IUGradStudent
Expert
So, I'm fairly new to guns -- been learning and shooting for about a year now. I currently own a Glock 19 (for carry and home defense), an H&R Handi-Rifle in .44 Magnum (for Deer), and a Marlin 81 (old Marlin .22 for plinking and cheap practicing). I just bought the Marlin last week and will pick it up in the next day or two. I expect to do a lot of practicing with it during the next year to improve my marksmanship (hopefully will do an Appleseed, too). I also hope to do a basic pistol course this year. I have appx. 600 rounds of 9mm, 100 rounds of .44 and a brick of .22 on hand.
So, what should I buy next? Funds is a huge issue, being as I have low cash flow and kids to feed. I have about $400 I can spend right now, or I could save it towards something in the future.
I know a big part of it boils down to what do I want and what am I looking for?
I don't feel the need for anything further for home defense or carry -- I feel that my Glock 19 is ideal for that purpose. I can't carry on IU's campus (where I work), and anywhere else I carry I have no problem with the 19. I also love the Glock and have no desire to own anything in .45 ACP or a 1911 or an H&K or anything else. I'm sure that will change someday, but for now I'm happy with my Glock. I don't have night sights or a tac-light for the Glock, however, and that is something I've thought about getting.
I am drawn to the idea of getting an older mil-surp rifle like a Mosin-Nagant, Mauser, Garand, etc. I love history and would love to own a piece of history. Big price difference there, of course, from the Mosin Nagant I can get for $100 down the street to the Garand which is $500-1000 depending on grade. I have no attachment to any particular one of these historical rifles, and so would lean toward the Mosin Nagant on price.
I would like, at some point, to get a rifle for home protection in disaster situations where law enforcement wouldn't be able to reach me for days at a time -- earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. An AK or AR would fit this description. I don't have the $$ for either, but could save toward it. If I wait until next Spring or Summer, ARs may have come back down in price -- heck people might be selling them for a loss if they bought too many then lost their job, etc. So, there's that.
I would like a gun that is somewhat versatile and that is fun to shoot at the range (which is where it will get the most use). And, whatever I get should be a good core piece to continue to build a collection around. I am only 27, and God-willing I will have a long life to collect and shoot guns (and teach my kids how to shoot), so I don't need to get everything now.
Ok, so I know YMMV, IMHO, it's all a matter of taste, it depends on what you want, etc. etc. I've told you a little about what I'm interested in, now you tell me what you think I should do! Of course, I'll make up my own mind in the end, but I'm trying to draw on the wealth of information on this board. I'm leaning toward Mosin-Nagant + 440 rds of ammo for it -- and then a sore shoulder! Josh McKee's post about the Saiga he's thinking about getting got me thinking that "hey, I don't even know what all is out there." So tell me!
So, what should I buy next? Funds is a huge issue, being as I have low cash flow and kids to feed. I have about $400 I can spend right now, or I could save it towards something in the future.
I know a big part of it boils down to what do I want and what am I looking for?
I don't feel the need for anything further for home defense or carry -- I feel that my Glock 19 is ideal for that purpose. I can't carry on IU's campus (where I work), and anywhere else I carry I have no problem with the 19. I also love the Glock and have no desire to own anything in .45 ACP or a 1911 or an H&K or anything else. I'm sure that will change someday, but for now I'm happy with my Glock. I don't have night sights or a tac-light for the Glock, however, and that is something I've thought about getting.
I am drawn to the idea of getting an older mil-surp rifle like a Mosin-Nagant, Mauser, Garand, etc. I love history and would love to own a piece of history. Big price difference there, of course, from the Mosin Nagant I can get for $100 down the street to the Garand which is $500-1000 depending on grade. I have no attachment to any particular one of these historical rifles, and so would lean toward the Mosin Nagant on price.
I would like, at some point, to get a rifle for home protection in disaster situations where law enforcement wouldn't be able to reach me for days at a time -- earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. An AK or AR would fit this description. I don't have the $$ for either, but could save toward it. If I wait until next Spring or Summer, ARs may have come back down in price -- heck people might be selling them for a loss if they bought too many then lost their job, etc. So, there's that.
I would like a gun that is somewhat versatile and that is fun to shoot at the range (which is where it will get the most use). And, whatever I get should be a good core piece to continue to build a collection around. I am only 27, and God-willing I will have a long life to collect and shoot guns (and teach my kids how to shoot), so I don't need to get everything now.
Ok, so I know YMMV, IMHO, it's all a matter of taste, it depends on what you want, etc. etc. I've told you a little about what I'm interested in, now you tell me what you think I should do! Of course, I'll make up my own mind in the end, but I'm trying to draw on the wealth of information on this board. I'm leaning toward Mosin-Nagant + 440 rds of ammo for it -- and then a sore shoulder! Josh McKee's post about the Saiga he's thinking about getting got me thinking that "hey, I don't even know what all is out there." So tell me!
