Should I own a long gun?

mawguy

mawguy

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
139
Reaction score
8
Location
Wichita, KS
Although I started my shooting experience with a .22LR rifle more than 45 years ago, I haven't owned a rifle for a long time. I do have a variety of hand guns chambered in .22, .38/.357, 9mm and .40cal. I live in a population area of over half a million people, and I don't hunt animals for sport or food.

If the Rule of Law was gone tomorrow, or an asteroid hits somewhere in North America, or if nuclear war breaks out or if.... [insert favorite disaster], why do I need a long gun if I have 4-5 weapons I could conceal on my person or place strategically where I could access them?
 
Register to hide this ad
Range and firepower. Something you need to take down is 50 yards out or more having something other than a pistol would be nice. Especially if that thing you need to take down has a rifle and is looking at you through a scope
 
Do you need

a long gun, you asked the question so that means you have given it some thought. I don't always give advise, you have been thinking about this for awhile and now you want some of the members here to reinforce your decision to get a long gun for protection. I assume you have weighted the pro's and con's of a long gun now you need to decided the caliber and length of barrel. Pick a rifle that fits you, is comfortable for you to shoot and that you can shoot well and the ammo is readily available or you can reload. I have three 22lr rifles two M1 carbines, a 44mag lever rifle and the 5.56 American semi automatic sporting rile with extend mag and pistol grip and collapsible stock (I don't call it an assault rifle as it has never assaulted anyone) and 10 or 12 pistols to use.
Personal protection is a personnel matter do what makes since to you.
 
Seems that most folks see guns as weapons, I guess that's what we've been taught. To me there's beauty in blue steel and walnut, a quality long gun is certainly a piece of art. I do not hunt much any more, I have no desire to kill anything (thanks, in part to the outdoor channel), but I do enjoy taking my long guns out, cleaning, and just admiring the quality work that goes into them. Stop looking at long guns as killing tools and start thinking of them as the quality tools that they are, and you will appreciate your blue steel and walnut works of art.
 
The correct answer is sure, why not. If you want start with 22, fairly inexpensive to purchase and shoot. Like Poodle said you might want to start defending at 50 yds, which a 22 will do very well, instead of at your back door especially if you have more than one aggressor.
 
kudzu3 said:
Seems that most folks see guns as weapons, I guess that's what we've been taught. To me there's beauty in blue steel and walnut, a quality long gun is certainly a piece of art. I do not hunt much any more, I have no desire to kill anything (thanks, in part to the outdoor channel), but I do enjoy taking my long guns out, cleaning, and just admiring the quality work that goes into them. Stop looking at long guns as killing tools and start thinking of them as the quality tools that they are, and you will appreciate your blue steel and walnut works of art.
Click to expand...

Yep, I feel the same. While I appreciate all types of firearms, I really dig the asthetics of wood stocks & blued steel. Especially old pieces that show "character" and age. And for me, it is personally rewarding and enjoyable hitting targets/plates at long ranges. As far as the OP's "end of the world" in an urban setting scenario question, a shotgun may be a nice multi-purpose addition to the collection. Slugs offer the ability to hit at extended ranges.
 
Last edited:
It could come in handy in a emergency.
You can look at it as an investment.
You can always sell it or pass it on to an heir.
You can take it to the range and shoot it for fun.
If you can afford a nice rifle and "think" you might want one, then by all means buy one. T
here may come a time when you may not be able to find the type of rifle you really want or need.
As Jorge says, "why not...?!"
 
As a famous trainer has said, a handgun is what you use to fight your way to a rifle. Handguns are great for short range defense, but unless you're well practiced, are problematic at engaging threats beyond 50 yards.

Seeing some folks-who are supposedly trained-at requal every six months, and observing the difficulty they have at putting rounds in the kill zone at 7 yards or over, I would have to conclude that very few have the ability to engage a threat at much beyond that distance with any accuracy, hence the need for a long gun, preferably a rifle. Any shooting skill deteriorates without constant practice, but the fastest to do so are skills with a handgun.

Relying on multiple handguns for all eventualities, even in a short range MOUT environment, is purposely limiting your effectiveness. There is a good reason that the M4 has become the preferred weapon for the military and police forces. It is somewhat light-depending on the tacticool stuff you hang on it, handy, reasonably powerful out to 400 meters, and gives you the ability to have 30 rounds in a standard magazine. If it were me I'd go with a primary handgun, a BUG, and an M4 or M4orgery with extra magazines. I would rather have six thirty round mags instead of two extra handguns, as the weight penalty is the same, but that's me. YMMV.
 
You could always get a small 22 just for plinking. Ruger 10/22 or Henry AR7 is what I have. Many say the AR7 isn't great for plinking but it works well for me because I toss a backpack full of gear when I travel to the farm and the Henry stuffs down inside nicely so its always there if I want to use it or not. Crow and Groundhog are legal anytime as nuisance animals to cut down on critters eating my garden.
 
For me the answer is "yes". I own one as close to a battle rifle as I can afford. Different guns have different uses. If you need to hunt for food, a .22 or a shotgun will be handy. If you need to face down several people at once and AR would be handy. For a centerfire, I suggest a .223/5.56, a 30-06, 7.62 X 39, or a .308. These would be easiest to get ammunition for. Anything without ammo is worthless, so I would probably buy 5,000 rounds of .22lr and at least 1000 rounds of what ever centerfire caliber you choose. The fly in the ointment is you probably cannot accumulate this anytime soon. I would say if you're willing to pay the price you can buy and AR right now, but to accumulate any amount of ammo you would end up paying 60¢ to $1 a round and magazines are almost non obtainium. I am not seeing much .22 ammo right now. I got lucky and bought a large box form a fellow who is getting out of shooting. It all depends upon how much you are willing to spend.

Look at the situation we are in now. See how difficult it is to buy either guns or ammo. Now add riots on top of this. Assume many or all gun stores were closed either because of the danger, because they were sold out, or because of government decree. At that point you would need to acquire a long gun (and ammo) from someone who has one. Based upon what I am seeing today I would assume that would be expensive.

Of course you could decide that all this is never going to happen and stick with what you have now.

If you are unsure, look at something that would have a dual purpose. An M1 Garand is a good battle rifle, and is also a collector's item.
 
I own quite a few long guns from years ago when I hunted. I no longer hunt. A handgun is a short range firearm compared to a rifle. If total caos ever happens you need and want a rifle. They also are fun to just plink or shoot with. Also if we have that doomsday senerio you will want a rifle and shotgun to hunt with besides for defense. If you had one in that senerio you wouldnt get rid of it, but if you had a extra one they would be worth more than gold.
 
Need a rifle? You bet

You need a .22 rifle and one in the center fire caliber of your choice.

And a 12 gauge shotgun too, IMO.

Sell some of the handguns to pay for the long guns if you need to.
 
Absolutely not.

Their evil. Once you give in to the .22, then it's .223, 30-30, .308, 30-06 and the next thing you know, you'll want a .338 Lapua to shoot bears. And a .218 Bee because you like honey.

It's a long slippery slope.
 
Hah, he's right. My Henry was my second .22. I have a 20 gauge and .22 hornet and want a 12 gauge and 30-30.
 
Speaking from experience after multiple hurricanes in a large urban area, a long gun of any sort (rifle or shotgun) has an undeniable deterrent value. I believe it is simply a factor of size and therefore visibility of a long gun being carried openly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

chief38
A few more pictures of vintage and antique tools I still own and occasionally use
Replies
8
Views
517
chief38
chief38
LVSteve
If you own a late model GM truck with the 6.2 motor
2
Replies
28
Views
699
2wheels
2
M
Anyone fix their own mechanical watches?
2
Replies
24
Views
493
DWalt
DWalt
Onomea
Guys Build Own Levees — House Survives Flooding
Replies
15
Views
688
LoboGunLeather
LoboGunLeather
ACORN
These guy should be locked up
Replies
15
Views
734
THE PILGRIM
THE PILGRIM

Latest posts

Back
Top