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Posted: 2/3/2010 6:52:28 PM EDT
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I have been thinking about re-tooling my gun collection and want to get some opinions. Two of the guns that I have inbound are FN so I felt that this was a good place to post.
My most basic needs can be met with three guns, a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. For the rifle and the shotgun I'm thinking that I could easily use a hunting and a tactical version so that brings me to these five guns: 1. Hunting Rifle 2. Tactical Rifle 3. Hunting Shotgun 4. Tactical Shotgun 5. Pistol For fun and plinking I would add the following: 6. Plinking Rifle 7. Plinking Pistol Now I'm at seven but feel that this set of guns would cover almost everything that I would ever need. As for types of guns for the above list, here's what I'm thinking: 1. Hunting Rifle - If I could only pick one caliber for North America I would go with the 30 06 as the most versatile round with tolerable recoil. I also considered the 270 (a necked down 30 06) and the 300 Win Mag but the 30 06 has a wider range of practical ammo. I know that bolt action guns are the cat's meow for accuracy, but I'm leaning towards something in semi-automatic. Looking at the Benelli R1 with ComforTech in 30 06. 2. Tactical Rifle - 5.56/223 vs 7.62/308? Generally, I like the 7.62 for the power at range and versatility over the 5.56. I have a FN SCAR 16S inbound with an Eotech 553 for optics. I might sell the 16S and pick up a 17S later this year. I would love to keep both but I'm not sure if I can commit that much cash. Given the other guns I have listed here, which would you guys keep, the 16S or the 17S? 3. Hunting Shotgun - Probably a 12 gauge with a 28" barrel. Looking at the Benelli Vinci 28". 4. Tactical Shotgun - I have a FN SLP 18" inbound. 5. Pistol - Want something reliable and I like Glocks. Decision is between 9mm and .40 cal. I'm leaning towards .40 cal for the additional stopping power. I know that shot placement is key, but if I can place a .40 as well as a 9mm I like my chances better with the .40. Looking at the Glock 23. 6. Plinker Rifle - 22lr here for super cheap ammo and fun. Looking at the Ruger 10/22. 7. Plinker Pistol - Also in 22lr for the same reason. I can go out and shoot on the cheap. Looking at the Browning Buck Mark. So gun fans, what do you think? Would this work well? Do I have any big gaps? What would you do differently? What would you add or subtract? I'm looking for best of breed with a consideration to overall cost and value. I don't mind spending more to get higher quality but there is a budget to consider so I do have limits. Would love to hear your thoughts? 
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I have been in the same situation as you, but have added 2 more guns to the mix. It will take me a while to get wher I want, but this is my list simular to yours:
1. Hunting Rifle 2. Tactical Rifle 3. Hunting Shotgun 4. Tactical Shotgun 5. Warm Weather CCW 6. Cold Weather CCW 7. Tactical Pistol 8. Plinking Pistol 9. Plinking Rifle This is what I have come up with (heavy FN influence): 1. FN TSR XP in 7.62 NATO 2. FN SCAR in 5.56 NATO (SBR Registration w/10" barrel and 5.56 Can Registration) 3. Winchester X3 4. FN SLP 18" 5. H&K HK45c 6. FN FNP-45 USG 7. FN FNP-45 Tactical (.45 Can Registration) 8. GSG5PK (SBR Registration with .22 Can Registration) 9. Ruger 10/22 Integrally Suppressed |
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I understand your dilemma.
So much of it is just personal preference. As far as the 16s or 17s, that really is a tough decision. I like the 5.56 round so that makes it even tougher for me. I do have the 16s and my answer is that I'll probably end up with both. The one thing that might keep me from getting the 17s is if all of the reviews state a very heavy felt recoil. The 16s will (of course) will be cheaper to buy ammo for and train as often as we should. I can see a scenario where a person already has a good trusty AR in 5.56 and then it could make more sense to get the 17s. I personally want to have at least one 5.56 either way. Since your going with a 30 06 in the hunting rifle it might make sense to have the 5.56 for taking smaller game or coyotes, ground hogs, etc.... - to increase the chance to be able to get ammo just in case of a large scale shtf scenario. Another way to go is to try and use crossover firearms to fill more than one slot. Some of this is determined by your local laws concerning firearms and hunting. For example if you go with the 17s, it would easily serve the same role as the hunting rifle in 30 06. Or you could go with a FNAR and use it for hunting and it would then serve the dual purpose of a sniping and defensive perimeter firearm in the shtf scenario. The FNAR has very low felt recoil for a 308 and mine is sub moa accurate with good ammo. That would open up the ability to have your fighting carbine in 5.56 and put you in two NATO caliber firearms. I only have the 308 (FNAR) because of the firearm and because 7.62X51 is NATO. I'm not a big fan of the 308. My favorite hunting round is the 270wsm. I handload and I can make that round do everything I need it to. Sometimes it's easier to have another safe than to have a smaller collection. (admittedly addicted) The only other advice I can add for your list is to consider having weapons that will be easy to get ammo for in a large scale shtf scenario. Not everyone is interested in this type of thinking, but it's something I like to consider. Going with NATO rounds is a plus for this reason. By the looks of your list it looks like you might want to add a good set of handloading gear to the list. These are just some of my opinions and I know we all see this a little different. Good luck in your choices. |
Found a very interesting article on the merits of 7.62 vs 5.53 here http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1986/MVT.htm. Since I have a FN SLP for home defense I think I would be happier with the 7.62 in my carbine. With the right optics on a SCAR 17S I might not even need a dedicated hunting rifle. I have to check on the hunting laws in my neck of the woods but I believe that the SCAR 17S would be fine to hunt with. Again, my only issue is the potentially awkward social position of using a military style rifle for hunting.  For you hunters out there, is this a big deal?
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I have a fairly large collection..... but the majority of them are Mil-Surp guns that I have sititng in the safe because I have a C&R addiction.
But I do have my tools. Food/Hunting Firearms Benelli Nova 12 Gauge Ruger M77 .30-06 Springfield Marlin 1895 Guide Gun .45-70 Ruger New Model Vaquero .357 Magnum Self Defense/Tactical Firearms GLOCK Gen4 22 .40 S&W GLOCK Gen4 17 9x19mm SBR FN PS90 5.7x28mm SBR Colt AR-15A3 5.56x45mm MSAR E4 5.56x45mm (Inbound from Rat Worx) FN SLP 12 Gauge Remington 870 Express Magnum HD 12 Gauge Springfield Armory M1 Garand .30-06 Springfield Yeah, I have more stuff, Browning Hi-Power, Beretta 92FS, etc.... I have a little more in the tactical stuff in case I need to either equip someone else or in case something breaks. Two is one and one is none. The M1 Garand is still a good tool. Load it up with AP ammo and you have yourself a good rifle for road blocks and such. It can pretty much stop a engine block if need be. Also the tactical gear has different uses. If it's bad but not open "Oh Shit Civil War" then I CCW the GLOCK along with the PS90 in a 5.11 Select Carry Bag. If it's a Hurricane Andrew type event. The M4 and the AUG are brought out for home defense against possible looters. It's all tools. Different tools for different jobs. I hope that I don't need to use said tools but they're there just in case. |
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Quoted:
Found a very interesting article on the merits of 7.62 vs 5.53 here http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1986/MVT.htm. Since I have a FN SLP for home defense I think I would be happier with the 7.62 in my carbine. With the right optics on a SCAR 17S I might not even need a dedicated hunting rifle. I have to check on the hunting laws in my neck of the woods but I believe that the SCAR 17S would be fine to hunt with. Again, my only issue is the potentially awkward social position of using a military style rifle for hunting. For you hunters out there, is this a big deal?If you hunt around people that aren't very tolerent of hunting you may find them less tolerent of hunting with a military style rifle. This most often comes in play when seeking permission to hunt land. Around here it's easiest to get permission to bow hunt, then muzzleloader, then rifle. Showing up on scene with a non-wooden gun and a extended mag gives timid land owners the perception that you spray and pray. That gets them concerned and gets you ejected. Here in the upper mid-west I'd get to know your land owner before you show up with anything but a FUDD gun. The other factor is if you're hunting around real candy asses that find your presence concerning the call may come in to local Law Enforcement as a "man with a gun" vs "hunter". But as you noted, read your local laws and if you're doing everything legally you can't worry about all the candy asses. |
Just picked up my first FN gun, a SLP in 18". 
Here's pics... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2771/4354796590_fd9d6f66ac_o.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4354796336_401e27568d_o.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4354796864_e11a45a3a0.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4354051673_7ea59c239a.jpg Love it! Now I need to head out to the range and break her in. Is there any recommended break in procedures for shotguns like you have with rifles? Should I clean the shotgun prior to use? |
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