The Survival Wire

The Budget Shooter

By Chief Mike

I’d like to start this column by introducing myself and giving you a bit of background on me and the impetus for producing this ever continuing project.  I am Chief Mike.  I have 24 years of Police Service and have held every rank from Patrolman to Chief of Police.  I have worked in the inner city, suburbs and small towns in that time. I have run the firearms training unit for a 300 person police department and have owned and shot a very very wide variety of firearms. I currently serve as a reserve Sheriff’s deputy and work full time in the private sector.   I do appreciate the finer things but understand that we cannot always afford them.

I decided to bring you this column particularly because of the economic conditions over the last couple of years, and in doing so, realized this might be a great opportunity to re introduce you to great guns that now seem to go under the radar. The publisher chose me because he knows I’m frugal ( my wife calls it cheap) and decided he was tired of hearing about my deal of the week.  He thought it better that I write about it to share these gems with the rest of the world.   Many publications bring you reviews of firearms and gear that is the latest and greatest.  The problem is that this stuff also costs a whole lot of money.  I don’t get my guns for free from the manufacturers and neither do you.  I actually pay for them out of pocket, while still having to feed my family and keep a roof over their heads.   My hope is to present you with choices that allow you to shoot and be prepared but at bargain prices that the rest of us can afford.

I have nominally set $400 as the maximum price new or used for any firearm that we review here.  We refuse to shoot junk.  It’s no bargain if it falls apart on you.  It is also no bargain if spare parts, service and accessories are not readily available at reasonable prices. We also hope to offer you shopping and buying strategies for guns, gear and ammo that will allow you to maximize your return on investment.  The recent unpleasantness has taught me one thing.  Only three things retain their value.  Gold, Guns, and ammo.  Everything else depreciates faster than a new Chevy.