========
Newsgroups: misc.survivalism
Subject: Re: My First Gun & Gun Class
From: ingraih@bnr.ca (Al Hartkopf)
Date: 3 Sep 1996 20:24:02 GMT


In article <509n63$aot@wtpprod1.wtp.net>, vwest@wtp.net (Erin Tamberella) writes:
|> Hi,
|> 
|> I was hoping to get some advice.  We have sunk ourselves into survival 
|> and alternative living for the last year.  We have our land bought up in 
|> the mountains of Montana, we have our food and water storage going, 
|> and we have learned to be pretty proficient at organic gardening.  We 
|> hope to move up to our property next summer and will be using solar 
|> energy up there.  
|> 
|> My question is this.  We know nothing about guns.  We will need a gun 
|> for protection from grizzlies as well as protection if American society 
|> breaks down and we have economic and/or social collapse. Eventually we 
|> will also have to learn to hunt. Should we start with a rifle or 
|> shotgun?  What is the main difference?  Which would be the best for all 
|> around protection?  Do most gun dealers offer classes or basically what 
|> is the best way to learn?
|> 
|> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I see you will be in the "mountains of Montana." Around Gallatin? Location
matters somewhat. Anyway, here is my free advice. What to buy, in order and
what to do with it.

.22 rimfire (10/22)	learn to shoot, then use it for small game
30.06 bolt or pump	big game, serious defense at range
12 guage pump shotgun	birds, serious defense at close range	

By now you should have a good perception of further needs. Take an NRA course
on safety and another on shooting skills right after you buy the .22. From now
on you are educated to an acceptable level and can decide on future purchases
(you don't want to be gun-poor do you, so spend it wisely). Really though, if
you have the above, a good stock of ammo, and good proficiency you can hold
your own against all but a serious assault by well organised folks. Beyond this,
and especially if you have more than one of each of the above, it gets a lot
more like a hobby than a neccesity.

Options include:
Autoloading pistol in 9mm or .45	close-in people defense
Revolver in .44 magnum 			close-in beastie defense
Large capacity rifle in 7.62 or .223	variable people defense

By now you will be fairly proficient with your basic 3 and OK with the options.
You will find out that the .22 gets shot the most and can be used to thwart all
but the most determined predators (human or otherwise) and the 12 guage gets
them (Folks so often undervalue the demoralising factors of a .22 caliber
wound anywhere on the human body).

There are as many points of view as there are people, but this ought to get you
going. Remember that if you get something and don't like it, it isn't a mistake
unless you keep it. Experiment. Have fun.

"If it isn't about money, power, corruption, and abuse then why do folks spend
miliions getting a job that pays thousands?" - Me! On US politics.
All opinions posted by me are mine, mine, all mine and not those of 
NORTEL, BNR, or any other body, corporate or otherwise. HARTKOPF@bnr.ca