Shotgun or rifle?

OK. From your references to Kurt Cobain, it seems you have concerns, etc., for what happened to him. One thing that's known for sure concerning him is that a shotgun was used.

Then, you suggest for somebody to get a shotgun and saw it off. After Megalobyte reproaches you, you say you were just kidding. Three posts in this thread later, you write, "i still think you should get a shotgun and saw off the barrel".

It all looks like a very confusing, very strange joke, one that I don't understand.
 
Getting back on track...

A Remington 870 is a good shotgun to start with. Other than getting to be a proficient shooter with it, it has coolness factor. It doesn't look like something a tactical operator wannabe would own, it more like a "grandpa gun" making it more jury friendly if it's ever used in home/self defense.
 
sorry, im just jokein around. im not tryin to piss anyone off, i just like shotguns with little barrels, sawwed off or made that way, whatever its called. :confused:
 
Good Evening All-

Generally speaking, it is easier to find places to shoot shotguns that it is to find places to shoot rifles. Depending on load (buckshot, birdshot, slugs), the shotgun can be used in a wider variety of sporting applications.

The concept of "looking cool" shouldn't really have to factor into this purchase decision. List all the ways you plan on using the firearm and see which of the two satisfies the most requirements.

They're both great tools, you'll just have to figure which provides the most practicality. Enjoy!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
You say it's usually easier to find places for shotgunning than for rifle shooting. I would have to say differently - as I understand it, rifles can be used indoors at certain ranges, or at outdoor ranges with good backstops, while shotguns are used outdoors. Isn't it easier to find a rifle range than a shotgun range, because the shotgun range has to have extra land for a backstop? Sounds logical to me, anyway.

I think looks are a big factor. Who wants to shoot an ugly gun? :p

What do used AR's go for, usually? And which is usually considered better, Bushmaster or Colt?

Ash

btw, Spyder Punk is a weird one. ;)
 
from my somewhat limited experience, use of rifles at indoor ranges is typically limited to .22LR. An AR would probably not be permitted.

Aside from that, if all you are looking for is a fun rifle that you can tinker w/, an inexpensive Yugo SKS may be a reasonable alternative. They can be had for less than $150 in near new/unissued condition, take a reasonable round (7.62x39), can be accessorized extensively (new stock, optics, etc...), and are generally fun rifles. you could more than likely get the SKS, a polymer stock, a scope/mount and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than $400. It doesn't have the gee whiz factor of the AR, and detachable magazines, although available, are iffy. I have one, and it's in unissued condition, excellent wood, great metal/bore. Cost less than $130. Got 1000 rounds of ammo & 60 stripper clips for less than $120 (delivered). Give it a look.

Sam
 
marlins are ****** guns

and dont buy a rifle, because you are going to be able to buy it
you have to use it for something important

what my dad did, and always loved that he did, is he was in the us, some hillbilly state and he bought a cops shotgun for some money
he still uses it for hunting





go buy a wetherby,,,,,,,,, 300s are nice
 
Good Evening All-

Asha'man, only the smallest of rifles (e.g. .22 rimfires) can be used indoors. The power and report of typical centerfire rifles precludes them from indoor activities. Shoot a .308 indoors? OUCH! A modern shotgun has limited range (usually not more than 200 meters), which makes it useful for shorter distances in crowded living areas. For this reason, you'll more easily find a shotgun range than a rifle range. While I love them both, I get more use from my shotguns than my rifles.

Thanks, Flotsam for providing additional detail in this area.

If you do a search using keywords like "Bushmaster and Colt" or "Bushmaster and DPMS" or "AR-15 comparison," you'll get lots of feedback threads from sites like The Firing Line.

Have fun,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
The concept of "looking cool" shouldn't really have to factor into this purchase decision. List all the ways you plan on using the firearm and see which of the two satisfies the most requirements.
Click to expand...

i respectfully dissent. one major, if not the major, reason for him buying this gun is because it looks and feels "cool" and makes the user feel good. there is nothing wrong w/ this as long as the user employs the gun in a safe and responsible manner.
it seems as if efficacy and utility are not major concerns. i want a shorty too - not b/c i plan to shoot it much or b/c i need it for HD, but b/c it just looks really intimidating.

i say buy the bushmaster shorty, be aware of other's impressions and feelings, and stay safe.
 
Good Evening All-

notos&w, I like your screen name, as in, "Just Say No to Smith & Wesson!"

I believe that we agree with each other more than you think. My suggestions aren't made to "dissuade" anyone from any firearm purchase they are looking to make...especially if responsible ownership is envisioned and we're welcoming a young person into a lifetime of the shooting sports.

The point I'm trying to make is that for a typical 18 year old, a couple hundred / couple thousand dollars is a good amount of cash to spend for his or her first longarm. Might as well get as much bang for the buck as possible.

If you have enough money, you could purchase a Freightliner tractor-trailer truck...but it sure would be a pain to drive for a five-mile commute and park in the company lot! :)

Same concept here, purchase the tool you'll be able to use most frequently and with the least amount of travel, expense, and hassle.

Have fun,

~ Blue Jays ~
 
About the indoor rifle ranges - sounds good. For some reason I had this mental picture of a centerfire-rifle-safe range. :footinmou

Yep, looks are big. That's one of the main reasons why I'm looking at the AR series.

And a question about those: On Bushmaster's site, they have rifle kits that include everything except the lower receiver, which you get from your local FFL dealer. Now, I'm no gunsmith, but I think I could build the rifle (with a good manual) if it's that assembled already. Have any of you had experience doing this? Sounds like a good, fun moneysaver if it's practical.

Ash
 
If I was in your position, I would buy a pistol caliber lever action carbine. I have several Rossi Winchester 92 copies and love them, but a Marlin 1984 would do very well also.

Not very exotic, but cheap to shoot, cheap to buy, and (depending on caliber and load selection) it can be a vey capable defensive and/or hunting gun. I would also consider a Yugo or Romanian SKS.
 
Personally, I'd go with the Rolling Ring of Earth and Fire. (Great username!)

Really, I'm waiting to get my hands on a Bushy, so that's my vote.

~W
 
Easy, it depends on what ya wanna do with it. Shottie is a great cave defender, but overall length can be detrimental to close quarter combat, which is why some go with sawed off bbls. (Of course how many short bbld shotguns do you see employed by entry teams?) Ever wonder why the border patrol 'needs' them? I could be wrong, but if your shotgun leaves the factory with a pistol grip, you can pay the tax for an AOW - any other weapon- to shorten the bbl. The cost - $15? If the shotgun leaves the factory with the full stock then I think you need to go the normal title II route - $200 for the tax stamp to legally shorten the barrel. Then of course you need to realize that a short bbld shotgun is going to be LOUD - as in KABOOM - but so will the .223.

Rifle, I guess you are looking at most versatile here, not long range like a .308. Here I'd say the best bet would be a Bushmaster. Has the cool factor but also a lot easier to control than the shotgun. The shottie might look cool but unless you mount it right, you will knock the crap out of your shoulder. Plus your girlfriend might be too scared to shoot it, which would be a bummer if you are trying to get her into shooting. The Bushmaster, while loud, has a low recoil impulse and is accurate enough to tear the heck out of targets a good distance away.

The shottie is probably a more serious tool for you, up close and personal. Might not be fun for target shooting, but clay pigeons would be fun...

The bushmaster is no doubt also a serious tool but also more versatile in the sense that you can defend a barricaded position almost as well (it's the tactics not the tools anyway) but you can hit nicely out to 2-300 yards with lower recoil.

I'm strapped for cash so I had to choose one rifle for the time being. Well, my girl forced me into an AK which makes sense because we live in the dusty desert. If I could save up, I would love to have an M1A, but alas, I'll probably settle for the AR next.

Bottom line is they are two very different tools for different jobs. An AR can do better at short ranges than a shotgun can at longranges (*IMO* of course... a rifle bbld shotgun with sabots can do well).

A search on AR15.com or thefiringline.com might help lots.
 
I have to say that I really enjoy shooting my Bushmaster. I bought the M4 Post Ban, and I have taken deer with it, but I would rather use one of my other rifles for deer hunting. If you want one that is fun to shoot, and looks cool, then by all means get yourself a Bushmaster or Colt. Every now and then I wish I would have bought the M1A instead.


If you decide to go the shotgun route, then an 870 gets my vote.
 
Get the 870 Express, 26" barrel, with composite stock and butt. You can purchase a second barrel that is a legal 18 inches. And please, what ever you do don't saw off a barrel.
 
Well, my fickle self has been thinking again, and I'm now considering a nice bolt-action rifle. The one I'm picturing is a Remington 700, just because I've seen more pics of it than others. What could I be looking to pay for something like this, and then a decent scope? They're only .308, right?

Ash
 
the remington 700 comes in a lot more than just .308

it is a great rifle but a long way from the guns at the beginning of the post.
 
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