rookie needing help

[xcountryswimmer]

So now that I am living in Maine for at least five to ten years, I have been informed by my girlfriends family that in order to fit in, I need a truck and a gun, preferably several. I am working on a truck, which will probably be my BOV.
What should I get for my first guns? I am looking for a hand gun and a semi-auto rifle. Preferably I want them to pack a lot of punch, easy to clean and maintain, and would be able to survive a post- SHTF crisis. What are your suggestions???

[neverknow]

glock and an ak-47

[Bayou Blaster]

So now that I am living in Maine for at least five to ten years, I have been informed by my girlfriends family that in order to fit in, I need a truck and a gun, preferably several. I am working on a truck, which will probably be my BOV.
What should I get for my first guns? I am looking for a hand gun and a semi-auto rifle. Preferably I want them to pack a lot of punch, easy to clean and maintain, and would be able to survive a post- SHTF crisis. What are your suggestions???

Your going to probably get a hundred different answers to your inquiry. Your girlfriends family sounds alright LOL.;)

Based solely on your limited criteria. "Packs alot of punch, easy to clean and maintain" and percieved lack of firearms experience, I would recommend the following:

Rifles: AKS-47 Variants, M1A1 (Civilian M-14 Variant), FN FAL or Clone

Pistols: Glocks, Springfield XD-Series, CZ Pistols, Ruger Stainless Pistols

Revolvers: Stainless S&W 686 or Ruger GP 100 series (shoots both 38 cal and 357 magnum)

Shotguns: Remington 870 series if in a high moisture environment (Marine Magnum)

22LR Rifle: Ruger Stainless All Weather 1022 series

22LR Pistol: Ruger Stainless Mark III Hunter, Browning Buckmark Series

If you have little to no firearms experience I would strongly recommend taking a Firearms as well as a Hunters Safety Course.

[TheLastMountainMan]

M1 Garand. Ruger GP100 .357

[TheLastMountainMan]

M1 Garand. Ruger GP100 .357 Remington 870 12 guage.

[Visinedrops]

Bayou has good suggestions, but along with the brand and type, it would be a good idea to see what ammo is available in quantity in your area. Buying an AK-47 would be a bad idea if there's little ammo for it.

I carry a Glock 21, .45acp which I purchased before the great rush on ammo. Now, it's difficult for me to find ammo for it.

A Remington 870 express with extended capacity (2 extra shells), a supply of '00' buck and spreadshot would be ideal. The express is a shorter version of the standard 870, which is easier to maneuver.

Regarding handguns, find something that fits your hand while also asking the dealer about ammunition availability. Glocks are very simplistic, and while a .45 has a LOT of stopping power, a 9mm will do very well.

Best bet in any circumstance is to ask questions at several different dealers, no matter how stupid you may think they are, because it all comes down to what fits YOUR needs or wants.

[cwconnertx]

So now that I am living in Maine for at least five to ten years, I have been informed by my girlfriends family that in order to fit in, I need a truck and a gun, preferably several. I am working on a truck, which will probably be my BOV.
What should I get for my first guns? I am looking for a hand gun and a semi-auto rifle. Preferably I want them to pack a lot of punch, easy to clean and maintain, and would be able to survive a post- SHTF crisis. What are your suggestions???

You will get a lot of opinions and in the end YOU still have to decide what is right for you. You budget, personal preferences, and the feel will be more important than anything else.

You have to pick either a revolver or pistol, and there are great reasons for either, will this be a concealed weapon? do you fancy hunting with it? etc.

As far as rifles, there is less to consider since you said you want it to be semi-auto and pack a punch. In that case I would rule out an AR or AK variant since those are intermediate cartridges. That primarily leaves tehe 308 or 30-06 guns. 308 has more choices since the action is shorter. I like and own both.

Buy quality, its cheaper to buy once and quality guns hold value if you do decide to swap.

I would attempt to try out what you are considering, I'd volunteer some of mine but you'd have to come to texas.

I prefer a Glock for a begginer in a pistol and I like S&W revolvers, but ruger makes good revolvers too.
I like the M1 Garand for the price from CMP, but the M1A and even an AR10 style 308 are good choices for a little more money and they can mount a scope. The FAL style rifles are good too. Its really preference in my mind. Whatever you get train with it. Just having it means very little if you need to use it.

Personally, I might consider starting with less punch and getting a 10/22 rifle to start along with either a revolver in 357/38 or a pistol in 9mm or 45.

A lot depends on your intended usage, maybe we can be more specific if you share a little more. Stil you have to decide for yourself. If you like shooting you may end up with one of each :D Be careful its addictive and costly.

[Bayou Blaster]

Remington 870 Express and Other Observations

Concerning the Remington 870 shotgun, the term "Express " is not limited to short barreled shotguns. I own them in both long and short barreled variants:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/

As far as asking a Dealer on ammo availability for a particular firearm in your area I can almost guarantee they'll say "Sure you can find it anywhere" unless it's some oddball caliber. Unfortunately most dealers are there to make a sale. Ammo can be found for most common caliber firearms. Sure you may not find it at your local Wally World, you just have to search for it. I let my fingers do the walking, whether I'm calling a local supplier or typing on the key board for internet searches. The ammo is out there, you just have to look for it. When you find it buy enough to fill your needs. Even if it takes a while; don't find yourself short. If the SHsTF it to late; woulda, coulda, should of.

I agree with cwconnertx there is no compromise when it comes firearms. Buy quality or serviceable/quality robust surplus firearms.:)

[prkchp76]

30/06 357 12 gauge easy to maintain cheap bullets and multitude of different rounds

[beebopcop]

So now that I am living in Maine for at least five to ten years, I have been informed by my girlfriends family that in order to fit in, I need a truck and a gun, preferably several. I am working on a truck, which will probably be my BOV.
What should I get for my first guns? I am looking for a hand gun and a semi-auto rifle. Preferably I want them to pack a lot of punch, easy to clean and maintain, and would be able to survive a post- SHTF crisis. What are your suggestions???

As it has been said, you are going to get a crap load of replies and as many opinions. My vote would be something calibered the same, this cuts down on ammo concerns. If you want punch and simplicity I would recommend the Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag with a four inch barrel. It is difficult to break this monster and I don't believe that there is a load too hot for it to handle. Then you could get a rifle chambered in .44 mag even though it will be difficult to find this in semi-auto I believe, it usually comes in a lever action. I promise you this caliber will stop anything that Maine has to offer.
bbc

[Omegaman]

I live in southern Maine and to fit in most Mainers rifles are hunting rifles ( I said Most).;) The one that I see sold the most up here for an auto rifle is the Remington 7400 in 30-06 Spr or 270 Win. Plus most of us own a 12 or 20 gauge slug gun or shot gun and the two makers that I see sold the most are Remington or Mossberg. As for hand guns they are like ice cream every body has their own favorite flavor. If you live in Maine here is the link to The Kittery Trading posts used gun list. http://www.ktpguns.com/ You can search all of their used fire arms and if there is some thing you love, over the phone you can put it on a 7 day hold with no money down so that it wont get sold before you can hadle it. As for ammo KTP and wally world have had plenty of 30-06 and 270 and other hunting calibers. It is the tactical calibers and pistol calibers that have been in short supply:mad:. KTP has plenty of 5.56mm and 7.62mm:D. I have bought and traded plenty of fire arms through them with no problems.

[oly]

The best ammo you can use is the knowledge of handling a gun safely.
Then go get a gun.

[bambam55]

where from in Maine countryswimmer I'm over in Rochester N.H. if ur not to far away u can come over and I can show u some different guns and let u try some of them so u can get an idea Brian [email protected]

[prkchp76]

wow thats cool guys glad every one can help out oly ??? but yes you are very right i would hope if he is on here he would already know how to use one right heheeh

[hubste5]

I would start with .22, a rifle and handgun. The Ruger's are good, hard to beat an old Remington, too. I have a Browning Buckmark that I love (Older model slab) Ruger MK's are real good, too. .22 rounds are cheap, can still be found in bulk... (ok, you do have to keep your eyes open for them, but they are still stocked frequently), and will take down a deer in a pinch. 3rd purchase would be a 12 guage, with an ample supply of 6-7 shot, and some 00, too.