pre Election Panic Buy - Guns

[harbormaster]

Thought you'd like to imagine what a friend is going thru. He married at 20, had a child at 21, and is now 23 and working as a lineman with more money coming in then costs. He lives in a pickup on the job, saves a ton, while his wife and child live with her parents saving even more. When he is off work he spends a few nights at the marina I manage in a $5k sailboat with his wife and kid. He came to me yesterday and said he needed firearms. He had none and was afraid to wait any longer. $2K was his current limit and he said another $1k after the first of Nov.

Other factors....He has a a no firearm history, his wife doesn't either, and they both just want to defend themselves not hunt, target shoot, or otherwise engage in shooting but he expects to practice routinely as he is often in wilderness areas.

[jeffyhog]

Can't go wrong with an AR and a Glock 17 or 19.

[hermosabeach]

It’s a very expensive time to buy

A basic pump shotgun is the value route. Under $500 out the door including Ammo



Glock 17/19/22/23 are always a reliable choice

[lmcc0072]

I just posted on another thread that my brother bought a Glock G21 .45 on the Sportsman’s Warehouse website this morning for $550. Reasonably priced guns do become available. You just have to look everyday and buy right away if you see something that you like. If you wait someone else is going to buy it.

[Kokopelli]

A shotgun is a great personal defense weapon with buck shot. Buy mini shells To get comfortable with.

[the86d]

The problem with a 12-gauge is that most ladys don't like to even shoot it at the range, so they might have a harder time aiming it due to this fear of recoil...

Gun shop, whatever Semi-Auto PCC they have?

Alternatively, if not much is available in the way of a PCC, like most shops I've visited since the BEER (CORONA) can't go too wrong with a .38 SPL, or if you know someone with a lot, and might have income/job problems right now, they might be willing to part with something...?

I know some places are posting what is avail on say Facebook, when they get stuff in, as far as guns, but not much ammo rolling in on my FB radarz...

Something simple, but make sure you take them out a few times, because once is never enough, and booger-hooks on the bang-switch would be a bad thing if they put a hole in their boat... or if one of them shot the other, due to not practicing our basic safety rules.

If all I could get was a 22lr rifle, or 10 shot handgun, it's better than nothing, and mention that, if this is the only thing avail...

Beggars can't be choosers right now, but an old man in a retirement community is trying to see if some family knows anyone who wants to buy a used Ruger MK-II for like $800, which is $300-$400 over going rate... for a 22lr, even if VERY RELIABLE. If I were unprepared this might be my only option these days... but this was just pre-COVID, so you never know.

I have looked and .223/5.56 uppers are out there, and about $700 is the going rate, but if not .223/5.56 they might be more available, however I am not sure about PCC uppers, mags, and magwell-adapters for reliability.

Most shops I went to had at least something, but no ammo to match, but some really had about nothing...

I know some shops only have PPT stuff on the wall during panics, but they are generally fairly priced...

This one, they'll ship to Cali... but it's $799 panic price, for a ~$650 PCC 9mm rifle.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/881628997

Most on Gunbroker are selling this $650 rifle for $700-$900 right now... GEEZ!

The lady and I both bought a gun at an FFL Pawn Shop, so there is that option too...

[FeuerFrei]

IMO you cannot "panic buy" firearms in Cal-unicornia.

FSC test and then 10 day wait. Right?

Find them a 20ga. pump gun and a good 22 to buy. PPT them one of your spares. $$

*I have seen more 20 ga. ammo on the shelves vs 12 ga. Still no guarantees on local ammo availability.
*panic buying anything is a sure sign of being unprepared.

[The War Wagon]

And he's practically out of time. The zombies rise, Nov. 4, regardless who gets elected. It's pretty much, "whatever you can find."

[Californio]

Youth Stock 20ga pump for the wife with a magazine extension would work well, doubt you can find them now but would work well, good range with solid slugs. 12ga for the husband. Handgun would take more training/ammo and they have a curious little one. They are most likely out of time.

[cudakidd]

depending on the level of panic, crossbows, pepper spray, tasers require no waiting period. Then order a 870 express combo in 20 gauge and wait!

[the86d]

Black powder is always an option for the panicked,
but most of us have better options.

I actually thought about a "FUN" spare (OR TWO) black powder handguns (non-22 cap and ball) for panic-flipping during the last panic, with some pyrodex, caps, and balls... to "help others (I know?)"... ... ...
OTC.

Watching videos on youtube, it appears a formerly convicted felon can own black powder firearms in FL, for SD/HD, which I am 100% okay with, but not legal for them, here...
I know a guy that went to prison, got out, went back for a... non-violent parole violation, and when he got out, he got custody of BOTH his kids, worked a full-time job, and got his shizz together.
One of his kids is severely-autistic, and so he had to not work to take care of him. Mom was a scumbag-parent... he just made some bad choices in his past.

[CWL]

Will the wife be keeping the gun while he's away working?

A revolver w/4" barrel, preferably in . 357 but load .38spl for her.
Brand? Anything you can find.

In this situation, revolver first followed by shotgun or semi with smaller framed like the Glock G19, or SW Shield

[thbat]

With his constant moving situation, living in his truck, boat, in-laws, etc, a pistol will be better than a rifle/shotgun. I think a small revolver, like a ruger sp101 or similar, is a good option. Its simple, reliable, easily stored and locked away.

[harbormaster]

They scored. No really they did well he is a pretty smart kid and a great sailor by the way.

They went to a LGS in Stockton and saw some firearms and bought two. He and his wife each bought one both taking the test. They found a new Remington 870 defensive he said was $400 plus the fees and a used Henry 357 20” I think he said for about $700. Taxes, fees and FSC ran $1400 for both and he said he got “plenty” of ammo for both with a few hundred to spend. IDK what that means in reality for him in terms of # of rounds or types. He said he plans on getting a revolver next month in 38/357. The LGS said some were forthcoming and they’d post to fakebook to keep an eye out for it. Think he did well.

[sealocan]

I know the old motto that "a handgun is used to help you get to your rifle" but in my humble opinion this possible "coming zombie rise on November 4th apocalypse" ( and keep in mind this year it won't be November 4th because votes will be coming in by mail much later.) is not going to be fought at rifle distances because people, who for the most part are just regular civilians with different levels of sanity as humans are, will hold off on confronting the crazy "zombies" until they can no longer just walk away, drive away, escape or avoid them, if for example the zombies are coming onto your property, etc.

We're not talking long distance military battles. But riots that have spilled over into rural communities or maybe one group of protesters fighting with another group of protesters.

I could be wrong and no one can predict the future but I would think a handgun or 2 (like a Glock 19 and/or 26) and a shotgun, especially when you consider California's 10-round restrictions. He missed Freedom week so even if he gets a nice semi-auto rifle they are limited to 10-round magazines.