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Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?

 
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 12:52 AM
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Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Doing some research before I purchase a few more guns. My sister just asked me what kind of gun she should buy, so it prompted this thread. Wanted to know what my GLP brethren think. I've searched the other threads, but a lot of them derailed and got off topic pretty quick. Please list your top 3 and why they are your top 3 choices.

The motivation is self-defense. Hunting will be secondary after that.

If you wish, you can also add a wildcard for ultimate self defense in a survival situation, such as an AK. I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 01:24 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
bump
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11/28/2012 01:25 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
if you're looking for "survival" firearms, you have your criteria exactly backwards. in a survival situation, filling the stew pot is much more important than defense against imaginary hordes. starvation is a survival specter that is known to exist. the handgun that is most effective as a combat arm is least effective at putting bunnies in your freezer. the shotgun that would be effective at quelling a charge by bushmen isnt worth shit for downing a goose. sure, you can pop bambi with an ar or ak, but with the common ammo that they get fed, you better have comfy boots on for following that wounded venison til it keels over or stiffens up enough to stop moving. you also better enjoy tough adrenaline tainted meat. if you honestly expect hordes of unfriendly heathens to be storming your castle, you need artillery, you need a mine field, you need crew served weapons. your deer rifle, goose gun, and bunny buster will work just fine to take the fight out of a couple of anti-social punks. what will be most effective for me might be the worst choice for you. the variables of ammo availability (eventually, you WILL have to scrounge ammo), weather conditions, and local game you might expect to bag make it a highly subjective criteria. even in your "mad max" scenario, the local tribes you intend to defend against is a variable nobody else can factor. if you absolutely have to have military style arms, and you live in north america, then you want .223 (5.56mm) as your rifle round, 12 ga as the feedstock for your pump shotty, and 9mm as your handgun. those are the military issue rounds for the entire continent, so there will be scroungable ammo for them for a long time.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:31 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
AK 47 hands down is the best weapon and the most affordable.

no if ands or buts...the ar jams consistently and unless you are used to that it could get you killed.

I love the ar and so does the military but my weapon of choice is the AK.

There is nothing you can do to stop it.

banana2hiding
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 01:34 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
if you're looking for "survival" firearms, you have your criteria exactly backwards. in a survival situation, filling the stew pot is much more important than defense against imaginary hordes. starvation is a survival specter that is known to exist. the handgun that is most effective as a combat arm is least effective at putting bunnies in your freezer. the shotgun that would be effective at quelling a charge by bushmen isnt worth shit for downing a goose. sure, you can pop bambi with an ar or ak, but with the common ammo that they get fed, you better have comfy boots on for following that wounded venison til it keels over or stiffens up enough to stop moving. you also better enjoy tough adrenaline tainted meat. if you honestly expect hordes of unfriendly heathens to be storming your castle, you need artillery, you need a mine field, you need crew served weapons. your deer rifle, goose gun, and bunny buster will work just fine to take the fight out of a couple of anti-social punks. what will be most effective for me might be the worst choice for you. the variables of ammo availability (eventually, you WILL have to scrounge ammo), weather conditions, and local game you might expect to bag make it a highly subjective criteria. even in your "mad max" scenario, the local tribes you intend to defend against is a variable nobody else can factor. if you absolutely have to have military style arms, and you live in north america, then you want .223 (5.56mm) as your rifle round, 12 ga as the feedstock for your pump shotty, and 9mm as your handgun. those are the military issue rounds for the entire continent, so there will be scroungable ammo for them for a long time.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 28147705


We have lots of food and a homestead. But thank you.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 01:36 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
AK 47 hands down is the best weapon and the most affordable.

no if ands or buts...the ar jams consistently and unless you are used to that it could get you killed.

I love the ar and so does the military but my weapon of choice is the AK.

There is nothing you can do to stop it.

banana2hiding
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 28613370


Thanks. I've been leaning AK for a while, I think it will be my next purchase for sure. I'd still like to buy another three like I mentioned. The handgun for ease of carrying and concealment, the rifle for long range. Shotguns are just good to have and I don't know much about the options. Thanks for the reply and confirming what I am leaning towards.
americaisthebattlefie​ld

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11/28/2012 01:40 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Yeah, the ar will get you killed. Unless you are trained with it.

Good choice.5a
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:42 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
desert eagle 50
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 01:42 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Yeah, the ar will get you killed. Unless you are trained with it.

Good choice.5a
 Quoting: americaisthebattlefield


Thanks, and for the record I don't expect hordes, but you never know. I think it would be tough to survive in that instance anyways. In the mountains so...the hoards may make there way here eventually, but who knows? I can only prepare for so much.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 01:44 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
I really appreciate the ammo feedback as well, thanks. That makes a lot of sense.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:44 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Nobody can say what is the absolute best.

For me with a budget in mind:

1) Mossberg 500

2) Arsenal SAM 7 (I bought it before they discontinued it for 700, noway I am paying 2 grand for an AK)

3) cz75b



Money is not an issue? Hm.

1) AA12

2) FN SCAR heavy

3) SVI 2011
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:45 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Nobody can say what is the absolute best.

For me with a budget in mind:

1) Mossberg 500

2) Arsenal SAM 7 (I bought it before they discontinued it for 700, noway I am paying 2 grand for an AK)

3) cz75b



Money is not an issue? Hm.

1) AA12

2) FN SCAR heavy

3) SVI 2011
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 9425489


Oh, I would take that 2011 in 10mm if money was not an issue.
americaisthebattlefie​ld

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11/28/2012 01:46 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
the ak semi auto is better than the ak auto, thats my story and I'm sticking to it

desert eagle is good too

just in case you were wondering
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:48 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
the ak semi auto is better than the ak auto, thats my story and I'm sticking to it

desert eagle is good too

just in case you were wondering
 Quoting: americaisthebattlefield


Why is a desert eagle good? Way too big, unless you are 6'10" with incredibly large hands, and even then it is probably still too big.

You could go for a baby eagle but I am just not sure why you would. Unless you really just want to tell people you own a desert eagle.
americaisthebattlefie​ld

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11/28/2012 01:51 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
I have big hands. I had to extend the stock to my ak because its for short chinese people/ lol just kidding,
Abraham
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11/28/2012 01:52 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Saigas are awesome rifles. They're essentially civilian AK-47 variants, and dirt cheap. You can get them chambered in .223, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, .308 ,12GA, and 410GA. They're imported directly from Russia, and can stand up to anything. You could probably put several thousand rounds through the .223 version before needing to clean it, due to the AK's loose tolerances and simple operating system. I own both the .223 and 7.62 variants..

Avoid Century Arms Ak-47s/AKM's. these are hit and miss, and usually miss. If you want a solid military style AK, go with Arsenal or M&M.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:55 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
There is no best. It's all what a person likes. Everyones different.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:56 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?

Thanks. I've been leaning AK for a while, I think it will be my next purchase for sure. I'd still like to buy another three like I mentioned. The handgun for ease of carrying and concealment, the rifle for long range. Shotguns are just good to have and I don't know much about the options. Thanks for the reply and confirming what I am leaning towards.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 28613370


Do you live near the border? Order an AK flat and hammer it yourself. Once you've formed the reciever you can order all the rest of the parts from interent sources over the counter and have them shipped to your yank UPS store box. Assemble the pieces and don't tell anybody.

Get your flats and kits here:

[link to ak-builder.com]

or any one of 100 more sources you can easily find.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:56 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Handgun: Springfield XD 40 or 45
9mm will not stop anyone in their tracks unless its a perfect shot.

Shotgun: Mossberg 500 12ga
Cheap, reliable, easy to use, 12ga is the most popular

Rifle: AR-15 in 5.56/.223 for self protection
It was love at first shot for me, the AK is good too, but I trust the AR and it's ammo more. If you get one, really spend some time getting to know every part of it.

Rifle: Ruger 10/22 22lr for survival
Very reliable, very basic, cheap ammo, good enough to hunt small game
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:57 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
I have big hands. I had to extend the stock to my ak because its for short chinese people/ lol just kidding,
 Quoting: americaisthebattlefield


haha, nah if you are that big go for it. You must be really big.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 01:57 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
The AR has so many options you can really customize it to whatever you need
americaisthebattlefie​ld

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11/28/2012 02:02 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
My best Gun is Obama.

He is popular with unions. And in return I sell him politics.

I tell him that unions are good and that he can never fail because the tax payers will always bail him out.

In return he sends me weapons of mass destruction, handguns an rifles galore. He didn't stop until I asked him about the deficit to which he said, God is your worst enemy.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 02:18 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
ok, so now a few questions OP. how far do you envision having to engage a target with aimed fire (ill assume you are talking civi spec models)? what situation do you envision using the shotgun for? you mention concealabilty as a criteria for your handgun, is that something you are willing to sacrifice either stopping power or mag capacity for? the tactical doctrine the akm (sheet metal receiver version of the ak) was spec'd out for is vastly different than that of the ar. the ar is a semi-auto battle rifle of small enough caliber to be used in full auto effectively. it is designed for a combat doctrine of deliberate aimed fire at a specific target. the akm is spec'd for being the replacement for the ppsh submachinegun. it is designed for a combat doctrine of full auto fire on massed troops with a fixed bayonet. it's a 3 to 7 MOA weapon (beaten zone). that means at 300 yds, your ak is just as likely to miss as hit a human sized target with a COM aiming point on semi auto. beyond 300 yds, you are more likely to miss than hit. you will see ar's used in rifle matches, you will NEVER see an akm used in one, for that very reason. for shotguns, an 18-20 inch cylinder bore barreled PUMP shotgun is the only choice. a mossberg 500 variant is one of the more robust choices you can make. in the late 80s, the mossy was the ONLY shotgun that passed the military field trials the us army held. that said, the remington 870, the winchester 1200, and the ithaca 37 are good reliable shotguns as well (the ithaca has the added advantage of downward ejection, thus is equally usable by left handed shooters, and has one less opening in the receiver for crap to get in). 12 ga will be the bore with the most versatile availability of loaded round choices, 20 ga is a very close 2nd. if stopping power is the only criteria in your handgun, a .45 acp is the choice. a .40 s&w can be a very effective manstopper, and usually holds a round or 2 more. 9mm still has decent stopping power, and will come in much more compact sizes while still holding a good quantity of ammo. nothing smaller than 9mm para can be considered a reliable manstopper. as to which pistol would be best, that is too subjective to call. my suggestion is hit the gunshops and find the one that "feels right" in your hand.
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 02:36 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Well if you are in Canada you're not going to find an AK. They are prohibited here. Also you can't technically purchase a firearm for the purpose of self defence unless you have a reason like you're a game warden or armoured car driver or whatever.

So what sporting firearms should you buy to start?

SKS: [link to www.tradeexcanada.com] $169

Ammo is dirt cheap for rifle ammo but it's not as cheap as .22lr and it is corrosive.. still you can bet your life on 7.62X39... still it's great for fun because it's so cheap at about 20 cents a shot.

Money no object? Take a look around here: [link to www.tacticalimports.ca]
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 02:55 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Well if you are in Canada you're not going to find an AK. They are prohibited here. Also you can't technically purchase a firearm for the purpose of self defence unless you have a reason like you're a game warden or armoured car driver or whatever.

So what sporting firearms should you buy to start?

SKS: [link to www.tradeexcanada.com] $169

Ammo is dirt cheap for rifle ammo but it's not as cheap as .22lr and it is corrosive.. still you can bet your life on 7.62X39... still it's great for fun because it's so cheap at about 20 cents a shot.

Money no object? Take a look around here: [link to www.tacticalimports.ca]
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18097583


Pretty sure you can get special licenses. Not 100% on this though.

This feedback is great, thanks everyone. Keep it comin!
Anonymous Coward
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11/28/2012 02:55 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
I'd have to agree with you OP I find the handgun, shotgun and rifle to be my favorite.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 02:56 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Handgun: Springfield XD 40 or 45
9mm will not stop anyone in their tracks unless its a perfect shot.

Shotgun: Mossberg 500 12ga
Cheap, reliable, easy to use, 12ga is the most popular

Rifle: AR-15 in 5.56/.223 for self protection
It was love at first shot for me, the AK is good too, but I trust the AR and it's ammo more. If you get one, really spend some time getting to know every part of it.

Rifle: Ruger 10/22 22lr for survival
Very reliable, very basic, cheap ammo, good enough to hunt small game
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23215144


Thanks, great post.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 03:02 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
ok, so now a few questions OP. how far do you envision having to engage a target with aimed fire (ill assume you are talking civi spec models)? what situation do you envision using the shotgun for? you mention concealabilty as a criteria for your handgun, is that something you are willing to sacrifice either stopping power or mag capacity for? the tactical doctrine the akm (sheet metal receiver version of the ak) was spec'd out for is vastly different than that of the ar. the ar is a semi-auto battle rifle of small enough caliber to be used in full auto effectively. it is designed for a combat doctrine of deliberate aimed fire at a specific target. the akm is spec'd for being the replacement for the ppsh submachinegun. it is designed for a combat doctrine of full auto fire on massed troops with a fixed bayonet. it's a 3 to 7 MOA weapon (beaten zone). that means at 300 yds, your ak is just as likely to miss as hit a human sized target with a COM aiming point on semi auto. beyond 300 yds, you are more likely to miss than hit. you will see ar's used in rifle matches, you will NEVER see an akm used in one, for that very reason. for shotguns, an 18-20 inch cylinder bore barreled PUMP shotgun is the only choice. a mossberg 500 variant is one of the more robust choices you can make. in the late 80s, the mossy was the ONLY shotgun that passed the military field trials the us army held. that said, the remington 870, the winchester 1200, and the ithaca 37 are good reliable shotguns as well (the ithaca has the added advantage of downward ejection, thus is equally usable by left handed shooters, and has one less opening in the receiver for crap to get in). 12 ga will be the bore with the most versatile availability of loaded round choices, 20 ga is a very close 2nd. if stopping power is the only criteria in your handgun, a .45 acp is the choice. a .40 s&w can be a very effective manstopper, and usually holds a round or 2 more. 9mm still has decent stopping power, and will come in much more compact sizes while still holding a good quantity of ammo. nothing smaller than 9mm para can be considered a reliable manstopper. as to which pistol would be best, that is too subjective to call. my suggestion is hit the gunshops and find the one that "feels right" in your hand.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 28147705


300 yards would be max for sure. I'd love to go more, but that's getting into sniper rifle territory. Not real practical. The shotgun I'm hoping not to use, but if someone sneaks up, better have one in case they get by the cameras or perimeter watch.

Most of your post is over my head, not gonna lie. I have a lot to learn, grew up on a farm shooting a .22. I'm gonna keep reading through your reply and see what I can figure out here. Thanks.
Anonymous Coward (OP)
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11/28/2012 03:03 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Well if you are in Canada you're not going to find an AK. They are prohibited here. Also you can't technically purchase a firearm for the purpose of self defence unless you have a reason like you're a game warden or armoured car driver or whatever.

So what sporting firearms should you buy to start?

SKS: [link to www.tradeexcanada.com] $169

Ammo is dirt cheap for rifle ammo but it's not as cheap as .22lr and it is corrosive.. still you can bet your life on 7.62X39... still it's great for fun because it's so cheap at about 20 cents a shot.

Money no object? Take a look around here: [link to www.tacticalimports.ca]
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18097583


Thanks for the links. That SKS looks niiiice...
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 28622295
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11/28/2012 03:14 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
Well if you are in Canada you're not going to find an AK. They are prohibited here. Also you can't technically purchase a firearm for the purpose of self defence unless you have a reason like you're a game warden or armoured car driver or whatever.

So what sporting firearms should you buy to start?

SKS: [link to www.tradeexcanada.com] $169

Ammo is dirt cheap for rifle ammo but it's not as cheap as .22lr and it is corrosive.. still you can bet your life on 7.62X39... still it's great for fun because it's so cheap at about 20 cents a shot.

Money no object? Take a look around here: [link to www.tacticalimports.ca]
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18097583


Pretty sure you can get special licenses. Not 100% on this though.

This feedback is great, thanks everyone. Keep it comin!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 140124


You can't get licences for ARs or pistols anymore. They just plain don't hand them out anymore. If you already have one they'll renew it, but you will never be approved for a new one, I guarantee it. They only give those out now for cops who want to own one offduty, people who might need one for Olympic shooting sports, that kind of shit.

Your best bet is to look up private sales in a US border town, go there buy the guns and smuggle them back. If you havn't got the guts to say fuck the bullshit laws and do it anyway, you havn't got the guts to shoot anybody or defend your freedom so don't even bother.
lostinalaska

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11/28/2012 03:46 AM
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Re: Survival Gun Discussion - List Your Favorite 3. Best Handgun, Best Shotgun, Best Rifle. And Why?
ak, 12 gage 45 and dont forget the best all around gun of all the good old 22
lost in alaska





GLP