Oh, absolutely. A weapon that looks cool is a weapon that looks cool; that's its own thing. But really what the weapon is FOR is what's important - it's functionality. If you can have a functional weapon that also looks cool, that's a good thing. But if you have to sacrifice functionality for looks, that's just foolish. I guess you can say that a weapon can have an "intimidation factor", which can maybe sometimes be an actual advantage. But I still wouldn't want to sacrifice just pure functionality for that. One thing about the 590 (and probably the 500 too) is that it takes a clip. My father's shotguns all have plugs in them to reduce the number of shells it holds from 5 to 3. It's NJ law. Now, the 590 takes what, a 20-round clip?
This is a fun thread. Although it has nothing to do with trading or financial markets, or economics, it's fun to talk about guns. I just happen to be one of those people who "likes" guns. Aside from needing one for a genuine purpose (protecting my kingdom), I just like them. I like the way they look, and I like shooting them. I always have. I just never went through the hassle of trying to own one before - but I wish that I had.
I can picture having a weapon in other parts of the US like Pennsylvania, but having one in NYC is just asking for trouble. The NYPD is quite good at responding to crimes. They have an army of cops all over with undercover and uniformed officers just about everywhere. The other day I saw an undercover car that looked like a taxi. I saw another one that was a Pontiac Grand Prix. These guys are everywhere all over NYC and you just need to have a good phone. If you ever phoned in a call to 911 that a violent crime was in progress, there would be several cars up your street in a matter of a minute and then will come the guys with the M4s through the door in a matter of another minute. Since 9/11, the NYPD is better armed then ever before with more emergency services cops (swat) armed with bullet proof vests and high powered automatic rifles. If you are really that afraid of someone breaking into your apartment while you are there then call a locksmith and invest your money into a good bar for the door and reinforce the frame of the door. Get yourself a good dedicated phone line with 911 programmed in.
I am looking for an AR-15 or an M14 as well as a Stoeger Cougar 8000. If someone can arrange a sale to Switzerland from the US or Canada, please let me know. Those guns are nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price here. An AR 15 costs $2500-3000 ( that will be for older versions anyway) and the Beretta Cougar (not Stoeger here) costs $1000+ (vs $350 in the US). Sig guns made in Switzerland are more expensive than in the US as well (everyone 's got a Sig rifle here) . The AR-15 is the best looking rifle ever, I just want one but I am not willing to pay $3000 for it.
It's not just about burglars. We don't know what's going to happen in the next 10 years, or even the next 1 year, and who knows who or what you might have to defend against.
I don't know about NYC, but the D.C. handgun ban was overturned recently. Not sure what that means for other cities yet. I guess there will have to be other court challenges.
Under the Arms Export Control Act, it is illegal to export weapons internationally without a license from the State Department. If you do find an AR-15 in your neck of the woods which you can buy legally, be careful to avoid being cheap. Seriously consider only buying one of the better brands such as Colt, Armalite, Bushmaster, Rock River, DPMS, etc... The main thing you want to avoid is a cast receiver. A brand such as Olympic Arms would be cheaper because of cast parts. And this is not just ARs. There are many other firearms which are available in cast versions, such as versions of the GS-3 and FN-FAL rifles. You want a firearm made with forged components. Edit: There was a post that was just deleted that offered an important suggestion. Taking some firearms training is a very good idea, it's also alot of fun. I would go further and recommend taking a class designed for filing a concealed weapon permit. It's very important to know the twists and turns of your local statues regarding self defense and the use of deadly force. If you have CCW permits in your State/City and you are not restricted, get one before it's too late. If you already have a CWW in your State/City, and that allows you to get a CCW in a neighboring State, get that one too. It's also good to know what States have CCW reciprocity with your State.
<i>"you'll want to buy 3" magnum OO buckshot rounds, NOT slugs or birdshot. "</i> not to be nit-picky, but big shot = small buckshot like T's to #5 buck generate much more damage at point-blank range that 00 buckshot. 00 buckshot is designed for use out to 50 yards or so... larger but fewer projectiles to retain kinetic energy downrange. Very tight pattern, easy to miss a target point blank. They are no different than slugs inside of ten yards... hit what you point at with either, and it's lights out forever. But could easily miss. T-size shot to #5 buck spreads faster at close range, increases your pattern for margin of error. More devastating than any other shotgun load inside of ten yards, that is an absolute fact. But anything emerging from a 20-ga or 12-ga (no measurable difference in performance) at defensive ranges is a lethal impact above the waist.