got LTC - need suggestions

[daveyburt]

Hi All,

Well I finally got my postie in the mail and will be picking up my LTC tomorrow.

I've been trying to research as much as I can and have come to the following list of what i'd like to have for firearms. Please comment and/or suggest.

Also, be aware that I'm a newb to most of this. I've fired rifles (.22s) and assorted handguns (.22, .38, .44, 9mm) - none of which I've owned so, maintenance is completely new to me. I've always taken well to target sports and would like long(er) range shooting to be something to work towards...so, here's the list...in the order of planned purchase.

2 x Ruger 22/45 (MK III hunter maybe) - for cheap plinking
1 X .223 rifle
1 X .38 or .357 revolver
1 X Glock 23 in .40
1 X shotty of some sort

Also, what's the deal with convertible barrel pistols (meaning capable of shooting .22 as well as .38, etc..)? are there reliability or accuracy issues, maint. issues?...

thanks!!

[daveyburt]

i know there's lots of enthusiasts out here so: evening

[kingchip]

Congrats on the carry permit. Sounds like a pretty good list. A .357 revolver will shoot .38's so you get a two for one deal there. A friend has a Thompson Contender with about 6 barrels and has no prob with accuracy. When you swap out barrels, the optics go with the barrel so no problems if you take care of the scope, sights, whatever.

[daveyburt]

Thanks!

I'll check out Thomsons as well.
I never know there were so many firearms manufacturers!

I'm really just looking for general input as to a good quality unit for each of those items in the list.... and maybe a little about why it would be a good choice.
Does a Glock come close to the reliability of a revolver? -Seems like their claim to fame is reliability - or would a springfield XD be a better choice?

What's the most common rifle caliber of all the choices? -Mainly just for ammo availability. I wanted the 223 over the 22 for a little more distance but, what would be my best caliber for the buck with good all around usage? - I may hunt with it someday too (I can't see anything bigger than deer tho)

-lots to lean here and thanks to anyone who can offer some insight.

[ianstew]

in my personal opinion, a shotgun is my first choice, excellent for home defense......very versatile weapon.....and if it's a pump action, the sound of the pump racking back will put the fear of God into an intruder......

[choctaw]

Originally Posted by ianstew

in my personal opinion, a shotgun is my first choice, excellent for home defense......very versatile weapon.....and if it's a pump action, the sound of the pump racking back will put the fear of God into an intruder......

Kinda hard to stuff one of those into your pants though.

[choctaw]

As far as plastic pistols go...my 2 choices are either the Glock or Springfield XD or XDM. I own a Springfield XD 40.

I would go with either a .40 or .45 cal.

[timgreen_555]

Originally Posted by daveyburt

Thanks!

I'll check out Thomsons as well.
I never know there were so many firearms manufacturers!

I'm really just looking for general input as to a good quality unit for each of those items in the list.... and maybe a little about why it would be a good choice.
Does a Glock come close to the reliability of a revolver? -Seems like their claim to fame is reliability - or would a springfield XD be a better choice?

What's the most common rifle caliber of all the choices? -Mainly just for ammo availability. I wanted the 223 over the 22 for a little more distance but, what would be my best caliber for the buck with good all around usage? - I may hunt with it someday too (I can't see anything bigger than deer tho)

-lots to lean here and thanks to anyone who can offer some insight.

No semi-auto pistol, comes close to the reliability of a revolver...Revolvers have way less moving parts. I have both semi-auto pistols and revolvers, and love each of them for different reasons.

I own a Springfield XD in .45 Auto. I personally like the XD better than the Glock, I have shot many Glocks, because alot of my friends are in Law Enforcement. The XD IMHO has a better trigger and fits my hand better, but a Glock is also a great proven pistol, but for me the XD is just a more polished weapon.

As for the High-powered rifle, I own an AR-15 or M4 as some call it, which is chambered in .223, while the .223 is a great round and is affordable to shoot, for a high powered round. If you plan to hunt with it I would not get the .223.
I am also pretty sure that it is not legal to hunt deer with a .223 in many states, becuase it is a very light round. I know that up until a few years ago it was not legal to hunt deer with a .223 here in TN.

If I were you I would look at a .308 also called the 7.62x54 round it is a U.S. Military round so there is plenty of ammo available for a good price, and it is a near perfect deer round. The 30-06 is another very popular rifle cartridge, it is an old Military round, that was abandonned some years back, Pre-vietnam. It is still a very popular round.

If I could only have one high-powered rifle it would be chambered in .308, because ammo is available in bulk due to it being a Military round used by many of our a allied countries and the U.S., and Match and/or hunting grade ammo is widely available, it is very accurate, and has great ballistics.

Just my $.02, I hope this helps you make a decision.

If there is anything else you would like to know, please ask away


Tim

[daveyburt]

Originally Posted by choctaw

Kinda hard to stuff one of those into your pants though.

you must wear small pants.


thanks for the input guys! I didn't realize the XD was plastic and, yes, i'd like to put both in my hands...which are rather large.

i'm trying to decide on the revolver or .40 for the carry piece but, I'd like to gain proficiency with both.

thanks for the tip on .308 Tim. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Do they make a light load cartridge for plinking so my shoulder doesn't get sore?

Thanks guys! I'd like to spend the money right the first time so, I appreciate your input.

[timgreen_555]

THE Glock and XD are both plastic pistols, not really plastic the lowers are made of a high-tech polymer composite material, most newer pistols are made this way.

There are a ton of loads in .308...They don't kick to badly anyway.