The Gun Counter

I re-watched this movie recently and it got me to thinking about my own preparations. Like many of you, I can be pretty acquisitive when it comes to shiny boomsticks. However, when it comes down to what you depend on to save your bacon, I was reminded that you can't go wrong using the KISS method.

In the movie, Clint Eastwood depended on his Garand and his 1911. They were the firearms he carried in Korea, they were adequate for the required job, and he knew them like he knew the back of his hand.

It is sound strategy. This is why I've decided to rethink my own choices...

Presently, I have 3 different handguns and a couple of different long guns I carry, depending on mood. I think that will change. I'm going back exclusively to that with which I'm most familiar...

Mossberg 500 with 18.5" barrel and wood stock for HD/Truck Gun. Loaded with 00.

S&W .357M snubbie that my old man bought me for my 21st birthday, back in the mid-90s. Loaded with .38SP +p

Keep in mind, 99% of the time I'm in an urban/suburban environment, so that also played into my decision.

These both have adequate power and, let's face it, if 6 rounds from the snubbie, with a couple of reloads or 10 rounds from the SG (capacity + spares on a butt cuff) doesn't get me out of my pickle, then a few extra rounds probably won't help and shame on me for having such poor tactical ability that I've gotten myself in that position in the first place.

Thoughts? Comments? Rude Remarks?

Fire Away!

I've been thinking of finding a used Mossy 500 to fix up as a truck gun. Again, due to urban/close in suburban environment I normally work/live/travel in. A lot of the same reasoning as you wrote. I'm looking at a Escape and Evasion scenario if I'm on my own and want something useful for deterrence and breaking contact/discouraging pursuit.

Handgun is a Browning Hi Power, because HI POWER!!!!!!

Actually because it's my primary CCW for a lot of reasons discussed before (primarily it fits me well and I'm experienced and confident with it. Which also applies to the 500).

Truth. Having been in a couple of hairy situations in my life, I believe that muscle memory is everything when it comes to bad situations on the street or things that go bump in the night. The Mossy and the Snubbie were the first firearms I actually owned and lived with independently, as opposed to the family arsenal when I still lived at home. As a result, they are as natural and easy to use as brushing my teeth.

I think for a truck gun, I would want a rifle over a shotgun. The reason for carrying a long gun in the first place is in case you run into something that your CCW piece won't handle, and you need to fight your way home or out of a bad situation. With a rifle you can have higher capacity, faster reloads, and better range. A shotgun is an outstanding close range weapon, but it's kind of a one trick pony.

Mini 14 or Mini 30 makes an excellent abeit nowadays expensive truck gun. For the really nice truck gun a Rock River LAR-8 or LAR-15 Elite Operator or ATH would be good but even more expensive truck gun. For a more practical and economical truck gun a CZ-75 and a couple of extra 17 round magazines would do just fine. Wouldn't feel near as bad in it gets stolen or scratched up too.

I agree to a point. I hated the beretta M9 I carried overseas, wouldn't want it now. When I finally get my pistol permit though, it will probably be one handgun for awhile, and to some degree, so I can get really, really good with that one handgun.

On the other hand...I love my AR, and it sits bedside. I've never had reliability issues that couldn't be blamed on bad mags, and I know it very, very well.

JKosprey wrote:I agree to a point. I hated the beretta M9 I carried overseas, wouldn't want it now. When I finally get my pistol permit though, it will probably be one handgun for awhile, and to some degree, so I can get really, really good with that one handgun.

On the other hand...I love my AR, and it sits bedside. I've never had reliability issues that couldn't be blamed on bad mags, and I know it very, very well.

Great. It's always good to have affirmation of your choices, but you said to a point. To what point do you disagree?

See if your Mossy will shoot slugs decently. Plain Foster style slugs. If it will put 3 in a 4-6" circle at 25 yds, consider putting a ghost ring rear and hi-vis front sight on it. My 500 has this sight set up, and I can easily keep plain Remington slugs in the 9-ring at 50 yds, the 8-ring at 75 yds(B-27 target).

randy wrote:I've been thinking of finding a used Mossy 500 to fix up as a truck gun. Again, due to urban/close in suburban environment I normally work/live/travel in. A lot of the same reasoning as you wrote. I'm looking at a Escape and Evasion scenario if I'm on my own and want something useful for deterrence and breaking contact/discouraging pursuit.

Handgun is a Browning Hi Power, because HI POWER!!!!!!

Actually because it's my primary CCW for a lot of reasons discussed before (primarily it fits me well and I'm experienced and confident with it. Which also applies to the 500).

why mossberg over an 870?

About the only real difference is the location of the safety. I do like the Mossberg's tang safety.