Many firearms are made for a single purpose, or maybe just a few different purposes. A 28-gauge upland shotgun is perfectly suitable for chasing grouse on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but might not be a great home-defense gun. At the same time, a bolt-action chassis rifle might be just what you need to hit a target at 1,000 yards during a long-range competition, but its usefulness as a “truck gun” is greatly limited.
For new gun owners looking to purchase their second or third firearm, it’s time to think about versatility. Here, we’ll take a look at a handful of guns that check many boxes, rather than being suitable for just one purpose.
Some such guns are rifles, while others are large-format pistols. While others break down for easy storage, while others fold over. Some shoot pistol-caliber ammunition, with many chambering the reasonably priced, easy-to-find 9mm cartridge.
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Meet The Versatile Rifles
Smith & Wesson M&P FPC
Following up on Smith & Wesson’s M&P pistol popularity, semi-auto M&P FPC builds on that heritage in a long-gun format—well, sometimes long. Chambered in 9mm and coming with two 23-round and one 17-round magazines, the gun is compatible with all M&P full-size and compact pistol double-stack magazines. An in-stock magazine storage feature with a quick-release tab system allows the shooter to carry two extra mags at the ready.
The FPC’s folding design is what makes it particularly unique. The FPC folds right in front of the receiver by a horizontal folding mechanism with a locking latch. S&W engineers designed it so that the folding design doesn’t interfere with top-mounted optics, and a Picatinny rail provides the perfect place to mount such an optic. Measuring a little over 30 inches when unfolded, it’s only 16.38 inches when folded, making it easy to store in a backpack, truck console or just about anywhere else.
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I own a FPC and it’s my go-to gun for many different situations. When traveling, it serves as my trailer gun, and with 63 rounds of 9mm on board, I doubt I’ll ever be undergunned. It also fits into my F-350 console when folded down, making it a good gun to carry in the truck. In my mind, since it’s more accurate and holds more ammunition than a 9mm pistol, it can do just about everything better except be carried in a pocket or holster. At the range, you’ll look long and hard to find a gun that’s more fun to shoot.
Springfield Hellion
This super-cool gun from Springfield features a bullpup configuration, making it both stylish and versatile. ‘Bullpup’ simply means its firing grip is positioned in front of the breech instead of behind it, resulting in a more compact design. This setup allows for a longer barrel (16, 18, or 20 inches) while maintaining a shorter overall length (28.25, 30.25, or 32.25 inches).
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Chambered in 5.56mm, the Hellion features an uninterrupted Picatinny rail and includes sturdy flip-up iron sights. It comes standard with the BCM Gunfighter Mod 3 grip, but can accommodate any standard AR-15 grip. Its spring-loaded, five-position adjustable buttstock provides maximum adaptability for various shooters, and M-Lok slots at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions make attaching lights, lasers or other accessories straightforward.
The Hellion features a hammer-forged barrel with a 1:7 twist rate and a Melonite coating for durability against the elements. For left-handed shooters tired of brass ejecting in their faces, the gun’s reversible ejection system requires no extra parts or tools. Additionally, the safety, charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release are also reversible to suit left-handed users.
CZ 600+ Trail
Unlike some of our other offerings, the CZ 600+ Trail is available in chamberings that range from plinking and self-defense to hunting. The gun is offered in .223 Rem. and 7.62×39, giving customers a couple of good choices depending on their planned use for the rifle.
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The 600+ Trail is a lightweight, compact gun that can be easily stored or carried for hours without much effort. The overall length of the gun ranges from 27.1 to 35 inches, depending on the stock position, and the .223 variant weighs about 6 pounds. It features a long Picatinny rail on top of both the aluminum receiver and the fore end, along with M-Lok slots on the fore end. The AR-15-compatible pistol grip has interchangeable backstraps compatible with the company’s P-09 pistol. The four-position telescopic stock includes a cheekpiece on the left side.
The gun also differs from our other offerings in that it features a bolt action. The barrel is 16 inches long, and the double-stage trigger is adjustable by the user. The .223 model works with all AR magazines, which is very convenient for those who already own an AR-style firearm. The magazine for the 7.62×39 model is compatible with the original CZ BREN 2/CZ BREN 2 Ms series fiber-reinforced 10-round mags.
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