Weapon For A Newbie

[Michael]

I thought this might be a good topic to start as i am sure there are alot of people out there who want to start "getting things together" but havent yet.

So what would you suggest someone to start out with, and maybe even something for a lower budget "start small, work your way up" type thing.

[IRONCLAD]

Easy...... just like I did when I started out. I bought an SKS.

IRONCLAD

[CornFedReb]

A serious person's primary weapon should be a gas operated rifle with a detachable high-capacity magazine. In addition to a gas operated rifle a person should consider a shotgun and pistol in their arsenal so as to round out their ability to defend themselves as well as forage for food.

No gun fills so many rolls as adequately as the 12 ga. shotgun. Depending on the load you use you can forage for small game with light shot loads, take out personnel or larger game with buck shot and take doors off hinges or shoot through barriers with rifled slugs.

For the person who is on a tight budget and needs a weapon "yesterday" I would recommend a 12 ga. shotgun. Specifically a Mossberg 500 series of weapon.

Rather than burden yourself with a rifle that you'll have to sell later to buy what you really want, get yourself armed right now with a Mossberg and get the rest of your gear together while you're saving for your primary weapon. You're going to need a shotgun eventually anyway.

I'll not list the shining attributes of the Mossberg 500 series here but I'll give you some links you can check out.

The Practical Tactical Mossberg 500
www.thearmedcitizen.com/gunpages/mossberg.htm

Mossberg 500 special Purpose Model
www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/Specpurp.htm

Mossberg500/590 stocks, grips & accessories
www.atigunstocks.com/mossberg.html

The Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500
members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html

As you can see, in addition to the inherent versatility of the factory model, there are a wide variety of after market parts and accessories for the Mossberg 500 series that will allow you to set it up in any configuration to suit your percieved mission. Whether for hunting or combat the Mossberg is a versatile tool.

God Save the South,
CornFedReb

[Celtic Jaeger]

I would say an SKS or AKM for a primary.
Rock Island .45 secondary

[CornFedReb]

Celtic said:

I would say an SKS or AKM for a primary.
Rock Island .45 secondary

I have to agree with you on the .45! Even though its basic design is close to 100 years old you can't find a better handgun! The proof of its excellent design is in the number of copies made of it around the world. Even the Chinese made a copy of it. They say that "Imitation is the sincereist form of flattery" and nowhere is this more true in the world of firearms than with the M1911 design.

I've always liked the SKS and the AK series but could never bring myself to support the State controlled arms plants of Communist China by buying one.

Do you know anything about something called the SKSD which takes AK magazines? I understand its nearly identical to the SKS except the trigger housing is different and, of course, it takes AK mags. I heard about it but haven't had a chance to look it up yet. Sounds like a great low cost envestment. The ability to take AK mags is what appeals to me. That cruddy 10 rd. box on an SKS sux and even the aftermarket high capacity mags with that rediculus "tang" on the front don't appeal too much to me.

God Save the South,
CornFedReb

[Celtic Jaeger]

Actually I have handled one of the SKSD rifles, and to be honest I would not touch one again. They are beset by quite a few problems: Magazine feed sucks, it jams about evry 6 rounds. The gas system is'nt very good. And I also found that sometimes, if the magazine did'nt fit JUST right, it could fall out at the slightest jar.

I would not touch one with a ten foot pole.

[CornFedReb]

Thanks for the warning Celtic. I'll avoid it like the plague now.

Back in the day when such things could be imported there was a version of the Chinese SKS with a 16'' barrel and it took a detachable AK magazine. The price back then was about $145.00. Always wished I had picked one up since ammo is so cheap and the mags were dirt cheap too. Looked real good in a Dragunov style stock too.

I think the only way we'll see those good ol' days for firearms and accessories availibility is when Dixie is free and there won't be any such thing as the National Firearms Act or Gun Control Act or other such foolishness. God speed the day!

God Save the South,
CornFedReb

[GrayGhost]

A shotgun is a good, reliable, easy to clean & maintain weapon for home defense. The mere sight of a shotgun, and knowledge of the damage it can do, will normally end any confrontation. The shotgun is also a good weapon for those who are not very accurate w/ rifles. Aim and shoot. That simple.

I have an AR-15 that I purchased from a local dealer. I had to have it when I saw it because it had a 203 launcher underslung. The dealer did not know much of its history, and of course 203 ammo can not be purchased by civilians, but you may be surprised what you can find when you are determined enough. I also like the AR-15 for its closeness to the M-16 in appearance, weight, cleaning and handling. It is highly accurate, gas operated, has a 20 round mag, easily maintained, and takes little effort to convert to auto.

I have two handguns, a Glock 17 & a Sig 226. Both are 9mm, are reliable, accurate, and I really like the feel of each pistol. I have concealed permits for both.

I think that the purchase and training of each person w/ a weapon, or preferably several weapons, is a good idea. The more experience individuals have w/ weapons, the more at ease they will be w/ using them if the need arises.

[Celtic Jaeger]

Mossburg 500 Combat Shotguns are the best, then Remington 870 Police Riot guns!!!

I have a Bushmaster M4 A2 rifle...its the only girl thats stuck with me for any length of time LOL!!! ;D