Proper arsenal

[Stumpalump]

I'm packing away my guns for safe long term storage and want to only keep or trade for guns that will make up a perfect arsenal. What would you include? I'm thinking a few handguns,assalt rifle,shotgun and hunting rifle. What would you add? I don't have much intrest in them now but want to know that just the right collection is available. The 10/22 will stay on hand. How do you make sure a gun you have has not been stolen and then how do you deal with it if it was?

 

[8Mud]

Weapons are tools, some are more flexible than others. You have to ask yourself some questions. Home defense? Survival? Vehicular? and a few others.
IMO a handgun is backup for a more serious weapon, even backup for a shotgun, which IMO is the home defense weapon of choice.
Survival weapon should be flexible and light.
Something to think about, many of the so called assault rifles, with a scope, hunt just fine. Some are darned accurate. An assault rifle with a wood stock and a short magazine isn't going to freak too many people out if they see you walking through the woods with it. And has the same characteristics of one with a plastic stock and thirty round mags. One of the more accurate rifles I've ever owned was an FAL, M-14 was just a s accurate, as is the Garand I still shoot. All are capable of 500 yard shots and have a high enough rate of fire for most any occasion.
Most long guns and even shotguns don't work well in a vehicle, a short carbine with a folding stock is preferable.
I believe in redundancy. If I think I'm going to need one, I take two, if I think I'm going to need two I take three. Sometimes even four.
Personally I keep a shotgun ( and thirty round bandoleer) or large mag carbine ( .223) for every member of the family. A long gun for every two and pistols for everybody. Binoculars for those without a long gun. I have kind of a team mentality.

 

[BruceB83]

What is your purpose? What kind of weapons do your enemies carry? How good of a shot are you? Can you hold two handguns sideways and shoot them both at the same time? These are all questions I think you should answer before deciding your proper arsenal.

How do you make sure a handgun you have hasn't been stolen? Ask yourself, self, have I stolen this gun? If not, did you buy it from someone using an "alias"...did you buy it while in a dark alley...did you have to make a "cash" transaction for it? Those could indicate if it is stolen. If so, GET RID OF IT.

This is what I prefer...

But seriously, my perfect arsenal is my S&W .40. My purpose is to neutralize the threat. It only takes that one weapon to do so. Not saying I don't have a few others just for fun but the only one I need is the S&W.

Now it's time to sit back and watch...this won't end well.

 

[98XJSport]

Entirely depends on you and your goal. Trying to be gangsta? Rambo? Self sufficient?

A big caliber handgun won't do you any good if you can't shoot with it, and can't handle the recoil.

A big long gun with a scope won't be worth a damn if your target is very close and moving.

A shotgun won't help when you can barely see your target at thier current distance.

Its all about what you can handle/are used to, and what you are trying to accomplish here?

 

[SCW]

For hunting

For tacticool defense

 

[jimgrms]

I Recently got a taurus 45 long colt 410 fires both 45 colt and 410 i have it for home defense using 410 #4 shot and buck its a good revolver and i recommend it

 

[8Mud]

I tend to think in scenarios. Home invasion, is defense, standard tactics is to engage at the farthest possible range. The chances of most shooters out there hitting s moving target at most any distance beyond touching distance with a pistol is remote. I'm an expert pistol shot (likely better than 99.9% of the population) have never fired a pistol holding it sideways and if I had a choice of what to shoot at a moving target (within 35 yards or so), I'd choose a shotgun. Near misses don't count (except for hand grenades), at least near misses with a shotgun have a higher pucker factor.
Levey breaks (or the atomic power plant melts down) and I have to get out of Dodge. Main interstates are going to be impassible and there likely won't be anything at the end of the road anyway. And like Katrina, the small towns will set up road blocks. Sorry to say this, but to save my family I just might have to fight my way through a roadblock.
The only reliable penetration of an automobile is a medium to large caliber rifle round or a shotgun slug. Cars don't explode when you shoot a pistol at them.
I once shot 200 7.62 (.308) rounds from an M-60 machine gun into a truck, it was still rolling along when I ran out of ammo. We were doing what is called a "No chit" assessment of various weapon capabilities for the military. We had great fun bouncing 38 caliber rounds off of windshields (Air Police used to carry 38's).

Your on the way out of Dodge and somebody decides they need your Jeeps more than you do. Etc.

I go wild pig hunting often, I've seen 20 in a herd often and once double that. I take enough fire power with me to fight a small war if need be. I once spent a whole night in a very short tree with 40 or so pigs wandering around below me, occasionally stopping to take a bite out of the tree.

 

[Stumpalump]

One gun I don't know about came out of an abandon apartment 10 years ago. All we know is that the guy went back to the middle east when he was attending American colledge. He had poor grades and thats why we think he just left. I got the text books and the 19" 12 guage pump. I have a .38 that I bought on the street for $35. I'm sure that ones stolen because it was an almost new SW .38. My dad let it rust up alittle and I got it back. I don't want them packed away if they are stolen. I really don't want them at all if stolen. Who do I ask without getting in trouble if they are?

 

[8Mud]

I'd either saw them in three pieces with an angle grinder and dump them in the river or give them to the state police for a new pedigree.
I bought a Ruger .357 with the serial numbers filed off, I made the seller record the sale in his gun book (serial number XXXXX). Years later the Ruger was stolen from me (on the opposite coast from where I bought it), then used in a series of robberies and an eventual suicide (again) on the opposite side of the US. The FBI came knocking on my door one day, I'm sure enough happy the paper trail was in order.

 

[BruceB83]

I would cut up the stolen ones into about 6 peices and dump them in 6 different rivers. I'm sure over time, IF a peice was ever found, any finger prints would be gone. I would rather do that than dealing with the hassle and questioning from police. At least you will know they cannot be used anymore and SHOULD NOT ever be found.

 

[RTicUL8]

For hunting

For tacticool defense

These are defective.
You've got ammo, but your guns are missing the triggers. :laugh3:

.

 

[RTicUL8]

I would cut up the stolen ones into about 6 peices and dump them in 6 different rivers. I'm sure over time, IF a peice was ever found, any finger prints would be gone. I would rather do that than dealing with the hassle and questioning from police. At least you will know they cannot be used anymore and SHOULD NOT ever be found.

Or wait for one of those local "Turn your gun in for a free donut" promotions. :thumbup: -no questions asked

 

[Stumpalump]

Or wait for one of those local "Turn your gun in for a free donut" promotions. :thumbup: -no questions asked

I went to one of those with a freind who turned in a totaly trashed .22 that was worthless. He got $100 gift card for the local supermarket for it. Funny thing was that not a single gun was worth over a hundred bucks. Things like Raven .25's were the only things turned in.

 

[SPORTY XJ]

I Recently got a taurus 45 long colt 410 fires both 45 colt and 410 i have it for home defense using 410 #4 shot and buck its a good revolver and i recommend it

That is a sweet gun firerd one unreal tobad it's a no no in CA

 

[RichP]

A comparison for your review
Stuff you know if you have an AK. AR.Mosin Nagant

AK-----It works though you have never cleaned it. Ever.
AR--You have $9 per ounce special non-detergent synthetic teflon infused oil for cleaning.
MOSINE NAGANT --It was last cleaned in Berlin in 1945.

AK-----You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from inside.
AR-- You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from 600m.
MOSINE NAGANT You can hit the farm from two counties over.

AK-----Cheap mags are fun to buy.
AR-- Cheap mags melt.
MOSINE NAGANT What's a mag?

AK-----Your safety can be heard 300m away.
AR-- You can silently flip off the safety with your finger on the trigger.
MOSINE NAGANT What's a safety?

AK-----Your rifle comes with a cheap nylon sling.
AR-- Your rifle has a 9 point stealth tactical suspension system.
MOSINE NAGANT Your rifle has dog collars.

AK-----Your bayonet makes a good wire cutter.
AR-- Your bayonet is actually a pretty good steak knife.
MOSINE NAGANT Your bayonet is longer than your leg.

AK-----You can put a .30" hole through 12" of oak, if you can hit it.
AR-- You can put one hole in a paper target at 100m with 30 rounds.
MOSINE NAGANT You can knock down everyone else's target just from the shock wave of your bullet going downrange.

AK-----When out of ammo, your rifle will nominally pass as a club.
AR-- When out of ammo, your rifle makes a great whiffle bat.
MOSINE NAGANT When out of ammo, your rifle makes a supreme war club, battering ram, pike, boat oar, tent pole,car jack or firewood.

AK-----Recoil is manageable, even fun.
AR-- What's recoil?
MOSINE NAGANT Recoil often used to relocate shoulders thrown out by the previous shot.

AK-----Your sight adjustment goes to '10', and you've never bothered moving it.
AR-- Your sight adjustment is incremented in fractions of minute of angle.
MOSINE NAGANT Your sight adjustment goes to 12 miles and you've actually tried it.

AK-----Your rifle can be used by any two bit nation's most illiterate conscripts to fight elite forces worldwide.
AR-- Your rifle is used by elite forces worldwide to fight two bit nations most illiterate conscripts.
MOSINE NAGANT Your rifle has fought against itself and won every time.

AK----- Your rifle won some revolutions.
AR-- Your rifle won the cold war.
MOSINE NAGANT Your rifle won a pole vault event.

AK----- You paid $350.
AR-- You paid $900.
MOSINE NAGANT You paid $59.95.

AK----- You buy cheap ammo by the case.
AR-- You lovingly reload precision crafted rounds one by one.
MOSINE NAGANT You dig your ammo out of a farmer's field in Ukraine and it works just fine.

AK----- You can intimidate your foe with the bayonet mounted.
AR-- Your foes laugh when you mount your bayonet.
MOSINE NAGANT You can bayonet your foe on the other side of the river without leaving the comfort of your hole.

AK----- Service life, 50 years.
AR-- Service life, 40 years.
MOSINE NAGANT Service Life, 100 years.

AK----- Its easier to buy a new rifle when you want to change cartridge sizes.
AR-- You can change cartridge sizes with the push of a couple of pins and a new upper.
MOSINE NAGANT You believe no real man would dare risk the ridicule of his friends by suggesting there is anything but 7.62x54r.

AK-----You can repair your rifle with a big hammer and a swift kick.
AR-- You can repair your rifle by taking it to a certified gunsmith, it's under warranty!
MOSINE NAGANT If your rifle breaks, you buy a new one.

AK-----You consider it a badge of honor when you get your handguards to burst into flames.
AR-- You consider it a badge of honor when you shoot a sub-MOA 5 shot group.
MOSINE NAGANT You consider it a badge of honor when you cycle 5 rounds without the aid of a 2x4.

AK-----After a long day at the range you relax by watching "Red Dawn."
AR-- After a long day at the range you relax by watching "Blackhawk Down."
MOSINE NAGANT After a long day at the range you relax by visiting the chiropractor. THEN you watch "Enemy at the Gates."

AK-----After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for a stiff shot of Vodka.
AR-- After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for hotdogs and Apple Pie.
MOSINE NAGANT After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for shishkabob.

AK----- You can accessorize your rifle with a new muzzle brake or a nice stock set.
AR-- Your rifle's accessories are eight times more valuable than your rifle.
MOSINE NAGANT Your rifle's accessory is a small tin can with a funny lid, but its buried under an apartment building somewhere in Budapest.

AK----- Your rifle's finish is varnish and paint.
AR-- Your rifle's finish is Teflon and high tech polymers.
MOSINE NAGANT Your rifle's finish is low grade shellac, cosmoline and Olga's toe nails.

AK----- Your wife tolerates your autographed, framed picture of Mikhail Kalashnikov.
AR Your wife tolerates your autographed, framed picture of Eugene Stoner.
MOSINE NAGANT You're not sure there WERE cameras to photograph Sergei Mosin.

AK----- Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to hold your rifle over your head and shout "Wolverines!"
AR-- Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to clear your house, slicing the pie from room to room.
MOSINE NAGANT Late at night, you sometimes have to fight the urge to dig a fighting trench in the yard to sleep in.

MOSINE NAGANT There you have it. In the end, it is clear to any open minded inquirer that the MOSINE NAGANT is the most superior weapon of all time, but the AR and the AK come out as a draw when compared side by side.

 

[Stumpalump]

I have a couple of AK's and a scoped mini 14 Ranch 223. But I gave away my 30/06 and have no big rifles. Do you think the Mosine Nagent would double as a hunting rifle or is it a pain to mount a scope.

 

[SCW]

Rich, your comparison misses the REAL battle rifle of the 20th century, the M1 Garand. I'd rather have the Garand than the AK or Mosin. But the jury is still out about the Garand-vs-AR.

 

[slider]

Rich, your comparison misses the REAL battle rifle of the 20th century, the M1 Garand. I'd rather have the Garand than the AK or Mosin. But the jury is still out about the Garand-vs-AR.

that's what i love about my m-14. the proven operating system of the garand, hard hitting, and the high capacity and ease of changing mags. to me this is one of the best ever made. but someday i'm hoping to add a garand to my gun collection.

 

[Stumpalump]

I gotta disagree. I'd pick up a AK before any gun made for general blowing stuff up. You can walk in shots from the hip and take out beer cans from 50 yards. Might take a few shots but you put that thing to your shoulder and start tossing lead, Blow thru a clip and pop in another and you can out gun all the obove. Three to five round rapid pulls will ussually do what you want. The control of placing your shots without the sights is what does it for me. Just look down range and start pulling. Away goes the target. It's recoil is perfect for multi shots. I've put thousands of rounds thru a cheap AK and a few hundred thru my buddys AR and my mini 14 and I take the AK 2 to 1 over those. It's funny I love the cheap AK but for hand gun I love the USP 9MM over anything except my hand gun of choice. Smith and wesson 6" 357. Now thats a long range 1 shot man stopper that kicks but over any semi auto. I go for guns that I can grab, shoot then be done over fancy well made complicated cool stuff. But back to the AK and that is you can just pick it up pop in a clip rack it and rock and roll with great comfort. Try laying on the ground,running, rolling and ducking for cover with an AK and you will see what I mean about ease of use and tossing lead on target. It's one must have toy for us gun freaks.

 

[DrMoab]

that's what i love about my m-14. the proven operating system of the garand, hard hitting, and the high capacity and ease of changing mags. to me this is one of the best ever made. but someday i'm hoping to add a garand to my gun collection.

Went to Smith and Edwards today and they had a huge semi outside full off M1 SoCom's.

Man I wish I could have bought one.