If there can be only one...

[Ernie Johnson]

I asked DR this question last week at the range and he asked me to pose it here:


"If you could only have one gun for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?" :confused:

[Fast Eddy]

For a long gun, a stainless Ruger 10-22 with fluted bull barrel, synthetic stock, some long sticks (in addition to the standard rotary clip) and a good scope with back up iron sights.:cool:

I know I could eat with it, survive in the woods, and even on the street if I had too. Not that it's a great defense round mind you, but I have killed deer with heads shots with it before. And ammo is readily available and plenty of it around to scrounge if I need more. :cool:

[GutShot John]

For me it's the FN-FAL variants. I own two. It's the rifle I've got the most practical experience on. I've built them, taken them apart, rebarreled and headspaced them and generally am at the most confident in maintaining it. Spare parts and magazines are cheap and available and it's pretty damn shootable for a MBR with the best ergonomics and an adjustable gas system.

With .308/7.62NATO you have a commonly available cartridge that can get you out to 800 yards to hunt or defend yourself. It shoots through a lot of barriers and can defeat most body armors except for level IV.

It's only short-coming is CQB due to length and overpenetration but I think it's got pretty good GP functionality.

A close runner-up would be an AR/M4 for many of the same reasons but better CQB performance where it lacks long range terminal perfomrance.

[ZIG]

TC Encore, with all the barrels I want. Lets see 22lr for small game and practice,223 for varmints,280 remington for long deer shots, 338 win for elk and brown bear,416 remington for my Africa trip. maybe a 300 win for Africa plains game, 45 cal muzzle loader for black powder season, 20 gauge for upland birds and 12 gauge for ducks and turkey. I think thats got it. Oh if I can have that then a AR carbine in 223 with a 22lr conversion. Ain't pretty but it works for me.Zig:cool:

[Ernie Johnson]

I like the idea of the encore for hunting, and it maybe adequate for some sniping, but I don't think it wouldn't be that good for fighting, especially in urban area's... :(

[Grumpy]

I like the idea of the encore for hunting, and it maybe adequate for some sniping, but I don't think it wouldn't be that good for fighting, especially in urban area's... :(

OK, so we are looking at a hunting, fighting type of favorite gun, right?

In that case I'd take my Colt AR-15 carbine with the .22LR conversion like Zig says.:cool:

[Al Perkins]

For a survival rifle or a pistol, I agree, a .22 would be fine. But I see the points about a fighting gun/hunting weapon, too. :cool:

Who make the best 22 conversion for the AR-15? And is there any good .22 conversion for a Glock?

[GutShot John]

For a survival rifle or a pistol, I agree, a .22 would be fine. But I see the points about a fighting gun/hunting weapon, too. :cool:

Who make the best 22 conversion for the AR-15? And is there any good .22 conversion for a Glock?

Ciener conversions for the AR have the best reputation but there are others. For the money I'd just consider a dedicated (s&w) upper.

Advantage Arms makes the best conversion for a Glock but you'll have to preorder and wait a few months unless you can find one used.