By: Jay Loeffers

Hi everyone… Let’s talk about Guns! I know you and I love the guns we all own, whether it’s just that tricked out 1911 you always wanted, or that first .22 bolt rifle you got for Christmas. Today I am going to be giving suggestions on guns for first time preppers and gun buyers on a budget. During a WROL situation, there will be no law enforcement to be called on. If this situation is prolonged and you’re out in the country and your supplies start to run low, there are plenty of opossums and squirrels out there.

DEFENSE CARBINES

1. M-16/AR-15: This is one of the copied rifles out there and it is easy to get one from the over 200 manufacturers that make them. They are in any caliber you want from .22LR to .50cal. But they are really pricey. Most start at $1,200 for a good all around one and a piston operated one will grab you at around $2,500. Now you can build an AR yourself and save some money. BUT, you run the risk of getting half commercial spec parts, getting military spec parts and creating a Frankenstein rifle that may or may not cycle or work. Some companies offer value priced ARs, but do your homework and ask if they are chrome lined and what is the rifle’s twist rate. For the first time AR buyer, I recommended the SMITH & WESSON M&P 15 SPORT. This is a great first timer’s AR rifle at about $700 and with S&W’s great customer service, you can’t go wrong.

2. AK-47/AK-74/SKS/AKM/SAIGA/RPK: These are the number one copied rifles in the world. Name a Communist/Soviet block country and it’s made there. You could pay anything from $350 (SKS) up to $1,300 (Custom built/Conversation AK-47). These rifles come in .22LR, 5.45X39, 7.62X39, 7.62X54, 5.56X45, 7.62X51, 12GA or .410GA. For you budget first timers, get a base SKS. With the wide selection of aftermarket parts out there, you custom build it yourself and it’s a lot of fun.

RUGER MINI 14/MINI 30/MINI 6.8/10/22

There is no doubt I am a real Ruger fan. Over half of my guns are Rugers and I own a MINI 14. They are the great grandson of the M1 GARAND and just as reliable, but in a smaller, lighter weight package. My MINI 14 is the new second generation Tactical version with the improved gas block, thicker barrel and flash hider. I have an awesome green Tapco stock on it. These rifles come in .22LR (10/22 – I have one of these too, I love them. Mine’s decked out.), .223/5.56, 6.8 (A warning: the ammo is extremely hard to find and is really pricey. I don’t recommend it.) and 7.62×39. Base price starts at $180 (10/22 – a great buy) to $750 (Tactical Mini 14 – still a good buy). The aftermarket has a wide range of MINI 14/10/22 parts for you to deck out your guns.

GOING SURPLUS?

That’s something you should do your homework on; it is the cheaper way to go for the most part. You can get MOSIN NOGANTS rifles for between $99 to $120, BUT inspect it inside and out and put a light down the bore. Is the barrel rusted out? Is the rifling gone? Pull the bolt out. Are the springs spongy? So please shop with care when going Surplus.

HANDGUNS

GLOCKs are the most market dominant handgun around the world and in America. At last count, GLOCK had 60% of the police market. I own a GLOCK 21 3rd Gen in .45 and I love it. GLOCKs are not pricey new. If you want to save cash, used GLOCKs are the way to go. They come in 9mm (4 models), .40s&w (4 models), .45 (3 models) and also in .357sig, 10mm and .45gap. I don’t recommend these for the average first time buyer. These calibers are very pricey and are hard to come by. GLOCKs are easy to learn to shoot well, easy to take care of and easy to customize.

RUGER SR9/SR9C, SR40/SR40C, SR1911, P95, P345, GP100, SP101, LCR, LCP, LC9, 22/45

These are Ruger’s bread and butter. In just this past quarter they sold a million of these and they are so behind that they had to stop taking orders temporarily, until they get caught up. So grab them as fast as you can, these pistols are never over priced and come in the most common calibers.

SMITH & WESSION SD9/SD40, M&P 9, 40, 45 BODYGUARD, AIRWIEGHT

You know the name and you know the history. Now know their valued products. If you are on a tight budget, go for the SD pistol priced around $400. It has the M&P trigger in a value designed frame and is trying to move away from the crappy Glock ripoff SIGMA. The SD uses the Sigma magazine and they work just fine. Calibers are 9mm and .40s&w.

A NOTE ON KEL TEC

They have been placed as the 3rd largest gun manufacturer in America, but unfortunately their product distribution has been mostly nonexistent. There has been a heavy demand for the PMR 30, PF 9, P3-AT, SUB-2000 (GLOCK VERSION) and the KSG SHOTGUN. With most shops having a 70 to 80 person waiting list of between 6 months to a year, only to have one or two come in. I don’t recommend holding your breath for a KEL TEC product.

TAURUS

Their product quality is up and down. Their prices are alright. Their model choices are many from large service pistols to compact autos and the funky ones like THE JUDGE .410/.45colt revolver. Shop carefully with this company.

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING, AND I REPEAT ANYTHING, FROM HI-POINT AT ALL. YOU ARE BETTER OFF WITH A ROLLED UP NEWSPAPER.

THE BOOMSTICK (YOUR SHOTGUN)

For a Guy on a tight budget and a first time shotgun buyer, stay with the classic 12 gauge pump action shotgun. It is always faithful and is devastating at close range with 00 Buck or a slug.

Brand list:

MOSSBERG 500/590 MODELS
REMINGTON 870
WINCHESTER SUPER X DEFENDER
MAVERICK 800
WEATHERBY
BENELLI SUPER NOVA
BOLT ACTION RIFLES

For you first timers out there, this is a good way for keeping the wandering hoard away at long range and to feed you and your family in the long run. If you can get a .22LR and a .30cal bolt gun, both with good light gathering scopes and a comfortable sling, do so. All the best manufactures have high value bolt guns under $600 for the large 30cal and under $200 for the .22LR bolt gun. So shop around and do your homework.

FIRST TIME GUN OWNER AND THE FAMILY

You and your wife more then likely talk about prepping and arming up. She probably has worries about gun safety, which is understandable with the anti-gun media cooking the number of fatal gun accidents per year. A housewife might think 10 million kids die from guns in America every year. This is why you get the whole family together and talk about the plan to buy guns and how to get everyone involved in safety training, practice and operation of the gun. When you clear the myth and mystery of a gun away, then you cut down on the accidents as well. Teach your kids gun safety rules and remind them at the range as well. When the gun is stored up at home, give them this simple rule: If you want to look at the gun or know more about it, just ask permission. We will gladly share and look at it together. This kills their curiosity and reduces the danger of a household accident.