OT: Gun Purchase Recs

[SoCal_Corn]

Everyone needs a 1911

Not for home defense or CCW but because they are fucking beautiful and shoot like dream.

My first gun purchase: Springfield Marine Corps Operator

Start with that or similar and then keep buying and don't stop.

 

[HuskerPAC]

Smith and Wesson 329PD all day long in Alaska.
Not compact but lightweight.
You’ll be much more likely to carry it since it’s not a burden to carry.

I carry mine constantly.
I have buddies with heavy Rugers that end up carrying bear spray. Pussies.

Edit - like @LoudHogRider i use a Diamond D leather chest holster. Hard to beat.

Any thoughts on a 10mm with a 15 round mag?

 

[huskermack]

Any thoughts on a 10mm with a 15 round mag?

I have one of those too, but I never carry it.
Either is fine. I see folks carrying either gun.

 

[SoCal_Corn]

It's not as bad as people think.
I put a Hogue Decelerator grip on it - which helped.

I have a Hogue grip on my SIG P220 .45 and it's lovely.
It came with that grip. As soon as I put it in my hand at the store, I wanted it.

 

[SoCal_Corn]

How's the current ammo supply for the following:

.380
.40
10mm

 

[alt f4]

How's the current ammo supply for the following:

.380
.40
10mm

Everywhere I've been looking online and in-stores the last 2-3 weeks have had a really big supply of ammo in stock. Don't know how prices compare, but I was surprised how full the shelves were. I do know Scheels had .380 and .40 when I was picking up 9mm.

 

[SoCal_Corn]

Everywhere I've been looking online and in-stores the last 2-3 weeks have had a really big supply of ammo in stock. Don't know how prices compare, but I was surprised how full the shelves were. I do know Scheels had .380 and .40 when I was picking up 9mm.

Ahhhh..thats good news

But one reason why dont own anything in those Cals is the possibility of Ammo supply issues.
They will always have shit tons of 9mm and .45 Ammo. Even during the Covid in CA you could buy those.
Not 10 boxes, but enough to send the new gun owners home with a couple of boxes.

Its just my theory, i could be wrong.

 

[LoudHogRider]

Everyone needs a 1911

Agreed. An iconic firearm that belongs in every man's collection. The .45 Automatic is what John Moses Browning had in mind when he invented them in ... wait for it ... 1911 in support of our soldiers during their war in the Philippines, but they're also available to shoot a multitude of cartridge sizes these days, so if someone has a 9mm pistol and ammo, they can get a 1911 that shoots that cartridge.

I'll add another couple of "must own" suggestions to the thread:

1. A revolver (a.k.a. "wheel gun"). I love them for their versatility (e.g. a .357 magnum revolver can shoot both the .38 Special cartridge for plinking and a .357 Magnum cartridge for hunting or personal defense) and their consistency. You pull the trigger - they go "bang". Failures with revolvers are extremely rare, and that's a good thing if the firearm is needed in a defensive situation. Small ones (e.g. .22 LR/Long Rifle) are great for new shooters to develop good firearm shooting and safety habits, and there is a continuum all the way up to the monster handguns discussed earlier can can handle the most dangerous "game" on the North American continent.
2. A lever action rifle. Another American icon, literally the firearm that won the west and helped settle our great nation. There are a couple of fun things about lever action rifles, too:
   1. Cowboys generally carried the same size cartridge in their revolver and their lever action rifle. Sources of ammo weren't as abundant as they are today, so being able to keep one size of ammo in your gun belt was a pretty handy thing. I have lever action rifles in .357/38 and .44 (Special or Magnum) for that very reason. The .45-70 Government rifle I keep around in case I need to kill ANYTHING. That gun fucks.
   2. Simply put, they're less likely to face any governmental regulation and oversight than the modern semi-automatic rifles. Henry's slogan is "Protect and Provide", and it's a good one as they make great hunting rifles that can be used for self defense, if needed. They're just not viewed as a massive threat to society ... and yet we won the west with them. 🤷‍♂️
   3. They're fun AF to shoot.

 

[huskermack]

Agreed. An iconic firearm that belongs in every man's collection. The .45 Automatic is what John Moses Browning had in mind when he invented them in ... wait for it ... 1911 in support of our soldiers during their war in the Philippines, but they're also available to shoot a multitude of cartridge sizes these days, so if someone has a 9mm pistol and ammo, they can get a 1911 that shoots that cartridge.

I'll add another couple of "must own" suggestions to the thread:

1. A revolver (a.k.a. "wheel gun"). I love them for their versatility (e.g. a .357 magnum revolver can shoot both the .38 Special cartridge for plinking and a .357 Magnum cartridge for hunting or personal defense) and their consistency. You pull the trigger - they go "bang". Failures with revolvers are extremely rare, and that's a good thing if the firearm is needed in a defensive situation. Small ones (e.g. .22 LR/Long Rifle) are great for new shooters to develop good firearm shooting and safety habits, and there is a continuum all the way up to the monster handguns discussed earlier can can handle the most dangerous "game" on the North American continent.
2. A lever action rifle. Another American icon, literally the firearm that won the west and helped settle our great nation. There are a couple of fun things about lever action rifles, too:
   1. Cowboys generally carried the same size cartridge in their revolver and their lever action rifle. Sources of ammo weren't as abundant as they are today, so being able to keep one size of ammo in your gun belt was a pretty handy thing. I have lever action rifles in .357/38 and .44 (Special or Magnum) for that very reason. The .45-70 Government rifle I keep around in case I need to kill ANYTHING. That gun fucks.
   2. Simply put, they're less likely to face any governmental regulation and oversight than the modern semi-automatic rifles. Henry's slogan is "Protect and Provide", and it's a good one as they make great hunting rifles that can be used for self defense, if needed. They're just not viewed as a massive threat to society ... and yet we won the west with them. 🤷‍♂️
   3. They're fun AF to shoot.

You got that right about the 45-70.
That thing is an animal.
I think you and I have the same rifle. Stainless, composite, night sights. Fuck them bears.

 

[LoudHogRider]

You got that right about the 45-70.
That thing is an animal.
I think you and I have the same rifle. Stainless, composite, night sights. Fuck them bears.

Indeed. Marlin 1895 SBL. I put a Burris 2X pistol scope in a “scout scope” mount style on mine to help these old eyes with the longer shots, but with Warne QD rings in case of failure and I need to rip it off of there and fall back to the factory ghost ring sight. I like the fact that - like a red dot - it shoots with both eyes open so I have a full field of vision in the moment.

I had a much larger Leupold scope on there, but it didn’t feel right having it on a lever action and I like the way this one looks on the rifle.

 

[huskermack]

Indeed. Marlin 1895 SBL. I put a Burris 2X pistol scope in a “scout scope” mount style on mine to help these old eyes with the longer shots, but with Warne QD rings in case of failure and I need to rip it off of there and fall back to the factory ghost ring sight. I like the fact that - like a red dot - it shoots with both eyes open so I have a full field of vision in the moment.

I had a much larger Leupold scope on there, but it didn’t feel right having it on a lever action and I like the way this one looks on the rifle.

View attachment 12181

Yep. That’s the one.
Mine has a shorter barrel and the factory hoop.
I don’t have a scope on mine… and my front sight is broken. Hahaha

 

[Ext. 55]

Agreed. An iconic firearm that belongs in every man's collection. The .45 Automatic is what John Moses Browning had in mind when he invented them in ... wait for it ... 1911 in support of our soldiers during their war in the Philippines, but they're also available to shoot a multitude of cartridge sizes these days, so if someone has a 9mm pistol and ammo, they can get a 1911 that shoots that cartridge.

I'll add another couple of "must own" suggestions to the thread:

1. A revolver (a.k.a. "wheel gun"). I love them for their versatility (e.g. a .357 magnum revolver can shoot both the .38 Special cartridge for plinking and a .357 Magnum cartridge for hunting or personal defense) and their consistency. You pull the trigger - they go "bang". Failures with revolvers are extremely rare, and that's a good thing if the firearm is needed in a defensive situation. Small ones (e.g. .22 LR/Long Rifle) are great for new shooters to develop good firearm shooting and safety habits, and there is a continuum all the way up to the monster handguns discussed earlier can can handle the most dangerous "game" on the North American continent.
2. A lever action rifle. Another American icon, literally the firearm that won the west and helped settle our great nation. There are a couple of fun things about lever action rifles, too:
   1. Cowboys generally carried the same size cartridge in their revolver and their lever action rifle. Sources of ammo weren't as abundant as they are today, so being able to keep one size of ammo in your gun belt was a pretty handy thing. I have lever action rifles in .357/38 and .44 (Special or Magnum) for that very reason. The .45-70 Government rifle I keep around in case I need to kill ANYTHING. That gun fucks.
   2. Simply put, they're less likely to face any governmental regulation and oversight than the modern semi-automatic rifles. Henry's slogan is "Protect and Provide", and it's a good one as they make great hunting rifles that can be used for self defense, if needed. They're just not viewed as a massive threat to society ... and yet we won the west with them. 🤷‍♂️
   3. They're fun AF to shoot.

Love it. The very reason I own both a S&W .357 heavy and a Winchester model 94 30/30

Tip of the hat Hog

 

[Jay Bilzerian]

Gonna jump in. Alaska boys, what’s the best compact bear pistol? Got an archery elk hunt in heavy grizzly country in 2024.

From stories of some friends that do a lot of guide work in west Yellowstone, bear mace is the way to go. Stops those fuckers immediately.

There is a funny story about a guest that thought bear spray worked like insect repellent. Dude lined up his wife and three kids and hosed them down. Was not an enjoyable afternoon for that family.

 

[huskermack]

From stories of some friends that do a lot of guide work in west Yellowstone, bear mace is the way to go. Stops those fuckers immediately.

There is a funny story about a guest that thought bear spray worked like insect repellent. Dude lined up his wife and three kids and hosed them down. Was not an enjoyable afternoon for that family.

I don't doubt bear spray works well.
The problem I have is that the bear has to be pretty close for it to be effective.
Much closer than I've ever been comfortable with.
I've shot away a few that were on their way to being much too close.

Full disclosure - I lived in Sitka, AK for a long time.
We had bear encounters every weekend for the most part.

 

[Jay Bilzerian]

I don't doubt bear spray works well.
The problem I have is that the bear has to be pretty close for it to be effective.
Much closer than I've ever been comfortable with.
I've shot away a few that were on their way to being much too close.

Full disclosure - I lived in Sitka, AK for a long time.
We had bear encounters every weekend for the most part.

Fair point and I’ve got no idea on the effective range - only that it’s got a 100% success rate for these guys. For people without your pedigree, the spray may make more sense as it’s pretty damn tough to miss with it! Not sure how the average joe would perform under duress with a pistol.

 

[huskermack]

Fair point and I’ve got no idea on the effective range - only that it’s got a 100% success rate for these guys. For people without your pedigree, the spray may make more sense as it’s pretty damn tough to miss with it! Not sure how the average joe would perform under duress with a pistol.

I think the cans shoot about 15 feet.
I could be off a little bit; I've never had to spray one.
We do carry them too btw.
I have one strapped to each of my ATVs.

 

[LoudHogRider]

Fair point and I’ve got no idea on the effective range - only that it’s got a 100% success rate for these guys. For people without your pedigree, the spray may make more sense as it’s pretty damn tough to miss with it! Not sure how the average joe would perform under duress with a pistol.

If the wind is behind you when you deploy the spray, they can definitely turn a curious bear into a retreating bear. But if a bear is actually charging ... I'm guessing mixed success. You don't have to believe me. Todd Orr's tale is harrowing and real - it's simply incredible that he survived and walked away from not one, but two attacks from the same bear. Worth the few minutes when you get a chance to listen to him tell the story.

 

[Jay Bilzerian]

If the wind is behind you when you deploy the spray, they can definitely turn a curious bear into a retreating bear. But if a bear is actually charging ... I'm guessing mixed success. You don't have to believe me. Todd Orr's tale is harrowing and real - it's simply incredible that he survived and walked away from not one, but two attacks from the same bear. Worth the few minutes when you get a chance to listen to him tell the story.

Holy shit that is fucking wild. Guy’s an absolute badass. Coincidentally, same general area where all the stories I’ve heard come from.

 

[huskermack]

If the wind is behind you when you deploy the spray, they can definitely turn a curious bear into a retreating bear. But if a bear is actually charging ... I'm guessing mixed success. You don't have to believe me. Todd Orr's tale is harrowing and real - it's simply incredible that he survived and walked away from not one, but two attacks from the same bear. Worth the few minutes when you get a chance to listen to him tell the story.

Holy shit.
What a nightmare.

 

[SoCal_Corn]

Agreed. An iconic firearm that belongs in every man's collection. The .45 Automatic is what John Moses Browning had in mind when he invented them in ... wait for it ... 1911 in support of our soldiers during their war in the Philippines, but they're also available to shoot a multitude of cartridge sizes these days, so if someone has a 9mm pistol and ammo, they can get a 1911 that shoots that cartridge.

I'll add another couple of "must own" suggestions to the thread:

1. A revolver (a.k.a. "wheel gun"). I love them for their versatility (e.g. a .357 magnum revolver can shoot both the .38 Special cartridge for plinking and a .357 Magnum cartridge for hunting or personal defense) and their consistency. You pull the trigger - they go "bang". Failures with revolvers are extremely rare, and that's a good thing if the firearm is needed in a defensive situation. Small ones (e.g. .22 LR/Long Rifle) are great for new shooters to develop good firearm shooting and safety habits, and there is a continuum all the way up to the monster handguns discussed earlier can can handle the most dangerous "game" on the North American continent.
2. A lever action rifle. Another American icon, literally the firearm that won the west and helped settle our great nation. There are a couple of fun things about lever action rifles, too:
   1. Cowboys generally carried the same size cartridge in their revolver and their lever action rifle. Sources of ammo weren't as abundant as they are today, so being able to keep one size of ammo in your gun belt was a pretty handy thing. I have lever action rifles in .357/38 and .44 (Special or Magnum) for that very reason. The .45-70 Government rifle I keep around in case I need to kill ANYTHING. That gun fucks.
   2. Simply put, they're less likely to face any governmental regulation and oversight than the modern semi-automatic rifles. Henry's slogan is "Protect and Provide", and it's a good one as they make great hunting rifles that can be used for self defense, if needed. They're just not viewed as a massive threat to society ... and yet we won the west with them. 🤷‍♂️
   3. They're fun AF to shoot.

I own neither 1. nor 2.

#fail

I'd like a .357 and I want a HENRY or a MARLIN level action rifle.