Hedge Against a Ban

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In this thread we post ideas to prepare and hedge for a potential ban. The ideas are not just for our benefit but future generations that may have to address the sewer of Liberalism that we have allowed to overflow. I am typing this out because I wish someone would have done so for me ~20 years ago.

We don’t need to debate gun control here, we all agree.

No, I am not giving up and neither should you. But it is foolish not to prepare and important to spread the word to younger gun owners who have little experience in the area.

DO NOT ADVOCATE VIOLATING THE LAW


What we know…

Libs are coming for our guns
They are coming at us at the national, state, and local level
They are immune to facts/reason and thus we can’t negotiate although they state otherwise
They have targeted modern semi-automatic rifles for strategic reasons
They use hyperbole and fear to sway public opinion
They are supported by events we as gun owners are powerless to stop (ban on school CCW)
Events that contradict anti-gun narratives are not reported to present one view of guns
Rights are now defined by public opinion (Democracy replaces Republic)
The Constitution doesn’t mean anything, nor do historic USSC decisions
Burying your guns is pretty much useless (Libs love that talk)


What we don’t know…

Exactly which guns will be banned
If the bans will be by function, model, or feature
If banned guns will be grandfathered/transferable
If they will attempt a de-facto ban (tax on ammo, ownership tax on firearms, licensing requirements)
How long we would have before such a ban is imposed
The level of enforcement, criminal and personal penalties for violation
If there will be incentives for reporting of friends/family/neighbors

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On ARs…

Being that we live in CO, it is too late to legally stock up on standard capacity magazines. It is not too late to buy as much 5.56MM as needed to feed the guns you already own. I would plan on 2-5K rounds for each AR depending on how often you shoot. If no ban happens, rotate through this stock as you shoot recreationally. There’s enough time to check inventory and put in an order at SGAmmo.

Buy replacement parts kits now. If a ban shuts down manufacturers it might be difficult/expensive to find parts in the future. Springs don’t last forever.

It is also not too late to start acquiring reloading tools/components. During the ObamaScare primers were nearly impossible for find for a couple of years.

Feature bans are useless. I don’t think they’ll go that route again but if they do, a neutered AR is still an AR. I’ve loved my MT6601 since they day I bought it! Will never sell it. It was the closest example of the M16A2 I was issued that I could find during the ’94 ban years.

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Long guns…

I would strongly recommend folks start looking into collectibles to broaden their collections. Older weapons have survived even the NYSafe Act. Milsurps are also heirlooms and investments. I can’t believe the prices of M1 Carbines, M1s, and even M1903s lately. Don’t even get me started on M1911/A1s! I wish I would have gone wildly into debt buying some of these back in the day while everyone else was buying M4 clones and Glocks.

The M1 Garand is an excellent rifle! They can currently be found for $800-1,200 in decent shape. While semi-automatic, the internal magazine exempts it from currently proposed bans. They can be had in .30-06 (the Lord’s caliber) or .308/7.62MM. Both are highly effective and considerably more frightening to me than 5.56MM seeing the results.

Yes, the ammo is more expensive and you have to get rounds specifically for the Garand (I like Prvi). This reinforces the doctrine of the Rifleman; one shot…

We have a thread on these at: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/163240-M1-Garands

There are “tanker” variations with shorter barrels for closer work.

I can reload an M1 just as fast as an AR with a little practice. There are companies that are making tactical carriers for clips. The M1 takes a bayonet which for some reason scares the living shit out of Libs (Berkeley protest flashbacks?).

I have yet to see any legislation proposed regulating clips. Although you can get 2, 3, and 5 round M1 clips specifically for hunting.

You will need to learn irons. Mounting optics is obviously a challenge on older milsurps. You can drill the receiver but then you have altered the original configuration (a potential future ban issue) and cut the collector’s value.

An M1903/1917 is slower, harder to reload, but can shoot as far as you can see. An old man with a bolt gun is formidable foe. The longer the distance, the more chances a person has (space=time=safety). Look for “high number” M1903s (or A3) that will maintain their value as a shooter (I think the heat treat issue is overblown myself but the market is the market).

If someone were to see a milsurp rifle in the statist future, they wouldn’t think “scary black rifle” per their programming. These rifles easily pass for hunting rifles, and a lot of hunters still use them to this day. Someone ignorant about guns couldn’t really tell or articulate the difference between an M1 and a vintage hunting rifle.

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Handguns…

Nearly all modern manufacturers currently make smaller cap mags for common semi-autos for ban states. Some also make single stacks of popular designs. I have P226s and P239s for this reason—I don’t have to learn a platform based on where I am (CCW or home). I have 10 rounders for my P239 so it can do double-duty when I’m traveling (rare these days).

If a universal mag ban goes in to effect, companies like Mecgar and ProMag will sell out of 10 rounders fast because the industry isn’t tooled/stocked for a national ban.

If “pre-ban” mags are legal you will see crazy prices for standard capacity magazines. I recall paying $80 for a 13 round G21 mag only to see them be sold for $120 a few months later. I only had two 10 round mags for my first P226 for about a year because the dealers didn’t have any to sell at any price.

I don’t know that the milsurp route is a good one here. The M1911/A1s are beautifully engineered masterpieces gifted to mankind by John Moses Browning (PBUH). The downside is these are ridiculously expensive and so collectible most of us wouldn’t want to risk carrying one.

We see very little interest in banning handguns other than regulating magazine capacities but that could change. If you CCW, you will want something won’t get you in trouble in the event you have a self-defense shoot.

[Zundfolge]

Buy what you want because you want it. If they ban it down the road, then you have to decide if you will obey the law or not.

But changing your purchasing habits now because of what the antis might do in the future is basically handing them victory in advance.


The "preemptive purchase" option has been ended by universal background checks for us Coloradoans since "off paper" is a prerequisite for preemptive purchases.

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Buy what you want because you want it. If they ban it down the road, then you have to decide if you will obey the law or not.

But changing your purchasing habits now because of what the antis might do in the future is basically handing them victory in advance.

Who doesn't want an M1 Garand?




I'm saying hedge. Instead of buying your 10th AR, buy an M1, and do it before you can't afford one.

[Zundfolge]

Who doesn't want an M1 Garand?

I don't really ... well that is to say there's dozens of guns I'd rather have before I'd expend resources toward a Garand (impending bans or not). And M1 Carbines are horrible ... there, I said it.

Now one of those cool Uberti 1873 carbines with a "Codymatic" action job ... that might be a nice ban proof gun.

[KevDen2005]

Long guns…

I would strongly recommend folks start looking into collectibles to broaden their collections. Older weapons have survived even the NYSafe Act. Milsurps are also heirlooms and investments. I can’t believe the prices of M1 Carbines, M1s, and even M1903s lately. Don’t even get me started on M1911/A1s! I wish I would have gone wildly into debt buying some of these back in the day while everyone else was buying M4 clones and Glocks.

The M1 Garand is an excellent rifle! They can currently be found for $800-1,200 in decent shape. While semi-automatic, the internal magazine exempts it from currently proposed bans. They can be had in .30-06 (the Lord’s caliber) or .308/7.62MM. Both are highly effective and considerably more frightening to me than 5.56MM seeing the results.

Yes, the ammo is more expensive and you have to get rounds specifically for the Garand (I like Prvi). This reinforces the doctrine of the Rifleman; one shot…

We have a thread on these at: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/163240-M1-Garands

There are “tanker” variations with shorter barrels for closer work.

I can reload an M1 just as fast as an AR with a little practice. There are companies that are making tactical carriers for clips. The M1 takes a bayonet which for some reason scares the living shit out of Libs (Berkeley protest flashbacks?).

I have yet to see any legislation proposed regulating clips. Although you can get 2, 3, and 5 round M1 clips specifically for hunting.

You will need to learn irons. Mounting optics is obviously a challenge on older milsurps. You can drill the receiver but then you have altered the original configuration (a potential future ban issue) and cut the collector’s value.

An M1903/1917 is slower, harder to reload, but can shoot as far as you can see. An old man with a bolt gun is formidable foe. The longer the distance, the more chances a person has (space=time=safety). Look for “high number” M1903s (or A3) that will maintain their value as a shooter (I think the heat treat issue is overblown myself but the market is the market).

If someone were to see a milsurp rifle in the statist future, they wouldn’t think “scary black rifle” per their programming. These rifles easily pass for hunting rifles, and a lot of hunters still use them to this day. Someone ignorant about guns couldn’t really tell or articulate the difference between an M1 and a vintage hunting rifle.

I would love to get another M1 but I would like to get a Carbine as well. I have always wanted one.

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I don't really ... well that is to say there's dozens of guns I'd rather have before I'd expend resources toward a Garand (impending bans or not). And M1 Carbines are horrible ... there, I said it.

Get off my lawn.

I would love to get another M1 but I would like to get a Carbine as well. I have always wanted one.

Carbines are a hit at our family shoots. But they are mag fed and would fall under a function ban with a less-than-optimal round. They are great ranch/house guns but I wouldn't want one in the field. I have a Winchester and would love to pick up a second for cheap just can't believe current prices.

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[snip]

Now one of those cool Uberti 1873 carbines with a "Codymatic" action job ... that might be a nice ban proof gun.

There you go!