Budget Backup Firearms

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by GOG, Apr 16, 2016.


  1. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    I thought it might be helpful to get some thoughts on backup firearms and how to do it on a budget if that's possible any more.

    We all know that one is none, two is one, etc. So I just found myself thinking about acquiring backups for my main rifle and pistol. My main pieces are an AK and a Hi Power, so I picked up a pretty nice Norinco SKS yesterday and am headed back Monday to pick up a FEG Hi Power clone that needs some love. I think I can get a pretty good price on the FEG.
    My logic besides the obvious cost savings for both is that the SKS uses the same round the AK does and they just don't break. The FEG Hi Power has a decent reputation and it takes standard HP parts and mags. Both pieces are less expensive than my "real" guns and both give me caliber compatibility and I try to maintain as few calibers as I can.

    Any interest in this?
     
    Motomom34, stg58, Yard Dart and 2 others like this.
  2. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    Back-up is a definite plus but reliable, in that it goes "Bang" every time you pull the trigger, on a budget is the challenge. You seem to have a good bead on what you need and what fits into that reliability niche.

    For me, I had to go to 9mm to back up my .45ACP, I don't have a battle rifle back-up but would like to go to an AR 5.56X45 platform when I can find the shade of the money tree again. (Paying off credit cards...still) :cautious:

    Thinking also on backing up my long range rifle with something with a little more reach than my .308.
     
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  3. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    @GOG
    You have good firearms; so my advice is simple, buy more ammo for them. As ammonia may not be be too obtainable, buy non-corrosive ammo.
    FEG made an excellent high power clone, enjoy. Its finish is military quality; however who cares.

    @Dunerunner
    Where you live sets the range needed. Where I live, it is heavily forested; so an '06 has more legs than I will ever need.
     
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  4. AxesAreBetter

    AxesAreBetter Monkey+++

    Isn't ammonia just stay pee?

    Hi powers rock pretty hard.
     
    GOG likes this.
  5. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    @AxesAreBetter
    Sorry, I can;t see myself urinating in a barrel. If urine contains ammonia, you'll notice in the smell.

    So do mine.
     
  6. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Never enough ammo. Just like points in cribbage, never enough.
     
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  7. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    I have backup in depth, necessary for bug in as I'm figuring on. If the boat hadn't sprung that leak, there would be two ARs, two MNs, and a a short list of other utility items that will be more than adequate for the purpose intended.

    Backup for a carry piece is yet to be obtained.

    15-2, 15-4. the rest don't score ---

    ETA: Common ammo is one consideration that is often argued over, under and about. When it comes to SHTF, it becomes fairly important that your primary and secondary arms can shoot the same fodder. Thus spake me, and maybe me only. Both my ARs would have handled 223 and 5.56 interchangeably (and I assume still will when I get them dried out.)
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2016
  8. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Tell me about it. ;)
    @ghrit
    I've been buying firearms for about 50 years because I enjoy shooting them. It has nothing to do with SHTF; as if it did, I wouldn't have so many.
     
    ghrit and GOG like this.
  9. Brokor

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

    Back in the day I used to collect old .22 rifles I would pick up locally for a deal. My thinking is, for less than $100 or even a lot less than that, with a little TLC it can be fixed up nice. With a gun safe full of these, it leaves plenty of options to barter or to arm a small town. Now, given the fact that there is a prevalent shortage in .22 ammunition, which varies across the country to different degrees, I imagine the price for a .22 rifle isn't exactly rising, either. Who can say when the supply of ammo will return to a normal state? If it does manage to level-off, the usual process of stocking ammo will resume.

    A good option for a less expensive AR chambered in .223 is the Kel-Tec SU-16.
    A good option for those wanting a carbine to fire the same rounds as their sidearm, there's the Hi-Point 995TS.
    A great company which makes quality rifles in many hunting calibers at a low price, is Savage.
     
  10. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    With the SKS you may want to be a bit careful. I bought a Chinese job about 25 years ago that has the nasty tendency to jam, (FTF - failure to feed) from time to time. I don't trust it for anything more dangerous than tin cans.

    The I also had a Hi-Power back in the 70s. Not a bad gun - good capacity at 13 rounds. The only quirk it had was that it would not reliably feed 9MM ammo loaded with really light bullets - meaning less than about 100 grains or so. Those tiny 90 grain jacketed hollow cavity that you can crack out there at 1400 FPS or so will tip up in the mag and jam. Stay away.

    Most 9 ammo these days starts at 115 gr and goes up from there. Those it had no trouble with. So my [2c] worth for the Hi-Power - avoid super light bullets that some manufacturers may tout as the "ultimate defense" round. These are usually light bullets for the caliber at unrealistically high velocities. They won't be worth a darn in a defensive or SHTF situation if they cause a malfunction when you really need a weapon.
     
    GOG likes this.
  11. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    I think the SU-16's have become overpriced for what they are. They're a ton of fun and I had one years ago, but other than it's packing capability it seemed very flimsy to serve as a shtf type rifle.

    @Altoidfishfins I prefer big fat slow bullets (still do) and carried a 1911 Commander for many years before recently switching to the HP 9mm. It's loaded with Federal 147gr. HP's for social work.

    @stg58 The first thing done to any HP in my possession is to remove the stupid magazine safety. BTW, my HP is an old FN as well.
     
  12. zombierspndr

    zombierspndr Monkey

    These run at around 1200 fps from my CZ75 and SP01. Weight is 125ish.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    @zombierspndr
    1200 FPS is probably pretty realistic for that weight.
    I've read a number of good things about the CZ-75.

    @GOG
    I also prefer heavier projectiles. Pretty much stuck on .45 ACP these days, and always go for the 230 grainers as opposed to 200 and below.
     
    GOG likes this.
  14. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Agreed all the way around

    Hi-Point 995 Review:


    Kel-Tec SU-16 Review (3 part series):


     
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  15. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    In my day it was not uncommon for chambers to get expanded and ruin the gun simply feeding it hot loads.
    Think of the hot load going off, like a sledge hammer striking from the inside. the slid hammering away at stop points, and springs absorbing all that shock.
    With that in mind I reserve the hot loads for hunting/defense only, and reserve the lighter rounds for target practice.
    Unnecessary wear and tear is pointless IMO so my new guns function like new for their life time in my possession .
    Guns that I have acquired used from others , I check for wear, and load respectively .
    I guarantee you that post SHTF, ammo will be at such a premium, fully automatic will soon be a thing of the past.
    I learned to make each shot count when I was a kid , a box of 50 .22 LR lasted me all summer ,unless dad took us to the desert to plink. A brick of .22 lasted a few years.
     
    GOG likes this.
  16. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    The Hi Point pistol caliber carbines are a great buy and certainly fill the "budget" requirements I had in mind.
     
    VisuTrac likes this.
  17. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    I'm going to recommend Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines.
    30 caliber rifle that can be had for under 200 bucks still
    440 rounds of ammo for 120ish (27 cents a pop)

    for long term / deep storage .. most of them are already packed with cosmoline so little efforts on your part is required.

    as for pistols, I'm going to say Hi-point. yeah they are ugly but for under 150 ea.

    Look at the military surplus pistol market, lots of combloc are out there. I just wish they ran 9mmx19 parabellum as opposed to 9x18 Makarov (or 7.62x25)

    combloc pistol and ammo (9mm Mak) are still available for right around 285. If you have the ability to stack the ammo deep, these are some really decent all steel firearms.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2016
  18. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Look at Sccy 9mm pistols they have the best warrantee... ( includes lost or stolen for those with boating issues) I have seen.

     
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  19. GOG

    GOG Free American Monkey

    Can't beat a Mosin and a bunch of semi cheap ammo to get some inexpensive firepower in the house.

    Having arthritis I rely on semi auto as dexterity relief as well as a force multiplier.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  20. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    An alternate in .45 Tisas (Turkish) I've seen at $375.00 at though gun show..
     
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