One and Only Survival Gun

[Mr_Flintstone]

Now that I've grabbed your attention, I'd like to ask a question; well two really. The idea of survival takes on different personas in different regions. Specifically for your area or region, if you had to pick a single weapon to help you survive in a societal collapse situation, what would that weapon be, and why would you choose it? You may deviate from the original question slightly, but try to stay true to the spirit of the question.

 

[boomeradf]

Some form of a pump 12 gauge. I would want a shorter barrel and a long barrel for different tasks.

 

[coloradokevin]

1) An AR-15. It's a versatile, reliable, and relatively accurate firearm that uses widely available ammunition. It obviously works well as a fighting rifle, but it can also hunt in a pinch (small game easily, deer sized game without much trouble, and larger game if you had no other choice). If you chose an AR-10 variant (.308 Win) you'd still have many of the advantages listed above, but more power for larger game hunting.

2) A 12 gauge shotgun. It's good for defense. It's great for hunting. Again, ammunition is widely available.

 

[12Pump]

For me, it would be a handgun first because I want the ability to have it easily on my person and immediately available at home while also being able to leave home with something that is easy to carry and be kept out of sight. The last thing I want to do is bring attention to myself by carrying a long gun. With that being said, my 2 guns would be:

1. My 9mm Springfield XD9 pistol
2. I'm torn between either an AR15 or a Mossberg 500 12ga. shotgun. Home defense would be the priority with this one.

 

[FROGO207]

I am waiting for someone to say 50 BMG. Seriously I would use a longish barreled revolver in .22/.22 MAG with the spare cylinder. Can conceal OK and carry a fair amount of ammo and then download to .22 LR for noise reduction/food gathering. .22 Mag for defense. Not wanting to carry around 500 rounds of 223 or 9MM but with a .22 no sweat.
ETA this would NOT work in Alaska.

 

[DDDWho]

I assume by "societal collapse" we are talking some sort of self defense weapon. In that case I'll bring what I have, a Mini 14 and a 1911.

In the case of a hunter, gatherer situation I'll choose a .22 semi auto rifle, and a Buck knife of suitable design.

 

[Reuben McCoy Rankin]

I think t would have to be my AR pistol.
Easy to carry, accurate to 100 yards. Would do for small game and some large game (including 2 legged)
ammo easy available?? Not sure about that but
I have plenty.

 

[Panzerschwein]

A 9mm semi auto carbine that takes Glock mags.

 

[JohnnyFlake]

If your talking home defense and could only have one gun, it would be a high capacity 9mm. My choice would be a CZ P09. It's an outstanding handgun and holds 19 in the magazine.

If your talking about a Hunter/Gatherer situation and again only one gun, it would be an over/under rifle/shotgun, rifle barrel over a shotgun barrel. My choice would be a .223 barrel over a 20ga shotgun barrel.

 

[loose noose]

M-4 AR-15.

 

[threefeathers]

For one gun I would choose my AK Pistol. With two guns I would choose a M P 357Sig and a full size AK.

 

[jmr40]

Ruger 10-22. 500 rounds of ammo take up less space than a box of 25 shotshells. Can be used for hunting anything from deer on down. At 50 yards or less it'd work as a SD weapon.

 

[acdodd]

If I am not leaving home an AR15 and a couple thousand rounds of ammo.
If I had to bug out probably a 10/22 and several hundred rounds.
The reason for a .22 is I really don't think there will be much big game to hunt and a .22 can kill a lot of things with good shot placement.
If I can ever find a 10/22 magnum then that would be my bug out choice but I have never even seen one of those locally.

 

[Jimster]

AR 15

 

[denton]

41 Mag revolver. Big enough for elk, awkwardly concealable, very intimidating, exceptionally accurate. With a little fiddling, I can load shotshells for it, effective for several yards.

 

[Duster340]

I'd have to go with a 12 ga, pump, 20" w variety of choke tubes, ie full, modified & cylinder. Slugs, 00 buck and birdshot would cover pretty much anything I might encounter.

 

[X-Rap]

AR, 10-22 and often overlooked Contender. The 10-22 and Contender in a .30 barrel would take care of most problems one might run into.

 

[Ks5shooter]

AR in 5.56 on my shoulder with 300 blk upper in a backpack with a couple hundred rounds of each caliber in the backpack. Should cover my needs.

 

[zb338]

I remember reading the late Jack O'Conner. He said he would like a 30/06
and a big bag full of ammo for a survival set up.

Zeke

 

[ThomasT]

If I could have only one gun that would be my Marlin 357 mag rifle. Thats as long as I could have a reloading set up to go with it. Just a simple Lee hand press would work.

 

[win71]

One of the original specifically chosen "survival weapons" that I remember was a drilling in 12x12ga over 9.3x74R for the German Luftwaffe. It's purpose was for a downed pilot in hostile country to survive by killing game or people until rescued. A "societal collapse" is what war is all about.
I have had two what I would call "survival weapons" that I have given away to my sons. A 22-410 and a 22mag-20ga. I also had and gave to an old logging partner a 222-20ga.
I keep handy in my boat, quad, and pick-up, or 5th wheel a CZ Brno 12ga. over 30-06. Single set trigger on the 06. It's broke down and kept in an old leg of mutton type leather case.
I'm 72. I'm way past the time I can have a running gun battle with anybody. Unless they are in a wheel chair!
25 rounds of #6 and 40 rounds of 150 gr. and I could make it for a while.
If I lived in the city then the definition of "Survival" would be different. I'd just keep my wwII 1911A1

 

[Armored farmer]

I remember reading the late Jack O'Conner. He said he would like a 30/06
and a big bag full of ammo for a survival set up.

Zeke

There ain't no problem that can't be fixed with $700 and a .30-06?

Maybe the modern remix should be:
There ain't no problem that can't be fixed with 3-30s of 5.56





Why?
I am usually more old-school than modern, but these ARs are very capable.

 

[Acera]

AR-15.


With it I can easily get me a shotgun and pistols from the other guys I run into





.

 

[mnrivrat]

Since I am in a wheel chair , I'm not going anywhere. I guess I will use my Remington 1100 in 20ga and call that good. I have 300+ rounds of buckshot, 100 rounds of slugs, and a few boxes of bitdshot to keep it running (also extra O rings)

 

[win71]

mnrivrat
I'd say you are more than ready.