" limit it touches more bases than just about anything else out there.
Rokman
Member
Remington 870 12 gauge. It's not what I shoot the most, but depending on the load of ammo, choke and barrel configuration. It has to be the most versatile and practical firearm that I own.
MrDig
Member
Depends on the definition of "Practical"
I have a 12 ga. Mossberg 500 that can be applied to any situation it is in. It will work as a Home Defense gun, Hunts Waterfowl and Upland birds, and with the slug barrel acts as a Deer Gun. It will also dispatch Varmints if needed.
So to me Practical means a variety of applications with one gun, and is economical. The Moss/Rem 870/500's do that in spades.
I have a 12 ga. Mossberg 500 that can be applied to any situation it is in. It will work as a Home Defense gun, Hunts Waterfowl and Upland birds, and with the slug barrel acts as a Deer Gun. It will also dispatch Varmints if needed.
So to me Practical means a variety of applications with one gun, and is economical. The Moss/Rem 870/500's do that in spades.
Joey_the_Wolf
Member
My Rock Island GI M1911A1. Extremely accurate (even with the tiny GI Sights), very reliable (once put about 500 rds through it without cleaning or lubing and only jammed once), easy to use, fits my hand wonderfully, and even though some call it plain and ugly (it looks like a no frills GI Issue 1911 in black parkerized finish), but I love how it looks. I've never had to baby it, I've never had to spend too much time keeping it running, and I can feed it any ammo out there without too much trouble. Best part? It was only $400. Yeah.. My .45 is definitely my "go to" gun, and it is currently my most practical and favorite gun. And yes, I love it more than my Glock 23
Tough call
But I would have to go with my AR. 16" upper is good form CQC out to at laest 200 yards and every varmint, 2 or four legged, in between. Put the Grendel upper on it and she is good out to 1000 yards (not that I have tried yet, but she is not much more than moa at 600), and with hunting bullets will take most medium to large game with ease. Slap on the 50 Beowulf upper that I am saving up for, and WAMMO- anything that the 45-70 can do, the Beowulf can do, just faster.
The other would be my Grand Father's Colt 1911A1. From the beaches of Normandy, to the Bronx, to New Jersey, it has served 3 generations of my family, and I am looking forward to passing it on to a fourth some day.
But I would have to go with my AR. 16" upper is good form CQC out to at laest 200 yards and every varmint, 2 or four legged, in between. Put the Grendel upper on it and she is good out to 1000 yards (not that I have tried yet, but she is not much more than moa at 600), and with hunting bullets will take most medium to large game with ease. Slap on the 50 Beowulf upper that I am saving up for, and WAMMO- anything that the 45-70 can do, the Beowulf can do, just faster.
The other would be my Grand Father's Colt 1911A1. From the beaches of Normandy, to the Bronx, to New Jersey, it has served 3 generations of my family, and I am looking forward to passing it on to a fourth some day.
davera
Member
Tough call for most practical single firearm
As a pair, I could say my S&W 686 and my Marlin 1894 in .357. Taken together they would be excellent home defense, SHTF weapons and servicable hunting tools as well.
Then there's my Winchester M70 and Garand in 30-06 - excellent for hunting anything in the lower 48 and TEOTWAWKI purposes.
If I had to narrow it down to JUST one gun to have, I guess it would be the 1894. It's lightweight, accurate, reliable, points well and uses readily available ammuntion in two common calibers (.38 and .357). It is almost as handy as a handgun and almost as useful as a hunting weapon and almost as good for SHTF/TEOWAWKI conditions as anything else I have or could purchase.
As a pair, I could say my S&W 686 and my Marlin 1894 in .357. Taken together they would be excellent home defense, SHTF weapons and servicable hunting tools as well.
Then there's my Winchester M70 and Garand in 30-06 - excellent for hunting anything in the lower 48 and TEOTWAWKI purposes.
If I had to narrow it down to JUST one gun to have, I guess it would be the 1894. It's lightweight, accurate, reliable, points well and uses readily available ammuntion in two common calibers (.38 and .357). It is almost as handy as a handgun and almost as useful as a hunting weapon and almost as good for SHTF/TEOWAWKI conditions as anything else I have or could purchase.
10-Ring
Member
Best all around? For me, something that would take care of most or all of my needs would be either my USP 45 or shotty.
SoCalShooter
Member
S&W model 19k .357magnum. Accurate, reliable and fun to shoot.
The most practical? Wow, that's a harder question to answer than I thought it would be. While some of my guns can serve multiple purposes, I tend to like each gun for a specific purpose. For sheer practicality, it would probably be a FAL. Capable of home defense, though I have specific guns for that, capable of take any game on the continent, though it'd be the last gun I chose to do it with, capable of varmint hunting within reason, though I'd prefer a varmint rifle for that.
I originally thought about a shotgun for it's versatility, but it loses a lot of practicality when it comes to hunting at the ranges we often encounter out here in the west. So yeah, I'm giving the thumbs up to the FAL for most practical, with the shotgun falling soundly into the most versatile catagory.
I originally thought about a shotgun for it's versatility, but it loses a lot of practicality when it comes to hunting at the ranges we often encounter out here in the west. So yeah, I'm giving the thumbs up to the FAL for most practical, with the shotgun falling soundly into the most versatile catagory.
Best all around long gun would have to be the 12 gauge pump shotgun. Hunting for birds or deer sized game, self defense against almost anything that moves.
For a handgun I think the 10mm Glock 20 wins hands down. With one gun and 3 barrels one have a low power target gun using .40 S&W practice rounds, a high power self defense gun with the standard 10mm barrel, and a powerful hunting handgun for up to deer sized game with a 6" barrel.
One can even get a 16" barrel for it. Add a red dot sight, and (assuming it's legal) a shoulder stock. With standard mags and +2 extensions a person would have an 18 round, semi auto carbine.
For a handgun I think the 10mm Glock 20 wins hands down. With one gun and 3 barrels one have a low power target gun using .40 S&W practice rounds, a high power self defense gun with the standard 10mm barrel, and a powerful hunting handgun for up to deer sized game with a 6" barrel.
One can even get a 16" barrel for it. Add a red dot sight, and (assuming it's legal) a shoulder stock. With standard mags and +2 extensions a person would have an 18 round, semi auto carbine.
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