Picking a second gun

drickster · Dec 17, 2020

Back in the spring i picked up my first gun, a striker fired Beretta APX. Now with a nice little Christmas bonus and spousal approval

its time to select my second weapon. I'm very torn on what to get next. the prepper in me wants an AR, the home defense guy thinks a solid rifle, and the recreational shooter in me wants to encourage my wife and daughter by picking up a 22 (which they both enjoy shooting more than other guns).

so I'm leaning towards...

Building my own AR 15 in 9 mm
picking up a 22. either a rifle, AR or pistol for the girls
or
getting another handgun of some sort. I'm torn between a carry gun and something just fun.

what did you guys do for your "second gun"?

budman93 · Dec 17, 2020

If i were you i would get or build an AR in 5.56

gremlin42 · Dec 17, 2020

budman93 said:
If i were you i would get or build an AR in 5.56

This is my current project - I’m not a big collector of things but prefer to have small numbers of all-purpose, reliable, easy to maintain tools. A 5.56 AR gives you flexibility on ammo, it’s relatively low recoil so even younger family can shoot it, it’s good for defense, target shooting up to a couple hundred yards, 3 gun competition, etc - And they’re really fun to shoot.

Buying a complete one is next to impossible right now so I went with the build from scratch route with guidance from very knowledgeable friends and family.

jabber6 · Dec 17, 2020

Make the girls happy now with a .22 and guns #3-5 will come easier for you...

gremlin42 · Dec 17, 2020

Though a 22 could be good if you’re entirely new to guns, I’ve had a couple 22 rifles since I was a kid along with my dad’s old crappy shotgun, so handgun shooting was the new frontier for me this year. A 22 is excellent for learning marksmanship fundamentals, particularly for a kid or anyone not fully comfortable with firearms.

trickg · Dec 17, 2020

You do realize that 2 guns aren't going to cover all the bases, right?

There are a lot of ways you could go:

Ruger 10/22 rifle
Marlin Model 60 22 rifle
Henry Golden Boy 22 Rifle
Browning Buckmark 22 pistol
Walther P22 22 pistol
Sig Mosquito 22 pistol
SHOTGUN! (Mossburg 500, Remington 870 - either one)

Building an AR right now is going to be a challenge, and it's going to depend on how you want to go. 80% lowers are pretty scarce these days, and regular stripped lowers are expensive and regulated - you have to go through the same process as if it were a handgun. You clearly have an HQL or are otherwise exempt from it, so that's good, but it puts you on the list for having one.

Also, from what I have seen recently, completed HBAR uppers are virtually nonexistent, and although you don't "have" to do an HBAR upper, I'd personally recommend it living here in Maryland - that's the one sure way to know that it's fully legal. That's what I do anyway - I have two that I've put together, both HBAR.

Having said that, there's a certain pride in building out your own AR, even if it's just installing a lower build kit on a stripped lower and slapping on a completed upper. As others have said, going with either 5.56 or .223 Wylde will insure that you'll be able to feed it any ammo - 5.56 or .223.

If you want something that's less expensive to feed, look at the 22s. They also seem to be pretty reasonably priced, although everything is fetching a premium these days. Personally, my next pistol purchase is going to be either a 2020 Colt Python, or a Sig P320/M17.

drickster · Dec 17, 2020

budman93 said:
If i were you i would get or build an AR in 5.56

Thanks! I was thinking 9mm (same ammo) .223 then .556 (my understanding is you can always use .223 in a .556 but not the other way around- do I have that right?)

i like the idea of a build because I love learning how stuff works.

drickster · Dec 17, 2020

That's awesome info, thank you! My youngest loves shooting and really enjoyed renting a Glock44 so i've been looking at that and the Walther P22. I'ts also making me think of a .22 AR style platform for her. She is certainly into the tacticool

trickg said:
You do realize that 2 guns aren't going to cover all the bases, right?

There are a lot of ways you could go:

Ruger 10/22 rifle
Marlin Model 60 22 rifle
Henry Golden Boy 22 Rifle
Browning Buckmark 22 pistol
Walther P22 22 pistol
Sig Mosquito 22 pistol
SHOTGUN! (Mossburg 500, Remington 870 - either one)

Building an AR right now is going to be a challenge, and it's going to depend on how you want to go. 80% lowers are pretty scarce these days, and regular stripped lowers are expensive and regulated - you have to go through the same process as if it were a handgun. You clearly have an HQL or are otherwise exempt from it, so that's good, but it puts you on the list for having one.

Also, from what I have seen recently, completed HBAR uppers are virtually nonexistent, and although you don't "have" to do an HBAR upper, I'd personally recommend it living here in Maryland - that's the one sure way to know that it's fully legal. That's what I do anyway - I have two that I've put together, both HBAR.

Having said that, there's a certain pride in building out your own AR, even if it's just installing a lower build kit on a stripped lower and slapping on a completed upper. As others have said, going with either 5.56 or .223 Wylde will insure that you'll be able to feed it any ammo - 5.56 or .223.

If you want something that's less expensive to feed, look at the 22s. They also seem to be pretty reasonably priced, although everything is fetching a premium these days. Personally, my next pistol purchase is going to be either a 2020 Colt Python, or a Sig P320/M17.

Neutron · Dec 17, 2020

Like stated before, going to be expensive to build the AR right now. Go for the 22. Easier to find one and ammo too. Less expensive to shoot and most importantly the wife and daughter factor in this decision.

drickster · Dec 17, 2020

jabber6 said:
Make the girls happy now with a .22 and guns #3-5 will come easier for you...

i'm thinking the same thing :party29:

gwchem · Dec 17, 2020

Second?

You should be planning for your tenth by now. Way behind the curve.

fidelity · Dec 17, 2020

Yeah, I'm in the AR-15 5.56 group too. They're such a versatile, easily customizable, easily fittable (adjustable stock), low recoil, user serviceable, and multifunctional platform. If you're here in Maryland, not knowing what the legislature might enact, getting one now, instead of putting it off as your third or fourth purchase is a gamble. Moreover, you can start by just purchasing the lower receiver.

I understand as a new shooter, one wants to spread their wings and explore new terrain. I started with a FiveSeven handgun, then decided I wanted something in 9mm (and got a Walther PPQ), and then I needed a revolver (a S&W 686), a 22LR rifle (Browning BL-22), etc. It was a wandering path.

I ordered AR-15 lower receivers only when MD decided to ban future purchase of all but heavy barrel AR-15 rifles. I started accumulating parts over time.

Eventually a friend and I were planning on a range day, went, and the range was closed for maintenance. So we were wondering what to do, and he knowing that I had purchased all the parts that I needed for a build, suggested why don't we do this. Went back to my place, and he told me what I needed to do, step by step. No YouTube needed. It was a fantastic busted day. Now I have an undetermined amount of them.

I feel lucky to have been in a position to buy before the 2013 MD Firearms Safety Act became law. This is also the legislation that gave us the HQL barrier for handgun purchases. An AR-15 is a rifle that every enthusiast of modern firearms should have in their collection. Maybe you'll like it so much, that you'll buy/build more. I do feel that some of your other options will continue to be available for purchase after the 2021 Maryland legislative session.

drickster · Dec 17, 2020

gwchem said:
Second?

You should be planning for your tenth by now. Way behind the curve.

I hate that you are right.....

Michigander08 · Dec 17, 2020

You can always get an AR 300 blackout. Ammo is expensive and you have to shoot outdoor for most range. Maybe you can shoot 4 times per year.

Pale Ryder · Dec 17, 2020

budman93 said:
If i were you i would get or build an AR in 5.56

This.

Here is how I would break down gun needs vs wants.
1: Defensive handgun.
2: Defensive carbine. 5.56>PCC, 9mm, 40, 45 etc.
3: 22LR rifle.
4: 12 or 20 gauge shotgun.
5: Long range rifle suitable for deer, hog, etc.
6: This is where wants start.

Kman · Dec 17, 2020

I wouldn't try to buy or build an ar right now.
I would research and buy a quality 22 rifle first.

outrider58 · Dec 17, 2020

Put me in the AR club too. The AR 15 is the modern day musket. It is the best offensive/defensive weapon you could put in your home.
Both my wife and daughter prefer shooting my ARs over .22s. Neither I would consider avid shooters.

Michigander08 · Dec 17, 2020

Pale Ryder said:
This.

Here is how I would break down gun needs vs wants.
1: Defensive handgun.
2: Defensive carbine. 5.56>PCC, 9mm, 40, 45 etc.
3: 22LR rifle.
4: 12 or 20 gauge shotgun.
5: Long range rifle suitable for deer, hog, etc.
6: This is where wants start.

Why 22LR is number 3?

Pale Ryder · Dec 17, 2020

Michigander08 said:
Why 22LR is number 3?

Training kids, small game, cheaper to feed. (Under normal conditions). I put it ahead of the shotgun; not much use of a shotgun for me outside of hunting if I have a carbine. You could reverse it depending on individual needs.

MEGARMS · Dec 17, 2020

Build an AR in 5.56 and then get yourself a 22 lr conversion kit. Best of both worlds

Picking a second gun

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Guns 'n Drums

Member

Member

Ultimate Member

Member

Ultimate Member

piled higher and deeper

Member

ridiculous and psychotic

Ultimate Member

Blah, blah, blah

Eats Bacon Raw

ridiculous and psychotic

Ultimate Member

KnowNothing

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics