Up until now true democracy has always been described as One man, One Vote . Suppose we changed that to One man, One gun . My question is WHICH Gun ??

Dam:

You sound like a Jim Brady organization fan.

Well at least 7 of you are going to have to go without guns as I am not giving up any of my 8 guns.

Bountyhunter

(P.S. The election was rigged.)

1. Please note my location.
2. Who is Jim Brady ?
3. I have a couple of guns myself.
Back to the original question, IF, ( I Quote ) IF you could legally only have ONE gun , Which gun would you chøøse .

Don't feed the trolls, bountyhunter.

This is way off topic.

Sorry Goatrider, you are right about it being off topic, but his location prompted my response.

I am going to leave this thread alone.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Always better to simply discuss the issue, not name-call or attack the messenger, in my book.

Thought "don't feed the trolls" was funny.... since I just recently learned (from you guys) what a troll is. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Ack! I can't help myself (although I'm stretching to connect the Subject line to the question):

A terrible question to ask - it's causing me severe mental stress... I don't have any I want to give up. I guess the answer for me would be my old Ruger M77 30-06. It's a real beater for looks now, but it's a death ray in my hands - we have a lot of experiences with each other...

Any good, accurate bolt action in 308, preferably with Herr Mauser's big extractor, might be smarter, but that's my pick and I'm sticking to it...

That sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But if for some reason I could have only one gun, I'd be inclined to go with my Savage 24 .22LR/20ga.Mag. Much of my hunting is for upland game, so it might be the best compromise.

John

"I'd be inclined to go with my Savage 24 .22LR/20ga.Mag. "

Amen to that. I've got a circa 1975 Savage .22LR/20 Mag that I ran slugs through for the first time a few months back. 4" group at 50 yards. No tack driver for sure but accurate enough to bag a doe should the need arise. As a meat gun, you just can't beat it for versatility.

I bet it would work on trolls as well.....

Regards, Vince

As popular as that rifle/shotgun combo is, I can't understand why no one makes liners for the 20 gauge barrel so that you could shoot various rifle and pistol calibers.

Did a search a while back on the subject and came up with zip.

Bountyhunter

Pete,

Hi!

There are several manufacturers of chamber adapters, barrel inserts, auxilliary chambers, and sub-caliber devices.

Try checking McAce at: web page

Baikal reportedly used to make such devices.

Various high-end shotgun makers, e.g., Perazzi, offer barrel liners/tubes.

Either Handloader or Rifle magazine reviewed them in 1 or 2 consecutive issues in articles by Russ Seyfried, including Handloader April/May, 2002.

Finally do a search for a thread called: "It's a guy thing" started by Chris Kavanaugh. We discussed such devices there. Alternatively do a search on my name for a post dated 3/12/02. The discussion is in that thread.

The use of chamber adapters does merit further discussion. Unfortunately I don't have any first hand experience with them. On most of my hunts I try to take at least several guns. Even when backpacking, the weight of a lightweight revolver can usually be tolerated and always rationalized (they're potentially too much fun to leave home). S&W, Ruger, and Colt have all made potential candidates for the kit gun category. I have several of the S&Ws and am quite fond of them.

Good luck,

John

Vince,

Hi!

I've had similar experiences with my Savage 24s. I love them.

Your post contains a great deal of wisdom. As we look at the dynamics of populations, we find that a habitat can only support so many critters, and the population of trolls has gotten way out of hand. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards,

John

DAM:

I think this could best be answered by looking at the most common calibers available around the US today and perhaps available throughout the world. Ever since I began an interest in firearms and hunting etc. from the days of my youth to my subsequent former law enforcement and concealed weapons permit training; I have probably read 100’s on thousands of articles on a lot of weapons and their related variables in ammunition. I would say that the most common variants of guns are found in the following calibers.


12 gauge Shotgun
20 gauge Shotgun
.30-06 Rifle
.30-30 Rifle
7.62x39mm Russian
.22 LR
.45 ACP
.9 mm
.357 Magnum
.40 S&W

You notice I mention 10 different calibers, which are quite common and readily available pretty much throughout the US and perhaps most are available worldwide. I have read repeatedly about and have personal experience with each of these firearms and understand the most ammunition and parts will be commonly available for each. Just like any other tool, a firearm must have a purpose. Since you have asked your question here, I will say it will be used for defensive and offensive purposes in a survival situation. To get just one gun, consider the need for parts and of course, ammunition.

How would I choose? Well each of the calibers mentioned in the pistol category (last five) can also be used in a rifle e.g. Ruger camp carbine. This gives a greater flexibility for multiple guns, but not the answer you need. The shotgun has been named as a defensive gun quite frequently in magazines and Doug makes note of having one on the earthquake kit page (appropriate warnings included) and you would not go wrong here since small game may be needed to “put something on the table.” I heard even Moscow, RU now imports our 12 gauge for its police department. But, it is not the final choice for me with all things considered and since I already use a .45 ACP for my "everywhere I go" gun then someone would just naturally assume this is my choice. Well it is not what I would chose for my “one gun.” I would choose my Winchester Model 94 in .30-30. It is light, ammo is readily available, so are parts, it packs well across the back and can be concealed if done right. One last thing to consider. All of the calibers mentioned except the .40 S&W have been available for over 50 years now. Some 100+

Jim Brady was then US President Ronald Reagan’s press secretary, who while accompanying the President on that fateful January, 1981 day when Ronald Reagan was shot; was also shot. He suffered a head wound, which ultimately left him paralyzed and wheelchair bound. His wife is none other than Sarah Brady, who formed Handgun Control Inc. to eliminate, or try to eliminate handgun ownership in the US. (there has been enough said and written about gun control, I do not wish to argue this subject.) Sarah’s efforts paid off and on 13 Sept. 1994, the US Congress passed the infamous Brady Bill. The bill was given what is commonly referred to a sunset clause, in which it will automatically expire 10 years from the date it passes into law, unless Congress specifically votes to extend the expiration date. The bill, as you may have heard just recently, expired without any action on Congresses part.

Take care,

Stargazer

"If we believe in absurdities, we shall commit atrocities - Voltaire"

DAM,

Sorry, but Americans are very used to "loaded" questions on this subject, questions meant to promote controversy rather than answers.

Ok, so, for a "loaded" answer: In your very hypothetical situation, if we were legally allowed only one firearm, it seems likely that the first order of business would be to get our rights back, and to disabuse whatever tyrannical regime was in power of the notion that any legitimate government, that is, a government that derives it's power from the consent of the governed, can remain legitimate and disarm the very people from whom it's power derives.

That being the case, it would seem that the answer would be one's choice of combat arm; battle rifles for most of us, who would anticipate having to make the point in combat, perhaps pistols for those in postitions to more effectively act covertly.

It's not a coincidence that Americans have the rights they do.

My original draft of this post went further into detailed choices, but I sense that this is getting uncomfortably off-topic for the focus of this website and forum, and it's a focus I support.

Johnbaker:

I know liners are available for certain high end guns and have found various sites while looking for a liner for the Savage.

The sales numbers of the Mdl. 24 and the owner loyalty would seem to make it economically worthwhile for someone to manufacture them.

It must be because the $500.00+ suggested retail price of a new Savage makes machinests feel they could not get a substantial price for a liner. My feeling is that with the numbers of units out there, there would probably be people buying multiple inserts for multiple cartridges and the quantity of sales should make it economically feasable for manufacture.

Bountyhunter

Stargazer:

Actually Handgun Control Incorporated was started by a gentleman named Peter Shields whose son was killed in the process of a mugging. Sarah Brady was taken on board because of her noteriety and her belief in their cause.

I joined Handgun Control Incorporated for (1) year (Kept receiving the literature for (3) years.) while a life member of the National Rifle Association. I wanted to see their tactics and read their literature first hand.

The facinating thing about their literature is that it is almost a mirror image of the NRA literature, but with their viewpoints and statistics.

Now for the conspiratorial bend in my thinking. Handgun Control Incorporated uses NRA literature in an attempt to bend the same presentation with a close relationship to literature they put out so as to attempt to convince borderline individuals to their side. The other thought is that NRA stratagists decided to financially support and keep Handgun Control Incorporated alive so that we gun owners would have a common "burr in our saddle" to focus on and work against. It is a common political and business tactic. I know a high volume gun dealer in Wisconsin who is sorry Kerry lost the election, not because he wanted Kerry's anti-gun views to win, but because his sales would have shot through the roof right after the election and unlike the paniced customers, he felt the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. majority would have kept the gun issue under Kerry in check.

Bountyhunter

I would have a hard time deciding between two guns.
Ruger GP100 6 inch stainless in .357 Mag, or a bolt action .22 LR rifle.
The 22 would be more versatile for hunting small game, the 357 for defense and close range hunting.
A 308 is overkill for squirrels, trust me <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bounty there is an old marketing axiom, perception is reality. It is amazing what people think is happening in a situation is in reality just the opposite of what is happening.

Kinda the same effect as feeding one a stick of TNT I imagine.

Never found enough of him to find out. He was heading into the next county, end over end, kind of like a frisbee.
150 grain hollowpoint was a bit too much, in retrospect.

LOL I bet you didn't. I witnessed the shooting of a rabbit with a 7mm mag a few years ago (not sure what type of load) and it was basically an explosion of fur and meat and blood and guts. Most "chunks" were maybe 4"sq. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Guys:

You gotta start thinking outside the box on large caliber weapons for small animals. Set your sights about an 1/8" over the tops of their heads and the shock from the bullets sonic wave should knock them down.

Never tried it, but it seems reasonable, and you retain what little meat there is.

Bountyhunter

As someone reminded me this weekend... I recall a callow youth who discovered that surplus military 7x57 ammo was perfect for "barking" squirrels - by shooting through the tree when the squirrel was hiding on the backside. Usually no visible wound... I would *never* do that (now), of course... besides, there's a subdivision where those trees used to be. And squirrel season is finished for the year. And whoever that kid was, I'm pretty sure he no longer has that rifle and 2 cases of surplus ammo...

However, I have taken a fair amount of headshot grouse with a Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt (heavy loads), which is actually easier than it may sound, two headshot squirrels years apart with the same (on a bet, and yes, I ate them), and some small game for the pot with my 30-06. Ok; the 30-06 was with reduced loads and a hardcast gascheck target bullet...

ya know... if it did work it would preserve the skin as well ... all my skins have two holes in them ... one little one and one big one <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Having read all your replies I realise the stupidity of the Question
My thanks to you all
P.S. I hope that any toes trodden on all heal quickly !
DAM