November 19, 2008
Which weapon to (ahem) celebrate the dawn of a new era?
Several readers have asked me for gun-buying advice -- part of their BLTL* memberships -- as they prepare to pull the trigger (as it were) on long-delayed purchases made imminent thanks to the results of the election.
One correspondent wanted a recommendation for a lightweight rifle that was legal in the People's Republic of California, including the Kel-Tec SU-16; another wanted to know what I thought about the Glock 21.
Here's how one person put it:
I want a short semi-automatic rifle in a round that will always be easy to get. I don't want a fixed magazine like CA insists on with many rifles. Not a hunting rifle per se. The Garand is too long and too big. A rifle I could take camping, easily sling over a shoulder, and use for personal defense. Nothing fancy or a collector's item. So what is it? The clock is ticking. I can hear Sarah Brady laughing in my sleep. What is the rifle I want? Is it the Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30, and if so, which one.
Here's my advice (your mileage may vary).
I believe the first thing Obama is going to do is to go after ammo, perhaps with an excise tax, but an easier way to attack gun ownership is to ban the importation of foreign ammo.
This would immediately make the SKS and other popular SHTF** rifles useless, unless you'd already stocked up on ammo.
That leaves the domestically-produced calibers, the most common being the NATO rounds, 5.56mm (.223cal) or 7.62mm (.308). I like the .308/7.62 round, but the rifles are going to be bigger and heavier, which means we default to the .223/5.56. The rifles are smaller and lighter, which seems to be what you're looking for.
Therefore, as between the Mini-14 and the Mini-30, I'd say the Mini-14 is a better choice because it shoots the .223/5.56 round which is very common, as opposed to the Mini-30, which shoots the ballistically superior 7.62x39mm Commie round (cheap, plentiful, and sure to be banned for importation into the U.S.).
I'm not a big fan of the Kel-Tec SU-16; it doesn't look very robust to me, certainly less so than the Rugers or the nigh indestructible SKS.
The criticisms of the Mini-14 revolve around it's fair accuracy; it's not a tack driver. But then again, neither are most shooters, and I think the Mini-14 is capable of putting rounds in an area small enough to satisfy the requirements of the average Joe.
It has the advantage of being based on the 70-year-old Garand and 60-year-old M-14 designs, and has been in production long enough to iron out the kinks.
The Mini-14 can be fitted with a sling and a scope if so desired (although a red-dot Aimpoint or holographic EOTech HWS sight makes more sense); replacement parts are abundant; and accessories can be found on most large websites.
Perhaps the other thing -- or things -- in its favor are that it doesn't *look* like a scawy bwack assault rifle, so it's less likely to frighten non-gunnies, and magazines are plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
It is not a perfect rifle, but it may be the best rifle to meet your needs. Finally, it's available in stainless steel, which is perfect for a SHTF weapon.
The Glock 21SF is a good choice, one I've been considering for myself, although the Glock 30SF might be a better choice for those of us with small hands.
One thing I like about the Glocks is the Tenifer finish on the slide; harder than diamonds, it's the most corrosion-resistant treatment available on any handgun, the chemicals involved in the process so toxic they have to be applied overseas (the EPA won't allow Tenifer to be applied in the U.S. factory).
Turner's Outdoorsman is running a special on the Glock 21SF, if you're so inclined.
In any event, there's no reason to delay; get thee to thy local gun merchant forthwith!
And don't forget, today is National Ammo Day.
*BLTL: Better Living Through Lief.
**SHTF: Shit Hits The Fan.
Posted by Mike Lief at November 19, 2008 02:49 PM
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Comments
The SU-16 "doesn't look robust"??? SU-16 owners of the world unite!!!
It's a good gun. Never has misfed. Accurate. The thin barrel gets hot fast, but other than that, I have no complaints. Granted, you wouldn't want to put a lot of stress on the folding stock but it's pretty tough.
Let me know if you want to try it out. I think that it's a good little rifle.
Posted by: ecmarm at November 19, 2008 06:28 PM
I don't dispute that the SU-16 might be accurate, or reliable. But that folding stock ....
If it ever comes to SHTF time, it's useful to be able to apply a well-placed butt-stroke to a bad guy without worrying that you'll break the gun in the process.
The SU-16 looks like it'd fly to pieces if used as a bludgeon on a goblin, which could be disastrous if there were any other goblins in the neighborhood who needed to be vigorously chastised.
Posted by: Mike Lief at November 19, 2008 07:02 PM
You guys must lie awake at night dreaming up evil fantasies of what Barack Obama is going to do. If I am camping with my kids and see one of you guys near me with a machine gun on your shoulder, I am going to consider you to be quite crazy and leave the area.
Posted by: Rod at November 20, 2008 07:06 AM
Well, Rod, it is possible for some gun guys to get a little off-track and sound a little off-center.
I would probably decamp also if I saw somebody being foolish with a gun in a campground. On the other hand, I might like to have considered the talk of the gun guys if I encountered somebody being foolish with a gun late at night in my back yard.
So maybe we should disregard the gun guys who are talking about repelling the Chinese invasion, or taking a stand against space beetles, or resisting our own police. They are goofy.
But to know your guns in case there is a nuclear event in LA or a major earthquake that overwhelms local law enforcement? That is no more than being a good father.
If you have taken care to lay in emergency supplies in case something goes really wrong, then you should take care to defend your family.
That's why I listen to the gun guys.
Even the nuts.
Posted by: The Litttle Coach at November 20, 2008 11:56 AM