No firearm... Pistol or Save up for AR-15?

[The Original Godfather]

I currently have ZERO guns. I'm not new to guns, just don't have one at the moment.

Should I purchase a pistol, specifically a SIG sp2022 in 9mm for around $450. Or should I save up to build a sub-$1,000 AR-15 (possibly AR-15)? I figured if I go the pistol route, I could get it now , which is what I'm leaning towards since I'm of the school of thought that believes, "a gun now is better than a bigger later." On top of that, I could save money and put that into magazines and ammo and still have some money left over.

But I feel I would be better off with the rifle since I'm able to control an AR-15/10 better while firing, and I'm also of the school of thought that believes, "what good is a gun if you can't control it under fire?" And perhaps take the rifle hunting some day? I should also point out that "later" in my case means 2 months from now.


This would serve as a home defense weapon. I live in a modern upscale townhouse so not sure if penetration will be an issue as I'm not sure if brick was used at all (probably not). And my bedroom is on the second floor with the bedroom door facing the staircase entry that leads to the first floor entrance.


What say ye?

[JDPhx501]

pistol and a couple stripped lower receivers

[GreaterFool]

Pistol first. You will have more range options to practice. Most indoor ranges don't allow rifle calibers.

[Krejaton]

Pistol now then save up those pennies.

[HighWildFree]

Shotgun.... Sorry I'm not very helpful. Or a stripped lower and pistol as mentioned.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Go with the pistol and stripped lower. Once you have the lower for your ar15 you can get the rest of the parts online as money permits. Then build it once you have all the parts. It's really not hard to build an ar15 for $500-600 right now. I have 2 ar15s that cost me less than $700 each and they both work very well.

[Wes C Addle]

a complete lower and several AR uppers

[SheepDog78]

I'd opt for a pistol now, and if you have the funds, purchase a few stripped lowers since they're dirt cheap, and like others have mentioned, once you have those, you can purchase all the rest of the rifle parts online anytime, from anywhere.

[Agent 0range]

+1 for pistol, ammo, mags, and stripped lower now. Buy the parts you want for your build as you can afford them. And FWIW, the SP2022 is a great gun. Very accurate and (so far for the 4 months I've owned mine) extremely reliable.

[pitbull30]

I say pistol then rifle.

On a side note, how the heck do you have a join date of 2010 and still have no guns?

[sealocan]

yet another vote for a pistol & get the best one that you can afford.

it's just my opinion ...that the AR market right now is a little bit flooded, so the prices will stay in low for at least a little while to come.
( I believe member "Bigpimping" has a AR that he's only asking around $500 for, and that's in the normally expensive Bay Area.)

[smak28]

I say choose the one that you are going to utilize most at the range. For example, I never make it out to the long gun range because I have to drive 45 minutes and haven't shot my long guns in over 10yrs. If you have a range that you will visit frequently that accommodates both long guns and pistols, then choose the one that you enjoy shooting most.

[Canucky]

Don't wait too long Winter is coming. (elections) This hobby will take another foolish spike in prices.

[Megalomegalodon]

Pistol now so you have something. Have to start somewhere right but the sooner the better.

[balance]

Don't wait too long Winter is coming. (elections) This hobby will take another foolish spike in prices.

I haven't bought a "brand new" firearm in a long time, but there are a number of very good to excellent condition, used handguns (maybe even some ARs) out there. If you are open to the used market, I would recommend looking there.

Determine which is of greatest importance, use/price/ammo cost, and then pull the trigger (I meant decide).