I recently read a chilling article on the possible developments of Putin's actions, give it a read, very concise and to the point analysis of various ways events will unfold. Here's the link: http://www.vox.com/2015/6/29/8845913/russia-war
Anyway, this got me thinking that I really should learn how to use a gun and what better way to learn than to own? I need to go through al the steps and get my PAL and maybe RPAL but for the time being I want to figure out what gun to get since they cost a lot and I should start saving up in advance. I have been looking into the non restricted selection (restricted seems too much of a hassle) but since I know very little about guns I could use your guys' help. I want a versatile gun that can be used for fun on the range and maybe for some hunting during the current peacetime but would also prepare me for stuff I would handle when I join the military should shtf due to Putin's warmongering. I want it to also serve as a good guerrilla/partisan warfare weapon in the highly unlikely event the US and Canada get invaded. I get this mindset might sound crazy but the referenced article combined with my close attention to the Russo-Ukrainian War due to being a Ukrainian-born Canadian really do paint a grave picture of the next few years. The situation today is identical to the months before WW1 but made worse with Putin's relaxed stance on nuke use (the doctrine considers the use of tac nukes as a battlefield tactic!). Given this, I want to be ready for whatever happens. If Canada goes to war alongside NATO allies, I will join the army. If we are invaded (however unlikely), I want to be set to put up resistance.
I am open to any suggestions but what I was thinking is getting a semi auto rifle since those seem to be more versatile than anything else out there and many are non restricted! As for caliber I was leaning towards 7.62x39 due to stopping power and the fact that it's what the Russian Army use (easy to scavenge off some Ruskies if shtf) while not discounting 5.56 NATO since our side would be using this and it would be good to get familiar with if I join the army (.50 beowulf mag loophole is nice too, dont think anything like it is available for 7.62x39). On the 7.62 side I see the options are limited with seemingly only the SKS and CZ858/VZ85 available and both limited in accessory compatibility (no rails) and general quality (old, worse condition) with the CZ958 maybe making things easier once it reaches us. On the 5.56 NATO side there is much more choice most of which are much easier to get accessories for due to many having rails. Obviously there's also the AR-15 but I'm not counting it because it's restricted (UGH!!!).
What do you think would best fit my needs? Feel free to throw in any suggestions, not just rifles and give specific model names. For rifles I would appreciate both 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO options and suggest other calibers if you want, please give specific rifles with reasoning. Thanks and sorry for the long post.
Anyway, this got me thinking that I really should learn how to use a gun and what better way to learn than to own? I need to go through al the steps and get my PAL and maybe RPAL but for the time being I want to figure out what gun to get since they cost a lot and I should start saving up in advance. I have been looking into the non restricted selection (restricted seems too much of a hassle) but since I know very little about guns I could use your guys' help. I want a versatile gun that can be used for fun on the range and maybe for some hunting during the current peacetime but would also prepare me for stuff I would handle when I join the military should shtf due to Putin's warmongering. I want it to also serve as a good guerrilla/partisan warfare weapon in the highly unlikely event the US and Canada get invaded. I get this mindset might sound crazy but the referenced article combined with my close attention to the Russo-Ukrainian War due to being a Ukrainian-born Canadian really do paint a grave picture of the next few years. The situation today is identical to the months before WW1 but made worse with Putin's relaxed stance on nuke use (the doctrine considers the use of tac nukes as a battlefield tactic!). Given this, I want to be ready for whatever happens. If Canada goes to war alongside NATO allies, I will join the army. If we are invaded (however unlikely), I want to be set to put up resistance.
I am open to any suggestions but what I was thinking is getting a semi auto rifle since those seem to be more versatile than anything else out there and many are non restricted! As for caliber I was leaning towards 7.62x39 due to stopping power and the fact that it's what the Russian Army use (easy to scavenge off some Ruskies if shtf) while not discounting 5.56 NATO since our side would be using this and it would be good to get familiar with if I join the army (.50 beowulf mag loophole is nice too, dont think anything like it is available for 7.62x39). On the 7.62 side I see the options are limited with seemingly only the SKS and CZ858/VZ85 available and both limited in accessory compatibility (no rails) and general quality (old, worse condition) with the CZ958 maybe making things easier once it reaches us. On the 5.56 NATO side there is much more choice most of which are much easier to get accessories for due to many having rails. Obviously there's also the AR-15 but I'm not counting it because it's restricted (UGH!!!).
What do you think would best fit my needs? Feel free to throw in any suggestions, not just rifles and give specific model names. For rifles I would appreciate both 7.62x39 and 5.56 NATO options and suggest other calibers if you want, please give specific rifles with reasoning. Thanks and sorry for the long post.
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