Help me decide on what to get

[atxgun]

I'm getting in the mood to get a new firearm but can't decide. My last purchase was a Mossberg 590 12 gauge, I also have a Sprinfield XD 40, S&W 9 and an AR-15. I'm thinking I might want to get a nice 38 but of course there are so many tempting choices :) I also need to add a nice 1911 to my collection.

What would your personal next choice be and why?

[kd5zex]

Kimber Pro Carry II Stainless in .45
Because I want one.

or

Kimber 8400 Montana in .270 with a Leupold VX-L 3.5x10
Because I need one.

or

M-1A with a black synthetic stock and stainless match barrel.
Because I have always wanted one.


Sigh... Yes, I do live vicariously...

[BobCat]

My brother and I go around and around about this kind of thing. I always want to have a "need" or "mission statement" for whatever firearm I'm fixin' to buy, and he tells me that sometimes "I want it" is a good enough reason. He is right.

It is good to have some idea what you will use the firearm for. If it will sit in the safe and not get any exercise, it will be unhappy and so will you. If, on the other hand, you take it to the range for fun once in a while, or you use it for competition, or feel it would be useful for defense, you have an adequate "mission statement" for it.

A company called Valkyrie Arms makes a semi-auto version of the M3 grease gun from WWII. As a child I had an M3 (toy, not real) and it ws one of my favorite weapons. I really "want" an M3, but buying a semi-auto-only replica for $800-$900 - that would sit in the safe since it will not do anything a 1911 will not do - seems silly to me.

So - what do you want next, and what will you use it for? Besides defence and to assert/exercise your RKBA, this is supposed to be fun. Buy what will be fun!

Regards,
Andrew

[atxgun]

this ones definitely just for fun. Actually thinking some kind of lever action riffle now

[Lumberjack98]

How about a Ruger 10/22 that you can mod out?

[BobCat]

Just for fun, lever action rifle = Marlin 1894 in .357 mag or .44 mag. Very much fun, practical for near deer if you are inclined, cowboy action shooting, and just grinning at the range.

If you get a .357 levergun you will wind up with a .357 revolver sooner than later, and you can shoot .38 specials out of both, cheaply.

The .44 is lighter (bigger bore!) and packs a punch.

Either, if pressed into service for home defense, looks less "threatening" than you AR-15 - I feel silly even mentioning this, but it is reality.

Have fun!

Regards,
Andrew

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm getting in the mood to get a new firearm but can't decide. My last purchase was a Mossberg 590 12 gauge, I also have a Sprinfield XD 40, S&W 9 and an AR-15. I'm thinking I might want to get a nice 38 but of course there are so many tempting choices :) I also need to add a nice 1911 to my collection.

What would your personal next choice be and why?

How are you fixed for rifles that are consistently reliable performers at 800+ yards? Maybe a nice heavy barreled .308 bolt rifle with a good scope on top of it?

Or, howzabout a good handgun for hunting, like a S&W or Ruger .44 magnum? A .44 magnum can be a real hoot.

Then again, you'll never go wrong with a nice 1911.

[atxgun]

Just for fun, lever action rifle = Marlin 1894 in .357 mag or .44 mag. Very much fun, practical for near deer if you are inclined, cowboy action shooting, and just grinning at the range.

If you get a .357 levergun you will wind up with a .357 revolver sooner than later, and you can shoot .38 specials out of both, cheaply.

The .44 is lighter (bigger bore!) and packs a punch.

Either, if pressed into service for home defense, looks less "threatening" than you AR-15 - I feel silly even mentioning this, but it is reality.

Have fun!

Regards,
Andrew

Thanks for the feedback, the Marlin does look quite nice, I will definitely have to consider it. I was also looking at a Yellow boy. Funny you mention cowboy action shooting -- that was my first experience with lever action rifles. The Austin Young Republicans held an event out at the Gunsmoke ranch in Columbus, TX. It was quite fun. I got 2nd place in the 3 gun timed shooting competition :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBdK2uvKpNw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (had to screw up w/ shotgun )

Edit: Oh, and what do you mean by looks "less threatening". Not saying it does or doesn't but it would seem I would want something that seemed more threatening for home defense. I wouldn't use my AR for that anyway, that's what the Mossberg is for.

[atxgun]

How are you fixed for rifles that are consistently reliable performers at 800+ yards? Maybe a nice heavy barreled .308 bolt rifle with a good scope on top of it?

Something along those lines is definitely in my queue, just not this time around.

[longhorn_92]

I'm getting in the mood to get a new firearm but can't decide. My last purchase was a Mossberg 590 12 gauge, I also have a Sprinfield XD 40, S&W 9 and an AR-15. I'm thinking I might want to get a nice 38 but of course there are so many tempting choices :) I also need to add a nice 1911 to my collection.

What would your personal next choice be and why?

1911.... The 1911 pistol design is not only the most popular civilian pistol, but it truly has stood the test of time.

[Oldgringo]

IMHO, one can't beat the Taurus PT 1911 for the money. Furthermore, If I were to get (and I am) another .38, it would be the Taurus M 85 SS Ultralite.

Right now, I'm on the track of a gently used XD .45 Compact or Service.

[Nicolai]

Good suggestions all, but I favor Smith and Wesson K Frames, so I'd love to find a Model 19, 66, 14, or 67 with 4" barrel, a Model 65 with 3" barrel, another K-22, maybe a Model 18, maybe a Model 27 with a 3.5" barrel (yes, I know it's an N Frame). So many good ones to look for--sigh. Seriously, I think you could do a lot worse than a good .357 with a 4" barrel.

[NcongruNt]

Well, you never told us your budget, so I'm going to shoot for the stars straight away.

Were I to be given the choice of any gun I wanted, It would be a Dragunov (no, not the PSL or FPK). They are difficult to come by, but every once in a while you can find a good one on gunbroker. Want a semi-auto rifle capable of 4" groups at 600 meters? This is your rifle. It is chambered in 7.62x54R. It also comes with a bayonet. Yes, the Russians made their sniper rifles with bayonet lugs. And backup iron sights.

There's a nice Norinco for sale right now. http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.a ... =114405085" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's a Russian "Tiger" (California import version) for the same price. http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.a ... =114701617" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BobCat]

atxgun,

Gunsmoke ranch in Columbus, TX is were I used to shoot Cowboy Action, until I fell into Highpower. Great bunch of people!

There are a lot of good suggestions here - I just mentioned the Marlin because it seems to me to have some essence of "American" about it, and it is lots of fun to shoot.

And you are probably right about the shotgun for home defense... but your wife might want the lever gun to cover other directions... I think I mis-spent too much of my youth in gun-unfriendly places, where the type of gun you used to protect yourself might have mattered (where a lever gun is seen as John Wayne's gun, but an AR-15 or AK47 is seen as a criminal's or terrorist's gun).

Look at it this way: get whatever you think you want this time, and next time you can get whatever you think you want then. And the talk of S&W six-guns gets me to thinking, too...

Regards,
Andrew

[bryang]

I have a Henry lever action saddle gun with the over size lever for gloves...you know, while out riding the range. It is just a fun little rifle and best of all... it is made in the good ole' USA!

How about a Colt New Agent .45 ACP... "I sure would like to have one"

Most of all, just have fun!!

-geo