Trying to develop an overall firearms plan

[PanchoVilla]

I have a .45, and a 9mm both are full-size. For handguns I would probably like to acquire something small and cheap to shoot. Most likely a .22.

My dilemma is in the long guns. Does it make sense to share calibres, or is variety better? I would like one semi-auto and one bolt action.

Best options seem like either build an AR15 style and then pick up a bolt action that share the .223 round. A CZ or remington.

Or Go with the .308 win and pick up a CZ and either build an AR10 or find a M1a/garand.

Does it make more sense to share the round, or to diversify in case of shortages?

I am kind of just looking to make a plan that has me covered for kind of whatever I would realistically need.

I will probably pick up a random 12 gauge at some point too.

Please put in your .02. That's what I am looking for here.

[Lucky Scott]

Why not get several?
That way, if ammo is a problem, you have choices.

of course the 12 ga. thats a no brainer.
I also got a 20. Ga so that my wife and daughter can handle it better, (the 12 ga. is just too much for them.)
Military rifles are cheap and plentiful, why not pick up several?
Bolt action and semi autos. Ammo is cheap so you can stock up.

[SanSacto]

Get an AK first then a AR after that. Then you are good in the semi-auto rifle department. Once you do that you can start thinking about a bolt action rifle or pump action shotgun.

[IGOTDIRT4U]

I have a .45, and a 9mm both are full-size. For handguns I would probably like to acquire something small and cheap to shoot. Most likely a .22.

My dilemma is in the long guns. Does it make sense to share calibres, or is variety better? I would like one semi-auto and one bolt action.

Best options seem like either build an AR15 style and then pick up a bolt action that share the .223 round. A CZ or remington.

Or Go with the .308 win and pick up a CZ and either build an AR10 or find a M1a/garand.

Does it make more sense to share the round, or to diversify in case of shortages?

I am kind of just looking to make a plan that has me covered for kind of whatever I would realistically need.

I will probably pick up a random 12 gauge at some point too.

Please put in your .02. That's what I am looking for here.

A lot of your decisions should aslo be based upon what you intend to use or need the guns for.

If you hunt or like to be in real remote areas camping, then having a handgun and a rifle in the same caliber makes sense. For example, for hunting small game, you can use .44 mag in both a lever action rifle and a revolver.

For those that collect guns for the pure enjoyment of shooting them, yeah, then it gets sticky. It starts with a few WWII collector rifles, maybe a Glock for HD, and then you take a look at AR's, Rem 700 sniper rifles, shotguns, a few more handguns, and next thing you know you need 18 different calibers, and 2-3 of them are oddballs, too.

BTW, I agree with consolidating an AR-10 with a 308 scoped bolt action rifle. That way you have hunting, long distance target and semi-auto rifle all covered by one of the best rounds out there.

[Greg-Dawg]

Build an AR15 in .223/5.56 and get Rem 700 in .308. Done...and don't forget the shotgun.

[POLICESTATE]

Build an AR15 in .223/5.56 and get Rem 700 in .308. Done...and don't forget the shotgun.

what he said

[IGOTDIRT4U]

And almost any shotgun in 12 Ga will do for HD. No need to a 5000.00 "engraved bird gun".

[Barney Gumble]

Since you're talking about having a firearms plan I presume you're thinking about self defense/home defense and/or SHTF. Having a firearms plan is good thinking. But buying a bunch of guns doesn't equal a firearms plan.

You'd be better off picking one handgun (preferably single-action) and one semi-auto rifle (either an AR or AK) and then use your money to take as many training opportunities as you can get with those two firearms, until you get proficient at using them to defend yourself.

THEN start filling out your wish list for all the other calibers and types of guns you want to get.

[illuminate10]

I have a .45, and a 9mm both are full-size. For handguns I would probably like to acquire something small and cheap to shoot. Most likely a .22.

My dilemma is in the long guns. Does it make sense to share calibres, or is variety better? I would like one semi-auto and one bolt action.

Best options seem like either build an AR15 style and then pick up a bolt action that share the .223 round. A CZ or remington.

Or Go with the .308 win and pick up a CZ and either build an AR10 or find a M1a/garand.

Does it make more sense to share the round, or to diversify in case of shortages?

I am kind of just looking to make a plan that has me covered for kind of whatever I would realistically need.

I will probably pick up a random 12 gauge at some point too.

Please put in your .02. That's what I am looking for here.

Hey that sounds like your a new addict, congratulations you've come to the right place .

First off, a 12 ga. is a must(so many different loads to shoot for hunting,defense,non-lethal etc.) . Just want to get that out the way.

Now for the decisions decisions...........
If looking at a bolt action I would go with a 30-06. It's somewhat like the shotgun of rifles in that there is a big variety in bullet weights for all occasions(around 100 grain frangibles to 220). Take out coyotes to elk with those choices.

Semi-auto........that is open to to big a debate. You'll have the war going between the ak vs. ar shortly if one pushes one over the other here.
Personally.....I'd go with the 7.62x39 or 51 just to punch through concealment easier if..........it came to that. Chances are if it came to that, that would be the last time you used said rifle so might as well accomplish the goal of punching through whatever you're shooting at so might as well go with the heavier bullet no??? .....................or go with the Garand to share ammo.

Like I said, decisions decisions.

P.S. Don't forget a .22 handgun. Look for entry level guns.....Ruger 22/45, S & W 22a, Beretta U22, Buckmark etc...

[bootcamp]

To me, it never made sense to have a rare round. (ie, 303 brit, etc). The common calibers are the cheapest when buying bulk factory ammo.

When you throw practicality and plinking rounds together into your hobby, the general calibers will win hands down.

I shoot only what I can reload with the exception of .22lr

9mm
.45acp
.223

Don't reload but cheap enough to get in bulk

12ga.
7.62x39mm (although i've been tempted to get rid of my rifle(s) in this caliber to replace with easier to reload .308win/7.62nato)

I would maybe throw .40s&w in there, but I am certainly content with 9mm and .45acp.

[Sheepdog1968]

I am all for trying to minimize calibers. I think the 22 LR will give you inexpensive enjoyment and is a very good way to practice marksmanship (Google Appleseed or Liberty Training Rifle). If you are going to pick on rifle caliber to harmonize on, I'd go w the 308 Win (7.62x51). For a semi auto u can get an M1A and avoid all the fixed mag bullet button stuff. Then the bolt action of you choice in that caliber. I choose the 308 as you can also hunt with it. The world won't end if you choose a 223.

[caldude]

I don't know what you 'realistically need'. For HD or SHTF, a shotgun and either a .223 (AR, Mini-14, SU-16) or 7.62x39 (SKS, AK, VZ58) will work. Go with a .308 if you think you'll need more range.

Other than that, it's buying guns for variety or collectibility, unless you have different specific uses in mind.

[Lucky Scott]

My wife and I sat down and discussed this when the ammo shortage started.
Out concept is to have alot of different calibers to choose from. Sure, pick your favorites and stock up on ammo for them.
But we wanted to know that if some calibers are harder to get in the future, we still have options.
For handguns we can choose from several calibers, shotguns two different, and rifles several calibers.
I dont see the advantage to limiting yourself to just a couple? I am smart enough to use the proper ammo.

Get your favorites, mine are 12 gauge, .40 and .38 cal handguns, and 7.62 X 39 rifle.

I never hear anybody saying, "man, I just got too many guns"
Think of it like a Sears tool box, sure you can get the 100 piece tool box, but the 400 piece tool kit is way better.

[randy]

First clearly define the mission. Then get the tools to complete the job.

"Beware of the man with one gun for he knows how to use it."

It's great to open up the safe and see it full of guns nice guns are even better.

You're better off learning to use what you've got than worrying about what to get for a situation you aren't mentally prepared for.

[PanchoVilla]

clarification

Ok, I am thinking plan for SHTF/ridiculous changes to what you can buy.

So say 3 years from now I can never buy another new gun, I only get what I already have. What would be a good setup that would likely give me a gun that would fit most roles I would realistically expect to need.

So
SHTF
home defense
small and easy to carry something
hunting
something long range

Sounds like a good plan is to go ahead and go with an AR in .223.
Then pick up a bolt action in .308. Either a rem 700 or CZ most likely.

Then keep my eyes open and try and pick up an M1A. If I can't I could always build an AR10 down the road.

Then I could always pick up a .22 pistol and either a rifle or a kit for the AR.