Help me pick one rifle and one shotgun for life.
Posted by RegardedCaveman@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 59 comments
Downsizing my collection and would appreciate your feedback.
All shooting ranges in my area no longer allow shotguns except clay shooting, and I don’t really enjoy shooting rifles at paper anymore.
I would say I use the double more than all of my other guns. Mostly trap/skeet, occasional hunting, did some cowboy action, and currently home defense.
Not sure if I really need an AR anymore, seems like the zombie apocalypse isn’t happening in my lifetime.
Btw the Ruger bolt action is a 300 blk.
AbleNecessary2518@reddit
La meilleure arme est celle que vous maitrisez, gardez le double barrel!
oldcrow0999@reddit
too many good options!!!
JackfruitNo2854@reddit
Keep the mk18, 10/22, Ruger American and the benelli. All the others I can justify getting rid of
vividlyvivids@reddit
Keep the benelli and mk18 the rest gift em to me!
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Are you saying my mk18 sucks so bad you don’t even want it
vividlyvivids@reddit
On a serious note it looks like a nice shooter.
vividlyvivids@reddit
Fine I'll have the colt m4 then
Khaden_Allast@reddit
I'd prefer a text statement of what each of those guns are. I think I know most of them, but can't be certain, which makes it a bit difficult to say.
Personally, out of your collection, I'd go with a semi-auto rifle (one of the ARs) and the pump shotty. This is coming from the perspective of a hunter, and I'd honestly prefer the semi-auto to be in .308.
I'm looking at this from a hunting perspective, and things get complicated in a hurry with the shotgun there because, well, shotguns are actually pretty complicated for hunting (the type of game, environment, how realistic a follow-up shot is and how far the game will have traveled between shots, etc). A double-barrel is potentially super useful there, but I've personally never really been able to maximize the advantages of a side-by-side (SxS)... I've had more luck with over/unders (O/U) but have you seen the cost of a decent dual trigger O/U recently?! No thank you! Anyway, point is that, for me, a pump action and SxS would serve largely the same purpose, but the pump keeps the sights in line with the barrel. The offset with the SxS has resulted in me winging a few too many birds than I'd prefer.
For the semi-auto rifle, it's about versatility. Sure the .22lr can take small game, but realistically whether for pest control or food you're better off using traps for that. If you have larger "pests" like coyotes or stray dogs or such, you'd obviously want a .223 over a .22lr (at least it's obvious if you've ever actually encountered a feral dog that wants nothing more than to rip your throat out), and the .223 can also take larger game (and/or at greater distances) than a .22lr. Of course as mentioned I'd prefer the .308, because it can reliably take even larger game at much greater distances, and is just as good at dealing with such pests. However in defense of the 5.56 NATO ARs pictured, I will say that at least with those you can get one of those CMMG conversion kits to shoot .22lr out of it. They're not exactly ideal for "real world" uses, but if you ever just want to plink at the range for cheap they're not terrible.
Anyway, it all depends on what you actually use the guns for. These considerations of mine mean nothing for someone who doesn't regularly hunt.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the thoughtful response you made some really good points.
Here is a list:
Colt M4 14.5” 5.56.
DD MK18 10.3” 5.56.
Benelli M4 18.5” 12 ga. threaded choke.
Remington 870 18.5” / 28” 12 ga. Both barrels threaded choke.
CZ hammer coach 20” cylinder bore / 30” threaded choke 12ga.
Ruger American Ranch 16” .300BLK + YHM suppressor.
Ruger 10/22 16” .22lr.
Khaden_Allast@reddit
Between the ARs, at a glance I'd say the Colt M4, but there are caveats there because of the gas system. Namely, if I remember correctly, Colt still primarily uses the "mil-spec" carbine length gas system, which means the gun is essentially over-gassed. That's not a bad "problem" to have in certain scenarios, but does mean parts of the gun are being subjected to greater forces than necessary, or even than they are intended for. In a vacuum I'd have less of an issue, but here we're comparing it to a Daniel Defense AR. Even though DD's AR arguably has even more overall shortcomings due to the shorter barrel, in term of longevity I'd suspect it would last longer than the Colt. Granted it could be my own bias, but I just don't trust Colt to provide anything more than the absolute minimum, while I'd expect at a bit more out of Daniel Defense.
Also, your CZ confuses me. I assume it's a typo, but from the way your wrote it there one barrel is 10 inches longer than the other. Assuming it's a typo, being a 20" or 30" makes a bit of difference, namely solely because even as a break action a 30" as a home defense gun (happened to see you mention that in other responses) is a bit much. I mean, it could definitely work in a lot of situations, but I'd prefer something a little more versatile than a 30" barreled shotgun for home defense. Even as a 20" though, I'd personally still prefer the pump. It's the sights thing, I've winged too many critters by not accounting for the difference in windage. That's a "me" thing, you could very well be trained out of it, but that's a personal call. Does bug me though that one of your barrels seems to be a fixed cylinder bore. I'd prefer both as a removable choke, just because generally speaking imp cyl is arguably the smallest choke you'd ever need for a shotgun firing shot, some highly specialized loads or situations not withstanding. Granted there was also some controversy with slugs a few years back, and the "zeitgeist" of the time was any choke other than open cyl was bad and potentially catastrophic if it was a screw-in choke, so I'm trying not to be too critical (could have been designed around that thought). Still, I think that was a decade or so ago that people had that misconception, as imp cyl arguably improves the accuracy of most slugs (though with removeable chokes firing any slug through them will likely make them more difficult to actually remove, with which repeated shots without cleaning can become an issue).
Anyway, these are just my thoughts. Reading through this, you seem to mention skeet (potentially trap?) shooting, which has its own rules and concerns for shotguns, and at the range rifles have their own considerations as well. Case-in-point, if I was only considering range shooting I'd pick the 10/22 to out of all of your rifles. The ammo is cheaper sure, which is a consideration, but target shooting with .22lr can go so much further. People spend literally thousands of dollars chasing fractions of a percentage of accuracy improvements for .22lrs of all types (custom barrels, receivers, etc), simply because for their uses it's "necessary." While it's nothing I'd use a .22lr for, I wouldn't say they're wrong to do it. It's just that the target they're chasing isn't the game that I'm hunting.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
The 20” set of barrels is cylinder bore, the 30” set is screwed for chokes. See the second to last photo.
vividlyvivids@reddit
Keep the mk18 and the bennelli, give the rest to me.
tykaboom@reddit
Well... if I was going to go with only one of each... I would want the best options.
I would go ar10 because you can hunt pretty much anything with an ar10, and only stocking .308 isn't that expensive... it gets expensive when you are stocking 6.5cm, .308win, .338lapua, .50bmg, 45/70gvt, .243, etc. All at the same time. Probably a seekins.
Then for a shotgun I would go with a mossberg 590 5 round tube, and get an 835 vent rib barrel, and have it worked over by a gunsmith.
5 rounds is enough in 12 ga when you have a .308 to back it up.
Senorisgrig@reddit
Mans got 2 ARs, a benelli M4 and a pump shotty, but still uses the double barrel for home defense?
Dudewithaviators57@reddit
Out of all those, the double barrel is what I'd want sitting in an evidence locker for 5 years before I get it back. That's why I have a maverick 88 for HD.
MONSTERBEARMAN@reddit
“Just fire two blasts into the air!”
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Yep that’s how little I like those anymore.
Senorisgrig@reddit
Just crazy to use the least effective one of the bunch for that purpose
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
I’m built weird with long legs and like trex arms. I shoot it the most because it fits me the best, got about 2k live rounds and about 5k reps dry fire laser snap caps, the external hammers make that really easy to practice.
It’s basically a third arm at this point.
RickySlayer9@reddit
Shotgun? Bennelli M4 (I prefer the H2O)
Rifle honestly any AR platform of decent quality
Popular-Ad2193@reddit
Best I can do for you is 1 ar, 1 bolt action rifle, benelli and of course your double barrel since that seems to be your favorite! I think you should keep all of them but this is the bare minimum I’ll allow
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Haha alright I appreciate you bud.
ecodick@reddit
Agreed with that guy, but.... I also agree with the other comments unless something is going on in your life you really don't have the space or really need the money.
I've also lived in states where new laws changed what was legal or available, and I was glad to have what I couldn't get any more. The double barrel isn't going to get banned any time soon, but semi auto rifles are weirdly hated by people who don't like guns.
cryptidhunter101@reddit
Selling off stuff and not keeping an AR 15 is plain idiotic stupidity. It is the most common rifle pattern in the US used extensively by both military and law enforcement. In the event shit hits the fan you can always find parts, ammo, and mags for an AR-15. Additionally it is one of the most effective home defense and predator control tools ever devised. Keep one, just in case. As for shotguns, if I could only have one it would not be a double. Keep your double and your favorite combat style shotgun. People regret selling everything and anything or their heirs regret them doing that, keep a few rifles, keep a few shotguns.
G19Jeeper@reddit
Totally depends on where your interests lie now.
Im a hunter but I also shoot tactical rifles and precision rifles so theres simply no way I could justify one rifle. Maybe one of each niche but not one do all.
For shotguns, the 870 would probably be the most effective, versatile and efficient for the money. You can buy a 28" field barrel for clays.
If I truly had to pick one rifle for the rest of my life, it would be my Tikka CTR .308 with NF ATACR 4-20 MILs. But that would never happen. Keep an AR. You never know when shit might get crazy in this country and you may just need it to defend yourself.
NearbyZombie45@reddit
From experience, you’ll regret getting rid of them. Id keep them all. Put them away for now. In time youll get the bug again and want to go shoot or find a need for them. Situations change, interests adapt, etc etc. Just hold onto them, I say.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Appreciate your advice.
Actually sold 25 other guns 3 years ago and I don’t miss any of them.
Not gonna lie I’ve been waiting for the bug for 3 years and the zombie apocalypse for 20.
NearbyZombie45@reddit
Zombie apocalypse won’t ever happen. It just fuels the fun.
The bug comes and goes. 3 years is a short time.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
I’m pretty bummed out no one is willing to answer my prompt at face value.
LuckyDeadWolf@reddit
Do the wood furniture pieces bro!
NearbyZombie45@reddit
“Downsizing my collection and would appreciate your feedback.“
The feedback is “I wouldn’t if I was you”.
yellowjackethokie@reddit
I'm taking the ACOG AR-15 and 870.
Tactical_Epunk@reddit
MK18, Benelli M4, 10/22. But honestly I'd just keep them.
RacerXrated@reddit
Left side AR (magnification and FSB), side by side shotgun because it's sexy.
nsfwsten@reddit
Here's the thing, the used gun market right now is depressed as hell for a whole host of reasons someone could write a whole book about.
So unless you need to sell them now, I'd hold on until the used market recovers.
All that said if I had to I'd start with selling the Mk18. The Anderson lower isn't worth the cost of shipping and dealing with an NFA transfer.
Strip everything off it, and chuck it in your sock drawer. List the upper, AEMS, NGAL, and, 640 all separate, you'll actually sell it that way.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
I guess I’ll just wait a few years for the next regularly scheduled gun panic and sell them.
nsfwsten@reddit
I'd also look into a 22lr upper or conversion for it. Personally the cost of ammo was a big wet blanket on my enjoyment of shooting. I sold a few of my centerfire guns and bought a few 22s and about 5,000 rounds of ammo and broke even. Now that fuel and match fees are the most expensive part of shooting I'm having a lot more fun and shooting more.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
I hear you. I’ve got a 10/22 in there if you haven’t seen it. It’s probably the most utilitarian gun you can own if the apocalypse could hurry up and get here.
GrimHoly@reddit
I know it’s not the answer you are looking for but especially with the way laws are going I would never sell. Besides these would be sick as family pass downs.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Wdym about laws
GrimHoly@reddit
See Virginia, Rhode Island and Maryland. If Dems get nationwide trifecta those laws are likely going nationwide.
Kitsterthefister@reddit
If your former mil, I’d hang onto the work rifle set up
redbirds4life@reddit
What’s the double barrel?
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
CZ hammer
Interesting-Ask-1123@reddit
What is that brown color on the furniture and can? It’s majestic. Unless it’s just photo editing or retouching. I love it. Like peanut butter lol.
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
It’s carhartt brown, took my jacket to home depot and had them pick up a little sample can
Interesting-Ask-1123@reddit
Amazing idea. Thank you!
ohpizzawow@reddit
I’ve had the Benelli 1014 for almost two years and it’s never been shot because of the local ranges
RegardedCaveman@reddit (OP)
Yep and now with the Turkish clones nobody is willing to pay good money for this Benelli. Most expensive paper weight I own.
nsfwsten@reddit
Turkish clones are not the reason real M4s aren't selling well, the 1301 being cheaper and better is.
Animaleyz@reddit
Sorry, I can't participate in that kind of oppression
LowerFroyo4623@reddit
M4
Content-Jacket7081@reddit
“The Zombie Apocalypse isn’t happening “. Just what the woke media wants you to think.
scorpionewmoon@reddit
The second you part with that last shotgun is the same second the zombie virus takes the first human.
bmm115@reddit
Simple. All of them. Jokes aside, all of them that you can afford.
Content-Jacket7081@reddit
How much do you want for the AR with the silencer?
thatoneguyj2021@reddit
Personal I'm against down size every caliber/gauge has purpose have you tried going to the mountains or country to shoot there I tend to go into the woods to target practice(I have almost no ranges near me and I one that is close wants a membership I don't want to pay for) just make sure to clean up after yourself and if possible others that don't I normally bring a few garbage bags at least one for me and two for the garbage others leave behind
moving0target@reddit
Never sell!
trevticks@reddit
Unless you really need the money, I would hang onto them.