How would you actually fare

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

This is a SHTF thread of sorts, but not the standard "critique my gear" or "what should I do" that we always see.

Many of us have "SHTF" plans or at least fantasies. But how do you think you would actually fare if there was say, an enemy occupation or a fight against some highly trained technologically advanced force, even a tyrannical government I get the feeling a lot of posters think they can simply throw together a bag of camping stuff, grab a rifle, and be fine. But what about PT? How is your body going to handle carrying all that stuff? How far can YOU walk or run? How much can you carry? Can you hit a man sized target with your rifle and pistol consistently, and fast? Now how about kneeling without a benchrest, and after running for a few minutes and being awake for 48 hours?

The "Appleseed" thread in General got me thinking. I've never been to one of those shoots, but the idea of turning rifle owners in "riflemen" is interesting. But how would the people fare against a real enemy? How many of them are too old and too overweight to last more than a few minutes, or a few days at most? Shooting from a benchrest while chewing on Skoal and sipping some beer is not preparation for combat.


Not to insult anyone, but methinks many "SHTF" talkers may be a little advanced in age, a little more advanced in weight, and a lot more advanced in fantasy ideas.

I've seen various "state guard groups, and even the more unsavory "militias" that some people form. Lot of grand visions of fighting of tanks and black helicopters, being the modern day minutemen against tyranny. But many of them are really just older guys with bellies full of beer in tight Nam era camo. If they went up against a real Army, they would all have heart attacks before the enemy even had a chance to shoot them.

So just our of curiosity, be honest with yourself, and the rest of us if you dare, and tell how you think you would fare in a real SHTF combat situation

 

[primer]

I a shtf situation, I would gather my family head down the road to an area that has a lot of trees and brush. I would camo my fifth wheel camper to the best of my ability. If I were single and younger, I would probably try some rambo crap. But being a family man, I would hide myself and my family. That would be my number one priority. Next would be ammo hunting and food supply. I already have a decent amount of food in my camper, but not enough to last several weeks. I would try to avoid being detected. If the enemy don't know your there they won't be shooting at you. A firefight would draw attention to your location and family. I would probably concentrait on silent weapons like bows and arrows, knives, spears and fast acting poison type weapons rather than blasting anything that comes near. Hunker down and wait it out for as long as possible. I live in an area that is pretty far from town and would probably have some time to act in a situation. The tree coverage in these areas and the swamps make hiding a little easier. Traps would be another good option, but it would have to be a trap that would cause immediate death. That way, no one has a chance to call for help and alert the enemy to my presence. I think I would fare better this way than going rambo on everything I see.

 

[Tribal]

I'd probably be hosed. So would most of us. I can't think of a scenario where you're likely to survive long-term without civilization if you have a family and there are others who want what you have. If you need your gun for more than an immediate threat, you've already lost.

Prevention and immediate remedy are more effective. We may get nuked one day (and hopefully not), but we'll not get successfully invaded and occupied any time soon. This goes both for the country as a whole and individually for those of us living in states that haven't trampled the RKBA. Whether it's another country assaulting our shores or an intruder breaking into our home, we have the means to repel boarders.

 

[ctdonath]

A lot of people in this world are living full-on SHTF situations: Iraq, Darfur, Zimbabwe, etc. This is nothing new; the names & places may change, but it's been going on throughout history.

What strikes me is: most people manage, and continue their daily mundane routines. As FerFAL's prolific & insightful posts show, SHTF is rarely exciting and usually is simply lived with.

 

[Kindrox]

an enemy occupation or a fight against some highly trained technologically advanced force

I imagine any sort of attempt for regular folks to leave home and fight in the manner you suggest would be suicide now matter your level training or conditioning.

A more practical method of countering the forces you describe is much more along the lines of how people in nazi occupied countries dealt with the situation.

Those people concentrated on blending in and building trustworthy networks to accomplish usefull tasks.

 

[308win]

A closet full of guns and a basement full of ammunition won't prolong the fight against a numerically, technologically, and logistically superior force. The people who try to hold out will die in place quickly unless they are bypassed for later cleanup. Kindrox and ctdonath nailed it - if you blend in and appear to be going along you may live to fight another day another way.

 

[GunTech]

Personally, I like my pizza in 30 minutes or less.

I've lived in primitive conditions, and I am not fantasizing about it.

 

[retgarr]

Gonna have to say I agree with GunTech. I am young, in shape, familiar with some wilderness survival techniques, posess sufficient fiepower, but I like the way I live now. If there is a SHTF situation I guess I'm better prepared than many. But I think there are many things I can do to prevent such a severe SHTF event.

(note: I recognize a STRONG difference between Katrina type event and a fantasy Red Dawn type of event.)

 

[skidmark]

Enemy occupation (foreign or domestic) can be overcome only by armies slugging it out toe to toe.

In the meantime, guerillia resistance movements have a long history.

I am too old and have too many physical ailments to be running around (OK, wheezing, huffing & puffing, stopping every few minutes to catch my breath) on any battlefield. But that may not stop me from casually tossing away something that has a high potential for violently disrupting the peace and tranquility, to say nothing of the physical integrity, of the occupiers' personnel and property.

If you ever hear "John's chair against the wall has a long mustache", be sure to cover your ears.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[Water-Man]

TAURUSOWNER>>>Are you suggesting everyone should just give up?

 

[Blackbeard]

I'll wager that I'd fare better than I would without all the camping stuff.

 

[WayneConrad]

My OEM parts are wearing out quick.

I'm getting better at politicking than I am at shooting, so that's where my energies belong. I'm betting that's where all of our energies belong. Our results there, no matter how difficult to achieve and however uncertain, are far less difficult and far less uncertain than any shooting war would be.

It's still good to know how to shoot, to have that rifle and some ammunition. But to stockpile ammunition and then not work hard to avoid having to use it is fatalistic at best, and maybe kind of sick.

 

[Fred Fuller]

This question is broad beyond the scope of issues properly considered in S&T.

Yes, physical conditioning is important. Unfortunately among some represented here, age and disabilities make conditioning comparable to that possible for younger and physically more sound members a mere memory.

The answer? Do the best you can with what you have...

lpl/nc