Mr. Rawles:
I’m a college student living in Western Washington. My budget is very tight. I am looking to purchase my first–perhaps only–long gun before the proverbial Schumer Hits The Fan. This one gun must be able to provide “sure stopping” self defense and be able to provide food. (Deer, rabbits, and maybe birds.) I presently only have about $300 to spend. What is your advice? – C.&W.
JWR Replies: For a tight budget “one gun” solution, given the short ranges that you’ll encounter in western Washington, nothing beats the versatility of a shotgun. If your budget is $300 and just one gun must provide both self defense and the ability to hunt, I would look for a used Remington Model 870 12 gauge shotgun with a 3″ chamber and screw-in choke tubes. Given the wet climate in your region, get one of the gray parkerized models (such as the inexpensive “Express” variant) for better weather protection. (Standard bluing tends to rust with daily use in wet weather. Even if you get the chance to clean and oil a gun daily, all it takes is one missed spot, and rust will start to form.)
You can always pick up a used short “riotgun” barrel at a later date for around $90. (BTW, there is also a Remington 870 Express Combo variant that comes from the factory with both bird gun and riotgun barrels.) Any extra barrels that you buy should also be both parkerized and threaded for screw-in choke tubes. Another reliable shotgun is the Mossberg 500 series. OBTW, if you were writing me from one of the Plains States, I’d recommend a .308 Winchester bolt action Scout rifle, which would be more apropos for open country.