What should I spend my money on?

H

HoneyDutch

Inactive
Hello all, I've been saving my pennies for quite some time and finally have the funds to make my next purchase. Problem is, I don't know what I should purchase. I have been wanting to get my first AR-15 for a while now, but everyone I talk to tells me to buy a shotgun before I do anything. This makes me feel obligated towards the shotgun because everyone I talk to has more experience with both, unlike me who has only shot both a few times. But the AR appeals to me more. My primary concern is home defense, also just shooting around in my friends yard or the range and having some fun. I currently have a Ruger .22 and a .38 revolver, both I've shot a good bit.

If I were to go the AR route, I would begin by either building my lower (PSA) or just buying a complete lower through PSA (whichever sale is cheapest), then work towards the upper in the next few months.

The shotguns I have narrowed it down to are the Maverick and Stevens. I'd probably scoop one up on black friday along with a variety of different shots to see what is best.

So, which do you prefer for yourself? What would you tell me, someone who is not very experienced with both? Thank you for your time!
 
what do YOU want. I would want a decent ar-15 that I can shoot for days on a minimal investment in ammo. shotguns are great, mine sits in the corner and get dusted off once every 4-5 months. shotguns just aren't my thing, I prefer shooting an AR15 all ay every day. some people will say, no way!!!, shotgun is the way to go, and they are right....and I am right, and the crossbow guys are right and the black powder pistol guys are right. everyone is right if they get what THEY truly want. so bag up that brand new AR15, have a blast and learn a lot and then get a shotgun when your done saving more pennies. long stor short, take advice from people and use it to the best you can, but a platform choce is a personal decision and needs to be based on what draws your attention. BUY WHAT YOU WANT!!! they make shotguns every day and always will, they aren't going anywhere.
 
Shotgun is without a doubt the premier HD weapon. That said, go with what you want as others already mentioned. For me, and HD it's a 870P with 3" 00 Buck.
 
You could buy both the Maverick and the Stevens and accessories for the price of the AR, but 3" buckshot loads or slugs are not fun to shoot all day long. A shotgun with an additional sporting barrel that can be used for hunting or clay shooting may get more use. Pick which one you want first, but get both eventually.
 
Well, you could take your money and buy a decent shotgun for home defense, then take the remainder of it and find yourself an AR-15 style 22. That would give you your "fun" gun with the guys, but would also be a lot cheaper than buying 5.56 or 7.62 ammo. Just a thought, but it doesn't matter what other say, do what you really want to do. It's not their money to spend and it's not them shooting it. You have to be happy with your purchase. Best of luck and enjoy shooting!
 
Shotguns are a dime a dozen and not that much fun to shoot. Unless you somehow find shooting slug groups at 100 yards interesting.


Keep on saving for the AR, nothing wrong with PSA stuff I'll confirm that. With the AR you can have a fun from 25 to 400 yards. Open sights, Red Dots, Big Scope. You can customize it 900 ways to Sunday.
Get a CMMG conversion for fun 22 plinking...if you can find ammo. :confused:

Plus it upsets folks like Uncle Joe much worse than a shotgun.

On the other hand if you like to hunt small game a nice Shotgun would come in really handy.
 
Last edited:
HoneyDutch said: Hello all, I've been saving my pennies for quite some time and finally have the funds to make my next purchase. Problem is, I don't know what I should purchase. I have been wanting to get my first AR-15 for a while now, but everyone I talk to tells me to buy a shotgun before I do anything. This makes me feel obligated towards the shotgun because everyone I talk to has more experience with both, unlike me who has only shot both a few times. But the AR appeals to me more. My primary concern is home defense, also just shooting around in my friends yard or the range and having some fun. I currently have a Ruger .22 and a .38 revolver, both I've shot a good bit.

If I were to go the AR route, I would begin by either building my lower (PSA) or just buying a complete lower through PSA (whichever sale is cheapest), then work towards the upper in the next few months.

The shotguns I have narrowed it down to are the Maverick and Stevens. I'd probably scoop one up on black friday along with a variety of different shots to see what is best.

So, which do you prefer for yourself? What would you tell me, someone who is not very experienced with both? Thank you for your time!
Click to expand...

Hold on to your money until you know what YOU really want.

Plenty of people will tell you the AR/Shotgun/GeeWhiz Pistol is the greatest for home defense.

Find a range that will let you rent a AR/Shotgun/Various Pistols to see what you like.

In the meantime, you have a .38 revolver that will serve for home defense.
 
Buy whatever you want....

But I don't buy into the idea that everyone needs an AR or a Shotgun for that matter...personally I rely on my handguns for HD. A shotgun would be well down my list of the top 10 guns I would choose for HD ...and so would the AR...( maybe 7 or 8 out of my top 10 )....( my top 6 would be a number of semi-auto handguns or revolvers...)...in a variety of calibers before I would go with a Rifle or a shotgun ( and I have rifles and shotguns )...they're just not primary in my view...

Tactical shotguns are a little clumsy for HD.../ and they have heavy recoil since most of them are pump guns and are fixed breech weapons.
 
logically speaking...

If you buy an AR, you can always buy a .22LR conversion for about $200. With .22LR prices/availability what they are currently, that is somewhat of an advantage.

With .22LR prices/availability at traditional levels (and hopefully we will get back there soon) that is an unbeatable value.

Given the fact that ARs have been the target of both national and state-specific bans more than once, and that AR prices are currently low and availability high...

I would grab an AR now and get a shotgun when finances permit.
 
A shotgun is a better HD weapon in most situations. An AR is more fun, IMHO. You already have a 38 spl for HD. I would buy the AR. There are a lot of deals on ARs and 223/5.56 ammo right now to take advantage of.

But, I don't know of any ar15 22 lr conversion for $200. Typically, they run $300 plus.
 
In the latest edition of "Guns & Ammo AR-15" magazine there is an article titled "AR vs Shotgun for Home Defense." You might want to swing by a newsstand and pick up a copy.

While understanding that this is an "AR" based magazine, the author provides very good insight into considerations such as physical manipulation of the weapon in a "stressed" situation (respective pros and cons), family members occupying your home, round penetration, magazine quantity, etc.

Good luck in your research and purchase.
 
Most of us here own guns for the hobby and enjoyment factor as much if not more than we own guns for serious reasons. I only could ever need 1 service-type pistol, and I have a bunch of them because that's my favorite thing.

Never shoot what you think you OUGHT to, shoot what you WANT! :) If you want the AR most, get yourself an AR!
 
You have a revolver for home defense.

Get thee to a Sprawlmart and buy the Colt AR. Do not look back, to avoid becoming a pillar of salt.

Don't let other folks spend your money for you.
 
A sawn off pump shotgun is certainly a powerful home defense weapon.
Problem is, it isn't much good for anything else unless you are into three gun "heavy metal" competition.

I have one, but it wasn't my third gun or first long gun.
Get a rifle. An AR is ok.
 
If you go a shotgun route, just curious why the Stevens or Maverick caught your interest more than something like a Winchester 1300, or a Mossberg 500, or a Remington 870?

A shotguns a shotgun, for home defense you likely wont be shooting slugs, so how they shoot best isnt going to make a huge difference, not at HD distances.

For me, the shotgun bored me. I got a Win 1300, and I dont shoot clays. Its sat unused for probably 9 years now, maybe even 10 or more.
An AR is much more versatile and fun to shoot at the range. Now if the shotgun will be used to hunt, then you have a greater case for the shotgun instead.
 
I say you already have your mind set to get a AR so just do it ,it is your money and what you are thinking of the most of.Never mind what others say because you are pay for the gun not them.Do what you feel is right for you and what you
feel to want to do with it or just like to have it then go from there.
 
I would choose the ar. Most ranges have at shooting available in the shade. Sounds lazy, but some of us can't be in the sun very much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top