Random gun thoughts (or what should I get next?)

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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It's 4:30 here and I'm wide awake because I'm too excited to go to bed. Just a few more days and I'll finally have the parts needed to complete my M4gery. Next weekend should be a great one--it's the start of football season and I plan on taking my new carbine to the range.

With the addition of this AR I will have 3 out of the 5 firearms that I think a person should own, at a minimum. I already have a .22lr rifle and a 1911. The two guns I need are a centerfire rifle and a shotgun. The problem is that I'm not sure what to get next. The guns I have in mind are a Remington 870 Wingmaster and a Springfield M1A.

I'm leaning heavily towards getting the M1A first. I know that I already have an AR, so the shotgun seems like the more logical choice to get first because of the utility it offers. The current political climate still makes me a little nervous though and I think I should get the M1A as it remains the more likely target of gun-grabbers.

Then again I may just go with the 870 first because a good shotgun is a necessity. Not to mention cheaper. For the price of a standard M1A I can get the Remington and a good bolt action .308. But what to get? I can get the 870 Express HD at Big 5 anytime for $350 and change. But the Wingmaster is so much nicer with its blued finish and wood furniture. Plus I can actually practice with a Wingmaster at the trap range (local range doesn't allow "tactical" shotguns).

I really want the M1A though. And the money I spend on a shotgun if bought first makes my saving for a M1A that much longer.

Decisions, decisions...

Ramble mode off, I feel really tired now...

What do you guys think?
 
Get what you really want,therefor get the M1A,a shotgun is cheap enough to be had at most anytime and the worst enemy you have isn't gun grabbers it's the retailers and owners! everytime some fool breaths talk of a "ban" prices just go insane.

Sorry but I get sick of people asking why some guns are so hard to get and turn around and sell some "EBR" they have for triple what it's worth.

I got my AR awhile ago and I'm pretty happy with it,may get another upper for different uses but that's it.

BTW if you want get a good hunting rifle I just found my "all around" gun a Browning A-Bolt....in .375 H&H :eek:

Yep I'm just a little crazy :D
 
how long is the range you shoot at ? if you go out past 200 yards your going to get frustrated with the limitations of open sights and start hankering for a good bolt gun, the M1A is a fine rifle and i own a 1989 NM model which i love but my bolt guns will outshoot it
 
You might consider applying for a Curio and Relic license..?think it's $30...from ATF...then either visiting, or going to one of the two CMP stores to get the M1A..that's the Garand, right? Do a google search on the C&R license.

A friend drove from Illinois to each of the stores over the last year..the North Store to get a M1 carbine, the South Store for a Garand. If I recall correctly, the Garand was under $500. (He didn't have to visit, but wanted to look at guns. He'd gotten others in the mail in very good shape. They have different grades.)

But...My opinion only...for a shooter...that's a damned heavy gun to be traipsing around with. You already mentioned the money issue. BUT...it is an investment, I'm told.

I've never really heard any hunter complain about their 870. Never. Don't have one, but that's just me.

Best of luck.
 
No the M1A is a semi auto M14.
The Garand is the M1.

Kamagong: Personally, I'd get the one you really want. Get the M1A.
They are really sweet guns (although WAY out of my price range, good on you if you can afford it). It's not easy, but they can also be scoped, so it's not a big deal that it's not a bolt gun. Also, if you get one that doesn't come with it, get the self-adjusting gas valve, so you can use just about any .308 ammo without messing up the op rod.
 
kamagong said:
I can get the 870 Express HD at Big 5 anytime for $350 and change. But the Wingmaster is so much nicer with its blued finish and wood furniture.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that the difference between Express and Wingmaster goes beyond finish, etc. Wingmaster barrels won't fit on an express for some reason - different receiver or something. Not sure about other aftermarket parts.
 
My advice for the shotgun is to get a standard capacity 870 Police Magnum.
It's based on the Wingmaster, but has parkerized metal finish.
Also the trigger guard is metal, not plastic (the Express is plastic), the standard cap is 4 round magazine, like a "hunting" Wingmaster. However, unlike the Express, it does not have dimples in the end or the magazine preventing more than 4 rounds going in, so you can add a magazine extension for HD duty, and then just take it off for going to the trap range.

The Police also comes with an anti-jam follower, and can take any 870 barrel. I'd get it with either the 18.5" fixed IC barrel, and an extra Remchoke hunting barrel, or with the 20" RemChoke barrel, has has rifle sights on it.
 
Just to mix it up, why not consider the browning BPS for a shotgun? Top tang safety, bottom eject, and very elegant guns. In the old days, they were more nicely finished than even the Wingmasters.

I know you want the M1A, but the AR fulfils the semi auto deal right? I would recommend getting a quality .308 bolt gun with a very high quality scope.

take care,

Tom

:)
 
Or get a used Ithaca 37! Light guns, very well made, and the desirable "machine gun" trigger!

Tom
 
gravertom said:
Just to mix it up, why not consider the browning BPS for a shotgun? Top tang safety, bottom eject, and very elegant guns. In the old days, they were more nicely finished than even the Wingmasters.
Click to expand...
I'll have to take a look at that.

gravertom said:
I know you want the M1A, but the AR fulfils the semi auto deal right? I would recommend getting a quality .308 bolt gun with a very high quality scope.
Click to expand...
Not exactly. My AR will be carbine length. I still need a full length battle rifle. Of course the .308 bolt gun is probably the wisest choice, but the M1A is just too cool.

Where's Danny? I expected him to have chimed in by now.
 
I can't comment on what you should get next, but I have been VERY happy with my 870 express synthetic:thumbup: I know, I know...plastic everywhere. meh...it's a purpose driven shotgun at a great price point. If I were to invest in an heirloom shotgun, I would get one of those really nice O/U ones with the gold inlay. For me, I need a rough and tumble pump action for home defense. 18.5" barrel, factory magazine extension, no bells no whistles. I MIGHT put some ghost sites on it sooner or later, but I doubt it. Just 6 shots of buckshot ready at a moment's notice. Sexy? Nah. Affordable reliability and utility? Absolutely.
Now, my actual packing and shooting for fun shotgun, I have a cheap lil' nickle plated O/U Condor Outback (even has a steel trigger guard). Great little shooter for camping, the truck, the trunk, the boat. Short, breaks down into three pieces, and shoulders quickly. Not what you're looking for, but I love mine.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
No the M1A is a semi auto M14.
The Garand is the M1.

Kamagong: Personally, I'd get the one you really want. Get the M1A.
They are really sweet guns (although WAY out of my price range, good on you if you can afford it). It's not easy, but they can also be scoped, so it's not a big deal that it's not a bolt gun. Also, if you get one that doesn't come with it, get the self-adjusting gas valve, so you can use just about any .308 ammo without messing up the op rod.
Click to expand...

OK. :foot: That is an investment rifle, not something I'd want to carry. Of course, the same is true of the Garand.

Thanks, Kamagong.:)
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I'd get it with either the 18.5" fixed IC barrel, and an extra Remchoke hunting barrel,
Click to expand...

Thats what I got, except it came with an 18" cylinder bore. Parkerizing has held up well over the years in spite of alot of travels. My other bbl is a 26" vented with remchokes and two beads. Very accurate with slugs.

This gun can be totally detail stripped in about a minute, which is nice on those days the gun has to be "drained" after use.


I got my Uncle's old Model 37 too, but do not care for the bottom ejection at all. It is just too tough to figure out if there is a shell in the chamber on that thing, and taking it apart without instructions and tools is pretty much a no-go.
 
Tough choice. I have an M1A, and love it. Couple things to think about, though. Magazines---you're gonna need them, and they're not exactly cheap. For my magazine fed rifles, I keep a minimum of 10 mags.
Scope---There are a few different scope mounts out there. Problem is, all are not created equal. Sadlak makes one of the best, but there again, they aren't exactly giving them away. The mounts from Springfield Armory are mediocre at best.
Ammo---They are hungry rifles. Their food isn't cheap.


870 is great as well--I have 2.
 
Before anyone lets the magazine issue sour their opinion, the M14's magazine is possibly the greatest thing about it. They're expensive if you buy USGI, but you'll only need to buy them once. They always work (again, USGI only) and they're nearly indestructible. Buy a few for use, a few for spares, and pass them all on to your grandchildren.

I've never quite understood the cult of personality that surrounds the M1A/M14 but if that's what you want, you might as well get it now. I don't see them getting any less expensive in the future.
 
Dave Rishar said:
Before anyone lets the magazine issue sour their opinion, the M14's magazine is possibly the greatest thing about it. They're expensive if you buy USGI, but you'll only need to buy them once. They always work (again, USGI only) and they're nearly indestructible. Buy a few for use, a few for spares, and pass them all on to your grandchildren.

I've never quite understood the cult of personality that surrounds the M1A/M14 but if that's what you want, you might as well get it now. I don't see them getting any less expensive in the future.
Click to expand...


And this from a former U.S. Navy RangeMaster!

Nice to see you, Dave.
 
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