Reply #28: Firearms and personal freedoms.....

[solinvictus]

I really can't believe that anyone would discount the cause-and-affect relationship between gun ownership and personal freedoms. I get tired of hearing the defeatist "the government has {insert name of vehicle/weapon here} and it's impossible to defend yourself". I guess the Iraqis didn't get that memo as it's hellish over there for our troops. I don't envy them because ultimately, it's decided by ground troops facing off with small arms and grenades. Even if our troops win decisively now, you can bet a good portion of the guerillas simply faded into the desert to come back. I also don't think our own troops would crack down on fellow US citizens without a massive revolt.

There are plenty of options for those who wish to be gun owners and have a limited budget. Right now, surplus Russian and Warsaw Pact Mosin-Nagant bolt actions are well under $100 with cans of military cartridges for this rifle for $40/440 rounds. Keep in mind that thsi cartridge is about as powerful as our venerable 30/06 and can be purchased dirt cheap. Local dealers may have pump-action shotguns for about $100 or so with many other rifle options as well. I'm not so much on pistols at this point because a pistol won't protect your freedom, only rifles, shotguns, and carbines can do that. Your needs will differ if you live in a rural, urban, or sub-urban area. Here are some quick recommendations:
Urban: Either an SKS/Kalashnikov or AR-15 carbine; maybe even a Mosin-Nagant Russian M44 carbine. Another option would be a pump shotgun in either 12 or 20 gauge.
Sub-urban: Largely the same, except supplement with a good scoped rifle.
Rural: A bolt action rifle, preferably of a military caliber where large amounts of surplus ammunition can be purchased. I'd recommend a Savage 110 or Remington 700 in .308. If your budget allows, add a carbine from the above list to it as well with a decent pump shotgun. Here are some pricing guidelines that may differ per region:

Mosin-Nagant rifle or carbine: $85-100 depending upon condition.

SKS made by Zastava in Yugoslavia: $150-200
SKS, Chinese: $150-300
SKS, Russian: $200-500

Kalshnikov clone, including Egyptian Maadi, Romanian SAR series, and Norinco MAK-90: $300-500, depending upon caliber, condition, and manufacturer. The best among these is the Chinese, with the Romanian second, the Maadi last. The vast majority will be in 7.62x39, which is cheap, with 30 round magazines being about $10 each or so. Watch out for machining quality on the Maadi, such as tool marks or canted sights.

AR-15. There are a lot of price discrepencies among AR-15 carbines and it does reflect quality differences from manufacturers. Colt and Bushmaster, which are the best, run from $700-$1500, depending upon accessories and such. Armalites are $600-900 and Olympics run $600-900. I'd opt for the Colt if at all possible.

Bolt actions: The Remington 700 or Savage 110 in .308 are great choices. The Savage is easier on the wallet for a quality rifle. A Savage .308 Police Tactical can be had used for less than $500. The Remington will run over $500 new, used prices depending on the seller. My other choices would be either a Ruger M77 or a Winchester Model 70.

In a nutshell, I believe that if you don't opt to take measures to defend yourself, you certainly can't expect others to do it for you. With the Patriot Act and an increasingly theocratic state, I'm worried about my personal freedoms.