Alright, I have been reading other people’s scenarios and decided to come up with my own. Suppose an apocalyptic event occurs (influenza pandemic, nuclear war, impact with space object…..you pick). Suppose you survive and are able to carry only two firearms (to defend your family, provide food….basically general purposes), one being a handgun what would you pick. Remember ammunition is scarce as well as maintenance materials.
gun for the end of the world
- Thread starter apmilton
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some type of AK variant for my rifle, and for the handgun...
hmmmm....ruger gp100...does it have to be semi since this is in the semiauto forum???
i would take a gp100 though for my handgun...
gp100 and ak are both known for durability and reliability...probably won't break on me, and little need for maintenance...
i could hunt, snipe, provide cover fire, plenty of ammo and ammo would be easy to find...
hmmmm....ruger gp100...does it have to be semi since this is in the semiauto forum???
i would take a gp100 though for my handgun...
gp100 and ak are both known for durability and reliability...probably won't break on me, and little need for maintenance...
i could hunt, snipe, provide cover fire, plenty of ammo and ammo would be easy to find...
gunman42782
Member
AR-15 and 1911.
sm
member
.22 rim-fire.
Small concealable handgun, and single shot rifle.
Ammo works for barter, both ways.
Small concealable handgun for being amongst persons or any restricted areas where being nondescript might be needed, the rifle is proven for small game, and even 'poaching season".
Recalling more history how the .22 has been used for situations, one can get other guns, with these two guns...
Small concealable handgun, and single shot rifle.
Ammo works for barter, both ways.
Small concealable handgun for being amongst persons or any restricted areas where being nondescript might be needed, the rifle is proven for small game, and even 'poaching season".
Recalling more history how the .22 has been used for situations, one can get other guns, with these two guns...
Eightball
Member
Either a Springfield 1903, or a customized M70 with a stainless barrel, in .30-06. Most common round near where I live, the customized M70 would work for hunting and long range duty, the 1903 would work for the same and be more robust.
For a handgun, most certainly a .357. If you find .357 ammo, use it. If you find .38 ammo, use it. The best option for this would be that Medusa revolver from not too many years ago, that could use .380, 9x18, 9x19, .38 special, and .357 mag ammo.
If I had to have a semi-auto, I'd probably take a 1911. There's plenty of them out there, .45ACP=.45ACP, many parts are interchangeable (if I find one elsewhere, keep it for spare parts, etc). I would like to carry around something different, but in the off chance that this is supposed to be the "end of the world", and I am intending to have this thing the rest of my life--well, a crapload of Americans have 1911s, and if I'm using one with GI parts, I can pirate those out of other people's firearms, because no matter how many customization options one firearm may have that another doesn't--chances are, stuff'll swap. That's not guaranteed on most other platforms/calibers of weapon.
For a handgun, most certainly a .357. If you find .357 ammo, use it. If you find .38 ammo, use it. The best option for this would be that Medusa revolver from not too many years ago, that could use .380, 9x18, 9x19, .38 special, and .357 mag ammo.
If I had to have a semi-auto, I'd probably take a 1911. There's plenty of them out there, .45ACP=.45ACP, many parts are interchangeable (if I find one elsewhere, keep it for spare parts, etc). I would like to carry around something different, but in the off chance that this is supposed to be the "end of the world", and I am intending to have this thing the rest of my life--well, a crapload of Americans have 1911s, and if I'm using one with GI parts, I can pirate those out of other people's firearms, because no matter how many customization options one firearm may have that another doesn't--chances are, stuff'll swap. That's not guaranteed on most other platforms/calibers of weapon.
maybe instead of the ak, i would take a 22 inch barrel ppump shotgun of somesort...doesn't matter which brand, winchester, mossberg, remington...
reason being is that the ak is mag fed, and i'd rather have a gun that only needs bullets to funtion...kind of like a revolver over a semi...no need to worry about magazines...
the shotty could be used for hunting, and 7 or 8 rounds would be plenty for most situations...
although, the ak would be really usefull if you were to encounter another hostile gang that had me outnumbered...
reason being is that the ak is mag fed, and i'd rather have a gun that only needs bullets to funtion...kind of like a revolver over a semi...no need to worry about magazines...
the shotty could be used for hunting, and 7 or 8 rounds would be plenty for most situations...
although, the ak would be really usefull if you were to encounter another hostile gang that had me outnumbered...
Hunter0924
Member
Government Model and Ar 15.
Titan6
member
If it really were the end of the world why would I need guns?
Hmmm.... since this is hand gun forum I guess select a hand gun...
Glock 9mm or .40.
Hmmm.... since this is hand gun forum I guess select a hand gun...
Glock 9mm or .40.
Allow me to rephrase the title…..Gun for the total collapse of the American government, economy, and basically the whole society as we know it due to an apocalyptic event in which you have to live the rest of your life scrounging for food…..any better?
if you're in it for food -- .22lr owns all. you can buy several thousand rounds for less than $100 (federal 550 packs for ~$12) which will keep you good to go for a LONG time. .22 guns are pretty affordable, too -- brand new handgun for <$300 and good quality rifle for <$450 (or, of course, middle of the road for faaaar less... but even those won't suffer too much for lack of utility in situation you describe).
now, aside from a couple good .22's, i'd also have something bigger to scare away the two-legged predators should they decide to come 'a knockin. but ideally the .22's would be for primary use and for hunting... shotguns with slugs, or other calibers for defense would ideally be mostly "for show" but be ready if need be.
Sixtigers
Member
I think sm nailed it.
The name of my game in such a scenario is not so much offense, as to not be noticed at all. I can bring home enough meat with a .22 (given that there is anything left to kill for food) to support me and mine, and put many thousands of rounds away against that possibility without it breaking the bank. Also, I think .22LR would be a great trade commodity--everybody's got 'em, and everybody will want/need the bullets. Having five or six thousand put away sounds like a good idea. So:
I'd say a good .22 rifle. For me, it'd be the bolt action I've had since I was...well, let's just say over thirty years.
For a handgun, I'd stick with a 1911A1. The handgun, for me, is a defensive weapon, not a hunting weapon. I should not have to use it much, or hopefully, at all.
I choose no EBRs because of the cost of ammo, and for the fact that I don't think I'm young enough anymore to go out looking for trouble...and more than likely, if trouble comes looking for me, no one rifle is going to help me too much one way or another.
If I was bivouacked with a group, I'd want my M1A and a .45. I'd still have my .45 for defense, and the M1A would make me an asset for group defense, where the .22 might not help so much.
The name of my game in such a scenario is not so much offense, as to not be noticed at all. I can bring home enough meat with a .22 (given that there is anything left to kill for food) to support me and mine, and put many thousands of rounds away against that possibility without it breaking the bank. Also, I think .22LR would be a great trade commodity--everybody's got 'em, and everybody will want/need the bullets. Having five or six thousand put away sounds like a good idea. So:
I'd say a good .22 rifle. For me, it'd be the bolt action I've had since I was...well, let's just say over thirty years.
For a handgun, I'd stick with a 1911A1. The handgun, for me, is a defensive weapon, not a hunting weapon. I should not have to use it much, or hopefully, at all.
I choose no EBRs because of the cost of ammo, and for the fact that I don't think I'm young enough anymore to go out looking for trouble...and more than likely, if trouble comes looking for me, no one rifle is going to help me too much one way or another.
If I was bivouacked with a group, I'd want my M1A and a .45. I'd still have my .45 for defense, and the M1A would make me an asset for group defense, where the .22 might not help so much.
Tom C.
Member.
I suspect survival in this type of situation is a mult-part event: if you are at work when this happens, you need to get home; after you get home, you may need to survive long term or move somewhere else. Getting home may be walking, therefore minimize the load.
To get home, I have chosen a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag and a S&W 627 .357. In addition, a Ruger MK II 678GC with an Ultradot LT red dot sight to serve as a .22 “pocket rifle” for small game food gathering, if necessary.
To get home, I have chosen a Marlin 1894C in .357 mag and a S&W 627 .357. In addition, a Ruger MK II 678GC with an Ultradot LT red dot sight to serve as a .22 “pocket rifle” for small game food gathering, if necessary.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Colt Woodsman 1st series and a maxim offset suppressor or a S&W 35-1 and a marlin 1894c in 357.
Geronimo45
Member
My Marlin .22... Model 70 or 60, don't recall. Semi-auto, mag-fed from a 15-rounder. Pretty accurate, has sling mounts. For handgun... hard choice. Either the Beretta .22 or a K-frame Smith in .357. Maybe a S&W bodyguard model in .357.
Prince Yamato
Member
I'd take my Glock 26. 
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Already Got 'Em
West German 9m/m SIG P228, and Colt M4A3 in .223 caliber~!
West German 9m/m SIG P228, and Colt M4A3 in .223 caliber~!
bannockburn
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For the handgun part, I would have to go with a Colt 1911 .45ACP, along with a .22LR conversion unit. Best of both worlds. Some of the others have it right; the last thing you would want to happen in an End of the World situation would be to get drawn into any sort of firefight. You don't have the firepower, logistics, and support to come out ahead in any sort of extended gunplay. Your only chance for survival would be for an extremely low profile until the situation stabilizes (if it ever does). Think defensively.
spyderdude
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An AK-47 or one of its variants
Glock 19
Glock 19
dixierifleman
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AR variant with a 22lr conversion, suppressor, plenty of mags and ammo, ACOG and iron sights. for a pistol, 1911 style double stack
gunnerh
Member
Any of the combo rifle/shotgun. Pick your caliber choices 22/410, 30/30/20ga or the new Remington in .223/12ga. I think that maybe my next long gun. The most availabe ammo after SHTF will be IMHO .22, 30/30 and 12GA from any remaining retail souces and .223 and 9mm from miltary. For a carry piece a well-broken in Walther P22, small but good enough.
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