BoySetsTheFire
Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2006
- Messages
- 135
I thought I would start a new thread, as there are so many existing threads on the topic and they are quite lengthy. Also, I don't agree with many of the answers I've seen. I am also aware that most of the people on this forum are totally familiar with what I'm saying below. But I also see new people on the forum that are new to firearms. This post is directed at them.
My first and most basic premise is this: When the SHTF, the gun is only one of many considerations. The gun is simply a tool and your brain is the weapon. This has been said by many others. I simply quote it, it is not something I thought up.
The next thing is to fully understand firearm safety. You can learn this at a range or in a class. I am amazed at the number of idiots that show up at the range with expensive guns and handle them carelessly, and dangerously. Our range officers make short work of those people.
The next thing to do is to learn the gun, in detail. How to sight it in, clean it, disassemble and assemble it and properly maintain it. Example: A primer cap blows back and lodges in your trigger group. Gun no longer cycles - case closed. Some rifles require a tool to pop the trigger group, like the SKS. Others can be pulled open, like the M1. If you can't do this quickly when the SHTF, then you are s**t out of luck.
Next, learn to shoot that rifle with specific ammo. Most decent low cost rifles will shoot a 3 inch group at 100 yards, like the SKS and M1. Learn to do that. Learn to control and eliminate flyers. Learn to shoot from a rest, prone, and off-hand. Learn to shoot with both eyes open so that you can quickly spot your target and sight it. Learn to recover from recoil and re-sight. The actual gun is the least of it.
I agree with the recommendations on the SKS. I also believe that the M1 is a superb choice, as it can be had for under $500. The little Henry .22 fold-up job is a superb survival rifle, will keep you fed, and easy to carry. My theory is that when the SHTF, you should have a gun for every shooting member of your family. That makes the SKS a good choice because of low recoil, cheap ammo to allow for practice, and cheap cost of gun. The SKS is also very easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble.
Just some my 2¢ on some common sense ideas on the SHTF gun. I've heard it said that the best gun is the one that is available when you need it.
My first and most basic premise is this: When the SHTF, the gun is only one of many considerations. The gun is simply a tool and your brain is the weapon. This has been said by many others. I simply quote it, it is not something I thought up.
The next thing is to fully understand firearm safety. You can learn this at a range or in a class. I am amazed at the number of idiots that show up at the range with expensive guns and handle them carelessly, and dangerously. Our range officers make short work of those people.
The next thing to do is to learn the gun, in detail. How to sight it in, clean it, disassemble and assemble it and properly maintain it. Example: A primer cap blows back and lodges in your trigger group. Gun no longer cycles - case closed. Some rifles require a tool to pop the trigger group, like the SKS. Others can be pulled open, like the M1. If you can't do this quickly when the SHTF, then you are s**t out of luck.
Next, learn to shoot that rifle with specific ammo. Most decent low cost rifles will shoot a 3 inch group at 100 yards, like the SKS and M1. Learn to do that. Learn to control and eliminate flyers. Learn to shoot from a rest, prone, and off-hand. Learn to shoot with both eyes open so that you can quickly spot your target and sight it. Learn to recover from recoil and re-sight. The actual gun is the least of it.
I agree with the recommendations on the SKS. I also believe that the M1 is a superb choice, as it can be had for under $500. The little Henry .22 fold-up job is a superb survival rifle, will keep you fed, and easy to carry. My theory is that when the SHTF, you should have a gun for every shooting member of your family. That makes the SKS a good choice because of low recoil, cheap ammo to allow for practice, and cheap cost of gun. The SKS is also very easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble.
Just some my 2¢ on some common sense ideas on the SHTF gun. I've heard it said that the best gun is the one that is available when you need it.