Best SHTF gun thread...again

[JonnyNYC90]

Hello everyone!
I've been reading around these forums for quite a while now and I figured I should start being a part of the community here. This will be my first post, with many more to come (hopefully).

Anyway, I have read MANY threads concerning the dead horse topic of: What is the best SHTF rifle/shotgun?
I am looking into purchasing my first long gun and I would really appreciate everyone's input into this decision of mine. I don't have endless money, so I need to choose wisely.

With that being said...
I live in a suburban area, kind of a mix between a small town and a city. If there were to be a serious civil issue with any kind of shooting whatsoever (deer, people attacking me, etc.), it would be within 150 yards most of the time.

I am optimally looking for a good mix between durability/reliability and accuracy. I am fully aware that I cannot have the accuracy of a bolt-action hunting rifle with an AK 47.

So, please help me out everyone! What should I buy for a situation like mine? A saiga-12? The trusty AK? SKS? I'm not looking to spend more than $800, optimally.

Thanks for all future replies, and I hope to see everyone on the forums!

Jonny

 

[SSN Vet]

IMO, when discussing SHTF you have to define what type of S your preparing for...

The apocolypse and raising of the dead? La Reconquista? Break down of law & order, with marauding gangs?

The idea to me is 1.) how many opponents? 2.) how are they armed? 3.) whose on your team?

Personally, I think it's silly to think we're all going to take to the woods and provide for our sustanance by hunting wild game. Many people moved west of the Mississippi because they could no longer pull this off in the 1800's and I don't think the ratio of people to game has improved since then. So imo, scratch that one off of your list.

Another point to consider is that no firearm is gong to be of much help unless you have it with you. And toting around an M-14 on your shoulder, besides being impractical, may serve the same as painting a target on your back.

A light, portable, concealable, semi-auto with high cap mags and a lethal punch would spell out the function requirements to me...

Insert fit and form preference here __________

And most importantly, become proficient with whatever you choose.

The reason the argument continues is because logic offers many viable solutions, while opinionated people insist that their answer is the only one.

 

[Bubbles]

I live in a suburban area... within 150 yards most of the time.

I am optimally looking for a good mix between durability/reliability and accuracy... I'm not looking to spend more than $800, optimally.

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 pump shotgun. Load with slugs, buckshot, or birdshot depending on your need. Both are under $800, which will leave you money for ammo.

 

[Sky]

SHTF.... Assumption....more than one attacking critters/rabid dogs zombies, cartel bad guys?

If it is SHTF with sentient beings attacking fire superiority is a pretty serious consideration in making them stop (put there heads down) their actions. Bolt action restricts rate of fire.

 

[Yo Mama]

Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 pump shotgun. Load with slugs, buckshot, or birdshot depending on your need. Both are under $800, which will leave you money for ammo.

This is your answer.

 

[JonnyNYC90]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I really appreciate it.
Bubbles and Yo Mama: Any reason why you would choose a Remington or Mossberg over a Saiga-12? Aren't Saigas supposed to be very reliable, or am I wrong?

Thanks,
Jonny

 

[hardworker]

I've said it before and I'll say it again

Short of zombie apocalypse or nuclear holocaust the most you're gonna have to do is maybe fight off looters. A shotgun will work for that. And count on being contacted by the law afterwards. There's too much government in the world today for it to completely disappear

 

[wh!plash]

Well I moved to FL because I had to leave after Katrina. So I guess you could say that was as close to a real SHTF as most of us will get.

Even during that though, it would have looked really out of place slinging a rifle over your back everywhere you go. So the shotgun/M4/AK things is out for me. Although I do keep an always-accessible KISS M4-style AR at the house.

So realistically, it came down to an utterly reliable full-size handgun. Preferably of a substantial caliber, with a good capacity, and easy to attach an LED surefire (bright, awesome battery life). HK USP .45 or Glock for me, even though I'm a huge 1911 fan at the range.

More important than the gun though, is tons of bottled water at the house, tons of canned food, and a generator if you can. Most of this didn't matter for me in Katrina because I happened to work at the hospital. I was out of power at the house for over 3 weeks though.

 

[stonecutter2]

Lol, I love the reactions to these kind of threads, but I think it's a totally valid question.

I think it's obvious that you're not talking about zombies or the apocalypse. And if you are, then load up with all the tactical gear you can afford, I guess.

I think you're talking about when something like a natural disaster (or other disaster) of significant damage strikes, and lawlessness starts to erupt.

You want something easily manageable, without over penetration, and relatively easy to shoot and practice with.

I would recommend a short shotgun with a buttstock for control (not pistol grip, but if it comes with one, great). 12 gauge. Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 or the like.

Stock up on plenty of shells (buckshot and slugs), and have a plan for a place in your home to retreat to and reinforce if necessary - a basement room, an upstairs room. Keep supplies like those little propane tanks and a portable stove to hook them up to, so that if nothing else you can boil water to make it drinkable. Keep a fire extinguisher (or several) handy as well.

Keep some cases of water up there, as well as something to eat for about a week. You can live awhile without food, but without drinkable water things get bad really fast. No point in holing up somewhere with a gun while you quickly dehydrate.

 

[uspJ]

I would stick to a magazine fed military style rifle AK, AR, M1A, FAL, CETME excetera or a good hi-cap shotgun loaded with buckshot.

 

[wh!plash]

And count on being contacted by the law afterwards. There's too much government in the world today for it to completely disappear

I have to respectfully disagree. I'd say prepare for the chance of getting contacted by the law afterwards. But I can guarantee there's a lot of people that disappeared off the face of the earth forever in Louisiana, August 2005. I know for a fact they never identified 100% of the bodies, and not every name on the missing persons list was accounted for.

In a TRUE SHTF, don't let the law keep you from doing what you need to do.

 

[Hillbillyz]

The advantage of the Rem or Mossberg is a very time tested design. Few moving parts, simple to maintain, and very rugged.

 

[mbogo]

My choice is something I can a) find ammunition for, and b) find spare parts for.

The AR15 and .223 are ubiquitous. Other military type firearms and ammunition are not.

Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s are very common, as is 12 gauge ammunition.

mbogo

 

[Bubbles]

Any reason why you would choose a Remington or Mossberg over a Saiga-12?

$$$$$$$ Saiga is pricier. That said, if you like it and it works for you, then use it.

 

[Bullnettles]

AK for 150 yards, either Rem or Moss for close up, but as stated above, short of absolute hell in handbasket, you won't be throwing either over your shoulder and walking about. I vote for having three weapons ready for any circumstances. Building up a good set of defensive weapons may take time, get what will keep you and your family safe immediately (shotgun for home, pistol if on the move), then get the more fun toys that can reach out there. That's my reasoning anyway.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Welcome, but these types of threads are frowned upon here. Expect it to be locked up shortly.

 

[Jonah71]

I'd be pretty much toast anyway since all I have (in the house) right now is a good supply of handguns and ammo. If the threat is close enough for me to use them..... my tactics have failed.

 

[easyg]

With that being said...
I live in a suburban area, kind of a mix between a small town and a city. If there were to be a serious civil issue with any kind of shooting whatsoever (deer, people attacking me, etc.), it would be within 150 yards most of the time.

First a few questions:

1) Would this weapon also be used for hunting game?

2) Do you plan on traveling ("bug out") if a SHTF scenario occurs?

3) Would you be on your own in such a scenario, or do you have family or friends that would be with you?


The biggest problem with shotguns is that the ammo is heavy and bulky to carry.
This could be a real problem if you need to abandon your home or refuge and hike to somewhere safe.
With a small caliber rifle (like a .22LR) you would be able to carry much more ammo for the same amount of weight.

Personally, in a real SHTF scenario, I would prefer a handgun over a rifle or shotgun.

 

[Sky]

There was a thread about arming the neighborhood with a article posted by Mainsail. The link does not work or at least not for me anymore. It is a really good read *SO* do a google search for..........Life in Post-Collapse Argentina, Oct. 2005

 

[Kwanger]

This should do it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minigun

 

[JonnyNYC90]

To easyg:
1. No, this weapon would not be used for hunting game. I live in an area where there really is no game to hunt. I would mainly use this gun for self-defense.

2. I would plan on traveling. Unfortunately, the place where I currently reside is NOT a good place for a SHTF hideout. I will need to move a short distance (about 1 mile or less).

3. I would most likely have my father with me, possibly a friend or two. My father owns a SIG 556 and my nearest friend has his own AR, so they are alright.

 

[JFrame]

There was a thread about arming the neighborhood with a article posted by Mainsail. The link does not work or at least not for me anymore. It is a really good read *SO* do a google search for..........Life in Post-Collapse Argentina, Oct. 2005

Here is the specific link to the above-cited article for those who might be interested...

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argentinas-economic-collapse-part-1-3/

.

 

[hardworker]

Actually, I bet if you hunker down, it won't be long before stray dogs and cats come your way. Who doesn't like General Tso's chicken?

 

[pro2]

You best defense for SHTF is to remove yourself from the environment as quickly as possible, while bringing as little attention to yourself as possible. If SHTF in a suburban area, remove yourself from it. Choose a reliable firearm that can be concealed, uses a common caliber, and can be used to dispatch game (for food).

 

[griff383]

If you already have friends and family that are equipped with rifles then perhaps the shotgun is your best option. A Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 is probably your best bet. Nothing is more reliable than a pump shotgun, and these two particular models have an overwhelmingly ammount of accessories readily available so you can customize it to make it yours. Also if your budget is $800 you can easily pick one up for around $200 and have surplus cash to purchase a handgun and some ammo for both.