A couple of folks have ask me via PMs:
Why did you choose the single shot shotgun, .38spl revolvers, and .22 rifles?
First off, I was born in the 50's, we did not have early warning systems, no 911, much less cell phones or other new technologies.
Folks had supplies, just how raised and what you do. WE never heard of "bug out bags" when I was coming up. Not even with Civil Defense Drills we did all the time, and it seems to me, we did more CD drills, than Fire Drills.
I have been through too many tornadoes, the flooding, and fires that come with them.
I have also been through Floods, and Fires.
Tornadoes will take away gun safes, guns, supplies and equipment. This is why folks had supplies not only at home, also in areas such as Churches, Schools, a Business, Warehouse...etc.
I know, last year (2008) not one, but 3 of my off site locations were nailed. I lost a helluva lot!
So as a kid I was Mentored as I was. Bigger cities are busy, rural and semi rural have to fend for themselves.
-Folks get hurt either due to Serious Situation, or during the cleanup, and trying to get lives back in order.
Single Shot Shotguns, and Medium Frame dedicated .38spls are easy to operate, and to make sure they are safe
If you are hurt, you are hurt!
WE do a lot of Youth Single Shots, in 20 ga, as the shells are yellow, and easy to see in dim light. Add, one can carry more 2 3/4" 20 ga shells, than 12 ga.
Adults have to take a break, get some shut eye, be attended to if hurt...etc.
A kid, a teenager, can handle keeping up with a Single Shot Youth 20 bore.
WE were raised right, kids knew gun safety and everything.
Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Elderly, Physically Limited... can also handle that medium frame dedicated .38spl and that Youth 20 bore.
Hey, we used to get good used Police Trade ins, at a good price. Less monies than a .357, ...etc.
If you are hurt, you are hurt. So loading a magazine, or racking a slide, might be difficult.
I know all too well about looters coming through to a devastated area after dark, firing shots from moving vehicles in hopes of "running off" folks so they could steal things.
Rural and Semi Rural have tractors, and other equipment.
Some looters will hitch up a trailer, and run to areas hit and pick up such items.
Hit a barn and get saddles, and other items...
I was not yet a teenager , and had the best angle and Mentors said "shoot": and I made hits with 20 ga slugs to turn a lead vehicle around that was shooting our way.
Caravan of looters, shooting and had verbally stated intent...
Folks that heard my shots, thought I was running a pump gun...
-Some areas hit, are next to NO Firearms locations.
Meaning, near land owned by the Military, or Hunting Area, and all sorts of places where one either cannot have a gun , or if they do, that gun has to be unloaded.
Back in the day, Military places were a bit more lenient. So if due to Serious Weather, we needed to use a road, they would let us. They just asked we unload the guns first.
Nice folks, understanding, helpful. Still we needed access as maybe a road was out, or a bridge blocked, whatever.
At least in a way using land access of Military, worked as a Security thing for those hit.
It is easy to unload, make safe single shot shotguns, revolvers, and lever action rifles.
Easy to get back into action to.
-The .22 rim-fire pistol, and rifle plays a big role.
Folks get hurt. Some may have physical limits such as Osteo, or detached retinas, or shoulder, neck, back surgeries...problems...NO RECOIL orders by Doctors and Physical Therapists.
Hey, if a person is hurt, I am not going to hand them something that Recoils, that might cost an eye, or paralyze them. It is best to err on the side of caution.
Get some gal far along expecting a baby...and it might be best she use a .22.
First, do no harm.
Of course the .22 takes care of pests, small game, and works for a signal if need as well.
-In 2008, I used a Model 94, in 30-30, and this gun shoots best with 170 grainers.
Iron sights, simple leather sling.
I was Mobile, running the properties during all the tornadoes that ripped through, and more than once.
I carried a concealed handgun, and kept a .22 semi auto pistol in the truck I was using.
This carbine is not dependent on a magazine, is easy to tote, and works from "right here" to "out yonder a bit".
This was not my first rodeo, so for me, I have found what Mentors passed onto me, still works.
Shotguns and those revolvers were used as well by others. Since I and others had been hit, meaning supplies, we had to make do a time or two with what we had.
This is where Mindset, Skillsets, then Toolsets come into play.
One tornado removed a safe, with guns, knives and other equipment. It was found later, in a field about a quarter of a mile away.
Another safe, and equipment, was under water, so that supply was out of commission.
I assure you, these folks were mighty appreciative of some "antiquated" tools, such as single shot shotguns, revolvers, .22 rimfire, and non locking, no clip, no assist opening pocket knives and Old Hickory knives.
I have been through riots and civil un-rests. Situations where firebombs are tossed toward porches, and roofs and ...
It is dim, or dark, you shoot the firebomb to keep it from setting fire to structures.
Simple shotguns, using correct basic fundamentals of shotgunning.
The firebomb is felled into the street, or someplace more safe, and the mob, gets the message, some folks are prepared, and do know how to defend against multiple types of threats.
Hey, Mentors and I used shotguns without a bead to fell these. Our shotguns fit us, and we knew what loads did, as we had patterned our guns.
WE shot a lot of skeet, a 4" or so target that runs 55 mph, and even today, many clay shooters, with custom shotguns, do not have a bead installed - on purpose.
So it was not really that big of a deal. Really.
WE had been in competitions, where a bead fell off a shotgun and we did not realize it, until it was pointed out to use.
Firebomb, clay, dove, quail, duck...focus on the target, and just shoot the darn thing using correct fundamentals of shotgunning.
Can't buy it, gotta earn it.
My suggestion is to Investigate & Verify what works for you, for your environment, and tasks.
Ain't none of us gonna be with you when Serious Hits...
Do consider...
Breaking it down to the most simple, as simple , simply works.
) . I moved back north as well to get away from that trash. That's no area to raise a familly.
