Whats Good Enough?

[PA PATRIOT]

Had a good friend contact me today asking information on what I would suggest in terms of firearms to defend his home in case of what ever.

He has a budget of $1200.00 total and has a back ground with firearms being prior Army and a casual hunter.

He already owns a Remington 870 12ga and a Remington Model 7 .308 Bolt action rifle.

With such a limited spending budget I was going to multi purpose the 870 and suggest a 18 "inch replacement barrel to have a more maneuverable long gun in the home. The Model 7 can double as a mid-range precision rifle if need be.

So all thats needed is a main battle rifle, a hand gun, support gear and ammunition for under $1050.00 since the 870 barrel will chew up $100.00 to $150.00 in funds.

My first idea was to go with a used AK-47 and Glock Model-17 which will chew up $725.00 leaving $325.00 for support gear and magazines.

I will supply training ammunition and proper instruction for the rifle and pistol so the budget can be focused on primary items.

I will also supply a limited amount of defensive ammunition to start him out with and he can purchase a little at a time on pay day until a sufficient amount is obtained.


I asked if the purchases could be delayed until more funds could be saved but it took him almost 18 months to save the funds he has now and wishes to buy before prices and availability of firearms increase do to the coming elections.

Anyone have suggestions to offer which maybe better then my first idea?

[Moose-Knuckle]

Since he is prior Army, maybe a Colt 6920 if one can be found under $1K, the other $200 can go for mags and ammo. He should already have some time on the platform.

[SMETNA]

Since he is prior Army, maybe a Colt 6920 if one can be found under $1K, the other $200 can go for mags and ammo. He should already have some time on the platform.

6 pmags - $90ish

How much decent ammo can one get for $110 shipped? 300 rounds or less?

Not a great budget. I don't know dude . . .

An AK with a small pile of mags, pouches, and a bigger ammo stash might be the best option with that budget. If we were talking about $1500-$1800, he'd be in shape for a Colt + all the requisites.

[PlatoCATM]

Sell the .308 and put the funds toward an AR. He will gain a much more versatile platform without giving up much unless he plans to use the .308 for hunting. Mid-range precision is a fitting role for an AR. Then buy a good condition, quality 9mm like a beretta, m&p, or glock. Top it off with a few mags for each, a sling, and holster.

Buying a used AK could be troublesome. Unless you get lucky and find an Arsenal on the cheap, the best you could hope for is a WASR.

[Beat Trash]

Sell the .308 and put the funds toward an AR. He will gain a much more versatile platform without giving up much unless he plans to use the .308 for hunting. Mid-range precision is a fitting role for an AR. Then buy a good condition, quality 9mm like a beretta, m&p, or glock. Top it off with a few mags for each, a sling, and holster.

Buying a used AK could be troublesome. Unless you get lucky and find an Arsenal on the cheap, the best you could hope for is a WASR.

I agree with everything in this quote.

In my area, a quality built used AK isn't cheap or easy to find. A quality built new AK is near or at the price of a Colt 6920, and as about as easy to find in stock. Your area may be different, I don't know.

While not my first choice, I'd rather go with an M&P15 Sport than a WASAR AK.

PMAG's are still cheap. Quality aluminum mags such as the D&H with magpul followers can be found for a buck or two less than a PMAG.

If he's prior Army then the AR will be like riding a bike to him, vs. an unfamiliar weapons system.

I'd hold off on the 18" 870 barrel for now. That can be bought later as more funds are acquired. Worse case, one can always make an 18" barrel out of the current barrel with a hacksaw.

Had a similar conversation with my brother about a month ago. I convinced him that if he bought quality, he only had to buy once. He found a few more $ (not all that much more actually) and is now set.

[Armati]

When this subject comes up, I usually direct people to the grand daddy of Survivalism - Kurt Saxon. He actually coined the word.

His work is available online and is required reading for anyone with an eye toward the subject. He makes a big point to downplay guns in a survival situation. If you need a lot of firepower, the S has really HTF, then you would want to use some more destructive improvised devices. His weapon selection IMO is a bit dated but reflects the period he was writing in. Saxon suggests an 12ga shotgun, 30-06 rifle, and a .38 handgun. I might modernize that a bit by saying a 12ga, a fairly simply .308 rifle or Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54mm, and a .357 wheelgun or decent 9mm pistol. You want ammo you can easily find and weapons that do not require a lot of training for the manual of arms. Almost anyone knows the manual of arms for a shotgun even if they just saw it on TV.

If you have been in the Army or USMC, by all means get an AR. But if you are building a survival arsenal then consider the level of training of others in your group. I have spend several hours getting my wife up to speed on an AR. She understood how to run an 870 in a few minutes.

[feedramp]

Agree with Plato and Beat Trash. Get a decent but cost-effective AR and a 9mm Glock.

If going AK, would only go with Arsenal for quality reasons, and those are maybe $100-200 cheaper than a Colt 6920, but the ammo and cost of decent mags may eat away at that cost savings compared to the AR platform.

[PA PATRIOT]

His shoe string family budget severely limits funds to acquire equipment and are fixed at this time as his wife is recently unemployed and the fixed expenses of the mortgage/utilities/auto fuel and food planting prohibit any real advance in saving funds.

But he and his wife strongly feel that social and economics conditions are degrading to a point that some "Event" may require the ability to defend ones family and home in the near future. So they don't wish to wait and want to buy now.

Food wise they have a very large garden which they jar/can and both reduced vices/treats to zero to counter increases of gas and real estate taxes. So basic needs are covered for at least nine months and the food savings helped build the equipment fund.

So the budget is what it is and buying a single weapon such as a new Colt 6920 and not being able to afford a CCW pistol for use while away from the home or a shorter barrel for the 870 so the wife has a more maneuverable long gun was rejected by my friend.

A local shop has a Used late 2nd Gen Glock Model-19 with three magazines for $340.00 OTD and it is a clean non-abused pistol (I inspected this pistol during my recent road trip). A Fobus holster is $24.99 and a magazine holder is $19.99 so the total price is 385.00.

The same dealer has some older Colt semi auto only 16"inch A2 style AR police turn in's that I was told had some rough finishes due to storage in vehicle racks (They were not in the store during my last visit). Its tough buying rifles like these as it is unknown what maintenance schedules have been followed and how many rounds are down the tube. Prices range from $499.99 to $549.99 depending on condition but I think a package deal can be had if the Glock is part of the deal.

There is a lot of "Ifs" so continuing feed back is appreciated.

[glocktogo]

I just don't think there's enough budget there to justify another rifle. The model 7 .308 bolt can be used for any rifle requirement necessary. Honestly, if you expend 5 rounds from a scoped .308 and get hits, how many attackers are going to stick around?

Assuming he's a hunter and needs the 870 & .308:

Get the 18" 870 barrel and a mag extension. Bead sight only and I'd even opt for a used one to save money. At most I'd put a tritium bead on it and perhaps a sidesaddle.

Next, get a used 3rd gen Glock 9mm with night sights and a TLR1 light. Don't forget a holster for the Glock, preferably one that will work with or without the light attached. Stock up on mags and use the rest of the budget for training and defensive ammo.

I fail to see what one man or a man & wife could reasonably do that would exceed the 870, Model 7 and Glock 17.

[jhs1969]

Has he considered selling the 870 or .308 or maybe both? I like the idea of the 2nd gen G19 but I'd recommend a good quality AR system for their intended use. A couple boxes expanding 5.56 ammo and he can still hunt if needed. I would not want to face multiple subjects with a scoped bolt action. Just another idea.