Good start?

[Laverney]

Hi everybody. I went out to the local hunting shop and picked up my first firearm 2 weeks ago and bought a .22, Mossberg 702 Plinkster (my kids and I had fun). Well then the bug hit me and I was talking to a relative and found out that all these years I never knew he had amassed a collection of weapons that I could only hope he wills them to me ::). After all was said and done I now have a 357 Securtiy Six, Laurona S/S 20 gauge, Rossi 357 rifle, and a Marlin Papoose. I think that I am on my way to a pretty decent starter collection. I guess I just wanted your opinions on what I might be missing that could nicely round out the cache. I am new to the weapons side of things. My only experience with weapons was 9mm, M16 and 12 gauge, so I am a bit lacking in what is really good for what ???. Any help and input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mr.B]

Here is a good site to check out with lots of Surplus firearm info.

All are pretty much old military issued weapons so you know what they were meant for. But all of them make great hunting rifles.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/

[AARTY]

Boy, did you open a can of worms!!! That little papoose will be good for small game like rabbits. You might be able to get away with using the Rossi for light skin game but I see that you are up in NW Wisconsin I do not recommend using it for deer. I would look at getting a rifle in a decent .30 caliber like a 30-30 winchester or .308. It is good to see that you are taking your children to the range. There are many articles and magazines out that will help you in choosing calibers and firearms that suit your particular needs. Depending on who we get into the whitehouse this November, you may start seeing this new found hobby come under severe attack so enjoy it while we can! Another Forum to visit for some very good advice is : http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain they have both a shooting and hunting forum, I haven't been to the hunting forum but spend most of my time on the shooting forum.

[FotoTomas]

I will be happy to provide tons of advice all free! :o

On the other hand it's worth what you pay for it! ;D

I work better however when I can answer a question as opposed to simply getting long winded with my oinions. :)

Generally speaking however you are well on your way to a very balanced collection.

As a general thought I believe each family should have a centerfire rifle, a repeating shotgun, centerfire handgun and a .22 of some flavor. Depending on your choices you will meet all your needs with those four. On the other hand there is so many different gun games, hunting opportunities, defensive situations and such that are better handled with a specific arm you might find your collection expanding.

As a detailed example of some of the options and uses out there I recommend finding and reading a old copy of "Survival Guns" by Mel Tappan. He has been dead going on 25 plus years now but his book truly explained the many uses and options for firearms in a backwoods home situation. I think he went a little overboard on what he considers "essential" but it is still a very informative text.

[Clem]

I think you have the basics covered. From now on, you may want to get into more specialized items for specific tasks: many think a real combat rifle is needed. What that is, is really up to you. I have an M-1 Garand, but you may want something else. A combat type pistol may be appropriate. I favor the 1911 in .45 ACP, but there are lots of options. A more specialized .22 might be appropriate. I have a nicely tricked out 10/22 that is super accurate, and a lot of fun to shoot.

The sky is the limit here. Be careful you don't overextend.

Mel Tappan's book is still good.

[ThisisDoc]

Reuger 10/22 is a very very nice gun... fun and inexpensive to shoot... I have 12 different pistols... LOL... from a 44 Mag revolver... a 1911... several 9mm's and i guess my favorite are my Glocks... i have a 22 conversion kit for both my 9mm and my .40 really makes it a lot more fun to shoot when you only spend 15 bucks for 550 rounds... i guess what im saying is to get a pistol frame that you can convert to a .22 and have fun...

[Laverney]

Thanks so much for all of the suggestions and the links are great! I have a lot of homework to do before I get the BIG GUNS ::). The 357 is a bit heavy on the hand for me, have a real problem keeping the barrel up consistantly. I could shoot out a knee but the center of mass isn't likely ;D. I tried my brother's Glock and that was much easier to keep in a tighter grouping. That will probably be the next handgun. You all are the best, thanks again.

[cubcadet]

They say the most dangerous man is one who owns just one gun. If your family is shooting the guns you have and loving it, go for proficiency. I have always taught the young ones to be happy with what you have. The trick at this point would be, I think, is not to go with quantity in weapons, but to be in line with this forum. Find weapons that each family member is comfortable with and build a good stock of ammunition for each weapon. I would try to find a few shotguns you could pay cash for, and not have any paper trail.

[sabrefan]

They say the most dangerous man is one who owns just one gun. If your family is shooting the guns you have and loving it, go for proficiency. I have always taught the young ones to be happy with what you have. The trick at this point would be, I think, is not to go with quantity in weapons, but to be in line with this forum. Find weapons that each family member is comfortable with and build a good stock of ammunition for each weapon. I would try to find a few shotguns you could pay cash for, and not have any paper trail.


You hit the nail on the head... in the service a SEAL came to my storeroom for some supplies and over a cup of coffee we were talking different scenes in which we had to defend our rights and he told me "that with one gun you can get any gun"... he used the word weapon though.

[jim]

Work out with some light dumbells and that will solve the strength problem.

jim