5 Utility Guns to Own?

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Since SHTF scenario is the prime key, and I'll make a few assumptions - NO ARs are available or will remain legal, same with the ammo, they would need, IMO:

a .22 lr rifle for pests and varmints and small game

a rifle for bigger game such as deer - again, eliminating any military cartridge which might become illegal would make my choice something in the 270, 7mm, or 30-06 range

a shotgun for birds and another layer of defense - a gas gun, preferably a Beretta in 12 gauge

a handgun they can both use, and one that is not a military cartridge - something like a 38/357

for the fifth - assuming most supplies are gone or extremely limited - either a flintlock with the supplies to make their own bullets, or a bow - arrows are reusable and it can be used for stealthy game acquisition or even defense
 
I love threads like this. To see what other think. Just some fun on a rainy day.

I would say:

870 (readers pick) I like the Magnum Express - yes cheap, but can shoot anything
30-30 I like my Marlin 336SS
22LR rifle - users choice
AR - I will put it in there - some may not agree
For pistol I will go with 4 inch 357 - I like my 686.
 
for the fifth - assuming most supplies are gone or extremely limited - either a flintlock with the supplies to make their own bullets, or a bow - arrows are reusable and it can be used for stealthy game acquisition or even defense

How about a Black Powder scenario?

1. Concealed Carry - 1862 Colt Pocket Police (4-1/2" bbl)
2. Personal Defense - 1858 Remington New Model Army (8" bbl)
3. Home Defense - Pedersoli Calvary Double SxS Shotgun (11" bbl)
4. Hunting - Pedersoli Double SxS Shotgun (28" bbl)
5. Standoff - 1859 Sharps Carbine

All ammunition can be poured from lead molds, you can make your own black powder, paper cartridges and lubricants and get soft lead just about anywhere. Just need an ample supply of caps until you learn how to make them yourself too!
 
So here is an interesting question. My wife's Aunt & Uncle called me and asked what 5 guns they should by, if they will only have 5. They are both in there 50s and familiar with firearms. I thought this would be and interesting question for the group. Nothing fancy or special - just 5 guns & no budget breakers.

I was thinking something along these lines.

1. Pump 12 Gauge shotgun. Either Rem 870 or similar
2. Ruger 10/22
3. Bolt Action Rifle in 308 or 30-06
or lever action 30-30
4. Revolver - 357 or Taurus Judge (Aunt & Uncle don't strike me as SA pistol types)
5. Maybe a Ranch Rifle in 223. Ruger Mini 14 or similar.

It depends on what the purpose of their wanting the suggestion from you. But I think you could do better than a 10/22 for general use. Again, there needs to be a purpose behind the madness. Urban self defense.... lean heavy on handguns, shotgun and one rifle.... rural living with hunting.... I would modify the list a bit and have it geared toward the objectives at hand. Rural self defense in a chaotic sitution... several AR's and plenty of ammo, a shotgun and handguns. Five isn't enough diversity in this case.
 
If it really is 'utility' I would narrow things a bit:
2x Glock 19 9mm
2x 12 Gauge shotgun (Browning BPS or something)
1x .308/7.62x51 class semi-auto (AR class or bull pup)
Few cartridge types, interchangeable parts, reasonably wide field of use.
You could exchange the mix for 1 shotgun and 2 AR/Bullpups in .308's or 2 AR's in 5.56 but you get the idea. Two pair of the highly used configurations and a single more powerful but less general-use design.
But I accept that it's quite boring.
B
 
"Utility" being the main factor for 5 firearms, I would probably recommend:

1. Shotgun: Remington 870
2. Pistol: 9mm, either a Glock 17/19, Beretta 92FS, or Sig P226
3. Revolver: .357/.38, probably a Ruger GP100
4. Rifle: Any AR-15 chambered in .223/5.56
5. Plinker: Ruger 10/22 or Ruger MK III or Ruger 22/45
 
I have all the bases covered along with stocks of ammo for the first four the OP listed and I am working diligently to soon score #5.
However I have also one other suggestion to include on the long gun .22 and that is an older and still abundantly available .22 that will either come as a single shot or most likely bolt repeater that shoots all three types of .22 ammo.
You know like in the days when some of us were kids in the 60's and could go into the hardware store or feed store to purchase Long rifle,longs,or shorts...I usually bought shorts because they were around a dime less.
I dont think I will be getting rid anytime soon of my old Marlin/Glenfield bolt action model 25.
It does not have the speed or capacity of my Marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22 but it can shoot ammo reliably that they cannot.
 
Here goes a slightly different take on it, this assumes plenty of up front money for guns, rural SHTF survival mode:

1, AR with a .22LR conversion adapter (maybe custom .22 dedicated upper with propper twist rate) and plenty of CCI .22LR Quiet ammo, sure it will not cycle the bolt, but when they say quiet they mean it (no need for hearing protection) and no .22 crack that can be heard for miles. Great for shooting small game for food, and if you run into something bigger it takes all of about 10 seconds to pull the .22LR BCG adapter out and drop the 5.56 BCG in.

2, AK (or maybe SKS) in 7.62x39 gives you diversity and you should always have at least 2 people with long range rifle options, plus they are durable, and no tiny little springs, or other hard to replace parts like the AR has.

3, A good 12 GA pump shotgun, lots of diversity here, I would lean Remington 870 Marine Magnum, but there are several other valid choices.

4, 4 inch .357 revolver, small enough to conceal if you have to, larger enough to have stopping power, and in a SHTF situation you want to make every shot count.

5, Marlin 1894C .357 lever action, because you can use the same ammo as your hand gun and it has plenty out to a couple of hundred yards when being fired out of an 18 inch barrel
 
My list is pretty simple. Three guns for food harvesting, and two for protection

1. Savage 22/410 O/U - excellent for small game

2. Mossberg 500 12ga - turkey and waterfowl

3. Howa 1500 35 whelen - deer-moose sized game

4. RI 4" 1911 - personal protection

5. AR15 - home and community defence
 
Earlier, someone worked with the assumption that military cartridges could be illegal. Sure, that's happened in some places, but what about .223 or .308, those really aren't "military" cartridges. That being said, what about a pump action .308 (Remmie 7600 or something along those lines)?
 
I'm quite certain that I didn't "invent" this list but I have for decades maintained that every prepared citizen need a basic battery of 5 arms:

A centerfire rifle - bolt or lever action
A centerfire handgun
A rimfire rifle
A rimfire handgun
A good shotgun - either 12 ga or 20 ga

For the Texas area - having lived there - I'd be satisfied with these:

CF Rifle - a bolt action in ether 243 or 308 (but IMO any good rifle in a common caliber from 243 to 30-06 would do). Frankly I'd want a 30-30 as well but I only have five slots to fill.

CF hand gun - a good old K frame or larger S&W 357 magnum with a 4" barrel would suffice for these folks IMO

22 rifle - these days I'd have to say that given today's market, the 10/22 is the only truly viable choice unless you include the Browning BL-22 or throw the very expensive Browning 22SA into the mix. My preferred rifles though would include Marlin 39/1897, several now discontinued Browning 22 (i.e. the BAR 22) and the Remington Nylon 66/76 series. You'd have to GIVE me a Henry.

22 Handgun - I think the Ruger Super Single Six 22/22mag is about the most utilitarian, most reliable, handgun I could have under post SHTF conditions.

Shotgun - I'd choose/recommend the Mossberg 500 (or the Remington 970). I prefer the Mossberg only because I prefer the Mossberg's slide release and safety are positioned. As well, you can buy one at Big Five in a "combo pack" with both a short "riot" barrel and a long barrel set up for screw on chokes and ventilated rib for hunting.

Those are my choices and "why".

YMMV
 
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Since it's a shtf scenario, I would go:

9mm pistol that fits him
9mm pistol that fits her
20 gauge pump or inertia action
ar-10 (308)
bolt action in 308

To many people over look ammo issues. Having to stock, store and transport 5 different types of ammo is a problem. This list cuts it down to 3.
 
Thank You all for the excellent feedback and replies. I have not responded to all the good ideas since the 16th post but really appreciate all the feedback.

Sometimes, when you are doing research for people, they run off without you and do their own thing. I gave her feedback and she read all your responses. She also was influenced by the clerks at our LGS.

So here is what my Aunt ended up with:

1. Benelli Super Nova tactical 12 Guage
2. Browning A Bolt 270
3. S & W Governor Revolver (.410 & 45 LC)
4. Browning SA22
5. Remington 870 20 Guage

Probably still needs a 22 Pistol.

BTW - I saw a S & W 41 - 5 1/2 that I have been wanting for a long time and finally bought it. Man that is an expensive pistol!

Great thread responses with a bunch of very valuable info.
 
.22 pistol for training, hunting, survival, fun and cheap to shoot. Everyone should have at least one.
 
Utilitywise

.357 revolver and possibly a .357 carbine.
A quality .22 rim fire rifle
12 or 20 gauge pump shotgun.
AR-15 if obtainable
A 30-30, the redneck AK
 
Your aunt didn't do bad, I'd have probably rather had a 308 instead of a 270 and the Governor wouldn't be on my list if I had a 50 gun limit.
There are lot's of ways I cold go and be capable but I think I'd want 2 center fire handguns 2 center fire rifles and a shotgun.
For my list I'd keep
momma's Sig P226 9mm, My STI VIP 45acp, my auto 5 12 guage, my 300 blackout AR and my Rossi 92 in 44 mag.
ask me again in 10mins and the last 4 may all change though.
 
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