A gun for the whole family

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by fortunateson, Feb 14, 2010.


  1. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    I've been thinking of purchasing additional firearms so that I have 2 of each category:
    2 hunting rifles
    2 semi-autos
    2 shotguns
    2 full size pistols etc.

    Preferably, I'd like to get the same make and model of each so that in a TSHTF scenario, I can scavenge parts from one to another if necessary and prolong the overall life of my arsenal. I'd also be able to buy one batch of ammo for each gun.

    Ok, that said, the big question now is on the last entry: full size pistols.
    Last year I bought a Taurus 24/7 in 9mm.

    I love the thing. Fits my hand great, wife and even kids can shoot it with no problem. That answers part of the question. Second gun will most likely be a 24/7.
    I am questioning the cartridge however.

    Question is, should I trade it for 2 .40SW or 2 .45ACP - again sticking with Taurus.

    Is going for more stopping power worth
    1. losing 2 - 5 rounds in the magazine?
    2. ending up having to spend more on ammo?
    3. Having a gun that the wife and kids would find more difficult to handle.

    Opinions welcome.
     
  2. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    First of all, I love the 2 idea. I think all firearms should be bought in pairs. [applaud]

    Second, I agree about caliber. I prefer one that begins in "4" just like the old gunfighter saying. With proper training, a 9mm can be just as effective. Especially with the right ammo. I carry a 9mm for a living. I don't feel under gunned because I have shot thousands and thousands of rounds through it. Just think about that. You may decide that you don't want to change calibers. You already mentioned the price difference. More ammo = more training.

    I still understand your desire for a larger caliber and given the choice, I choose .45 ACP. Now, .45 may be a bit much for your kids (you didn't mention ages) and possibly your wife. My wife prefers a .45 as well (she also carried 9mm for a living). I doubt that your children or wife would perceive much of a difference between the .40 and 9mm. It's a good compromise.

    Either way, I would get away from Taurus. Just not my favorite brand. They can often be hit or miss. JMHO

    Good luck and continue buying in pairs [winkthumb]
     
  3. BigO01

    BigO01 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Personally I like the way you seem to progressing and I'll be happy to tell you why .

    First off whether it is a SHTF ,TSHTF or just a day to day scumbag looking for a victim lets forget the macho BS and make believe Commandos sitting at their keyboards trying to tell you what you need to do and how much to spend etc. and take a step into the real world .

    You list many things that Taurus 24/7 has going for it and while I'll admit I am not nor will ever be a 9mm fan I am smart enought to keep myself in check with the real world .

    Fact is unless someone is realy realy messed up on something the fact of everyday life will still hold true and perhaps be more so in a cataclismic situation , WHY you may ask is the fact Mr. scumbag isn't going to have the cops showing up protecting his but and making sure some1 worries about calling an ambulance to haul him to a hospital and stop the bleeding from that bullet hole YOU just put in him wheter it was with a Cannon or a 22 rimfire .

    I would get another 24/7 since this first one has served you so well and go with a pair of say 4 inch 357's that can be downloaded with 38 specials for the kids untill they can control a fully charged 357 round .

    Also I am not trying to pick a fight here with Hispeedal2 but all brands can be hit or miss when you're the average consumer and only buy a few dozen guns if that in your lifetime . As an example my very first pistol was a S&W 586 Brand spanking new 20 years ago and guess what ? I had to take it to the local warranty station and leave it for a week to be fixed . You see they didn't bother to check the extractor or test the gun with magnum loads so everytime I used them they "the empties" would get stuck in the cylinder and I would have to use a hard stationary onject to push it against to get them out , not exactly what one would call a good situation for a defensive weapon huh ?

    I have had 2 Taurus and don't have them now only because of a financial set back "Loss of job" but both were great guns and when things get better I will be replacing them with other Taurus Brand weapons without hesitation .

    Taurus has something going for it that many other companies don't to illistrate the PT940 "40 S&W" I had could be carried in the traditional DA/SA safety on or off or I could carry it in Condition 1 ala 1911 How many other semiautos can you name that can be done with ?

    As of right now I think they sell 9mm ,40's , 45's and even 357 SIgs that you can do this with .
     
  4. pcc

    pcc Monkey+

    I've never shot or even held a 24/7 so I can't comment on their build quality but like Bigo said every brand has problems every now and again. If you're happy with the way the 24/7 has worked so far I see no problem getting another.

    As far as personal protection rounds go I prefer the 10mm but also have several 45's and 9mm's. If your entire family can shoot the 9mm accurately I see no problem staying with it.

    Saw a quote on another site about the 9mm, went something like; There are thousands and thousands of dead people that are apparently unaware that they were shot with an underpowered round and should not be dead.
     
  5. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Taurus has come a long way in the past 20 years, especially with the numerous gov't contracts lining their budget, thus increasing their potential. I own a Taurus PT 24/7 in .45 cal. It is very easy to break down and clean, can be done easily blindfolded, and it is reliable. The accuracy isn't too bad either, but it doesn't stand up to its 1911 counterpart, which is by far the very best semi auto .45 they make in my opinion.

    You wouldn't be making a mistake to go with a Taurus PT 24/7 in .45, but I cannot tell you what you SHOULD buy. This is something you will have to make up your own mind about.
     
  6. dragonfly

    dragonfly Monkey+++

    Personally I have found that is not the caliber, nor the price of a weapon that makes my choice.
    It is and always will be, the fact that it works for me.
    If I can hit my target, and do so consistently, I want it.
    I may not have the most expensive brand/s, but I can take down what I want, when and where I want.
    That's all that it comes down to.
    My personal choices are based on functonality, only.
    I dont care if it's hot pink or paisley in color, or where it was made and when, as long as it does the job...Like a decent shovel!
    It is a tool, has it's purpose, and that's all I care about!
     
  7. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    Well put[beer]
     
  8. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    In the end when your life or the life of a loved one may depend on your firearm, make sure it is reliable and you can hit accurately with it. Then buy another. I am not a fan of the 24/7, my buddy has one in .45 and he has had problems with it ejecting spent cartridges and feeding properly, that being said I VERY much like the Taurus 1911 and have shot one quite a bit.
     
  9. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member


    Question to you, do you know how to COMPLETELY disassemble the Taurus in order to scavenge said parts?
    Most people do not know how to completely disassemble a firearm, I'm not talkin' about field stripping here.

    I know many people on this board are not Glock fans, I am though, and I learned how to completely take apart (and put back together) my Glocks. I know which parts are interchangeable between models of the same caliber and which ones are not. (I own a G22, G23, & G27 - all 40S&W). That being said after getting a RIA 1911, I learned how to take it apart as well.

    I also stock spare parts for the Glocks (and soon will be for the 1911 as well). I keep mainly the "spring"components as I have seen those wear out first. I like having firearms that I can easily get spare components for. The wife likes her XD & XDM, and if something happens to them, they have to go back to the factory for repair. Springfield doesn't seem to like anyone taking apart their XD's.

    I do like the idea of 2's as well. Also get the knowledge on completely disassembling the firearm, no matter what you get. Just my [2c]
     
  10. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    I agree EL
    I look at it as an living insurance policy which I want to keep.
    What is your life worth?
    If it is hit and miss, than fine for a plinker target shooter.
    I personally draw the line on performance it has to be 100% reliable and highly accurate just the same. You mileage may vary.
    That’s it in nut shell, for protection get one that is 100% reliable and highly accurate for all shooters using it you wont be sorry….
     
  11. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    Of course not. I'm not a gunsmith. So what?
    Do I have confidence that I could get most parts from one gun to another. Yes.
    Everything we do in prepping is about improving the odds.
    Every choice we make in life is about getting the best of our criteria met.

    I could go with a 1911 and that might work out better as far a swapping parts, but I'm sure my kids wouldn't do as well with it.
     
  12. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    So now we're talking about revolvers? ;)
     
  13. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    What ever your's may be [boozingbuddies]
     
  14. Byte

    Byte Monkey+++

    All I can add to the discussion is: 2 is 1...1 is none.

    It's just Jedi mumbo jumbo to keep in the back of your mind and you get what you pay for can't be disproven. It'll pay for itself in spades when the time comes.

    Byte

    A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? Hmm is this thing on?
     
  15. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Nope, seen them fail too. [winkthumb]

    I am not a gunsmith either. I took the time, now, before SHTF to learn how to repair my guns. If you want to improve the odds of being able to fix your gun by swapping parts, then learn how to swap parts now, not when you are unable to order spare parts and under pressure to get one of the guns back into working order. Again JMHO.
     
  16. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    Advice taken.

    Time is short and I have bigger fish to fry at the moment (in the area of preparedness). This is all about priorities.
    Another 24/7 may not be the best solution but it seems to be a very good one for the moment.
     
  17. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Agreed, get the priorities in line and everything else will follow. At this particular time another 24/7 seems to be the best choice. Down the road you can sell/trade one or both for anther firearm that meets your needs better.
     
  18. BigO01

    BigO01 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Something I forgot to mention in my 1st post .

    In the last year or so I have read probably close to 2 dozen posts about factory rounds failing to fire due to hard primers that may or may not fire on the second try .

    For me that is more of a concern than the quality of many of the brands of guns on the market that I would buy .
     
  19. fortunateson

    fortunateson I hate Illinois Nazis!

    Remember which brands? I think that's typical of some of the European stuff. US stuff is generally ok. Had that experience with S&B.
     
  20. mikemarlow

    mikemarlow Monkey+

    My opinion - If what you have is working well for you, keep doing it. If that firearm can be shot well by everyone in your home, then buy one for everyone. Like the person above said, there are a lot of dead people from 9mm. Another thing to think about - if you want everyone in the family to be proficient in the use of whatever firearm you choose, it requires practice. Practice = ammo = money. 9mm is cheaper than .45, .40, 10mm, etc...
     
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