which pair would you choose?

A

airlooped

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Oct 16, 2006
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Huntersville, NC
Just for fun....of these three pairs, which would you choose if you could have just one pair? All three are compelling choices. I think I'd go with the AR-15 and the HKP30L 9mm despite the caliber mismatch. What are your thoughts?

357mag Marlin 1894 and 357mag GP100
Ruger American 22LR and Ruger MK2 22LR
AR-15 in 223 and HK P30L 9mm
 
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In a situation where I’m not able to access my other guns I’m assuming I’m also not accessing my ammo stash. I would definitely opt for a caliber mismatch just because with my luck I would have a pair of 357s and they wouldn’t sell pistol ammo at the local shops, or I would have a pair of 22s and they would be sold out of that one caliber. I think I would go 223 or 22mag rifle and 357 revolver. Just not sure what specific ones I would pick. Likely a CZ rifle and a S&W revolver, maybe a 586.
 
airlooped said:
Just for fun....of these three pairs, which would you choose if you could have just one pair? Imagine being on the road for months with no access to your other firearms.
Click to expand...

To me that would imply an SD type usage, so HK P30L and an AR15, but I'd go with a LPVO VS the RDS on the AR. My pair:

OhrVgqQl.jpg


sYrLvE4l.jpg


My P30L started out as a V3 (DA/SA) and I converted it to a V0 (Light LEM, maintaining the hammer and de-cock). It also has a shortened reset done by Lazy Wolf Guns. I just couldn't get used to the long reset on the P series.

The LPVO on the AR15 just adds flexibility over the RDS, pictured is my 3Gun rig. I've used both for defensive classes and been very happy with them.

OP, why do you have your rear BUIS so far forward?

I mount mine as far back as I can to get the most sight radius that I can.
 
Chuck R. said:
To me that would imply an SD type usage, so HK P30L and an AR15, but I'd go with a LPVO VS the RDS on the AR. My pair:

OhrVgqQl.jpg


sYrLvE4l.jpg


My P30L started out as a V3 (DA/SA) and I converted it to a V0 (Light LEM, maintaining the hammer and de-cock). It also has a shortened reset done by Lazy Wolf Guns. I just couldn't get used to the long reset on the P series.

The LPVO on the AR15 just adds flexibility over the RDS, pictured is my 3Gun rig. I've used both for defensive classes and been very happy with them.

OP, why do you have your rear BUIS so far forward?

I mount mine as far back as I can to get the most sight radius that I can.
Click to expand...
Good point about the rear backup sight. I will move it rearward just over an inch to gain a longer sight radius. I like what you did to your P30L...converting it to V0 and the shortened reset. I will look into that! I agree about the versatility of an LPVO. I run one on my AR-15 that is chambered in 6mmARC.
 
I've done some long road trips where I was gone for 2+ weeks at a time. There are places in this country where certain guns aren't legal. The 357 rifle and revolver would be the safest bet but even then you'd have to avoid some states altogether. As much as I like an AR I wouldn't take one on a long trip.

I don't usually carry a long gun. The handgun is usually a G19 with several mags with different loads. But sometimes a 10mm. We have a trip planned for next summer to visit Glacier and Yellowstone NP's where large aggressive bear live. I'll carry my 10mm on that trip.

If I were to take a long gun my 870 with a 21" turkey barrel with a modified tube and an assortment of loads would go.
 
jmr40 said:
I've done some long road trips where I was gone for 2+ weeks at a time. There are places in this country where certain guns aren't legal. The 357 rifle and revolver would be the safest bet but even then you'd have to avoid some states altogether. As much as I like an AR I wouldn't take one on a long trip.

I don't usually carry a long gun. The handgun is usually a G19 with several mags with different loads. But sometimes a 10mm. We have a trip planned for next summer to visit Glacier and Yellowstone NP's where large aggressive bear live. I'll carry my 10mm on that trip.

If I were to take a long gun my 870 with a 21" turkey barrel with a modified tube and an assortment of loads would go.
Click to expand...
Good point about staying legal while traveling with an AR and a high-capacity pistol! The lever-action/revolver combo would ease those concerns.
 
Even under the stated conditions, my "use" would be more of just tracking down ranges & shooting as compared to either SD or hunting. I would be shooting reloads regardless and gave up on rimfire long ago. I do shoot auto loading pistols, but would not want one in a "one pistol only" setting.

The revolver alone would be pretty good (and a 4.2" GP-100 357 is one of my favorite shooters), but depending on what ranges I come across, a gun suitable for longer range shooting would be nice. A lever gun in either 357 or 30-30 are obvious and acceptable choices.

An AR would also be acceptable (provided that one is allowed in the applicable destinations). For me, I would prefer something other than 223/5.56. An AR in something like a 350L, 6.5 G or 6.8 SPC just seem better suited in the "only one" long gun role. I have a 357AR max (wildcat that preceded the 350L) that would work.

For a second gun in addition to the revolver, I would strongly consider a TC contender instead of a long gun. My 10" 7 TCU would work if I was going with a currently owned gun. Although not a long gun, it has an effective range comparable with the 3 long guns in the OP. It also "travels well" in terms of legal issues.
 
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With the various state laws re: assault weapon prohibitions and magazine capacity, you’d be safe with the revolver/ lever action combo and still not feel under gunned.

Ammo compatibility is also a plus, having to bring only one caliber for both.
 
I guess I would go with the third option. I would give the AR to a grandson but never owning an HK anything wouldn't mind trying out the pistol. Other than that pistol I am pretty well fixed with everything else.
 
airlooped said:
Just for fun....of these three pairs, which would you choose if you could have just one pair? Imagine being on the road for months with no access to your other firearms. All three are compelling choices. I think I'd go with the AR-15 and the HKP30L 9mm despite the caliber mismatch. What are your thoughts?

357mag Marlin 1894 and 357mag GP100
Ruger American 22LR and Ruger MK2 22LR
AR-15 in 223 and HK P30L 9mm

View attachment 1185201
View attachment 1185202View attachment 1185203
Click to expand...
The 357 Lever action and revolver combo is a no go. I just beleive I'd be at an disadvantage in the majority of possible situations.

A 22lr rifle and pistol would only be useful for plinking and maybe killing rodents, but not much else. It's not very good for self-defense or defense against midsized or larger predators. Plus, 22lr rim fired ammo is known for being unreliable, so other than lacking power and penetration, it lacks reliability especially out of a semiautomatic handgun.

An .223/5.56 AR15 and a 9mm handgun would have the most common ammo, and would be effective for the most situations that I could possibly be in. The .223/5.56 would also add an reach/distance advantage that does not exist with any of the other options. As someone already mentioned, have two different calibers does not put all my eggs in one basket as far as finding ammo.

I also already own several AR15s and a HK P30sk and P30L. They are phenomenal handguns.
 
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