Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, a special look at the best guns and magazines to buy, in the era of The Bidenistas.
I have my own biases, so your mileage may vary…
Bidenista Schemes
I anticipate that Biden & Company will feel frustrated by their inability to enact their proposed ban on semi-automatic rifles and magazines. At that juncture, they will very likely implement an import ban, via one or more Executive Orders. This will outlaw the importation of most semi-auto rifles and pistols as well as any shotgun with a detachable magazine, or with a tubular magazine that can hold more than three shells. At the same time, they may very well also ban the import of any magazines that hold more than 10 cartridges.
With that in mind, here are my recommendations on the best guns and magazines to invest in, in 2022 and 2023:
Modern Handguns:
Imported semi-auto handguns from Europe top my list.
Glocks of all descriptions. But you may say: “But now they’re made by Glock USA!” To explain: The Glock USA pistols have American-made frames, barrels, and slides, produced on Glock-supplied tooling. The rest of the components come from Austria. So, if there is an import ban, it might include these parts, bringing Glock USA production to a standstill for many months.
Walther pistols are all still made In Germany. Consider:
Walther PPQ. (These have amazing triggers.)
Walther PDP
Walther P99
Walther CCP
Most HK pistols sold in the US are now made in Columbus, Georgia, USA. These include the HK45 and Compact. But you can look for ones marked “DE” or “Made in Germany”, including:
HK VP9
HK SP5 and SP5K
Springfield Armory XD series pistols. (All are made in Croatia.)
European-produced SIG pistols. Note that The SIG factory in Eckernförde, Germany shut down in 2021. Most SIG pistol models are now 100% made in USA. But you can look for:
SIG Sauer P220 marked Made In Germany
SIG Sauer P226 marked Made In Germany. Try to find the pistols with stock numbers E26R-9-BSS-GER or E26R-9-B-GER.
SIG Sauer P210 (never produced in the U.S.)
CZ75 (all made in the Czech Republic). Collectors look for early production (“Pre-B”) pistols. But from a practical standpoint, the current-production guns are just as well made, and they have Picatinny rails, making them more versatile.
Most FN pistols on the American market are now made in Columbia, South Carolina.
FN Five Seven pistols. Look for ones marked “Made in Belgium”
FN 509 series pistols. Look for ones marked “Made in Belgium”
FN Hi-Power. Look for ones marked “Made in Belgium”
Note: Regardless of the type of European pistol(s) that you invest in, be sure to buy plenty of extra original factory-made magazines. Getting anything less than 8 spares would be a mistake.
Modern Rifles:
Search for AR-15 and AR-10 family rifles, preferably that are made by “top-tier” manufacturers. These include;
- Daniel Defense
- Bravo Company (BCM)
- Faxon Firearms
- Diamondback
- Noveske
- Geissele
- Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT)
- Yankee Hill Machine (YHM)
- Knights Armament Company (KAC)
- Colt
- H&K (416/417/516 series, but also consider the older HK91/93 series)
- FN
- Wilson Combat
- LaRue
- Midwest Industries (MI)
- JP Enterprises
- LWRCI
- Barrett
Also consider any of these “second tier” AR makers, that make quite serviceable and reliable ARs:
- Ruger
- Smith & Wesson
- Seekins Precision
- Rock River Arms (RRA)
- Palmetto State Armory (PSA)
- SIG Sauer (M400/Tread series.)
- Springfield Armory (Saint series)
- ArmaLite
- CMMG
- Aero Precision
Note: Avoid buying generic “no name” or “never heard of them” brand ARs and AR parts. Their reliability and accuracy are generally spotty.
And regardless of what brand of AR you buy, be sure to buy plenty of high-quality magazines. Getting anything less than a dozen spares would be a mistake. Three or four dozen magazines would not be excessive, since they make great barter items!
Bullpups?
You might also consider later investing in one or two bullpup configuration rifles, such as the Steyr AUG (made in Austria), the IWI Tavor X95 (made in Israel), or the Springfield Armory Hellion (made in Croatia.) Note that the AUG requires a proprietary magazine, whereas the Tavor X95 and the Hellion use standard NATO (M4/M16) magazines.
Modern Shotguns:
Try to find a Saiga-12 shotgun, while you can. These are made in Russia, and are now import banned. Get at least six 10-round or 12-round magazines, and a couple of drum magazines. DO NOT buy the drums made by Pro-Mag.
The Beretta 1301 Tactical is a good choice.
The Benelli M2/M3/M4 may prove to be more collectible. The M4 is also known as the M1014, as issued to the US Marine Corps.
For reliability, the pump-action Remington Model 870 is legendary. If you live on or near salt water, then get a nickel-plated “Marine” variant, or have your gun Cerakoted, for rust protection.
Magazines:
Start out by stockpiling magazines of 11+ round capacity for any of your European-made pistols and rifles.
Next, stock up on AR magazines. I prefer MagPul brand PMAGs.
Then stockpile magazines of 11+ round capacity for any of your American-made pistols.
Then, buy extended (20 to 33-round) magazines for all of your pistols with double-column magazines.
Finally, buy a few drum magazines. But only buy quality drums! The Beta Company CMAG and the MagPul drum both work quite well. The early KCI (Korean) drums reportedly had some problems, but their more recent production examples are quite good. Avoid any drum magazines made by ProMag.
Note: Quality magazines are sold by several of our affiliate advertisers, including Brownells, GunMag Warehouse, and Palmetto State Armory.
Antique Rifles:
After you have your battery of modern guns squared away, then consider diversifying into pre-1899 guns, as a long-term hedge. (I sell some, through Elk Creek Company, as a side business.)
For rifles, I recommend:
Pre-1899 Mausers (M1891 to M1896 models.)
Winchester Model 1886 in .45-70 or .45-90 with serial # below 119,193
Winchester Model 1890 (.22 Short or .22 WRF) with serial # below 64,521
Winchester Model 1892 carbines or rifles in .44-40 with serial # below 165,432
Winchester Model 1894 carbines or pre-1899 receivers in .30-30, or .25-35 with serial # below 147,685
Winchester Model 1895 with serial # below 19,872
Pre-1899 Remington Rolling Block Rifles, chambered for commercially-available cartridges, such as .45-70 and 7×57 Mauser.
Pre-1899 Swiss M1996/11 rifles (Serial number below 236,500.)
Antique Shotguns:
Pre-1899 Winchester Model 1897 with serial # below 63,633
Pre-1899 Colt Double-Barrel Shotguns
Pre-1899 Parker Double-Barrel Shotguns
Pre-1899 L.C. Smith Double-Barrel Shotguns
Antique Handguns:
C.96 Broomhandle Mauser pistols. (Pre-1899 ones have a serial # below 15,000.)
Steel-frame Colt Single Action Army SAA revolvers made between 1896 and 1898. (Serial # between 165,000 and 182,000.)
Colt M1878 Double Action in .44-40 or .45 Colt with serial # below 41,000
S&W Top Break Revolvers:
.32 S&W Safety Hammerless with serial # below 91,400
.38 S&W Safety Hammerless with serial # below 119,900
.32 S&W Double Action with hammer with serial # below 209,301
.38 S&W Double Action with hammer with serial # below 382,022
.38 S&W Single Action #2 spur trigger top break revolvers. (All are pre-1899)
.44-40 or .44 S&W Russian single action or double action top breaks (all are pre-1899)
Provisos:
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News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant because they come from folks who closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News items from local news outlets that are missed by the news wire services are especially appreciated. And it need not be only about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!