Not the most exciting post I’ve ever made, but here’s an update to my February 2012 post regarding which items I would buy in various categories.
If I set out to buy one of the following, this is what I would look for as of September 2012. Some things have great alternatives that aren’t listed and some things have great alternatives that are listed. Some things I’ve gotten for free and some things I haven’t. Some things might be more or less than you need. But if you ask me a general question about what (blank) to buy, this is probably what I’d recommend.
…a 5.56mm rifle – Colt SP6920.
…a .308/7.62×51 rifle – FNH USA SCAR-17S.
…a bolt action rifle – Tikka T3 Lite.
…a shotgun – Tie. Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Doesn’t matter.
…a 22LR rifle – CZ 452 Scout (kids) or Marlin Papoose (all around).
…a handgun – Glock 19.
…a handgun for concealed carry – Kahr CM9.
…a holster – Praetor Defense or Looper Law Enforcement.
…a non-magnified optic – Aimpoint PRO.
…a fixed power optic for a semi auto rifle – Trijicon TA33/TA11 ACOG.
…a fixed power optic for a bolt action rifle – Bushnell Elite 3200 10X.
…a variable power optic – Anything German. Maybe a Vortex Viper or Razor if I didn’t want the German price tag.
…an AR-15 upgrade – Vltor A5.
…an AR-15 rail – Centurion C4.
…an AR-15 magazine – Lancer.
…a knife – Benchmade Griptilian.
…a watch – Casio Pathfinder. Or a Citizen Eco-Drive, if you need a watch for six months or less.
…a flashlight – Elzetta ZFL-M60.
…a flashlight for carry – Surefire E1B.
…rifle ammo for killing things – Federal Fusion or Speer Gold Dot. Barnes TSX/MRX/etc.
…handgun ammo for killing things – Federal HST. Winchester Ranger T/Ranger Bonded. Speer Gold Dot. Remington Golden Saber Bonded.
…shotgun ammo for killing things – Federal FliteControl buckshot or Federal slugs. Hornady Critical Defense buckshot. DDupleks Monolit slugs.
…practice ammo – any new lead or copper jacketed/plated factory ammo.
…a handgun .22LR conversion – anything made in the US or Europe that fits your pistol.
…a rifle .22LR conversion – anything made in the US.
I was just lookin for this post, yesterday. Thanks for the update!
Just want to second the Federal FlightControl buckshot. My agency switched to it a few years ago and I must admit that I did not think there would be much difference. But I love this stuff. We had to change our qual course because it is was just too easy with the new Federal Ammo. Good stuff and I highly recommend. I have confidence that if I ever need to use this stuff, it will kick ass.
Which Looper Law Enforcement holster(s) have you tried?
I am interested in a holster with a leather exterior.
Various versions of the Betty – haven’t tried any of their leather holsters, but their leather belts are top notch.
Im wondering why the 19 and not the 17. Youve recommended it multiple times. I just figure why wouldn’t one want a longer sight radius and more gun to grab onto as well as less perceived recoil with the added mass that one would get with the 17. I have a 23 that I like for carry but if its anything else I go all the way up to the 34.
I shoot the 19 as well as I shoot 17s, and it’s more concealable. The 19 could conceivably be used for anything from duty to daily concealed carry. The 17, not so much (I do carry a 22 gen 4 concealed quite often, but it’s much more conspicuous than the 19).
Depending on the size of the person in question. I’m 6’6″, 265 lbs (and shrinking), and for me hiding a G17 is no big deal. It’s a half inch longer in the butt than a G19 is, which doesn’t make much difference when you’re as big as me. If you’re in the 5’6″ size range, it’s a lot bigger deal…unless you weigh what I do, in which case you can hide just about anything, and your weight is in danger of taking your life.
BTW, I carry a G19 as my EDC, as does nearly all of my circle of friends. YMMV.
Absolutely – and the way you dress. A smaller woman, or anyone who chooses to wear form-fitting clothing, will have a hard time concealing a G19.
I’d lke your take on these serious to not so serious questions:
ear / eye protection?
a durable steel target?
an AK (or more generally a piston operated rifle)?
a cleaning solvent?
a fun range gun?
a good online gun forum?
a gift to give a dad who likes John Wayne movies?
1. check out my post on LuckyGunner Labs for the eye pro thing – as for ear pro, I use foamies.
2. Wideners has some pretty good stuff for reasonable prices
3. Vz58, or an Arsenal SGL-21 if you really want an AK
4. Simple Green or brake cleaner
5. Marlin Papoose
6. null
7. Schofield revolver
+1 on both the Vz58 and the Marlin Papoose…
Great answers!
I’d love to see this complete list but instead the question be “What (Blank) Should I NOT Buy”
I’d also like to see your opinion on the “What (Blank) Should I NOT Buy”
What caused the concealed carry pick to change from CW9 to CM9? Will you be doing a review on either?
CM9 makes for a good pocket gun. I might review them at some point.
A well thought list Andrew….two thumbs up!
I share many of your recommendations.
Andrew,
Why do you recommed the Marlin over, say, a Ruger 10/22?
Although my Papoose is more accurate than my 10/22 Takedown, and I like the size of the Papoose mags more than the 10/22 mags, and the Papoose is lighter, it really comes down to the fact that I “like” the Papoose more, regardless of actual features/facts. I think it’s more fun, although the 10/22 is certainly fun too.
Please, please, plz give me a source for good quality papoose magazines. I have one, love the rifle, I bought aftermkt mags (plastic crap which wore out quickly) and now cannot seem to locate steel mags, even the factory 7 rnd ones.
If I could have only one tangible inanimate object that actually exists, it would be a SCAR H…being a civvie, I have to settle for the SCAR 17. Of course, I am assuming it would include a loaded magazine.
The one area I would be critical of this list is the “shotgun” selection.
Having owned an 870 Express, FN TPS (Win 1300 Defender) and Benelli Super Nova, I’ll take the Win 1300 Defender or Super Nova.
Why? Corrosion resistance. The 870 Express finish doesn’t seem to have any. If you want a good finish on an 870, you have to shell out for a either a properly parkerized “Police” model or one of the nickel plated marine versions. That, or pay to get an Express finished with Cerakote or nickel finish of your choosing.
The TPS/Win 1300 Defender (no longer produced in the US) and Super Nova come with fine finishes that take a long time to develop minor surface rust in humid conditions, whereas my 870 Express rusted if you looked at it wrong on a day with 25% humidity. I would compare them both to the quality of the parkerizing on the FN-manufactured M16A2 I was issued.
I realize where you’re from, humidity isn’t a problem. Conditions matter, as I’m sure you’ve learned from your experience with rusty carry guns.
Perhaps this is a good time to think about a two month humidity test in Florida as your next Lucky Gunner project? 😉
For what it’s worth, my Express spent plenty of time in the bottom of a boat in Alaska. I did not have any major corrosion issues. I did clean it and oil it fairly often, mostly because I lived in the woods and had little else to do.
Cleaning can have a significant effect, as a fresh coat of oil can do wonders for corrosion resistance. My 870 sat loaded in a corner as a home defense weapon, and thus had little else to do besides slowly gather rust. I hate rusty guns, so when I’d catch a glimpse of it I’d wipe both the rust and dust off.
I think we may have discussed this before, isn’t your Express 90’s vintage? Mine was made mid 00’s. It was purchased with a 28″ barrel and I added a 20″ barrel of unknown age, and both appeared to have the same finish with the same issues.
The bean counters may have stepped in through the years…
Express finishes aren’t the best, but if you do have rust issues and need a better finish, you don’t have to shell out for a police model. I have a quote from a local gunsmith for $85 for a complete parkerizing job (If I do the takedown, which is no problem).
optics for light-weight 22?
Andrew,
Thanks for the explanation. I personally prefer the 10/22, so when you recommended the Marlin, I wondered if there was some serious flaw in the 10/22 I was unaware of, I’m glad to see that’s not the case.
I ditched my EBR for the lighter SCAR 17S a month back but I’ve been waiting for magazines ever since! 🙁
Debating if I should just get this aluminum lower that accepts SR25 mags… http://www.handldefense.com/
Great list.
Thanks.
I am seriously considering the CZ .22 rifle you recommend for my 9 year old son, who is really enjoying his 4H shooting club.
Speaks well of your followers too, that in 23 comments nobody has posted an aggrieved, butt-hurt epistle complaining that you ignored their favorite boomstick.
Excellent list! Nice to see the Colt getting the attention it truly deserves.
Based on your prior comments about Glock reliability, the Glock 19 should be Gen 3 only, correct?
Correct.
Why lancer over pmag?
Stronger feed lips and the translucent body.
Double Tap Ammo 80gr 223 and a bullpup
Two things I would not buy.
Why not
I have not found DoubleTap ammo to be as described, and bullpups are not intuitive for me to use or shoot. They also have unique issues that standard rifles do not.
Have you reviewed, or do you have plans to review the Elcan Specter DR?
Reviewed no. Plan to review no. Owned yes. Not worth buying. Mount sucks.
OK. Thanks for that input.
Sorry for the brevity, was on my phone. Didn’t intend to come across as standoffish, if it came across that way.
Thanks. I was looking at one too.
Still no response from BM re: My grip. It’s been six months and two more e-mails from me. Am not impressed.
Why those particular models of ACOG?
And is there any semiautomatic shotgun you think worthy of consideration for serious use?
Much better eye relief than the 4×32/TA31, and the TA33 is also much lighter.
Benelli M2 or M4.
For the ACOG; is there a particular reticle you prefer, and if so, why?
And I was afraid that would be your answer for the shotgun question. I have Benelli tastes and a Mossberg budget…
Your choice of a precision 5.56 upper receiver? I assume it’s something with a Lothar-Walther barrel, since you’ve mentioned them before.
With respect to the Aimpoint PRO – what’s your opinion on the mount that comes with it? I hear people say with the included spacer, it’s somewhere between a lower 1/3 and absolute cowitness. I really would like a lower 1/3 cowitness, and I’m trying to figure out if the included mount is good enough, or if I really need to budget a lower 1/3 cowitness mount for it as well?
Dude. Great post. I am amazed at how much of this stuff I already had nearly identical and pretty much agree. I bought an E1B a year ago based on this post and still love it.
Aimpoint Pro next purchase.