USAF_Vet
Member
Natural disaster I can see. Living in Michigan, about the only ND I can relatively expect is a harsh winter blizzard that might knock out power for a week or two at the worst. In my little section of MI, floods aren't much of a danger. The occasional storm might knock out power to the house, but not OMGtheSHTFwhatwillIdo?!?!?1one!!1 panic that I'm going to start boarding up windows and setting claymores in the yard.
Widespread disease/ biological contamination? Way too much Hollyweird my man. The only thing I could foresee even close to this is a nuclear power plant meltdown. There are two, at least, in a 75-100 mile radius of my location. Even if they experienced a Worst Case Scenario like Chernobyl, which is highly unlikely, the possibility of mass panic and fallout is minimal.
Governmental collapse is another Hollyweird scenario that is unlikely to happen. My brother lives in a state whose government effectively shutdown, and has been that way for sometime, Minnesotta. Guess what, there isn't mass panic and rioting in the streets without rule of law.
Hordes of Alien Chinese Zombie Paratroopers aren't darkening the skies anytime soon either.
I personally find the idea of SHTF entertaining, but unlikely. However, having said all that, I do have plans in the event "It won't happen here" actually happens here. I don't know your exact living situation, but Shelter in Place is one of ther best options you have. Setting out upon a perilous journey like Mad Max might be fun to consider and even plan for, but the liklihood of success is slim, bordering on none.
But since we're entertaining the idea, I'll +1 the notion of a decent .22LR and a 12gauge shotgun. Between the two, there isn't a lot that can't be done. But, if weight consideration is a factor, and if you're hoofing it across the country it certainly should be, then ditch the 12 gauge. A .22LR with a good amount of ammunition and a variable power scope should be sufficient. Accuracy between bolt action, semi-auto, pump, etc. can be debated til Armageddon, but I prefer a good semi-auto. Then your considerations will be tube fed or box mag. Again, that's really personal preference. A Ruger 10/22 with a 40 round banana mag goes a long way.
A side arm could be considered if you feel .22LR won't be enough for certain breeds of two legged varmints, a full frame 9mm hi cap would suffice. Something like a Beretta 92FS with a few mags, or a Glock with the 33 rnd mags. With the proper rig, the weight of it just melts off. And in a EOTWAWKI, open/ concealed carry laws would be moot.
That's if you plan to go mobile on foot. If you're going to Shelter in Place, weight isn't a problem. My plan for most SHTF scenarios is SIP. I've got a sturdy house, decent neighbors, and a lot of land to see what there is to see. I've got a decent garden, but nothing that will feed myself and family year round indefinetely. Stock up on cases of Ramen, bottled water (or a hand pump if on a well), rice and canned goods. If well rationed, a pantry of food can stretch out to last for weeks. The occasional squirrel, bunny, turkey, deer or whatever local game is in your area is a good supplement to your stockpile, but reliance on hunting, trapping and foraging is a recipe for failure. I'm set to survive if I need to for a couple weeks, a month if I push it, with just what I have in my house right now. If I were to really plan and prepare, I could probably go a few months or more before I'm considering which of the dogs to eat. If any long term disaster really lasts that long, then god help us.
Survival in a SHTF scenarios is not so much reliant as "What gun should I have?"
Remember, Mindset, Skillset, Toolset, in that order.
