would a handgun be better?...

[sprice]

I've decided on my next guns... a Remington 870 xcs marine magnum,(http://www.remington.com/products/fi...ine_magnum.asp), Dan Wesson Pointman seven (http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=65), custom m14, Glock 19 and 29, Sig p226, 10mm and .45 1911s, winchester 70, marlin thirdy thirdy, and a couple others. anyway, my question is should i get the remington or dan wesson first. Lets just say im a teen so my dad will buy it with my money, but were going on a weeklong campout in the summer and need a self defense type gun for backpacking (and outdoors imparticular). I plan to use the shotgun for everything you can do with a shotgun and the pistol is gonna be for outdoors and possibly my dads right to carry permit. so shotgun or pistol first? Mostly, what would be more convenient and better for defense/ survival on the summer campout? We don't have any pistols (.45 is our caliber choice and we want a semi) so one would be nice- but we also only have one 12 guage (its to heavy and long to take backpacking) and 1 16 guage- another 12 would also be nice.

by the way, I just like to have the best guns; so if your wondering where I get the money I just work realy hard and dont spend until i have enough. Thats how I got my Browning A-bolt white gold medallion (300wsm) with my leupold!


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[deacon8]

I would choose the Dan Wesson in your situation. First of all, it's a really nice pistol that would be fun to shoot and practice with, whether it be targets, tin cans, etc. It would also be a lot nicer to carry around too. Plus, it packs plenty of punch should you need for protection.

A shotgun is great in close situations, but it is also clunky. Don't get me wrong, they serve a purpose. However, my idea of plinking with shotgun is shooting at clay pigeons. Shooting at immobile objects for me is kind of lame after a couple shots.

In summary, you would get a lot more use out of that pistol-thousands of rounds of fun and honing your skill. It will kill anything in a defense situation. It's easy to carry. And there's also that style factor. To me the 870 marine is something that you keep in a closet in case some idiot tries to break into your home...

 

[punkndisorderly]

For me, the first thing I'd purchase would be a good .22 pistol or a centerfire and a .22 conversion. A .22 will allow you hours of marksmanship training and fun plinking for the price of 30 minutes of shooting a centerfire. I'd also go for the same deal with a rifle, perhaps an AR-15 with a .22 conversion kit or dedicated .22 upper. The great thing about the conversion kits is allowing you to maximize trigger time on whatever you intend as your go to gun

Shotguns are great (one resides under my bed at this very moment), however they aren't usually condusive to a fun day at the range unless you're into trap/sporting clays. Most ranges aren't set up for plinking with a 12guage and shotgun ammo isn't exacly cheap, especially buck and slugs.

One other bit of advice, don't fall into the trap of focusing on the guns. Focus on having fun shooting and progressing as a shooter. When I was younger, I was all about the guns. Rather than focusing on being proficient with any one firearm, I was focused on getting something new. Looking back, I would have been much better off spending on ammo and time at the range.

You have probably $8k worth of firearms listed up there. Perhaps spending some of that on ammo (or a press and components) and perhaps some professional training like Gunsite, Thunder Ranch, LFI (as well as seeing the raised eyebrows of fellow shooters when they see your groups) would lead to more enjoyment for the dollar. I can't think of anything I would have enjoyed more as a young man than spending a few days at Gunsite with my old man.

 

[jonnyc]

Not sure where you are, but you might not be allowed to "carry" a handgun unless actively transporting to a range, using at a range, or hunting. I would clarify that first.

 

[Eightball]

Lets just say im a teen so my dad will buy it with my money,

So, you're admitting to fostering a straw purchase.

Bad juju there, my friend.

 

[FoMoGo]

LOTS of fathers buy guns for their kids.


Jim

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Lots of people use drugs, too.

 

[FoMoGo]

So, are you saying that you would never buy a gun for your child?
My father bought me shotguns and rifles from the time I was 10 till I was 18.


Jim

 

[Gungnir]

To answer my vote, for the Shotgun.

Summer Campout, survival/defense purposes and assuming only one gun, in bear country (worst case).

Bear close in Magnum Slug leads to very sleepy bear (most of the time) but you can pump and pull again pretty fast. If the bear is too far away to hit with the shotgun, then the shotgun isn't needed, just don't act like food (run, pee or poop yourself), or appear aggressive, make plenty of noise and back away, DO NOT TURN around or make eye contact, that's some of acting like food. I'm sure that there's a bunch of people who can complain that you need an <insert caliber here> because you're too close and at risk for a shotgun, but you're likely ok unless the bear charges, and then it's closing, and you can use the SG. Oh and if it's a Grizzly SG/.45 isn't going to make a d**n bit of difference except the Grizzly will appreciate the smaller size of the .45 when it passes it doing what it does in the woods, just hope it's not hungry, and don't act like food.

One other idea for bear (since other than 2 legged predators this is the only thing that'll kill and eat you in NA wolves will eat you, but you're probably dead or dying first) as recommended by a buddy in AK, 00 buck to the face, blows the bears eyes and nose allowing you to slip away, course it also screws the bear pretty good too. Not sure as to the actual usefulness of this tactic, might be a good emergency move on a Grizzly, which is about the only time I'd try it.

Wife mentioned Puma (depending on where you are) self defense wise, if you see it, it's not attacking, if it's attacking you won't see it first, so drawing a pistol vs. unslinging your shotgun is moot.

In AK I alternate 00 buck Mag, with Breneke Mag Slug for personal defense, never had to shoot a bear yet, and I've been within 10 yards, just kept moving and making lots of noise (vocal).

Shot (various gauges) can get those darn wabbits, or deer if you can get close enough, for some tasty eat out. Also easier to stop pesky possums/raccoons and other varmints from eating, stealing or messing up your stuff.

Final advantage, you only need to shoot ballpark (except for Slug) so you have a better chance of getting your target than with a single round, especially a running rabbit/possum/raccoon with a .45 handgun.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

So, you're admitting to fostering a straw purchase

I don't think buying your kid a gun constitutes a straw purchase.

I'm not a lawyer, but isn't the parent still the legal owner of the gun, just letting the kid borrow it, so it's not a straw purchase?

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Well, what 12 gauge do you already have, and why would it not work camping? Weather damage?(A valid consideration in my opinion.)

I'd reccomend a .22 or 9mm for your first pistol, so you can afford to shoot, or at least get a BB or airsoft pistol so you can practice frequently. A handgun is more difficult to shoot accurately than a rifle, especially under stress. Practice is key.

.45 ACP is not the best caliber for defense from animals, but it has good stopping power for self-defense from people.

But for just these 2 guns: A shotgun will have more stopping power, be easier to hit with, and can take everything from doves to deer with the right loads, in case you are lost. The shotgun you want will also be more reliable than the handgun. The handgun might be better for self-defense inside a tent, however.

Also, keep in mind the marine magnum will kick more than a heavy hunting shotgun, it only weighs about 7.5 pounds.

 

[308sc]

I would go with Dan Wesson

You must cut alot of grass or something, work a job? Dan Wesson are some of the best 1911's right now but I think there about $900+

 

[mpmarty]

Dan Wesson to be sure. Don't sweat the "straw purchase" a father buying a gift for his son is protected as are many other legal gift purchases.

 

[1911shooter]

No matter what your age or if your father is buying it for you i would go to the shotgun, i carry a pistol everyday for work as well as at home and my pistol is a tool that in my home i will use to fight my way to my rifle, or shotgun. the shotgun is more effective then a pistol at nominal ranges and if you are talking hallway distance the shotgun wins every time.